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January 15, 2010
Mr. Page Ring IV
123 Main St.
Sometown, Somestate, 99999
Dear Mr. Ring:
As we discussed in our phone call of last week, you would like me to research the
surname and parentage of Betty (___) Ring, wife of your ancestor Page Ring
(1743-1813), of Salisbury, Essex County, Massachuetts. I understand that you have
searched for a marriage record in various published vital and church records of
Salisbury and several neighboring towns in Massachusetts and New Hampshire,
but without success. I also understand that you have reviewed several periodical
indexes, but again with no luck. As a result, you would like me to extend the search
to Essex County probate and land records to see if Betty's identity can be determined.
No Guarantee of Results
As is true for all genealogical research, there is no guarantee of success. I therefore
cannot assure you that I will successfully identify Betty (___) Ring. There are,
however, many records that may be helpful. In particular, I have checked available
indexes and see that both a Page Ring and a Betty Ring left probate records,
including wills, in the right time and place (Salisbury, in 1813 and 1814 respectively).
Further, there appear to be several Essex County land records naming Page Ring,
though you mentioned that the Page Ring of interest had a son of the same name.
Tentative Research Plan
While it is not possible to specify all the details of the research path in advance, I
plan to begin with the probate records to see what clues they offer. It would not, be
surprising, for instance, if a witness to one or both of the wills was a close male
relative of Betty (___) Ring. Possibly the vital records could then help determine if
any of those witnesses had a sister named Betty (or some variation of the name),
which in turn could lead to a possible father's probate record.
If that avenue does not yield fairly quick results, then I will next proceed to the land
records. Those records might also provide some clues to the identity of Betty's
father, though the nature of those clues is more difficult to predict before seeing the
records themselves. It is possible, for example, that Page Ring was sold land by his
father-in-law at some point, and finding a statement of their relationship in a deed
would be a happy occurrence. Since Betty seems to have outlived her husband,
there may also be land transactions recorded in her name.
Following the completion of my research (within the time constraints you have set on
the project), I will provide you with a written report of my findings and analysis,
including copies of the relevant probate documents and land records. While I will err
on the side of providing copies of more records rather than fewer, I will exercise my
discretion in selecting which records to include in the report in order to keep the
report focused. I will, however, summarize the contents of any records not included
in the event that you wish to obtain copies at a later time, and I will also offer you
suggestions for further research should I be unable to identify Betty (___) Ring.
Rates, Hours, and Expenses
I will charge you an hourly rate of $__ per hour for this type of work. This rate does
not include out-of-pocket expenses such as copy fees, mailing costs, mileage, tolls,
and parking, which I will also charge you at cost (the mileage charge is at the current
IRS rate). I do not charge for travel time to any of the Boston repositories where I
plan to conduct the research covered by this agreement, though I do charge the
associated expenses. Should a later agreement make it necessary to travel further
afield, then we can discuss appropriate travel costs at that time.
As you requested, I will limit the amount of time I spend on this project to __ hours.
(Depending on the results, you may decide to proceed with further work after
receiving my report.) Of that time, I expect that approximately __% will be devoted to
research and approximately __% will be devoted to organizing my findings,
transcribing relevant portions of documents, and preparing my report.
I will begin work after receiving: (1) a copy of this agreement signed by you, and (2) a
deposit check for $___ (i.e., 50% of my estimated fee, including expenses). Based
on my current schedule, I expect to send you my research report within two weeks of
receiving these two items. I will include with the report a bill for the remaining
balance and will expect to receive final payment within two weeks after I send that bill.
The remaining paragraphs of this agreement cover a number of other legal issues.
Independent Contractor
Under this agreement, I am acting as an independent contractor, not as your
employee. This means that I am responsible for paying all required taxes
associated with my income from this project, that I will use my own equipment, and
that I am free to choose both the timing and location of the research I perform.
Confidentiality
I will hold confidential any non-public information that you provide me in the course of
this project except in the event that I am ordered to produce such information by a
court. I will also treat with discretion any public information directly concerning living
persons or their parents, children, or siblings.
Use of Report
While I hold copyright to the research report itself (except for the uncopyrightable
facts and public records contained within it), you may distribute up to three copies of
it, either paper or electronic, so long as: (1) you distribute the report in its entirety,
including my name and contact information, and (2) you make a reasonable effort to
prevent further distribution by anyone to whom you provide copies. If you simply refer
to part of my analysis and conclusions without distributing the report itself, you will
do so accurately and credit my report as the source.
I may retain paper and electronic copies of the report for my files, and I may further
use or publish any public information included in it or obtained in the course of my
research, but consistent with the Confidentiality section above.
Liability
In order to limit my legal exposure, I will not be liable to you for any acts or omissions
in the course of this research unless I act with willful misconduct or gross
negligence, nor will I be liable for any incidental or consequential damages. Further,
any claim for damages must be made within one year after the completion of the
research covered by this agreement. In addition, any damages you claim will be
limited to a refund of the amount paid by you under this agreement. Finally, this
agreement will be governed by and interpreted according to the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Please indicate your acceptance of this agreement by signing one copy and mailing
it to me along with your check made payable to Ruy A. Cardoso. Thank you for using
my services.
