Genealogy related rant

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

I hired a researcher in Canada to do some sleuthing for me. All she did was parrot back the things I told her and advise me where I could look myself. The reason I hired her was because I'm too far from Prince Edward Island to go there myself. I even had to remind her of the name I wanted researched; not any of his children or spouses. I already had that and had given that same information to her.

One day last week, a person who is also researching this family contacted me through a message board. He lives in PEI, revisited the archives there, and shared everything he had with me. I don't know how much help I was to him other than confirming family lore. After comparing notes, we are both satisfied we have the correct information and that no paper trail exists for pre 1798 in PEI unless we would be lucky enough to find him in a Muster Roll or a history book. So far neither of us has found him in either of those places.

The more I think about paying the researcher for no information at all, the madder I get. Honestly, she did not tell me anything I had not told her first. Can I request a report of some kind? Her web site says that is $10 per page. I've already paid her $70. I want to see a page typed out with her facts listed and cited. And if she cites anything I sent her, what do I do? $70 is not an insignificant amount of money to me. fee schedule

When I emailed the parents' information to her, she replied

Just had a thought -
maybe you could get together with the Clark descendent (do they live in
PEI), and share the findings from the archives. Or maybe you could share
expenses to find out about Ebenezer.

Did you find out about Francis' application - American Revolution
Membership Applications, 1889-1970. Maybe he says where his father was
born??

You are making progress - slow. But there is progress

Yes. I am making progress. Didn't I just tell her I had made contact with another person living in PEI, researching this family, and we knew Ebenezer Ward was the father and Margaret Clark was the mother and the son was born in PEI. I have Frances' military pension folder. What do I need her for? To cheer me on? I have other "cousins" doing that!

Maybe I got spoiled by the researcher in Wisconsin who went everywhere, got copies of probate and guardianship, took photographs of grave markers, and double checked cemetery entries which broke a brick wall for me. By the end of that saga I think I had paid her just over $100.

Do I ask for a refund? Ask for a "free" report? Chalk it up to a learning experience? Warn everyone far and wide to use her at their own risk?

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Comments (5)

eld6161
11 years ago
I think it is fair to send her an email explaining exactly what you explained to us. Her payment could be justified if she at least came up with one new clue or lead.
chisue
11 years ago
How did you find this 'researcher'? Can you post your experience with her at that source? I would also ask her to document what NEW information she provided and HOW she discovered it. If she won't, ask for a refund.
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User
Original Author
11 years ago
Thought I would give an update on the researcher I had hired. This is the report she gave me. And yes, we know we have the right Daniel D. Ward.

Final Research Report Daniel Demott/Dimmott/Dimmitt/Dimmock WARD
Research Question – Where was Daniel Demmot WARD born?
Findings
Since Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services was asked to check the birthplace in Prince
Edward Island (PEI), and the marriage in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia (NS) to Margaret
FULL and Harriet Newell COOKE, two queries to sent to PEI and one query was sent to
NS.
A query was sent to the Prince Edward Island Genealogical Society on 18 February 2015 ,
and the answer was “ I checked for Daniel D Ward today, and as I suspected nothing found.
There are plenty of Wards, including a John Stentford Ward who died in June 12, 1890 at
age 78., a native of Devonshire, Eng. And a John Stentford Ward who died on Dec 17m
1898, a native of Lancashire, Eng”.
A further query was sent to a private genealogist in PEI, and he said “You are correct there
are limited sources for the early part of the 19th century but sources worth looking at are
land records, leases and conveyances, court records, limited church records and a number
of other others”.
Further, a query as sent to Argyle Archives the 03 March 2015 which posed the same
question, and the answer came back on the 18th of March, and it said “I have looked at
every possible early record for both Township of Argyle and Yarmouth. I have spoken to
our Archivist and we have no knowledge of this family other than what you have. Have
you tried the Yarmouth County Museum and Archives? Just maybe they have something.
email yarmouthcountymuseum@ednet.ca/archives. Good luck in your search”.
Suggested Further Research
It is suggested that the genealogy of Daniel WARD be checked again to make sure that that
you have the correct Daniel WARD.
This would necessitate that you follow that genealogy back to Daniel WARD through New
York, and up to London, Ontario first, and if necessary, back to Yarmouth, and then back to
Prince Edward Island.
This would mean that records in archives, libraries and genealogicalties would have to be
checked in New York, back to Londowhere you would check the same archives, libraries
and to make sure that you have the correct Daniel Demmot WARD, because there are a
number of Daniel WARDs in London area, Ontario, and they do not always have the
middle name included.
Lindsey_CA
11 years ago
Daniel Ward's headstone shows (per the memorial page on FindAGrave.com) that he was born on April 24, 1804. There are links to memorial pages for his spouses and children.
User
Original Author
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Yes. I am tonip at findagrave. I have a tree at ancestry The Walker-Ward Family tree

Genealogy related rant

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