Terms & Conditions

Summary of Key Terms

• Every commission involves a no-obligation consultation before work begins.

• Scope, hours and price are agreed during the consultation and I never charge or bill beyond what’s agreed without your authorisation.

• I can’t promise a record exists or can be found. If a record isn’t found, I’ll outline the search process, collections searched and steps taken to identify the record.

• Archive, document and reproduction fees are billed at cost, with no mark-up.

• You can cancel for any reason within 14 days of booking.

• Unused hours on a package are credited for 12 months, or refunded.

The full terms follow. Where the two differ, the full terms apply.

Booking and payment. Packages bought online are paid in full by card at booking. Roots and Branches are paid in full once the final price is confirmed in writing, before work begins. Signature and Bespoke commissions are invoiced: a 50% deposit is due before work begins and the balance before I release the final files. Deposits reflect time and resources already committed on my part and are non-refundable once work has started, except as set out in the written agreement for that commission or where your statutory rights require otherwise.

My standard hourly rate for digital research is currently £35.

Consultation and hours. Every commission involves a no-obligation consultation before work begins. Scope, hours and price are agreed before work begins. If the agreed hours are reached before the work is complete, I’ll pause and ask you before continuing. You’re never billed beyond what’s agreed without your authorisation.

Cancelling. You have the right to cancel for any reason within 14 days of booking, and I’ll refund you in full if work hasn’t started. If you’d like work to start within that period, please confirm in writing. If you then cancel, you’ll pay for the work done and costs incurred up to that point, and the rest is refunded. After the 14 days you can still stop a commission at any time. Hours already worked are non-refundable, and unused hours are credited or refunded as set out under Unused hours. To cancel, email info@wymarkancestral.com with your name, the product you booked and the date of booking.

Unused hours. If the research is complete, cannot progress, or you choose to stop before all hours included in a package are used, I’ll deliver what has been completed and the unused hours are credited towards another Wymark Ancestral project, valid for 12 months, or refunded at your request. Unused hours are valued at the hourly rate used to price the package. This applies to Family Tree Compilation, the Narrative Packages, and the Roots and Branches Packages.

Changing your order. If our consultation shows a different service suits you better, I’ll refund the original purchase so you can book the right one. If your project outgrows the hours or package you’ve bought, the amount you’ve paid is credited towards a larger package or a bespoke commission, and any research already completed counts towards the larger project.

Records aren’t guaranteed. Locating a specific record can’t be guaranteed. Professional effort and reasonable care are what I provide, not a promised outcome. Some records are closed, restricted, lost, or can’t be found or accessed despite reasonable effort. Where this affects your work, I’ll explain what’s missing, note the gaps in your findings, and shape the work around what has been found. Not finding a record isn’t grounds for a refund.

Records are supplied or transcribed as found; original documents can contain errors, gaps or omissions.

Costs at cost. Archive and document fees, certificates, record copies and licensed image fees are billed at cost, with no mark-up, and agreed with you before I incur them. Some record images can’t be reproduced because of the holding archive’s or website’s terms. Where that’s the case, I’ll transcribe or quote the record instead.

How I work. I use digital tools, including AI, to support research and drafting. Every fact is checked by me against a source before it appears in your work.

Scope. I cover ancestry connecting the USA and Canada to England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Research in Ireland covers both Northern Ireland and the Republic. Since 1922 their records have been held and accessed differently, and I’ll explain what that means for your family at consultation. Anything outside this scope is considered as a bespoke commission.

Your material. If you send photos or documents, you confirm you have the right to share them. I use them only for your commission. Please send copies or scans rather than originals, which I can’t take responsibility for. I keep what you tell me about your family confidential, except as my Privacy Policy describes.

Living people and my portfolio. I don’t name, picture or give personal details of living people in your work without their consent, confirmed in writing. Otherwise I use general wording such as “a living descendant”. Once your work is complete, I may ask whether I can use a version as a portfolio example on this site. Portfolio case studies centre on deceased ancestors, I never publish identifying details of living people unless each has agreed, and the choice is always yours. You can withdraw your agreement at any time. I’ll then remove it from this site, though I can’t recall copies others have already saved or shared. My Privacy Policy explains how I handle your information.

Difficult material. Family histories can surface loss, hardship, conflict or estrangement. Tell me at consultation if there are topics you’d like handled briefly, or left out.

