How much does this cost?
Every project starts with a Scoping Assessment — a fixed 3-hour archive review for $300. This tells you what's realistically findable before you commit to anything further. If you proceed, research continues in prepaid 5-hour blocks at $120 per hour ($600 per block). A Narrative Report with a designed family tree is a flat $400, inclusive of two rounds of revisions. A fully designed Family History Book is quoted individually based on scope. You decide whether to commission each new block, so you're never committed beyond what you've already approved.
Do I have to pay if the research doesn't find anything?
Yes — you pay for the research time itself, not for a guaranteed result. This is standard across professional genealogy, and it's worth understanding why: archival research is investigative work, and a thorough, well-documented search that concludes "the records don't survive" or "this line ends here" is still real, valuable work. It closes a question rather than leaving it open indefinitely. What I can promise is transparency throughout — you'll always know what's been searched, what's been found, and what the realistic odds are, so there are no surprises about where your budget is going.
Is there a minimum project size?
The Scoping Assessment is the natural entry point and the smallest standalone engagement — a fixed 3 hours, CHF 250. Beyond that, research is sold in 5-hour blocks, which is the minimum increment for the archival research phase. In practice, most family histories worth pursuing need at least one full block to make meaningful progress, so this tends to align naturally with what's useful rather than feeling like an artificial floor.
Do you require payment upfront?
Yes. The Scoping Assessment is paid in full before work begins, and each 5-hour research block is prepaid before that block of work starts. This isn't about distrust — it reflects how the time is structured and budgeted on both sides, and it means you always know exactly what you've committed to spend before any new work begins.
How long does a project take?
The Scoping Assessment is delivered within one week of receiving your completed intake form and materials. Beyond that, timing depends on how many hours you commission and how responsive the archives are — some records are available instantly online, others require weeks for a written response from an archive abroad. At the end of each 5-hour block you'll receive a written report and a realistic estimate of what the next block could cover, so the pace is always visible rather than open-ended.
Will you interview my living relatives?
No — interviewing family members is something I leave to you. You know your relatives, the dynamics involved, and the right way to approach sensitive conversations far better than I would as an outside researcher. What I can do is help you prepare thoughtful questions based on what the archival research has already surfaced, so your conversations are as productive as possible. My work focuses on the documentary record — archives, registers, civil records — which complements rather than replaces what your family already knows.
What if the research uncovers something difficult or unexpected?
Family history occasionally turns up things that are sensitive — unexpected parentage, difficult social circumstances, or facts that complicate a family's understanding of itself. I handle these discoveries carefully and will always discuss anything significant with you directly before including it in a written deliverable. You're also entitled to ask that specific sensitive findings be left out of the final piece. The goal is for you to feel informed and supported, not blindsided.
How do I pay you?
By credit card via a secure payment link, or by bank transfer for larger amounts if you prefer. I'm based in Switzerland, and invoices can be issued in CHF or USD depending on what's easiest for you.
What happens to my family's information afterward?
Your materials and the research findings are kept confidentially and securely for up to five years after the engagement ends, after which they're deleted unless you've asked otherwise. I won't use your family's information for any purpose beyond the agreed research scope, and I won't reference your project publicly unless you've explicitly given consent for that. Full details are in the
privacy policy and in the client agreement provided before any paid work begins.
My name is Anya. I am a genealogical researcher specializing in Caribbean colonial history, and my approach is shaped by a background in anthropology, communications, graphic design, and over a decade working in international development.
