Frequently Asked Questions About Genealogy Services
At Forebear Find, we understand you may have questions about our professional genealogy research services. Below are answers to the most common inquiries about Italian dual citizenship research, ancestry tracing, pricing, timelines, and our research process. If you don't find your answer here, please contact us for personalized assistance.
Getting Started with Genealogy Research
How do I contact Forebear Find?
You can reach us through multiple channels: use our live chat feature on the website, call or text directly at +1 (435) 219-5120, or email us at info@forebearfind.com. We typically respond within 24 hours and offer free initial consultations to discuss your genealogy research goals.
How long does a typical genealogy research project take?
Research timelines vary based on project complexity and scope. Simple document retrievals typically take 2-4 weeks, while comprehensive family tree projects may require 2-3 months. Italian dual citizenship research usually takes 2-4 months depending on response times from Italian government offices. We provide estimated timelines during your initial consultation and keep you updated throughout the process.
What information do I need to provide to start research?
Any family information helps, but extensive documentation isn't required. We can begin research with basic details like a grandparent's name, approximate birth year, and place of origin. If you have family documents (birth certificates, marriage records, photos, family bibles), those are valuable, but we specialize in building family histories even when documentation is limited.
How do we start working together?
We begin with a free consultation via phone, video call (Zoom, WhatsApp, GoToMeeting), or live chat. During this conversation, we discuss your genealogy goals, review any information you have, explain our research process, and provide a customized quote. You'll work directly with Rocco DeLuca, our lead genealogist—no call centers or automated systems. Once you're ready to proceed, we'll outline the project scope and begin research.
What makes Forebear Find different from other genealogy services?
Unlike large genealogy companies, we provide personalized, one-on-one research service. Our specializations include Italian dual citizenship research with direct Italian archive access, African American genealogy using specialized methodologies, and compelling family narratives that go beyond names and dates. You communicate directly with an experienced genealogist throughout your project, ensuring expert attention to your unique family history.
Pricing and Payment Questions
How much do genealogy services cost?
Our pricing is transparent and flexible. Hourly research packages start at $275 for 5 hours ($55/hour), with volume discounts up to $1,425 for 30 hours ($47.50/hour). Flat-rate services include document translation ($25/page), civil record lookups ($60), and Italian citizenship document packages ($350). Visit our Pricing page for complete details or contact us for a customized quote based on your specific research needs.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes, we understand genealogy research is an investment in your family's heritage. We can arrange flexible payment plans for larger projects. Payment options include credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover), PayPal, and alternative currencies including Goldback. Discuss payment arrangements during your consultation to find a plan that works for your budget.
What's included in the research packages?
All packages include a free initial consultation, professional research using premium genealogical databases and archives, detailed research reports with proper citations, digital copies of all discovered documents, timeline charts or family trees as appropriate, and a 15-minute follow-up consultation. Hourly packages provide the best value for comprehensive research, while flat-rate services offer predictable pricing for specific tasks.
Do you offer refunds if I'm not satisfied?
Yes, we offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you're not completely satisfied with your research results, we provide a full refund within 30 days of project completion or final report delivery. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we stand behind the quality of our genealogy research.
Italian Dual Citizenship Research
Can you help me get Italian dual citizenship?
Yes, Italian dual citizenship research is one of our core specializations. We help clients pursuing citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) by tracing Italian lineage, retrieving certified vital records from Italian municipalities, obtaining apostilles and translations, locating U.S. naturalization records, and compiling complete documentation packages. Our success rate is high due to our expertise in Italian archives and direct relationships with Italian government offices across all 20 regions.
What documents do I need for Italian citizenship?
Italian dual citizenship applications require an unbroken chain of vital records from your Italian ancestor to you, including Italian birth, marriage, and death certificates with proper certifications and apostilles, U.S. birth and marriage certificates for each generation, naturalization records (if applicable), and divorce decrees if relevant. We handle the retrieval of all necessary documents and ensure they meet Italian government requirements.
How long does Italian citizenship research take?
Italian dual citizenship research typically requires 2-4 months to complete. Timeline depends on several factors: responsiveness of Italian government offices (comuni can take 4-8 weeks to respond), number of generations to document, availability of records, and whether naturalization research is required. We begin with what you know, work backward to identify your Italian ancestor, then obtain all necessary documentation from both Italian and U.S. sources.
Do you work with all regions of Italy?
Yes, we conduct Italian genealogy research across all 20 Italian regions including Sicily, Lombardy, Campania, Lazio, Veneto, Piedmont, Calabria, Puglia, Abruzzo, Tuscany, and more. Each region has unique record-keeping systems and archives, which we navigate expertly. We have experience with both northern and southern Italian records, including areas with challenging dialect variations and historical record gaps.
What if my Italian ancestor naturalized before 1912?
