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Name and address: ______________________________________________________
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Phone: __________________________________________
E-Mail: __________________________________________
I agree to pay Shannon Drew, Genealogist (herein called “Genealogist”), for genealogical services to be performed on my behalf. I am enclosing a retainer fee of fifty (50) dollars. This retainer will cover the first two hours of time used to evaluate previous research (all previous research bearing on the research goal must be provided prior to the start of the project) and organize a research plan to address my specific research problem. The retainer payment will either be by check or money order and is to be paid in full at time of contract. Additionally, I am enclosing any information I have already obtained in an effort to minimize duplication of research. All fees for returned checks will be paid by me.
Research services will be billed at the rate of $25 per hour. The hourly fee shall be applied as follows: conduct of the planned research, review of all new material for accuracy and consistency, an evaluation of client’s research objectives in terms of new information, and preparation of a detailed report with full source citations. Most basic research projects require a minimum of ten (10) hours (including the initial planning period). If the project will exceed ten (10) hours, Genealogist will contact Client in writing and additional time must be authorized in writing before research continues. Client shall also reimburse Genealogist for the actual costs of photocopies, photographs, microfilm rental fees, postage, parking fees, and other necessary out-of-pocket expenses, provided Genealogist submits an itemized bill, and provided that the total of expenses does not exceed $25. If Genealogist anticipates that expenses may exceed this $25 maximum, she shall notify Client in writing and obtain his/her agreement, also in writing, to the reimbursement of additional expenses. Mileage outside of a 5-mile radius of Yakima, Washington, is

charged to the Client at the rate authorized by the IRS. Payment for research services and any additional expenses is due at completion of project.
I am returning the following items to Genealogist: signed Contract, signed Information Form, Pedigree Chart(s), and
Retainer Fee. Upon receiving all items, Genealogist will begin research as outlined above. Genealogist will perform this work as an independent contractor in accordance with prevailing professional standards in genealogy, including the Code of Ethics of the Association of Professional Genealogists, the Code of Ethics adopted by the Board of
Certification of Genealogists, and the Standards recommended by the National Genealogical Society.
I understand that Genealogist shall hold Client’s name, address, telephone number, and other identifying information about Client in confidence, unless Client authorizes their release in writing. Genealogist shall also accord confidentiality to all material furnished by Client which contains (a) information that is not a matter of public record or which cannot be rightfully obtained from another non-confidential source; (b) information that no one else has independently developed; and (c) information that Client has not disclosed to anyone else except under a strict, written, confidentiality agreement that has the effect of preventing disclosure by any other person or entity. Client understands that even though Genealogist may agree to keep certain information confidential, a court can compel
Genealogist to disclose that information.
Client agrees that if there is distribution or publication of any information taken from Genealogist’s report, that information will be reported accurately and Client will credit Genealogist’s report as the source. Genealogist retains the copyright to the report and the manner in which she has expressed the information in it. Client may make a limited number of personal copies as a “fair use” of the copyrighted report, but Client agrees that the report will not otherwise be published, or multiple copies made, without written permission from Genealogist.
I understand that Genealogist may not be able to solve my genealogical problem(s) since the availability of information varies from county to county as well as from individual to individual.
Any dispute over the terms of this agreement that cannot be resolved by Genealogist and Client will be submitted to binding arbitration through the American Arbitration Association.
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Client Signature
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Effective Date of Contract