Scope Factors
Number of people covered, generations, number of branches, geographic span, and whether disconnected branch households are included.
Clarify the scope first, then create comparable quotations
Process and Fees
The cost of a genealogy project cannot be estimated simply by one book or a headcount. Only by clearly defining the branch scope, source materials, service depth, and delivery specifications can an executable, verifiable phased plan be developed.
Applicable Scenarios
First determine the current stage of your materials
Projects with the same surname and the same number of people may require different working methods depending on the source materials and objectives. The following scenarios are suitable for starting with this service.
Material Factors
Number and clarity of old genealogy volumes, completeness of forms, number of interviewees, and volume of materials such as photos and inscriptions.
Delivery Factors
Data only, whether writing is included, review rounds, layout complexity, color pages, binding, and print quantity.
Workflow
Every step leaves intermediate results that can be checked
We first confirm the scope and basis, then organize, verify, and sign off step by step, so that all issues are not left until the final round of revisions.
Initial Consultation
Only the current situation, goals, and approximate scale need to be explained; complete private materials are not required at the first contact.
Materials Review
Confirm old genealogies, member forms, images, interviews, and existing entered data, and identify gaps and risks.
Scope Confirmation
Clearly define branches, generations, individuals, fields, public access permissions, deliverables, and responsible persons on both sides.
Sample Validation
When materials are complex, first select one branch household or one volume as a sample to validate collection, OCR, lineage, and layout methods.
Phased Implementation
Set milestones for collection, verification, writing, layout, and delivery, with checkable results provided at each stage.
Change Management
When adding branches, people, interviews, revision rounds, or printing specifications, confirm the impact with a written list.
Acceptance and Archiving
Check data, files, reports, sample books, and backups against the delivery checklist, and record the final version.
Delivery and acceptance
Deliver not only a book, but clear data and supporting evidence
| Deliverable | Contents | Acceptance Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Requirements and Scope | People, generations, branches, materials, and goals | Determines the basic workload |
| Depth of Digitization | Scanning only, cataloging, OCR, manual correction, or structured person data | Different levels cannot be compared directly |
| Depth of Collection and Editing | Whether interviews, biographies, genealogy prefaces, family instructions, and local materials are included | Confirm based on actual content |
| Review and Proofreading Mechanism | Participating branch households, revision rounds, handling of uncertainties, and sign-off method | Reduces rework |
| Design and Printing | Format, page count, color pages, paper, binding, slipcase, quantity, and shipping | Quote based on a specification sheet |
| System and Deployment | Online accounts, data migration, private deployment, permissions, and maintenance | Define boundaries separately |
Verification Principles
The website does not provide a uniform price list detached from actual materials. After initial communication, a written scope and itemized quotation should be prepared. Larger projects are better signed in phases: accept samples and basic data first, then proceed to full production.
Preparation before starting
The clearer the preparation, the less rework the project will require
Recommended items to organize first
- Estimated number of people, generations, and branch scope
- Number of old genealogy volumes, dates, clarity, and missing-volume status
- Existing spreadsheets, photos, and number of interviews
- Whether the desired deliverables are data, an e-book, or a printed genealogy
- Expected completion stages and the family’s internal confirmation method
Things to avoid
- Comparing only the total price, not the delivery scope
- Committing to a fixed schedule before the materials have been inventoried
- The contract does not specify revision rounds or added scope
- Treating scanning, OCR, and manual correction as the same work
Frequently Asked Questions
Matters to clarify before deciding the project scope
Why can’t you simply quote a price per book?
The same genealogy may be a finalized manuscript that only needs printing, or it may require collecting information on hundreds of people, identifying old genealogy records, and multiple rounds of verification—the workload is completely different.
How can I get a preliminary estimate as quickly as possible?
Provide the number of people and branch scope, the number of old genealogy volumes and photos, existing electronic materials, required deliverables, and approximate print quantity. Sensitive originals do not need to be sent first.
Can the project be carried out in phases?
Yes. A common approach is to first digitize and organize the data, then carry out continuation writing, and finally proceed with layout and printing. Each phase has its own delivery and acceptance checkpoints.
What should we do if a new branch is added to the family midway?
First assess the additional people, materials, and proofreading work, then adjust the scope, timeline, and costs through a change list to avoid affecting the already confirmed version.
Related entry points
Continue preparing materials or learn about other stages
First describe the current state of the materials, then determine the appropriate approach
For the initial consultation, you do not need to upload the complete genealogy books, identity documents, or private information of living family members. Please describe the scale, existing materials, and desired deliverables.