General
Welcome to The Gene Poole
Understandable genealogy services
OK, so The Gene Poole is a play on words. My name is Thom Poole, and I have the genealogy bug. In my research, for my complex family tree, I feel that I have come across many of the pitfalls and uncovered many of the unusual sources of information that will benefit you and your genealogy.
My service encompasses all aspects of genealogical research and will go as far as your interest and budget will take you. There are always dead-ends, blind alleys and red herrings. No one can claim to be immune from them, but with experience, you can question them and avoid the simple ones.
Every project is different, and no genealogist can predict the outcome of research with any certainty, so our fees are based on the length of time we spend on research. If you are not certain which programme to choose, use our Free Assessment service for advice, with no obligation to proceed.
Your family history
So you want to have your family tree researched? Well done, you're on the road to discovering the past and to invest in your future, the generations to come will be so glad you did. I was lucky as my great uncle was interested and helped uncover some possible pitfalls I could have fallen into (although he also introduced some red herrings!).
What are you going to get if you decide to have your ancestors traced and order a family tree package? I offer a flexible approach to tracing your family history - this can be part of our package offer, or bespoke.
OK, what are you going to get for your money? I prepare the following for you:
- A book of the research, including your family tree.
- Original copies of any birth, marriage and death certificates used*, and copies of census returns and parish records where applicable.
- A full references report listing all the sources I have used/found.
- A 'narrative' Family Tree listing your ancestors' relationship to one another.
- Listing of Places – all the places found in the research.
- Listing of Occupations, with explanations where appropriate.
- Suggestions for further research on your family history.
- On multiple bloodline research, you will receive all the above for each surname.
- In addition, you will get a cloud storage account, containing the Gedcom file, all your researched documents, including a PDF version of the book in full colour.
* where applicable, and at an extra cost per certificate.
If you want a bespoke service to help you with your research, or just want me to create and publish a book of your research, then contact me.
Why Research Your Past?
There is a famous saying that says: "You don't know where you're going if you don't know where you've been."
It is not true that we must follow the same paths, or make the same mistakes - but we can learn about where we came from and where we belong.
When I first embarked on my family history, I had no expectations of what I would find or how far I would travel. I have explored different worlds, different parts of the world... and all linked to me. Yes, it is abstract. The dead soldiers on the battlefields of WW1. the starving children of the Victorian slums - they are where my ancestors came from, but have little meaning to me.
Explore your past
A family tree can be a unique gift to mark a special anniversary or birthday. The research packages from The Gene Poole include both a print of your family tree and a print book version (depending on the package), describing your ancestors' lives and the all research undertaken for you.
Whether you are interested in tracing your own family tree or have already started, commissioning an experienced genealogist gives you confidence in the results. You will know that the research has been conducted properly and will not have doubts about whether the individuals found really are your ancestors.
To help you, we offer a number of fixed cost research packages to cater for a variety of research requirements and budgets, potentially taking your family back to 5 generations or more.
We can research a bloodline (though we make no promises about possible family fortunes!), research your ancestors or research a specific member of your family - you can rest assured that The Gene Poole has the experience and expertise to undertake this for you.
The Gene Poole Pricing Overview
Compare the genealogy services
I offer a range of genealogical services to help you uncover your family history. To help with the transparency of my services, I include a comparison of the prices of the various services.
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The Gene Poole Bronze Lion Service™
The bronze service provides the following:
- Research to 3 generations.
- An ebook with all the research, one copy provided as part of the package, but further copies can be available for purchase online.
- Original copies of all birth, marriage and death certificates, census returns and parish records where applicable.
- A full report listing all sources.
- A 'narrative' Family Tree listing your ancestors' relationship to one another for one surname.
- A 'graphic' Family Tree showing your ancestors' relationship to one another for one surname.
- Listing of Places – all the places found in the research.
- Listing of Occupations, with explanations where appropriate.
- Suggestions for further research on your family history.
- And with each Family Tree ordered you will get a cloud storage account, containing the Gedcom file, all your researched documents, including a PDF version of the book in full colour.
The cost of this service package is £450.
The Gene Poole Silver Lion Service™
The silver service provides the following:
- Research to 4 generations.
- A black & white family tree printed and bound in a paperback book, one copy provided as part of the package, but further copies can be bought online.
- Original copies of all birth, marriage and death certificates, census returns and parish records where applicable.
- A full report listing all sources.
- A 'narrative' Family Tree listing your ancestors' relationship to one another for one surname.
- A 'graphic' Family Tree showing your ancestors' relationship to one another for two surnames.
- Listing of Places – all the places found in the research.
- Listing of Occupations, with explanations where appropriate.
- Suggestions for further research on your family history.
- And with each Family Tree ordered you will get a cloud storage account, containing the Gedcom file, all your researched documents, including a PDF version of the book in full colour.
The cost of this service is £750.
The Gene Poole Gold Lion Service™
The gold service provides the following:
- Research to 5 generations.
- A full-colour family tree printed and bound in a hardback book, one copy provided as part of the package, but further copies can be bought online.
- Original copies of all birth, marriage and death certificates, census returns and parish records where applicable.
- A full report listing all sources.
- A 'narrative' Family Tree listing your ancestors' relationship to one-another for one surname.
- A 'graphic' Family Tree showing your ancestors' relationship to one-another for two surnames.
- Listing of Places – all the places found in the research.
- Listing of Occupations, with explanations where appropriate.
- Suggestions for further research on your family history.
- And with each Family Tree ordered you will get a cloud storage account, containing the Gedcom file, all your researched documents, including a PDF version of the book in full colour.
The cost of this service is £1,200.
The Bespoke Service
The bespoke service will help you break free of bottlenecks, research additional generations, etc. Pricing is based on your requirements.
The Gene Poole Bronze House Detective Service™
Researching the history of your property back to approx. 1900.
Providing you with maps (approx 5), an aerial photo, narrative history, copies of title deeds and land registry information (where applicable).
Your research results will be provided in original format (where applicable) and also in an eBook format.
The Bronze Package is priced at £500
The Gene Poole Silver House Detective Service™
Researching the history of your property back to approx. 1800.
Providing you with maps (approx. 10), a modern aerial photo, narrative history, copies of title deeds, land registry information and manorial documents, etc (where applicable).
Your research results will be provided in original format (where applicable), CD-ROM and also in a paperback book format.
The Silver Package is priced at £1,000.
The Gene Poole Gold House Detective Service™
Researching the history of your property back to approx. 1700.
Providing you with maps (approx 15), a modern aerial photo, narrative history, copies of title deeds, land registry information, manorial documents, etc (where applicable) and a hardback book.
Your research results will be provided in original format (where applicable), CD-ROM and also in a hardback book format.
The Gold Package is priced at £2,000.
And I also offer a bespoke house history service.
