We can start with as much or as little information as you have. Ideally, provide as much detail as you know about your family. However, we can begin with just your name and date of birth if necessary.

Begin with what you know: names, dates, and locations (births, marriages, and deaths) for your siblings, parents, and grandparents. We provide a client intake form for this purpose.

Genealogists analyze records and sometimes DNA to confirm or debunk family lore.

Research often requires identifying the specific town or parish, and many international records are indexed online. We also have contacts in many countries that can pull physical records if they are not available online.

Misspellings and incorrect ages are common (especially census records); records must be cross-referenced to find the truth.

Yes, our professional genealogists adhere to ethical standards regarding privacy. Every employee at Cypher Genealogy & Investigative Genomics signs a comprehensive NDA to protect your genetic information, records, and other identifying documents. We are very discreet. What we discover is your information and you have the right to tell your own story. Sometimes we discover very sensitive information and our clients always have the option of knowing that information or request to not know certain family details. You are in control of your information.

Online trees often contain errors, little documentation, or constructed with "hints" that may be incorrect. Professional research requires verifying information with primary records (e.g., census, vital records) as well as secondary records to ensure accuracy.

After you contact us, we provide a free, no-obligation consultation which allows us to estimate a price point for your research request. Research is typically conducted on a retainer or hourly basis. On average, professional genealogists and genetic genealogists charge between $50-$200 dollars/hour. Our genealogists have thousands of hours of specialized training with records research and recovery, DNA analysis, and open-source intelligence. We strive to be the best so we can deliver the best to you. Costs will vary based on the information you provide and the availability of relevant records. Estimates differ for a one-off search, a single line of inquiry, or research involving both paternal and maternal lines.  We conduct research in stages with an agreed budget for each stage and we do offer an installment plan to spread the cost. Most of the time we ask for a 50% deposit to begin research. That also depends on the research package and the depth of research required. Sometimes additional hours are required to complete a research project. However, we try very hard to give you an accurate estimate on project cost and hours required.

A comprehensive round of research typically traces both maternal and paternal lines back several generations. We all have 4 lines of research in our family based on our 4 grandparents. The client's paternal lineage (father's line) consists of his mother's and father's (paternal grandparents) separate lines. Likewise, the client's maternal lineage (mother's line) consists of her mother's and father's (maternal grandparents) separate lines.  While we cannot guarantee the exact extent of our findings during any stage, we aim to go as far back generationally as possible within the agreed budget. Once we exhaust the funds available, we will provide the option to proceed further. You can decide to continue the research, explore another ancestral line, or pause before initiating further research.

Our goal is to complete enquiries within 4 months to over a year. We cannot guarantee exact finish dates, only give estimates. If the research takes longer, we will keep you informed of our progress. Smaller commissions can be completed in less time. We have a large client base and we strive to give equal attention to everyone. We ask that our clients be patient and realize great research takes time. For reference, researchers for each guest on "Finding Your Roots" typically spend an average of 200 to 300 hours of intensive, specialized research for a 20-minute segment. In Season 4, the investigative team spent over 10,000 hours in total to track down the histories for their 28 guests. Some guests require over 800 hours of research depending on the difficulty of finding records, etc.

Upon completion, you will receive a bound, full narrative report, containing copies of documents examined, transcripts, any certificates purchased, and full details of the historical sources consulted. Additional copies of the report can be provided for relatives if desired. We also provide a multi-generational family tree in a variety of styles for framing. Genetic Genealogy clients will receive a similar narrative report containing a genetic tree and evidence supporting an investigative hypothesis.

While most of our genealogy research is conducted in the U.S., we have expertise in researching Eastern and Western Europe, Canada, Mexico, Africa, and the Caribbean. Contact us with your inquiry to see if we can assist with your specific needs. We investigate special populations such as Jewish, African American, Appalachian, and Caribbean communities. Additionally, our genealogists are adept at research in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. We also work with families who have endogamy or pedigree collapse, which require specialized analysis and close attention to detail.

When we’re digging through hundreds of years of history and searching billions of historical records for precise answers—especially when building on decades of prior attempts to break through a brick wall—we’re more likely to make progress when we can roll up our sleeves and truly get to work. Unless your needs are extremely simple, your genealogist will first need time to understand the information you already have and the answers you’re seeking. From there, they will develop a research plan, locate and assess key records, and analyze, organize, and communicate their findings to you. Many of our clients have been researching their ancestry and building their family trees for decades. Our goal is to break through your brick wall and help get you back on the right track. Our genealogists are experts at making the most of the time available. A portion of each project is also dedicated to internal peer review, client support, and preparing a concise, well-sourced narrative of your ancestry.

It really depends on what we’re researching. We’ll do as much as we can in the time you’ve allowed us, and if your tree ends fairly recently we can usually extend your tree into the mid-1800s or late 1700s. For more complex challenges, such as research that seeks the origins of an immigrant ancestor, a larger project is recommended because we'll likely need to determine ancestry through indirect or circumstantial evidence, and this takes much more time. DNA testing may be required to move a project back further generations.

No, just share what you already know about your family history. This ensures we don’t waste time discovering things you already know. We’re most interested in dates and places of ancestors' births, marriages and deaths. Even just approximate information can help, though we love to see original documents when you have them. As our client, you will receive a secure upload folder to add relevant documents or photographs.  We'll also help you establish your goals for the project, to which we'll strictly adhere. Some key concepts for clients to think about: Project Goal: Define a specific, achievable research objective or aim, such as finding a maiden name or immigration record, rather than "finding everyone". For example, you have 32 great-great-great grandparents. This grows exponentially the further back you research. Source Analysis: Consider who provided the information on a record (e.g., a spouse is more reliable than a neighbor). We are happy to look at your records to determine their legitimacy.  Naming Customs: Be aware of regional naming traditions (e.g., Irish, Jewish naming systems). For example, a first-born son may be given the name of his paternal grandparent.

We've got you covered! After a consultation, we can analyze your DNA results (match list, family clusters, surname research) and can create a genetic tree based on your matches to determine the answer to your specific question.  We provide answers to adoptees, those realizing a parent isn't really a genetic parent, find 3X and 4X great grandparents, help to identify historical misattributed paternities, give names back to crime victims and unidentified human remains. We use autosomal, mitochondrial and Y-DNA to uncover secrets from hundreds of years in the past. Contact us. We are here to help.