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Topic: What's average charge by the American church for the look-ups? (Read 282 times)
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Tees
RootsChat Aristocrat
 Offline
Posts: 1442
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Hi US Rootschatters,
I am curious as to what's the average rate for the look-ups in the American parish records now.
I recently got a whooping bill from the RC church in New Orleans, LA and they even charged me for extra parish record which I did not ask for. 
I will be in touch with them soon. But I would love to hear from other US Rootschatters as to how much they were charged so on.
Fascinating business when it comes to doing genealogical researches with an exception for the fees and other monies! 
Kind regards,
Tees
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KathMc
RootsChat Aristocrat
Offline
Posts: 2620
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Tees,
Wow. That is unbelievable. And unfortunate. I haven't run into set fees with any of the churches I have dealt with. Mostly a "donation," that I choose. I think this might be in part because many of the churches have not been at all helpful. Most don't even respond to my queries. I did run into an issue with the catholic cemetery where my grandfather and 5 of his family are buried. I asked who was there and the plot numbers and the woman told me it would be $25 per name.  I gave her what for. "You mean to tell me you are going to charge me to find out where my grandfather is buried so I can visit his grave?!" I had the plot number and the list of all buried there within minutes. Can you imagine charging $125 for 5 minutes work.
Kath
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Sligo: Davey (also Mayo), McCluskey, McNulty
Wexford and Staffordshire: Hayes, McClean
Galway and Staffordshire: Scott
Coventry: Wells, Collins, Palmer, Moody, Beck, Mickelwright, Husbands
Ireland: McNulty (Sligo), Kealy, Murphy (Carlow) Connolly, Gillen, Powell, Ryan, Moore, Martin
Davis from I don't know where originally
Stahl, Russia to England to USA
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Tees
RootsChat Aristocrat
Offline
Posts: 1442
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Hi Kath!
Agree with you about sending the donations--that makes a lot of sense than asking me to pay the charges. Guess the churches are trying to maintain the costs?
Do not start me on the cemeteries' look-up service costs.
Good thing you stood up to that lady. Daft amount to ask for, if you ask me!
I went to the cemetery where my mother's grandparents were buried. I was pleasantly surprised to find that my great grandfather was buried with my great grandmother because I thought it was impossible to trace him due to the family stories.
Originally, I do not know who he was until I asked for further information from the cemetery office. They charged me 45 bucks and they only gave me a little information with a lot of codes. They even "complained" that it is too much work in looking through old records. It does not show any relationship!
I could not understand the codes they used until I persuaded them to disclose where my great grandfather died. It turned out he died across the river (in other state) at his employment.
I have sent an e-mail to the archdiocese asking them to justifying the charges when I asked only specific records.
Perhaps I was not clear enough in my letter to them?
Kind regards,
Tees
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aghadowey
RootsChat Moderator
RootsChat Marquessate
 Online
Posts: 7624
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Have never been charged for information from church records for any country or religion. One secretary from a R.C. church in New York couldn't find the records I wanted so then inquired about the family from an adjoining parish!
Am curious as to whether or not the church made clear there was a fee for looking up information at the time of your request. I have loads of relatives in New Orleans that I've managed to trace (Metaire Cemetery was fantastic and gave me lots more names and dates than I originally asked about which led to finding more branches to explore). Think I will avoid contacting churches there for any help.
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KathMc
RootsChat Aristocrat
Offline
Posts: 2620
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I think it might be across the board, because the hobby has grown so much. In a few years I bet it is standard practice to charge a nominal amount. You just never know who will and who won't, though, and that can be frustrating.
Kath
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Sligo: Davey (also Mayo), McCluskey, McNulty
Wexford and Staffordshire: Hayes, McClean
Galway and Staffordshire: Scott
Coventry: Wells, Collins, Palmer, Moody, Beck, Mickelwright, Husbands
Ireland: McNulty (Sligo), Kealy, Murphy (Carlow) Connolly, Gillen, Powell, Ryan, Moore, Martin
Davis from I don't know where originally
Stahl, Russia to England to USA
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KathMc
RootsChat Aristocrat
Offline
Posts: 2620
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At least they are up front about it here. It's better to know what you are working with. I'd rather have it that way than what happened to Tees.
Kath
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Sligo: Davey (also Mayo), McCluskey, McNulty
Wexford and Staffordshire: Hayes, McClean
Galway and Staffordshire: Scott
Coventry: Wells, Collins, Palmer, Moody, Beck, Mickelwright, Husbands
Ireland: McNulty (Sligo), Kealy, Murphy (Carlow) Connolly, Gillen, Powell, Ryan, Moore, Martin
Davis from I don't know where originally
Stahl, Russia to England to USA
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