One of the gifts I love to share with research clients is my love of the task and solving U.S. and Canadian research issues. My many years of experience helping clients from all over the world to analyze their family history, develop research plans, doing some of the research for them, and sending them a comprehensive report, has given me a broad knowledge of the many aspects and records involved in genealogy research. I have researched many generations and locations for individual clients. Placing families back together brings me joy. The many hours spent in courthouses, archives, libraries and historical societies has yielded generational linkages, found missing siblings of great grandfathers, enabled probate cases to be finalized, and brought smiles to my clients and to me! I have researched onsite in many states and my search skills continue to find online gems that clients may have overlooked. Other clients have been law firms and Native American tribes and individuals seeking to solve tribal enrollment issues, broaden knowledge of records for Native American research, and for some to prove or disprove the family story of that Native American great grandmother.
There are many ways I am able to assist you with your research needs. The rest of this page provides many ideas.
What is a research client?
This is a genealogist who recognizes that additional research help is needed. There are many reasons for hiring a professional genealogist to assist you with your family history research and I love to help clients with these tasks.
We all wish we could travel to the places our ancestors lived so we could do onsite research. There are many factors that may prevent this. Thus, there are times when it makes sense to use the services of a professional. You may use these services individually, as a group of researchers, or a family organization may work together with a professional. Do you know about all the records, places to find them, what years they cover, and about the “hidden” indexes and databases for a distant state? This is another time that a Board-certified professional genealogist is the ideal person to assist you.
You can utilize a professional to do research on your behalf
● Locating, working in, and copying specific records and indexes that you can’t travel to in courthouses, libraries, historical societies, state archives, the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, the National Archives, and repositories worldwide
● Conducting more in-depth research in a range of records for a specific geographic area
● Locating the original records to back up information you found online
You can use a professional to provide consultation (not necessarily research) services in person, by phone, e-mail, regular mail, Skype, or a Google Hangout on such areas as
● General “what do I do next?” advice
● Specific research problems, confusing or conflicting records
● Explaining a resource or record that is new to you
● Updates on new resources, changes in access, laws, and technology
● Which repositories, websites, books, seminars, conferences, or trips might be worthwhile
● Help on how to get started in their geographic area
● Information on specialty sources in their area
You can work with a professional directly in many other ways to
● Organize the folders, albums, piles, or boxes of material you have gathered
● Organize your electronic files and emails
● Guide you in developing a research plan
● Explain the area’s records and the laws that have impacted them over the years
● Locate and be a go-between long lost or estranged family members
● Orient you to a specific record repository or work with you side-by-side in that facility
● Assist or guide an individual or group research trip
● Give hands-on assistance in using new equipment, technology, systems, or software,
● Help evaluate evidence, determining when a relationship or event is sufficiently “proven”
● Help prepare membership applications for hereditary societies
● Assist in obtaining hard-to-access records
● Organize, write, edit, or publish your family history
● Consult on organizing or operating a genealogical or family/surname society, a special research project, or planning educational programs
● Research a specific artifact and help to determine the original owner and background on the owner and the artifact you plan to purchase or already have in your possession
● Help you and your family plan and run a family reunion
● Teach you effective ways to use the Internet or databases
● Interview (using audio and/or video) individuals who live a distance from you
Do you have or suspect you have Native American ancestry?
I can help you with that type of research. I have had many individual clients, tribes, and law firms hire me in the area of Native American research in many parts of the U.S. I have access to many records and databases and know where to access others.
Contact me if your genealogy needs fit any of these categories and I will send you details about how to hire me and how the costs are structured.
Hi Paula
I dont have much information to help the search but im interested in finding out if i have Native American lineage, if you would be willing to help i would greatly appreciate it.
Hi Tony,
Thank you for the inquiry. I will send you information on my rates and research services by email.
Hi Paula! Like the commenter before me, I’ve been trying to trace my Indigenous ancestry (Lake Superior and surrounding states) and keep hitting road blocks. The lines run through my mom’s paternal grandfather. According to what I’ve been able to find, there’s two possible different options now (one being Ikwesewe of the White Crane clan of Ojibwe and another, different woman named Suzanne from the Cree Nation) and I just want to know what the truth is!
According to 23 and Me, there’s definitely indigenous blood in my family, including myself even if it’s only a small amount.
I would love to know what your prices are and if you’d be able to help me out. 🙂
Thank you!
Hi Brianna,
I will email you the information on my research services, availablity, and rates.
Hi! I am trying to establish Native Ancestry for my family for enrollment and I am hitting a road block. I would love to get an estimate of your services and know if you are able to help.
Hi Bess,
I will send you an email with information on my research services. T
Hello-
I’d like information and rates for help finding out information about my grandfather who was from Romania. I can’t find anything stateside about his parents or any of his family line. Is this an area of the world you will research?
