How to Use GenealogyDirect’s Document Reprography Service

How to Use GenealogyDirect’s Document Reprography Service

When the records you need aren’t online, our network of local researchers brings the archives to you.

Many genealogists start their family history with online resources like census databases and civil registration records. But not every document has been digitized. Some of the most valuable sources—parish registers, notarial contracts, probate records—still exist only on paper in local or national archives.

This is where GenealogyDirect’s Document Reprography Service helps. We connect you directly with researchers who can access archives, retrieve the documents you need, and send them to you—saving you time and travel.

What Is Document Reprography?

Document reprography is the process of retrieving and copying historical records from archives. Instead of traveling to another city or country, you can request a specific document through GenealogyDirect, and a local researcher will visit the archive, locate it, and provide you with a copy.

This service is designed for records that:

• Are not yet digitized or available online
• Are held only in local or national archives
• Require an in-person request to access

Why It Matters for Genealogists

Even with today’s technology, a huge portion of archival material is still offline. Key breakthroughs often depend on physical documents, such as:

• Parish Registers — baptisms, marriages, and burials before civil registration
• Civil Records — birth, marriage, and death certificates not yet digitized
• Notarial Contracts — property agreements, marriage contracts, wills
• Military or Court Records — service files, case documents, probate rulings

These documents don’t just confirm facts—they provide the building blocks of a solid, evidence-based family tree.

Step-by-Step: How the Service Works

Using the Document Reprography Service is simple and straightforward:

1. Submit Your Request

Create a request on GenealogyDirect describing the document you need. Include:

• Full name(s)
• Record type (e.g., birth certificate, marriage contract, parish entry)
• Approximate date

2. Researcher Retrieval

A local researcher evaluates the feasibility of your request. If he/she things you request is feasible they will pick up your request. Then the researcher visits the relevant archive and retrieves the document. Depending on archive rules, they may copy, scan, or photograph it.

3. Receive Your Document

Once retrieved, the document is delivered directly to your GenealogyDirect account as a digital copy.

That’s it—no travel, no waiting rooms, no navigating unfamiliar archive systems.

Tips for a Clear Request

• Be as precise as possible. Names, dates, and locations help researchers find the correct document quickly.
• Include variations. If your ancestor’s name may have different spellings, add them in your request.
• Keep scope realistic. This service is designed for document retrieval, not in-depth research requests

Quick Checklist Before Posting a Request

• Do you know the ancestor’s name?
• Do you have an approximate date (birth, marriage, death)?
• Do you know the place or archive to search in?
• Is this document not already available online?
  If you can answer “yes” to these, you’re ready to post a request.

Bring Your Research to Life with GenealogyDirect

Your ancestors left their stories in the archives. GenealogyDirect helps you bring them to your desk.