Researcher FAQ

GenealogyDirect connects people seeking genealogical records or research assistance with researchers who know the relevant archives, regions, languages, and sources.

You decide which requests interest you, when you are available, and whether you wish to respond. There is no minimum commitment.

Create a free GenealogyDirect account and complete your researcher profile. There is no application fee, subscription, or obligation to accept requests.

A detailed profile helps clients understand your experience, geographical coverage, languages, and areas of expertise.

No. GenealogyDirect is a marketplace connecting independent researchers directly with clients. You remain free to choose the requests you wish to undertake and, where applicable, propose your own price, approach, and timeframe.

GenealogyDirect welcomes people with the knowledge and experience required to complete the requests they accept. This may include professional genealogists, experienced researchers, archivists, historians, and knowledgeable local researchers.

Only respond to requests that you are confident you can complete accurately and responsibly.

GenealogyDirect supports two main types of requests:

Document Copy Requests The client is looking for a specific record held by an archive or another repository. These requests are always paid. The client may offer a fixed amount or invite researchers to submit offers.

Research Questions The client needs help answering a broader family-history question. A research question may be free or paid. For paid research, you can describe your proposed approach, specify the time included, and submit your price.

When you share your location, GenealogyDirect can help you discover archive repositories nearby.

You can subscribe to notifications for the repositories you are willing to visit. When a relevant Document Copy Request is posted, you can be notified and decide whether it interests you.

You can also browse available requests directly on the platform.

No. Notifications simply let you know that a relevant request is available. You are always free to respond, submit an offer, or take no action.

New requests are added as clients use the platform. Complete your profile, subscribe to repositories you can visit, and check available requests. Notifications depend on your subscriptions and notification settings; work is not guaranteed.

It depends on the request.

For a fixed-price request, the compensation is set by the client and displayed in advance. You can decide whether you wish to accept it.

For a request open to offers, you can propose your own price and timeframe. For research projects, you can also explain your proposed approach and the amount of work included.

No. The amount shown to you is the amount you will receive.

GenealogyDirect adds its platform fee separately to the client’s total. It is not deducted from your compensation.

Individual offers are limited to 100 in the request’s currency before your first completed paid request, 200 after one, and 300 after two. After three qualifying paid requests, there is no offer limit.

A paid request counts toward this progression when its payment has been released. The limit applies to each individual offer.

No. You can create your account, complete your profile, browse requests, and subscribe to repository notifications without setting up Stripe.

You only need to connect a Stripe account when you are ready to accept paid work.

Stripe is a leading global payment provider. It securely handles identity verification, banking information, payments, and payouts on our behalf.

By entrusting this process to Stripe, GenealogyDirect does not need to handle or store your bank account information directly.

Stripe generally asks you to confirm your identity, provide the information required for your account, and link a bank account for payouts.

Requirements depend on your country and account type. Stripe guides you through the process and may request additional documentation.

Identity verification helps protect researchers and clients from fraud. Stripe may require verification to enable payments and payouts.

GenealogyDirect also offers profile identity verification. Follow the verification steps shown in your account; completing payout onboarding does not by itself guarantee that a profile verification badge will appear.

GenealogyDirect does not directly handle or store the bank account details you provide during Stripe onboarding. This sensitive financial information is submitted securely to Stripe.

The client pays when accepting the arrangement. Payment is processed through Stripe; your compensation is released to your connected account after the completed work has been delivered and validated.

Release to your Stripe account and arrival in your bank account are separate steps. Bank payout timing depends on your Stripe account, verification status, and payout schedule.

Each request includes a dedicated discussion area where you and the client can exchange information, clarify the scope, and provide updates.

Keep request-related communication on GenealogyDirect so that both parties have a clear record of what was agreed.

GenealogyDirect provides automatic translations of request descriptions, messages, and other supported content into the selected language.

You can write in your preferred language. Translations can contain errors: clarify names, dates, place names, and research instructions whenever necessary.

Upload the requested photographs or digital copies through GenealogyDirect and provide any relevant information the client may need to understand the documents.

Before leaving the repository, check that every image is complete, legible, correctly oriented, and covers all requested pages.

The Researcher Workspace helps you organize and deliver your work. It includes:

• An answer or research report • A research log • File attachments • A private to-do board visible only to you

These tools allow you to document the sources consulted, explain your findings, and provide the client with a clear record of the research performed.

For paid Research Questions, your offer specifies the work or number of hours included.

If further research would be useful, you can explain what remains to be investigated and propose a continuation. The client can then decide whether to authorize and pay for an additional phase.

Do not begin work beyond the agreed scope until the continuation has been accepted.

Contact the client through GenealogyDirect as soon as possible. Explain the situation clearly and avoid marking the request as fulfilled if the agreed work has not been completed.

If you need assistance, contact GenealogyDirect support.

GenealogyDirect is available:

• On the web • Through the GenealogyDirect app for iPhone • Through the GenealogyDirect integration for ChatGPT

An Android app is also planned.

Contact GenealogyDirect if you experience difficulty creating your account, completing Stripe verification, responding to a request, delivering your work, or receiving a payment.

We will be happy to guide you through the process.