Using your work. Your narrative, tree or itinerary is for you and your family. You’re welcome to share it with relatives. Please don’t republish or sell it without asking. Licensed images remain subject to their licence terms.

Concerns about quality. If you’re unhappy with the standard of the research (as opposed to what it found), please contact me directly. I’ll review the work and, in line with your statutory rights, may repeat it or offer a partial refund.

If something delays your work. If illness or events outside my control delay your work, I’ll tell you promptly and agree a new delivery date. If I can’t complete it, unused hours are dealt with under Unused hours.

If I don’t hear from you. I rely on the information you give me and on timely replies. If I haven’t heard from you for 45 days, I may close your project, and unused hours are dealt with under Unused hours.

Changes to these terms. The terms in force on the date you book apply to your order. Changes to your order are agreed in writing.

Not for legal use. My work is prepared for personal and family history purposes. It isn’t prepared to the evidentiary standard required for legal proceedings, immigration applications or citizenship by descent, and shouldn’t be relied on for these without independent verification.

Liability. I’ll carry out the work with reasonable care and skill. I’m not responsible for losses caused by things outside my control, such as an archive closing or a record being lost. My liability to you is limited to the fees you’ve paid, except where the law doesn’t allow that, including for negligence causing injury, fraud, and your statutory rights.

Your rights and the law. Nothing in these terms limits your statutory rights, including any that apply where you live. These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales, and its courts have jurisdiction. If something’s wrong, please contact me before starting any dispute process.

Contact
Nathan Wymark Payne, a sole trader trading in the United Kingdom as Wymark Ancestral

Correspondence Address: Wymark Ancestral, 4th Floor, Silverstream House, 45 Fitzroy Street, London, W1T 6EB
info@wymarkancestral.com

All Genealogy Research services (Digital Archives Search, Physical Archives Search, Family Tree Compilation, Bespoke Commissions)

Digital and Physical Archives Search (hourly). Hours are agreed in advance. If more time would help, I’ll pause and ask before continuing. If nothing is found, I’ll send a written report of the sources searched and what the absence may suggest.

Family Tree Compilation (Three Generations and Four Generations). Three Generations includes up to 4 hours of online research and up to 14 ancestors. Four Generations includes up to 10 hours of online research and up to 30 ancestors. Ancestors are direct ancestors only: parents, grandparents and so on. Gaps are noted in the report. If the allowance is reached, further research is billed at the standard hourly rate once you've agreed to continue. The fee is for the research, not for a result. If the research cannot progress before the allowance is reached, I'll tell you, and any unused hours will be governed by the Unused Hours policy. It's delivered as source-cited findings in a PDF or GEDCOM file of your choice, not copies of the documents themselves. Copies of documents are available through the archive search services. Certificates are arranged as bespoke commissions. The tree is a research product, not legal proof of descent, and isn't intended for citizenship, immigration or inheritance applications.

Archives Travel Charges. I confirm the zone for each archive with you before purchase. The charge is a fixed amount covering my travel costs for that visit, which may include subsistence and overnight stays at my discretion. It isn’t itemised. It’s non-refundable once travel is booked, except under your statutory rights. Multi-zone, multi-day or out-of-zone visits are arranged as bespoke commissions.

Bespoke commissions. Scope, hours and price are agreed individually following consultation and confirmed in writing before work begins. A 50% deposit is due before work begins.

Cancellations, refunds, governing law, and general terms — see the Cancellations, Refunds & General Terms section above.

All Family History Narrative packages (Essential, Classic, Signature and Bespoke Narrative Commissions)

Hours and focus. Each package includes up to a set number of hours and ancestors, agreed in advance. Hours cover both research and writing. Typically, about one ancestor in four receives a full profile, chosen with you in your consultation. The rest receive birth, baptism, marriage, death and census records, where they exist. Your parents' details are typically supplied by you.

Descriptions of what a package reaches are guides, not promises, because results depend on the records that can be found. If the allowance is reached before the work is confidently complete, I'll tell you and you can buy additional research time at standard rates for digital research, or receive the findings compiled to that point.

The fee is for the research, not for a result. If the research cannot progress before the allowance is reached, I’ll tell you, and any unused hours are governed by the Unused Hours policy.

Packages

Essential Narrative Package: up to 16 hours and up to 14 ancestors across three generations, as far as the records can be found and accessed.

Classic Narrative Package: up to 31 hours and up to 30 ancestors across four generations, as far as the records can be found and accessed.

