Oral Histories

Your family's research, stories, and photos will be transformed into a beautifully designed book—a professionally crafted treasure that preserves your family history for generations.






Request a Research Estimate

Pricing may start as
low as $3,500 USD.



Goals

Tell us why you want to hire a professional genealogist. Include the name, date, and place of birth or death for an individual or family branch you’d like us to research.




To speak with a U.S.-based associate about your research request, call 1-800-596-3230

What influences project costs?

  •   Immigration Research
  •   DNA analysis
  •   Adoption and biological family research
  •   Citizenship research
  •   Pre-1850s research
  •   Multiple family branches/lines
  •   Onsite international research

To speak with a U.S.-based associate about your research request, call 1-800-596-3230

Why record oral histories?

Why record oral histories?
  • Preserve the memories and stories of loved ones before they are lost.
  • Create something that can be shared with family members living today and with later generations.
  • Enhance genealogical research by building onto the stories of who your ancestors were, what they meant to others, and what kind of legacy they left behind. An oral history adds memories and emotion to your ancestral story and allows you to take an active role in preserving your family’s history.
  • Oral histories make great gifts!

What is included in an oral history project?

What is included in an oral history project?
  • One of our professional interviewers/writers will contact you to learn a bit more about the subjects and scope of the interview or interviews. This will allow them to prepare some questions and make the most efficient use of your time.
  • The professional interviewer/writer will conduct the interview remotely (Travel for in-person interviews is also possible, if you prefer.)

Why hire a professional?

Why hire a professional?
  • Experienced interviewers know how to ask the right questions for capturing family history.
  • We use high-quality recording equipment.
  • People often open up more to non-family members, sharing crucial details.
  • Professionals handle time-consuming transcription efficiently.
  • Graphic designers create beautiful presentations, turning transcripts into family heirlooms.

How much does it cost?

How much does it cost?
  • The cost for an oral history project can vary, based on the number of people interviewed and how much interview time is involved. (If our professional travels to do an in-person interview, that also adds to the cost of the project.)
  • Our basic oral history package, consisting of a one-person interview for three hours, the creation of a digital audio file, and a copyedited transcript of the interview, starts at about $3,750.



Our Team of Experts

Erika Manternach

Erika Manternach has a diverse background in the fields of broadcast journalism...

Sandy McDougle

Sandy McDougle’s passion for graphic design began way back when she was a young...

Sapphire Heien

Sapphire Heien joined AncestryProGenealogists as a writer in 2021...

Shalese Hinckley

Shalese Hinckley joined the AncestryProGenealogists Storytelling Team...






Request a Research Estimate

Pricing may start as
low as $3,500 USD.



Goals

Tell us why you want to hire a professional genealogist. Include the name, date, and place of birth or death for an individual or family branch you’d like us to research.




To speak with a U.S.-based associate about your research request, call 1-800-596-3230

What influences project costs?

  •   Immigration Research
  •   DNA analysis
  •   Adoption and biological family research
  •   Citizenship research
  •   Pre-1850s research
  •   Multiple family branches/lines
  •   Onsite international research