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Archiver > APG > 2006-04 > 1144166478


From: "Heather Henderson" <>
Subject: RE: [APG] How to handle a situation
Date: Tue, 04 Apr 2006 10:01:18 -0600


That's where your report comes in. Your client is paying you to be an
expert, to know which documents to search, and to search them efficiently,
reading between the lines to draw conclusions.

Your report is your work, whether your report includes positive
documentation or negative results.

If you handle it in a confident, professional manner you will find that your
accurate, detailed negative report will give excellent customer service.
It's also very helpful to know enough about your area of expertise to say
"Hmm...that year is a tough one for this area. Due to a natural disaster
many records were destroyed. Other cases I have worked in this area have
proven to be difficult. I must warn you before I begin that there may not
be any documentation." and manage expectations early.

Most importantly, though, don't let this experience rattle your self
confidence! You're the pro. If you honestly did your best then you deserve
to be paid. Just because a sick patient can't be cured doesn't mean the
doctor is going to say "Oh, you didn't get better? Ok, you don't have to
pay."

:)


>From:
>To:
>Subject: [APG] How to handle a situation
>Date: Tue, 04 Apr 2006 11:15:48 -0400
>
>Hi all. I have my first client and have done 6 hours of research, but not
>a single document came up, just a few clues. How do I handle this? Some
>suggestions from folks who've been where I am? I think it's understood
>that even when you hire a professional there are times when there are just
>no documents in existance (or the year of that document is missing, which
>is the case here) and there is just nothing that can be done about it. I
>feel bad about charging her without having found anything.
>
>Thanks and I appreciate any advice
>
>--
>Erin Bradford
>Sankofa Ancestry
>
>
>
>==== APG Mailing List ====
>The Association of Professional Genealogists
>http://www.apgen.org/publications/apg-l/index.html
>


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