Copyright 2010 Ruy A. Cardoso. All rights reserved
Mr. Page Ring IV
123 Main St.
Sometown, Somestate, 99999
Dear Mr. Ring:
As we discussed in our phone call of last week, you would like me to research the
surname and parentage of Betty (___) Ring, wife of your ancestor Page Ring
(1743-1813), of Salisbury, Essex County, Massachuetts. I understand that you have
searched for a marriage record in various published vital and church records of
Salisbury and several neighboring towns in Massachusetts and New Hampshire,
but without success. I also understand that you have reviewed several periodical
indexes, but again with no luck. As a result, you would like me to extend the search
to Essex County probate and land records to see if Betty's identity can be determined.
No Guarantee of Results
As is true for all genealogical research, there is no guarantee of success. I therefore
cannot assure you that I will successfully identify Betty (___) Ring. There are,
however, many records that may be helpful. In particular, I have checked available
indexes and see that both a Page Ring and a Betty Ring left probate records,
including wills, in the right time and place (Salisbury, in 1813 and 1814 respectively).
Further, there appear to be several Essex County land records naming Page Ring,
though you mentioned that the Page Ring of interest had a son of the same name.
Tentative Research Plan
While it is not possible to specify all the details of the research path in advance, I
plan to begin with the probate records to see what clues they offer. It would not, be
surprising, for instance, if a witness to one or both of the wills was a close male
relative of Betty (___) Ring. Possibly the vital records could then help determine if
any of those witnesses had a sister named Betty (or some variation of the name),
which in turn could lead to a possible father's probate record.
If that avenue does not yield fairly quick results, then I will next proceed to the land
records. Those records might also provide some clues to the identity of Betty's
father, though the nature of those clues is more difficult to predict before seeing the
records themselves. It is possible, for example, that Page Ring was sold land by his
father-in-law at some point, and finding a statement of their relationship in a deed
would be a happy occurrence. Since Betty seems to have outlived her husband,
there may also be land transactions recorded in her name.
Following the completion of my research (within the time constraints you have set on
the project), I will provide you with a written report of my findings and analysis,
including copies of the relevant probate documents and land records. While I will err
on the side of providing copies of more records rather than fewer, I will exercise my
discretion in selecting which records to include in the report in order to keep the
report focused. I will, however, summarize the contents of any records not included
in the event that you wish to obtain copies at a later time, and I will also offer you
suggestions for further research should I be unable to identify Betty (___) Ring.
Rates, Hours, and Expenses
I will charge you an hourly rate of $__ per hour for this type of work. This rate does
not include out-of-pocket expenses such as copy fees, mailing costs, mileage, tolls,
and parking, which I will also charge you at cost (the mileage charge is at the current
IRS rate). I do not charge for travel time to any of the Boston repositories where I
plan to conduct the research covered by this agreement, though I do charge the
associated expenses. Should a later agreement make it necessary to travel further
afield, then we can discuss appropriate travel costs at that time.
As you requested, I will limit the amount of time I spend on this project to __ hours.
(Depending on the results, you may decide to proceed with further work after
receiving my report.) Of that time, I expect that approximately __% will be devoted to
research and approximately __% will be devoted to organizing my findings,
transcribing relevant portions of documents, and preparing my report.
I will begin work after receiving: (1) a copy of this agreement signed by you, and (2) a
deposit check for $___ (i.e., 50% of my estimated fee, including expenses). Based
on my current schedule, I expect to send you my research report within two weeks of
receiving these two items. I will include with the report a bill for the remaining
balance and will expect to receive final payment within two weeks after I send that bill.
The remaining paragraphs of this agreement cover a number of other legal issues.
Independent Contractor
Under this agreement, I am acting as an independent contractor, not as your
employee. This means that I am responsible for paying all required taxes
associated with my income from this project, that I will use my own equipment, and
that I am free to choose both the timing and location of the research I perform.
Confidentiality
I will hold confidential any non-public information that you provide me in the course of
this project except in the event that I am ordered to produce such information by a
court. I will also treat with discretion any public information directly concerning living
persons or their parents, children, or siblings.
Use of Report
While I hold copyright to the research report itself (except for the uncopyrightable
facts and public records contained within it), you may distribute up to three copies of
it, either paper or electronic, so long as: (1) you distribute the report in its entirety,
including my name and contact information, and (2) you make a reasonable effort to
prevent further distribution by anyone to whom you provide copies. If you simply refer
to part of my analysis and conclusions without distributing the report itself, you will
do so accurately and credit my report as the source.
I may retain paper and electronic copies of the report for my files, and I may further
use or publish any public information included in it or obtained in the course of my
research, but consistent with the Confidentiality section above.
Liability
In order to limit my legal exposure, I will not be liable to you for any acts or omissions
in the course of this research unless I act with willful misconduct or gross
negligence, nor will I be liable for any incidental or consequential damages. Further,
any claim for damages must be made within one year after the completion of the
research covered by this agreement. In addition, any damages you claim will be
limited to a refund of the amount paid by you under this agreement. Finally, this
agreement will be governed by and interpreted according to the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Please indicate your acceptance of this agreement by signing one copy and mailing
it to me along with your check made payable to Ruy A. Cardoso. Thank you for using
my services.
Copyright 2010 Ruy A. Cardoso. All rights reserved
New England Cousins
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Genealogical research with a focus on northeastern New England
| "Regardless of the impetus which inspires you to pursue the study of American genealogy, one point is clear: Success and competence are dependent on both adequate instructional guidance and practical experience. Remember that a book, no matter how good, can go only so far. A good cook book does not make a good cook, though it surely helps." -- Val D. Greenwood, The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy (2nd Edition), p. 17, copyright 1990 by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. |
| Sample Agreement |
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