RESEARCH

Friendly, reliable and affordable research services, tailored to suit your needs.

I offer a professional family history research service, drawing on a wide range of sources such as parish registers,
civil registration records, wills, Poor Law documents, newspapers, court
records, census returns, and historical maps.

Going beyond tracing names and dates, I also use my expertise in local and social history to uncover the world in which your ancestors lived and the circumstances that shaped their lives.

To discuss your research requirements, please contact me for a free consultation.

Commissioning research

My charges are based on an hourly rate of £25 sterling.

During an initial consultation, we'll agree on the research goals and discuss your budget and timescale. Depending on your requirements, it's usually
best to commission a set number of hours.

Once the research phase is complete, I'll report back with my findings and advise on potential avenues for further investigation. We can then
discuss how you would like to proceed. This client-led approach means you
can keep track of costs and help guide the direction of the research.

My hourly fee includes preparation time (catalogue searches and archive planning/booking), research, collation of information, image processing,
and production of the written research report.

Research services

Visiting archives

I'm 30 minutes away from the Dorset History Centre and am very familiar with the site and its facilities. I would be happy to
undertake research there on your behalf and/or take photographs or copies of original material where permitted.

I'm also willing to travel to the county archives in Somerset and Devon, which are about an hour's drive from Sherborne, while Bath Record Office can be easily reached by train.

Disbursements

In addition to my hourly rate, I also charge for the following documents and extras. These costs will always be agreed with you beforehand.

General Register Office certificates

Post-1858 English and Welsh probate documents

Travel and parking (45p per mile)

Archive charges, such as copying fees and camera permits

Postage at standard Royal Mail rates

Professional printing costs

Set research packages

I can produce a detailed narrative about a chosen branch of your family, with relevant aspects of local and social history
introducing context and colour throughout. This makes for a truly unique gift and can be tailored to suit a special occasion.

Prices start at £450. Please allow at least four months for completion. Gift certificates are available.

Terms of payment

For commissions up to £100 in value, full payment will be required prior to the commencement of the research. For those of £100 and over, a 50% deposit will be requested when the commission is agreed and the final balance will be invoiced for on completion of the project. I retain the right to withhold all
documents until full payment has been received.

Payment will be required in Sterling and by one of the following methods:

Cheque (UK clients only): Made payable to Luke Mouland and sent to 2, Chafy Cottages,
Holnest, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 6HX

Direct bank transfer: Payment details will be provided on the invoice

PayPal: Please be aware that this method will incur a surcharge to cover the fees involved

TESTIMONIALS

"We thoroughly enjoyed the process of learning more about the different branches of our family tree. Luke is a pleasure to work with and his enthusiasm is infectious! I'd highly recommend him to anyone wishing to know more
about their family history."

Laura James, Wiltshire