Signature Narrative Package: research grows more complex at the fifth generation, so this package is booked only after a consultation. Scope, hours and price are agreed individually and confirmed in writing before work begins. A 50% deposit is due before work begins. It covers up to five generations, as far as the records can be found and accessed. Where records do not reach, the hours go deeper on the lines where they do.

What you receive. One PDF containing your narrative and its sources. It doesn't include copies of the underlying records. If you want copies of (available) documents or certificates please contact me about a bespoke commission.

Delivery time is agreed at consultation and confirmed in writing.

Fact and interpretation. Your narrative distinguishes documented fact from interpretation. Where I reconstruct a scene, setting or moment to bring your family's story to life, it's clearly identifiable as interpretation rather than a documented record. I don't invent specific events, direct quotes, or details that aren't supported by the research.

Corrections of errors in my work are always made at no charge. Further revisions are billed at the standard hourly rate for digital research.

Research, not proof. A narrative is a research product, not legal proof of descent, and isn't intended for citizenship, immigration or inheritance applications.

Bespoke Narrative Commissions. For stories that run beyond what the packages cover, with more complexity or a question entirely their own. Scoped around a set number of hours and up to two research goals, agreed in your consultation. Scope, hours and price are confirmed in writing before work begins. A 50% deposit is due before work begins.

Instagram Carousel

The Instagram Carousel is available only with the purchase of a Narrative Package or a Bespoke Narrative Commission. It costs £120 for eight to ten slides, designed for Instagram, with text written from your narrative. I deliver it as image files within 14 days of delivering your narrative, or of receiving your images if that is later. Images. The slides use photographs and documents you supply, together with images I choose or create to illustrate the story. Created images are labelled "Illustration" on the slide. I only use images that are in the public domain or that I have the right to use, but I can't guarantee that a rights holder won't object to a post. Posting. The carousel is for you to post on your own social media. I don't post it. Living people. I won't include the name or photograph of a living person without their written consent, which you arrange before I begin. Changes. One round of changes to wording or layout is included. Further rounds are charged at my standard hourly rate of £35. Extra slides beyond ten cost £20 each.

Cancellations, refunds, governing law, and general terms: see the Cancellations, Refunds & General Terms section above.

All Ancestral Travel Itinerary packages (The Roots Itinerary Package, The Branches Itinerary Package and Bespoke Itinerary Commissions)

This is an itinerary creation service, not a travel agency service. I don't book or sell flights, accommodation, transport or tickets. You are responsible for your own travel arrangements, insurance and safety.

Packages

The Roots Itinerary Package: one country (England, Wales, Scotland or Ireland), up to five specific places, up to four generations back, and up to 12 hours of research, plus itinerary building.

The Branches Itinerary Package: up to two countries (England, Wales, Scotland or Ireland), up to ten specific places, up to four generations back, and up to 24 hours of research, plus itinerary building.

Price and scope. The price shown is a guide ("From") for the scope above. More places, countries or days move the price. Your consultation is free. Your final price is confirmed in writing, and paid, before work begins.

How the research works. Research works back from you, one generation at a time.

Descriptions are guides, not promises, because results depend on the records that can be found, including any crossing or port.

If the hourly allowance is reached before the work is confidently complete, I'll tell you and you can buy more research time at standard rates for digital research, or receive the itinerary compiled to that point.

The fee is for the research, not for a result. If the research cannot progress before the allowance is reached, unused research hours are governed by the Unused Hours policy

What you receive. One PDF with a day-by-day itinerary, addresses, directions and the sources behind each stop.

Delivery time is confirmed in your consultation.

Changes. Errors in my work are corrected at no charge. Other changes, including new travel dates, are billed at the standard hourly rate.

Copies of the underlying records are not included; they are available through the archive search services or a bespoke package.

Access and safety. Sites change: a building may be gone or a churchyard closed. I can't guarantee access, and I don't arrange it. Many places are private homes or farms: view them from public land unless the owner has given permission.

Bespoke Itinerary Commissions.

For journeys beyond what the packages cover. Scoped around a set number of hours and up to two research goals, agreed in your consultation. Scope, hours and price are confirmed in writing before work begins. A 50% deposit is due before work begins. Archives Travel Charges for Physical Archives Search visits are separate; see the Genealogy Research Commissions terms.

Cancellations, refunds, governing law, and general terms: see the Cancellations, Refunds & General Terms section above.