Hi Lisa, Research in and about Romania is not one of my specialties. Assuming it’s a person who lived in the U.S., those are the records to be researched for clues to the birth origins. I do the U.S. side of research to hopefully find the direct connections to a prior country. If you’d still like information on my research services, let me know. Also, do you know about the Romanian Genealogy Society? https://romaniangenealogy.com/
Hi, Paula! I would like to receive some information about your research services and rates. I am looking at trying to locating my tribal affiliation. I have completed a family tree on both sides so I do have starting point.
Hi Montana,
I just emailed you information on my availability and rates. Thank you for contacting me.
Hi Paula, I am interested in discussing a personal research project with you. What is the best way to initiate a conversation?
Hi David,
Send me an email with some basic facts as to time periods and geographic locations. I will then send you information on my research services, availability, and rates.
paulaStuartWarren @ gmail dot com
Marsha Dee Hoffman Rising and I were cousins. Marsha and my mom were first cousins (Deschner and Molzen families). Marsha’s book “The Molzen Family-First 100 Years in America” is no longer in print. I would love to have a copy. Could you guide me on how I could get Marsha’s book. Thanks! Carol (yes, her sister and I have the same name)
Hi Carol,
I sent you some info via email.
Hi Paula! I would like to receive some information about your research services and rates. I am looking at trying to locating my tribal affiliation.
Hi Colter, I will email you some information. I have been teaching most of the past two weeks and am now catching up on messages.
Hi Paula
My research of 16 years still eludes me and I hopeful you can help. I would certainly like you to send me your reseach service costs.
I am seeking to find out the death of my 2 times great grandmother, Christina Lawson Johnston and her daughter Amy Johnston (born in Bay County Michigan 1868). The family, William, Christina, daughter Mary and William Robert are located in the 1870 US Census in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This family arrived in 1866 Bay County, Michigan. William, Mary and William Robert are located in the 1880 US Census in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Christina and Amy have eluded me and I am seeking help.
Look forward to hearing from you. I live in Washington State
Hi Darcy,
I am emailing you information about my research services and rates.
I am interested in your services, when would you be available for a discussion regarding our interests and what the fee would like. Thanks!
Hi Keith,
I am sending you an email with information about my research services and rates.
Paula-
I am looking to find BIA roll 302-A0797 regarding a marriage of Joshua Murphy to Ptesanwin from Standing Rock, they had a daughter Emma Murphy born in 1872. I have been told he had 4 wives, this is wife #1, I know about wife #3 and #4 and still looking for wife #2. I discovered Emma in his probate files and trying to discover more about this family. Someone on Ancestry says this file (302-A0797) states about the marriage. I descend from wife #4.
I look forward to hearing from you.
This likely refers to the records filmed at the Kansas City location of the National Archives. It may not cover the years you need. https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/265795?availability=Family%20History%20Library
Not all agents and superintendents kept marriage records and of those who did, not all have survived. Neither South or North Dakota kept marriage records as early as 1872.
I hope you find what you seek!
This is an overview of Standing Rock Reservation records held in Kansas City. This from Record Group 75 and as listed in the NARA Guide to Federal Records: 75.19.113 Records of the Standing Rock Indian Agency, ND
Textual Records (in Kansas City): Correspondence, 1883-1966. Agency farmers records, 1898-1903. Telephone and telegraph records, 1915-18. Personnel records, 1877-1905, and correspondence regarding employment, 1913. Payrolls of Indian freighters, 1894-98. Financial records, 1882-1961. Property returns and reports, 1884-1915. Tract books and township plats, 1908. Land sales ledger, 1912-48, and land sale and lease records, 1908-13. Permittee cards, 1941-46. Pony payment roll, 1893. Project survey books, 1934-37. Cattle contracts and related records, 1915-16. Cattle enterprises agreements and reports, 1939-54. Cattle sales program subject file, 1947-55. Grazing permits, 1914-42, and lease case files, 1939-46. Probate and heirship records, 1908-15. Range unit case files, 1962-66. Records relating to censuses, 1884-1939. Vital statistics records, 1916-39. Clinical records from Standing Rock Hospital, ca. 1949-52. Records relating to education and schools, 1884- 1928. Ration issue records, 1879-1907. Annuity payrolls, 1904-22, and annuity payroll withdrawal notes, 1898-1910. Trust fund applications and related records, 1920-38. Certifications of those receiving Sioux Fund interest, 1894, and Sioux benefits records, 1901-19. Per capita payment records, 1908, 1918-22, 1936-62. Records relating to industrial and social surveys, 1922- 33. Individual Indian money (IIM) ledgers, 1925-63, and posting and control files, 1950-63. IIM accounts and case files, 1911-57. Indian police force records, 1881-1901. Court of Indian Offenses case files, 1915-26. Indian fair records, 1915-31. Tribal council minutes, n.d., and results of tribal elections, 1934-35.
Hi Paula!
My dad’s family has been trying to figure out his birth mother’s adoptive parents’ names for many years. We finally got the adoption records from the courts in Duluth, MN but we can’t find the woman who is listed as the mom. Is this something you can give next step advice on? Or if not, who would you recommend we contact?
