Questions about genealogy research
If yours isn’t here, ask it in the form.
How much does genealogy research cost?
Independent genealogists usually charge by the hour, and established firms sell packages starting around $3,200. White Glove Genealogy charges by surname line: $600 for up to 200 years, $1,500 for a full line as far back as the records go, and $2,000 for a full line with three years of quarterly checks. Family ($4,000) and White Glove (from $10,000, priced after an evaluation) cover many lines at once.
How long does it take?
First findings within days. Most lines complete in 2–6 weeks. Lines that run through unindexed registers in several archives take longer, and you can follow every search in your account as it happens.
What is a surname line?
One family name, followed back in time from father to father, starting at the earliest ancestor you already know with that name. Spelling changes are followed too: Le Borne, Leborne and Le Borgne are one line. Each wife’s and mother’s own surname is a separate line.
How far back can you go?
It depends on where your family lived. English parish registers start in 1538 and many French, Italian and Spanish records in the late 1500s or 1600s. Irish Catholic registers often begin only around 1800–1830, and Eastern European records are patchier. Most lines reach somewhere between 1550 and 1700.
What if a line ends early?
You get the full search log, an explanation of what the records show and don’t show, and a plan for what remains. A $600 line costs nothing more. On a $1,500 full line, we refund $900 if the line ends within the first 200 years.
Is the research done by AI?
Yes. Our research engine reads and transcribes handwritten records, compares candidates and writes up its conclusions following the Genealogical Proof Standard. Every transcription is shown next to an image of the original page, readings we’re unsure of are marked [?], and every conclusion cites the record behind it, so you, or any genealogist, can check our work line by line.
Do I need a family tree file?
No. You can type in what you know, even just parents and grandparents. If you have a tree on Ancestry, FamilySearch or MyHeritage, export it as a GEDCOM file and upload it.
Can you use my DNA results?
Yes, where you can share match data. DNA is used to test relationships alongside the documents, and it’s included in White Glove.
Which countries do you cover?
Most of Europe, the Americas and the British Isles, wherever surviving records can be reached online. Each line shows what to expect before you order.