I believe that genealogy IS history!  It is the history of one - of one person, of one family, of one community...  Therefore, genealogical research should be pursued in an academic manner.  Relevant and available resources should be studied.  Sources should be cited.  Research should help to produce an evidence trail which supports the history of that one person, one family, or one community.

I specialize in assisting the fellow historian and genealogist (amateur or professional) in obtaining records & information, by researching on-site, online and among the vast resources held at the Allen County Public Library. 

Though it may seem contradictory, I DO look forward to a time when all information relevant to our genealogical & historical research will be available free & online.  I thoroughly enjoy researching my own family history, and have been grieved to have to forgo items due to the expense of gathering them.

Toward that goal, I volunteered my services to input Jay County, IN data for the 1870 U.S. Census of Indiana Index completed by The Indiana Genealogical Society.  I transcribe and post genealogically relevant material (such as census, biographical, & vital records) on the town, county and state web sites which I create and maintain. (I developed a fondness for several locations through my own family history research.)  Additionally, I am the State Coordinator of the USGenWeb for Vermont.

 If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
 E-mail to:  ann.mcroden.mensch@gmail.com

RATES

IN-ACPL LIBRARY Research 

I charge $35 per hour for time spent evaluating, exploring sources, obtaining copies of relevant documents, and composing a research report, and in-library research.  Expenses, such as photocopy and postage costs, will be added to this base fee. 

A non-refundable deposit, of one-half of the requested time cost, with a minimum of $35, is required.  This is used to defray research costs, and will be fully credited toward the balance. 

I will include an invoice when I send your requested information.  Payments to be made with money order to Ann Mensch, upon receipt of requested information, unless arrangements have been made with me prior to the research. 

I do not wish to be unfair in my charges.  I will research on a FIXED TIME LIMIT basis and/or report research progress to you at your specified intervals.   You may be surprised by what can be found in an hour. 

Additional service: If you have the ability to receive picture files (.bmp, .tif, .gif & .jpg), I can scan the photocopy so you can receive the information without waiting for the post.  (I will, of course, mail hard copy as well.)  You will be invoiced an additional $5 if you choose this option. 

If your research request will involve an extensive investment of time and resources, I reserve the right to request an additional earnest deposit. 

ON-SITE Research

A non-refundable deposit, of one-half of the requested time cost, with a minimum of $80, is required.  This is used to defray research costs, and will be fully credited toward the balance. 

I will include an invoice when I send your requested information.  Payments to be made with money order to Ann Mensch, upon receipt of requested information, unless arrangements have been made with me prior to the research. 

I do not wish to be unfair in my charges.  I will research on a FIXED TIME LIMIT basis and/or report research progress to you at your specified intervals. 

Additional service: If you have the ability to receive picture files (.bmp, .tif, .gif & .jpg), I can scan the photocopy so you can receive the information without waiting for the post.  (I will, of course, mail hard copy as well.)  You will be invoiced an additional $5 if you choose this option. 

If your research request will involve an extensive investment of time and resources, I reserve the right to request an additional earnest deposit. 

If you would like my research assistance with your project, see "How to Request My Research Assistance?"

If you have any further questions, please ask. 

As you know, historical-genealogical research is a service, not a product.  I cannot guarantee particular results.  I can only guarantee that I will do my best. 

Thank you.

--Ann McRoden Mensch

 If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
 E-mail to:  ann.mcroden.mensch@gmail.com

Since each historical genealogy project is unique, it is not possible to use a "one-size-fits-all" format for your request.  Though the following information should be included with your request, please personalize the family information you send to include items you feel relevant to your project.  

     If you would like me to research for you, please include, with your postal mail request, and your deposit check to Ann McRoden Mensch, the following information: 

 1. State the names of each known family member (including siblings, parents, spouse(s) and children, and any known birth, marriage and death dates, and specific locations (city/state/country). 
These help me to become familiar with, and correctly identify information concerning your family members. 

2.  Please include information about the resources you have already researched.  If you have already obtained documents, such as census pages, birth certificates, obituaries, and so forth, I would like to see photocopies of these as well.  Often, there are small details contained in these documents which may become large leads.  Please do NOT mail the original documents. 

3.  Also, include any details which may be helpful, such as religious affiliation, military service, family stories, etc. 

4.  If you have other family surnames which are expected to be in the same location, you may include brief information concerning these as well, since I would be happy to take note of these as they may present themselves during research.

5.  State your main goals for this research project.
Examples: 
"I would like you to photograph the gravestones of Mary and Tom Adams."
"I would like to try to identify John Smith's father and mother." 
"I would like to find biographical information for Jane and John Smith." 
"Does John Smith appear to be a veteran of the Civil War?"

6.  Would you like me to report progress to you at specific intervals during longer research projects, or would you like to contain research to a specific time limit.  State your preferred research time limit.

7.  Do not forget to include your own address and phone number (for my own records only). 

My postal address is: 
Ann McRoden Mensch
8215 Medicine Bow Run 
Fort Wayne, IN  46825
Phone:  260-610-4392