A research project starts with an email. What you put in that first message decides how quickly I can give you a useful opinion and an accurate estimate. This short guide explains what to gather — and why each piece matters.
Everything you know about your Italian ancestors
Send me all the information you have, in as much detail as possible: full names (including a woman’s maiden name where known), dates of birth, marriage, emigration and death, even approximate, and the places connected to each person. Only with as much as possible of your current knowledge can I set the best estimate and procedure, and go directly to the right place of research.
A family tree — or a simple form
If you have information on several individuals, a family tree chart is the clearest way to show it. If you are not comfortable with genealogy software, a simple filled-in form, scanned and attached, works just as well. What matters is that relationships are stated, not left for me to guess.
Your aim
Please describe your aim very well. Do you want one specific record? A single line traced as far as possible? All the descendants of one ancestor? Relatives living in Italy today? Documents for a legal matter? The goal changes the plan, the estimate and the place where the research begins — see Prices.
Documents you already have
Copies of records, letters, photographs with names written on the back, an old passport: share what you have so I can analyse it and avoid duplicating research already done. Please send copies, not originals.
Your contact details
Include your full postal address, and your phone number and/or Skype username if you are available to be contacted. A brief conversation is sometimes the fastest way to clarify a goal.
What happens next
I answer with my opinion and an estimate. For on-site research I prepare an agreement to be signed by both of us. After your acceptance, I ask for a deposit and begin the work — keeping you posted constantly on its progress. The full sequence is set out in the Procedure.
Ready? Tell me about your family.