A Genealogist-on-Demand™ Virtual Consultation gives access to our team of highly experienced genealogists. During your consultation you will meet with one of our professional genealogists for 45 minutes in an online screensharing platform. Your genealogist will assist in answering your research questions and provide strategies for continuing your research efforts.
Nope! Just a computer or mobile device and an Internet connection. After you schedule your consultation, you will receive an email with information on setting up the screenshare, which we recommend doing 24 hours in advance of your scheduled consultation to ensure there are no technology issues.
No. Your genealogist will only be able to see what is on your computer screen, so have your documents and/or DNA test results open and ready on your computer.
Our Genealogist-on-Demand™ service offers two options: Genealogy Consultations and DNA Consultations.
A Genealogy Consultation may be scheduled with one of our experts who specialize in that particular region or topic, which include the following:
– British Isles (England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales)
– Australasia (Australia, New Zealand)
– North America (U.S., Canada, African American, Native American)
– Europe (Baltic States, Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Western Europe)
Our DNA Consultations give you access to one of our genetic genealogists who can walk you through your DNA testing results, explain how to use those results to resolve a research question, and more. We are able to work with results from any of the major testing companies: MyHeritage, 23andMe, AncestryDNA, Family Tree DNA, and Living DNA, and can analyze autosomal, mtDNA or Y-DNA test results.
Will my genealogist do the research for me?
The Genealogist-on-Demand™ consultations are designed to help you continue your own research, with the guidance of a professional who has expertise in a particular area. While your genealogist can provide counsel and make suggestions for record collections or research strategies, they will not do the research for you.
If you're interested in having a professional genealogist complete the research for you, a better fit would be one of our full-service research projects.
Yes! When you're just starting out is a great time to meet with a professional genealogist. They can help you create a research plan, and give you advice on best practices to employ as you embark on the journey of diving into your personal family history.
Our Genealogist-on-Demand™ virtual consultations are tailored to your skill level, whether you're a novice researcher just starting out or if you're a professional genealogist. Everyone can benefit from an additional set of eyes that can bring a new perspective to a research question.
Our researchers have years of expertise in the regions they specialize in, and can provide expert advice to help even the seasoned family historian make progress on their family history goals.
Of course! Scheduling a consultation is a great way to “test the waters” and speak to a professional genealogist who can help you determine the viability of a research project. Your genealogist can also help establish expectations of what may be accomplished in a full-service research project. With this information, you can determine if you're ready to hire a researcher.
We want to make the most effective use of your time as possible. To help facilitate this, after you schedule your Genealogist-on-Demand™ Virtual Consultation you will be redirected to a Pre-Consultation Checklist. The information provided in this checklist will help us tailor your genealogy consultation to your needs, and ensure we aren't providing research suggestions you've already tried.
In most instances, the Pre-Consultation Checklist should take less than 10 minutes to complete. It will ask you questions like:
– What is your skill level?
– What is the goal of your consultation? (what do you want to know?)
– What research have you already completed that relates to this goal?
Keeping your research questions focused helps us make the most effective use of your time.
Yes! Following your consultation you should have received an email with a direct link to schedule a follow-up with your consultant. If you no longer have this email, contact us at [email protected] and we'll make sure you have the correct link to schedule a follow-up with your initial consultant.
Absolutely! A virtual consultation makes the perfect gift for a loved one. Contact our Client Solutions Team at [email protected] or by phone at 800.818.1476 (or 0800 0488530 for clients residing outside the U.S. and Canada) and they will assist you with your purchase.