Hi Liz,
Don’t forget to check Wisconsin or even Canada due to the proximity to Duluth. For adoption related research, check with Sandy Thalmann for her availability. https://www.apgen.org/users/sandy-mochal-thalmann
Paula my wife just recently did a DNA test and came back with Native American ancestry information out West as the location. We’re interested in tracing the family heritage in hopes of getting affiliated at some point. We would like to engage your services for this and are interested in the costs for your assistance. Thank you so much for any help you can provide.
Hi Mark,
I will send you information on my research services and rates via email.
Paula
Hi Paula. I am looking for a genealogist to trace my Indian heritage on my maternal side. I have my great great grandparents information but the trail gets hard to follow past this point. I am hoping to be able to trace my roots to a tribe or base rolls. Like many families, the stories I have been told of my great grandfather living on a reservation do not exactly match what I have been able to find in the census records. Please let me know your availability and high level estimate of service cost.
Hi Stephanie,
I will send you details on my services and rates via email. I work by the hour and in segments of time.
Paula
Hello!
I am reaching out to you to see if you can provide assistance in locating my tribal affiliation. If you are able to help that would be wonderful!
Hi Hailey,
I will send you information by email on my research services and rates.
Paula
Hello! I found your information on https://bcgcertification.org/directory/stuart-warren-paula-cg/.
My father has been able to track our lineage on his side, but my mother’s side is a bit more complicated. There were adoptions, foster care, and tribal affiliations.
I wanted to inquire about your services, prices, research capabilities with Mayan tribes that came into Texas (probable tribal affiliations in the states)?
Thank you for your time.
Hi Angelica,
That’s not my area of specialization. Look for someone with the right specialties on the BCG website and also on https://www.apgen.org/cpages/home. I would also suggest DNA testing.
I wish you success in your search.
Paula, you did some preliminary research for me in the 1970s and I have continued that on until now. At 75 I realize I will need some help to complete some branches, especially my wife’s Irish ancestors.
We live in Woodbury, Mn and I have met you before. I have my tree on FTM and Ancestry and as I know you are an expert in record keeping perhaps you still have a file on the research you did earlier.
Please email me and we can get to more specifics as to how you can help us.
Nice to hear from you! Yes, I do keep past client files. You are not the first to contact me many years afterward! However, they are stacked several banker boxes high in my storage unit. But they are labeled. I will email you separately.
Hi Paula,
I’m looking for a genealogist to help me trace my native american roots. My mother was a foster child, and it’s been difficult for us to find information about her birth parents, siblings, and ancestry. I would love your help! Can you please give info about hiring you and price? Thanks!
Hi Brandy,
I am sending you information on my consultation and research services. Thank you for asking.
Paula
Hi Paula, my name is Rita Samaniego Steward. I’m doing my family tree and I’m stuck. I can’t find my great grandparents. They were born in Mexico. My dad has pasted away but always said his grandma was Apache. Can you help me find my great grandparents from Mexico? I’ve always been attached to Native American customs. I did a DNA, with Ancestry.com and found out I’m 47% Native American, so now I’m wanting to find my roots, my people. I’m so excited.
My phone number is 806-654-8043, I’m from Texas and so was all my grandparents.
Hi Rita,
Congratulations on your DNA results and a proud heritage. You would be better served by beginning with a researcher in Texas or nearby the state.
Check the online directories of researchers of the Board for Certification of Genealogists or the Association of Professional Genealogists for such a researchers. Enjoy the journey!
Hello Paula
My name is Sotero M Lopez II. I found your name from http://www.bcgcertification.org/associates/index.php
My family and I have been trying to find the tribe and reservation of my grandfather. His name is Cristobal Lopez. His dad was from Mexico (Natividad Lopez) and his mom was 100% Native American Indian Maria Rodgers or Rogers. From what I understand her father was a chief.
My grandfather said he resented the way his people was treated so he never told any of his 12 children what tribe he belonged to. He says he registered when he was about 10 years old. He was born in Des Moines IA according to his birth certificate. I have it but not in front of me now. I believe he was born in 1903. He remembers standing in line when he was about 10 to register. He said they had to take a ferry across water to the reservation. Perhaps there is a bridge now? Or if its still there.
The birth certificate says he mom was from Wyoming. My dad has a copy from years ago and it said she was from the Dakotas. My family believes he was Cherokee and swears by it but Cherokees are not in that area based on what I read. My dad said when my grandpa drank alcohol he would talk in his native tongue. My dad knew a Sioux and repeated it to him and he said it was Sioux.
My grandfather was about 6 ft tall and very light complected. He left the reservation at about 12-14 years old. There is a story that his sister’s husband was beating her and he shot him and left the reservation and left to take care of himself on his own. He left a family about about 8 siblings from what we heard.
I was about to order a DNA test from https://dnatribes.dnacenter.com and i researched more and found you. I thought maybe the test would narrow my search. I dont have time to research or the patience.
Is this something you can help me with? What do you charge?
Thank you so much!
My cell is 586-863-3300
Email Soteromlopez@gmail.com
I live in Michigan