I am an avid genealogist and writer with over 40 years of “feet on the ground” experience researching for others as well as many of my own direct ancestral lines.
My work spans dozens of US states and multiple countries. My area of expertise includes the southeastern US, most particularly Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee.
However, I have access to all of the well-known online databases plus many that most would never think to consult.
I know which rocks to look under and I love the thrill of the hunt!
Every project is a unique journey that requires us to partner and collaborate- which is half the fun!
Have a question but not sure if I can help? Just ask me! I will give you an honest assessment of how I can help, and if I can’t help at all, I will say so and refer you to someone who can.
In addition to all the usual online databases, I also have access to these repositories:
- North Carolina State Archives
- State Library of North Carolina
- Virginia State Archives
- Rubinstein Library at Duke University
- Wilson and Davis libraries at UNC-Chapel Hill
- Joyner Library at East Carolina University
- Allied Families repository in Cary, NC
- Special collections in many county libraries
A Few Frequently Asked Questions
1. What can you do for me? Well, in short…a lot!
- I can help you organize your own research, which is half the battle in understanding where the gaps are and where to go next.
- I can begin the research for you so that you’ll have an online tree in hand, copies of all documentation and images I’ve located, a full list of sources, and a summary of findings.
- I can be a second set of eyes on your research to offer ideas, a new perspective, and hopefully some inspiration.
- I can order records not found online (not everything is online, you know!), go places you can’t go (hard to visit the NC Archives if you live in California, for example), and help you understand the historical context around your family’s migration, immigration, and day-to-day lives.
- I provide newspaper articles, documentation of birth, death marriages, baptisms, photos, society news, news of courtroom activities and trials, plus anything else I can get my hands on.
2. Do you research outside the US? Maybe! Most genealogists tend to specialize in a particular geographic area or record collection. I may be able to help and if I can’t I will refer you to someone who can.
3. Can you help with my immigrant ancestors? Sure! Many immigrants left behind a healthy paper trail documenting their movements and efforts to start a new life.
4. What do you charge? It depends on what you need. All options include documentation, summary and digital files of evidence located. Travel outside of 10 miles from my home office, cost of photocopies, and cost of ordering records is extra.
If you agree to contract my services, and I can’t meet the goals of our agreement due to lost or unavailable records, I cannot provide refunds due to the research time already spent. But you can bet that I will do my absolute best for you! So much documentation has been lost to time, war, and other circumstances. Sometimes a record just can’t be found.
I accept cash, cashiers checks/money orders, PayPal, Venmo and CashApp. I prefer to avoid personal checks.
- Research or consultation time per hour = $40
- One record look up involving less than one hour of time = $40
5. When can you get started? It depends! I do still work full time in the field of public health but I have some flexibility and there is always after hours and weekends! And there may be other projects in front of yours. Who knows, maybe I’ll retire soon! Let’s figure it out together.
6. Do you have references and examples of your work? You bet! This blog is a good example of the work I’ve done on my own family over the years. I’ve worked on many other families of clients and friends.
7. What is your experience and education in the field of genealogy? I am very much self-taught over the span of 40+ years. Additionally, I have served over 17 years as Programs Chair, Volunteer Coordinator, Vice President, President and now Past President of the Wake County Genealogical Society. I am a member of the Granville County Genealogy Society, North Carolina Genealogy Society, and National Genealogy Society.
I have completed course work via NC State Archives RootsMOOC, many state and national conferences, and too many online training courses to count. I am enrolled in the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (via Georgia Genealogy Society) course program for the summer of 2025.
And just for good measure, I have nearly 30 years of experience as a technical/medical writer and editor, 18 years in adult health education, a certificate and experience as a paralegal in real estate, estate planning and litigation, as well as a rather old (1980) college degree in Criminology from my beloved Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC. Go Catamounts!
8. How can I reach you? CarlaStancil@gmail.com or 919.306.0627
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