Research Fees and Information
MINIMUM FEE: My fee is $16.00 per hour for research, plus copy, postage, and travel expenses (mileage plus drive time). I provide a free initial consultation through which we together plan an approach for solving your research problem. I require a $50 advance before beginning research. (If that amount exceeds the charge for the time and research involved in quickly solving a simple query, the difference will be refunded.)
I prefer to correspond when possible via e-mail. (I will not return long distance calls unless permitted to do so collect.).
Ellis County, Texas, 1860 Census
I have published a transcription of the 1860 Ellis County, Texas, United States census (Schedule 1---free inhabitants). This book is indexed by surname, 8-1/2" x 11", staple-bound, and has 104 pages and light blue, card covers. Copies are available for $18.75 each, which includes postage. (Texans add state sales tax.)
Directory of Texas Genealogical Organizations
In 1984, I compiled, edited, and published Livingston's Directory of Texas Historical and Genealogical Organizations. Various used book dealers online are listing used copies of this directory for exhorbitant prices. I have a few unused copies left which I will sell for $7 each. (Texans add sales tax.) Contact me for further details.
TYPES OF RESEARCH/SERVICES PROVIDED:
Brazoria and surrounding counties. Courthouse (deeds, wills, etc.); cemetery; newspapers; census; library, archival; extensive personal library (Texas historical, census, tax, land, and military records); online subscription database sites; etc. I do not confine my research activities to Texas subjects and sources. I research all censuses 1790 to 1930. I utilize library and archival resources for other type records. I also have a collection of tax, cemetery, and church records from Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas.
Site of the George B. McKinstry cabin where Stephen F. Austin died.INITIAL CONTACT INFORMATION:
When making your initial contact, please provide the following contact information: Your name, mailing address, preferred e-mail address, and a telephone number. Concerning your research needs, please provide the following:
- The research problem(s) you need solved
- Your prior research on the problem(s)
- Specific details such as full names, dates (e.g., 2 January 1923 ---not 2-1-'23 or 1-2-'23), place names (city, county, state), sources (reference work, family lore, supposition).
At the time of your initial contact, you need not give a lot of detail, just the specific problem and brief background to help me understand how I can help you.