Hi Geoff,
First, don't give up on Rootschat right away.
As a newcomer I see an astonishing wealth of knowledge and
research skills displayed every day I visit this site.
I imagine that the details of the problems you are facing are
now spread over a number of your previous posts, so would
respectfully suggest that you pick one problem, and in
a new topic, summarise the problem as clearly as you can, and
include anything you know (have evidence for).
If you have already done this, and waited a reasonable time
for replies, then maybe you should try the professionals.
I have used professional genealogists, and chose them from
family history monthly magazines. I find it is important to
'phone them initially to see if I think that I can get on
with them and that they seem friendly, because I want to
enjoy my hobby.
Rates vary tremendously, you need to discuss that with them.
Some include travel time and costs so you might want to choose
someone near to the relevant record offices.
Fees are usually by the hour, and are payable up front. They
need paying even if the search they are doing for you fails.
Outline your problem to them and ask for an estimate of the
amount of work required. Reputable researchers will normally
suggest no more than two or three hours in the first instance
since they can have no real idea until they make a start.
Whatever you decide to do, good luck with it.
