AFGS: Our Research Policy

Requesting Research

The American-French Genealogical Society accepts requests for ancestral searches. This offer is open to AFGS members and the general public as well. We will be the most effective if your ancestor is French-Canadian for that is the focus of our organization but we can also search the vital records of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont within certain year limitations.

NOTE: AFGS will not do research concerning adoptions “due to the sensitive nature”

Our Research Policy - What You Need To Do

You may fill out the information on line or print out the form and submit the required information by postal mail.

If Requesting Research on the Internet - AFGS membership will recieve priority

You may fill out the information on line or print the form and mail it to AFGS.

To utilize the AFGS Research Service you may click on this link and fill out our on line form

If Requesting the Research by Postal Mail - AFGS membership not required to submit research request by postal mail. Note: AFGS membership will recieve priority

You may print the online form, fill in the required information and submit by postal mail.

You can also, simply print the research request sheet by clicking on the research request form, print the form, fill in the required information, then send via postal mail to the address listed on the form.

If you're requesting research by postal mail "please" supply any pertinent information you may have. Using a 5 generation chart give us as much information as possible, so that we will know where to begin the research. Research by Postal Mail - Package

What We Will Do In Return

After receiving your request, we will start as soon as possible on your research. You will receive a notification that your research request has been received. It will include the date the research was received and a date after which you may contact the Society if you have not received an answer. A chart of research assignments will be kept posted at the AFGS library.

What You Need To Send To Us

Your request with a choice of one of the following;

Type of Research -
Single Marriage - One marriage to search. Will include the names of the bride and groom, the names of the bride and groom’s parents, the date and place of the bride and groom’s marriage. (Marriages of the parents will be counted as additional single marriages and billed as such.)
Direct Lineage - A straight line of either a husband or wife back to the immigrant ancestor. This will include each couple, their date and place of marriage, and their parents' names and location of immigrants in France. Price for direct lineages will be determined by the number of generations found times the rates for research as applicable.
Five Generation Ancestral Chart - Standard five generation ancestral chart of 31 ancestors with 8 marriages found. The last column of names will give parents' names only: no marriages as they will start a new five generation chart. NOTE: The Five Generation Chart will not contain any births or deaths. If a Birth or Death is requested it will be treated as a SEPARATE request and billed accordingly.

Your Information:

Your name, street, city, state, zip code, phone, also member number if you are an AFGS member filled out on the request form. We request your phone number and or e-mail address so that we may contact you for further clarification of your request if necessary.

Any pertinent information you may have.

RATES Members - Non Members of AFGS		AFGS Member & Non-Member Prices
RATES Members - Non Members of AFGS		AFGS member		Non-member of AFGS
Birth/Baptism	Price per Birth/Baptism	$7.00	each	$12.00	each
Marriage	Price per Marriage	$5.00	each	$10.00	each
Death/Burial	Price per Death/Burial	$7.00	each	$12.00	each
5 Generation Chart -	Price per 5 Generation Chart	$35.00	each	$50.00	each
Direct Lineage	Price Direct Lineage Chart	$35.00	each	$50.00	each
- Other Research -	Please Contact Research Request for a Quote on your project.

Please be patient. The Research Committee is a volunteer group, as is the entire AFGS. There is a backlog of requests, and the group is working very hard to keep up with the demand!

Currently, our volunteer staff is very busy with a record number of searches to perform, so please be patient. It could take 1-2 months. Larger or more difficult requests could take even longer. We will then notify you by mail or E-mail, if you supplied an email address of our findings. We will bill you for the research performed using the applicable rates listed above.

Our Research Dept staff is made up of Volunteers who donate their time. Fees collected for research are used for acquisitions of additional resources.

IF WE DO NOT FIND THE INFORMATION

When feasible, all requests not found by the Research Committee will be placed in the AFGS newsletter in our Research Requested section for help on your request.

Policy updated 11/22/2010

AFGS Research Request Form