Targeted Research
Stuck on a French ancestor? Take the next step in your research.
Your family tree may stop with an ancestor who came to America, an uncertain parent-child connection, or a record you cannot locate. Genesia offers focused French genealogy research built around a specific question. We review what you already know, identify useful archival sources, and explain what the evidence does—and does not—establish. Particular expertise in Alsace, Lorraine, and Franche-Comté brings local context to your investigation.
When focused research can help
- Your research stops with one ancestor believed to have been born in France.
- Two people with similar names appear in records, and you need to assess which one belongs in your family.
- A parent-child relationship in an online tree has no clear supporting record.
- A missing birth, marriage, or death record is blocking further research.
- You want to investigate one branch without commissioning a complete family tree.
A research plan built around your question
Review the evidence you already have
We begin with your question, existing tree, documents, and source references. This helps identify gaps and avoid repeating work unnecessarily.
Agree on a focused scope
Before research begins, we define the question, the proposed investigation, and the expected deliverables in a personalized estimate.
Investigate relevant French records
Depending on the case, the investigation may draw on civil registration, parish registers, census records, or other relevant archival collections.
Explain the findings
You receive a clear account of the sources consulted, the evidence found, and any questions that remain open.
What you receive
- A research report explaining the investigation and its conclusions.
- Digital copies of relevant records where access and reproduction conditions allow.
- Archival references so you can identify the sources behind the findings.
- An explanation of unresolved points and possible next steps.
The exact deliverables are defined in your research estimate before work begins.
What to send us
You do not need to have every detail. Share what you know, and identify anything that is uncertain.
- The specific question you would like answered.
- Your ancestor’s name, including any known spelling variations.
- Approximate dates, places, and names of relatives.
- Copies or references for records you have already found.
- A link to your existing family tree, if you have one.
Frequently asked questions
Explore other research services
Tell us where your research stopped
Describe the ancestor or family question you are investigating. Share what you already know so we can assess a focused research project.
Request a Research EstimateWrite to us in English. No obligation.