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Over the years, in developing this website and others, I have been inundated with requests to perform informal research on behalf of overseas visitors, building a wealth of research experience and having access to considerable resources. I am now introducing a new service to Ayrshire's Domain. Genealogical and Family Research. Please read through this section fully if you are considering placing a research request. It will provide information on the nature of the details I will likely be able to provide and what is required from you to make the chances of success more realistic.
How long will my request take? - This is a difficult question to answer - how long is a piece of string? This all depends on how much detail you are able to provide before I begin searching. As a rough guide - if you are able to provide a full name, year of birth, place of birth and either marriage details/spouse details/siblings names or year of death the chances are I will return some results in about 3 hours. I would suggest that a minimum of three hours research would be a reasonable start. NOTE: you will not receive these results within three hours, see the section entitled - When will I receive my results?- for more detail. Back to question list.
What information will you be able to provide? - A successful search can yield a number of results. In Scotland records are fairly comprehensive. Types of information I can provide are: Personal details, such as full name and names of parents, date of birth, date of death (if applicable), name(s) of spouse(s), names of known children, and the home address of the person when they were born, when they married and when they died. Other information can include, grave location (for deceased), copy of birth, marriage or death certificates and photographs of grave stones etc. If your requirements are not listed here, complete the research request form, outline your requirements and I will get back to you. Back to question list.
What records can you check?- Records in Scotland can be researched from a number of sources, Census Records, Old Parish Records, Military Records, Libraries, Local Museums and various online sources. Back to question list.
What other sources do you use? - I make extensive use of 'real sources', i.e. museums, libraries, grave yards, council records etc. The internet is a wonderful thing, but the sources online are a fraction of what is available offline, if you are prepared to put in the effort to look. Be wary of any researcher to professes to carry out all or most of their research from online sources. Back to question list.
When will I receive my results? - This is entirely dependant on the results achieved. I will keep you regularly informed and updated on my progress ( you could expect to hear from me within 1 week of your request) and I will NEVER undertake a search that I suspect is fruitless, I will always be completely up front with you. If for example, you provide some or all of the information asked for in question one, I would most likely have a result in a matter of hours. I will then type up my findings, comment on the results, make suggestions on how you could possibly enhance the result and forward it all to you within about 4 weeks. If copies of birth/marriage or death certificates are ordered, this may delay the process, but my findings will be sent and the certificates forwarded to you as they arrive. This 4 week period allows me to check and double check my results to be as sure as possible of their validity. Back to question list.
I only have a surname and assumed location, can you still search? - yes, but I would have difficulty validating the results and guaranteeing the people found are the ones you are looking for. The more detail your can provide at the start, the more accurate the results will be. For example, if you provide an estimated year of birth or death, this would narrow the results considerably - I would search a number of years above and below this date. If I were to search for the surname 'Ferguson' from 'Wester Ross', I would have loads of names and these people would not necessarily be related. All research is paid by the hour, so the quicker I can obtain valid results the less expensive the process would be. Back to question list.
I am adopted, will you help me find my natural parents? - No, sorry. The are agencies that are highly experienced in this type of searching and bringing people together. I can however, if you were born in the UK, obtain a copy of your birth certificate and in some cases the name of the solicitor who handled the adoption process. Your original birth certificate would at the very least state your natural mothers name, her occupation and address at the time of your birth. Birth Certificates are a good starting point for family research. To get a copy of your original birth certificate, I would need to know, your exact date of birth, town of birth or the hospital you were born in, your name at birth (if you know it) and if possible your mothers surname. Talk to members of your family, it is likely that they will be able to tell you some of this information.
How long have you been performing this kind of research? - I have been undertaking research on a variety of subjects for approximately 10 years. I am experienced in this field. I live and work in Ayrshire on the West Coast of Scotland and have access to a wealth of resources that are just not available online, you can only get to them if you come here. Back to question list.
What other kinds of research will you do/ have you done? - My previous research has included historical research, traditions/clans/folklore etc. I have researched the history of buildings/castles etc. In addition I have located properties within Scotland for prospective purchasers, put clients in touch with business trading partners in the UK and sourced suppliers worldwide. If you are looking for something I will do my best to find it for you. Back to question list.
What about multiple results on a search? - This is an occupational hazard and can be minimised by good information to start with. See this section.
I believe I am descended from Scottish Royalty/ a famous person, will you be able to prove it? - not if it isn't true! We would all love to find an interesting character or famous person in our family history, but most of us are pretty ordinary with ordinary folks in our ancestry. If you are specifically looking to prove a tenuous link to Royalty or someone famous, you are likely to be disappointed. Ordinary people are usually far more interesting anyway. Back to question list.
Will you guarantee your results are accurate and relevant? - My results will only be as good as the information you supply. I will guarantee therefore, that they are accurate and relevant to the details you provide me with. I cannot be held responsible for clients supplying inaccurate information. Back to question list.
I don't know where to start. - You probably know far more than you think about your lineage. Talk to members of your family, and write it all down, you don't want to forget an important detail. Important things are fairly obvious, Names, dates of birth, locations, brothers & sisters, Parents/Grandparents, occupations etc. When you have as much detail as you can get and have hit a 'brick wall', then consider asking someone to perform a more formal research. You might actually find you don't need anyone else's help at all. Families know more about one another than anyone else ever could!
Ok, I'm ready to make a request, what next? - Check and double check your facts. Are you absolutely sure of the information you have gleaned? Wrong information can be just a bad as none at all and can mean you have wasted your money on a wrong result! When you are sure you want to proceed you can complete this Research request online or email for an offline application form. .Back to question list.
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