This is a common concern for Italian citizenship eligibility. If your Italian ancestor naturalized as a U.S. citizen before their child (your next-generation ancestor) was born, it may break the citizenship line. However, there are exceptions and alternative pathways. We research exact naturalization dates and birth dates to determine eligibility, and if the standard path doesn't work, we can advise on alternative options including judicial processing in Italy.
African American Genealogy
Can you help trace African American ancestry through slavery?
Yes, African American genealogy is one of our specializations. We use advanced research techniques and specialized resources including Freedmen's Bureau records, slave schedules, plantation documents, post-emancipation county records, and African American church records. While the 1870 census often represents a brick wall due to lack of surnames for enslaved individuals, our methodologies frequently break through this barrier using creative research approaches and multiple record types.
What makes African American genealogy research different?
African American family history research requires specialized knowledge due to unique historical challenges: lack of surname records before 1870, gaps in vital records, destruction of records during the Civil War, and systematic exclusion from certain record types. We employ specific methodologies including cluster research (studying families together), analyzing slaveholder records, utilizing oral history, and working with post-emancipation community records to reconstruct family histories.
How far back can you trace African American ancestry?
Research depth varies by individual family circumstances. Using specialized techniques, we often trace families back to approximately 1840-1860, identifying enslaved ancestors and documenting their lives post-emancipation. In some cases with exceptional record availability, we can trace further back. We focus on documenting not just names and dates, but also the stories of resilience, achievement, and community building that define African American family histories.
Research Process and Methodology
What sources do you use for genealogy research?
We access extensive genealogical resources including Italian state archives (Archivi di Stato), Italian civil records offices and church parishes, U.S. federal and state census records, Ellis Island and immigration databases, National Archives (NARA) records, military service records, county courthouse records, church records across denominations, newspaper archives, land and probate records, and premium subscription genealogy databases. Our multi-source approach ensures thorough research.
What if my ancestors are difficult to trace?
We specialize in complex genealogical cases and "brick wall" problems. Our expertise includes working with fragmented records, common surnames, name variations, missing documentation, and non-English records. We use advanced research techniques including cluster genealogy, collateral line research, DNA analysis interpretation, and creative problem-solving. If we cannot make meaningful progress on your case, we offer a full refund—no risk to you.
Do you travel to archives for research?
Most research is conducted remotely through our extensive network of contacts, online databases, and direct communication with archives and government offices. For exceptionally complex cases requiring onsite research in Italian archives or U.S. repositories, we can arrange this at additional cost. We'll discuss whether onsite research is necessary during project planning.
What will I receive at the end of my research project?
Deliverables vary by project type but typically include a comprehensive research report explaining methodology and findings with proper genealogical citations, family tree charts showing lineage connections, digital copies of all discovered documents and records, ancestor profile sheets or biographical summaries, timeline charts of family events, and for citizenship projects, organized documentation packages ready for submission. Custom narratives and family history books are available for additional fee.
Can you help me understand my DNA test results?
Yes, we provide DNA analysis interpretation and genetic genealogy consultation. We can help you understand ethnicity estimates, identify potential relatives from DNA matches, develop research strategies based on genetic information, and integrate DNA evidence with traditional documentary research. While we don't provide DNA testing services, we work with results from major testing companies including AncestryDNA, 23andMe, MyHeritage, and FamilyTreeDNA.
Do you write custom family history narratives?
Yes, we create professionally written family history narratives that transform genealogical data into compelling stories. Services include ancestral biographies (500-1,000 words per ancestor at $200), immigration journey narratives, multi-generational family histories, and complete custom family history books with photos and historical context. Our narratives bring ancestors to life with historical context, documented facts, and engaging storytelling.
Additional Services
Can you retrieve documents I already know exist?
Yes, we offer document retrieval services. If you know specific records exist (such as a particular Italian birth certificate or U.S. census record), we can obtain them for you. Flat-rate services include civil record lookups ($60), archive retrievals ($75), and document translation ($25/page). This is more cost-effective than hourly research when you have specific information about the document you need.
Do you provide translation services?
Yes, we provide professional translation services for genealogical documents at $25 per page. Our certified translators work with Italian, Latin, and other European languages commonly found in genealogical records. Translations include proper formatting for legal use and are suitable for submission with citizenship applications or legal proceedings.
Can you help me find living relatives?
Yes, we conduct descendancy research to identify living relatives. This service involves tracing descendants of a common ancestor forward to the present day, which can reunite families, identify relatives for medical history purposes, or locate heirs for estate matters. We use public records, genealogical databases, and ethical research methods to locate and verify living family connections.
Still Have Questions?
If your question wasn't answered here, we're happy to help. Every family's genealogy story is unique, and we're committed to providing personalized answers to your specific questions.
Contact us today for a free consultation:
- Live chat on our website for immediate assistance
- Call or text: +1 (435) 219-5120
- Email: info@forebearfind.com
- Schedule a video consultation (Zoom, WhatsApp, GoToMeeting)