Ann McRoden Mensch - Historical Genealogist Resume

Ann's Ancestors: Mary Ann Norman & William C. McRoden

Ann McRoden Mensch

Professional Historical Genealogist

Researching on-site and with the vast resources of
Allen County Public Library
with one of the largest historical and
genealogical research collections
in North America
*Research all U.S.A. and
many international resources.

E-mail to: mensch.family@verizon.net

subject=Professional Research
or Write to: 8215 Medicine Bow Run
Fort Wayne, IN 46825

Phone: (260) 497-8065

Philosophy & Goals

Experience

Affiliations

Education

Rates:

IN-LIBRARY Research: (at the Allen County Public Library)
ON-SITE Research: (research or photography which requires travel to churches, cemeteries, homesteads, other archives and libraries)

How to Request My Professional Historical Genealogy Research Service?

Are you new to historical genealogy research? You may find the following "getting started" article helpful:

Historical Genealogy: Preserve the Past for the Future!
by Yours Truly: Ann McRoden Mensch.

Now you have a friend in Fort Wayne!

I specialize in assisting the fellow historian and genealogist (amateur or professional) by obtaining records and information contained at the Allen County Public Library.

View the Printed Resources available at the Allen County Public Library
and the Microfilm Catalog

I am an independent researcher not a staff member of the ACPL.

EXPERIENCE

I have been researching at the Allen County Public Library, and YES, on location in town hall basements, graveyards, courthouses, etc. for 25 years. The vast resources available at the Allen County Public Library (reported to be one of the largest historical genealogical collections in North America) have given me the opportunity to gain proficiency in researching many different eras, geographic locations (all U.S.A. states and several international countries, including Canada and Ireland), and types of records including: Census (state and federal), Military Pensions, Colonial Town Records, Periodicals, Histories, and Land Records, to name a few.

The resources available at the Allen County Public Library are wonderful,
and include city directories, microfilmed passenger lists, all available U.S.
census, and many international records as well! If you would like to see some of
the printed resources available, for a particular location, you may visit the
Allen County Public Library's web site at http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/ then click
on "library catalog", and select "click to start". On the search page, select
"Genealogy" from the drop-down menu, then type in the town, county or country
name in which you are interested. The microfilm resources are not yet included
in the online catalog.

And, I am continually adding to my knowledge during the course of my research. This is one reason I enjoy historical-genealogical research.

My background in logic aids my ability to weed the good evidence from the poor, while academic study of folklore allows me to see the value of preserving (and attempting to prove or document) treasured family traditions and stories.

I maintain high ethical standards: I will strive for the highest degree of accuracy, will report my findings in a clear and truthful manner, will cite all sources used, and will not knowingly infringe on others rights.
*Note: I will thoroughly document sources using APA format and include call numbers. (If you prefer another, let me know.)

PHILOSOPHY & GOALS

I specialize in assisting the fellow historian and genealogist (amateur or professional) in obtaining records & information, by researching on-site, online and among the vast resources held at the Allen County Public Library.
Though it may seem contradictory, I DO look forward to a time when all information relevant to our genealogical & historical research will be available free & online. I thoroughly enjoy researching my own family history, and have been grieved to have to forgo items due to the expense of gathering them.
Toward that goal, I volunteered my services to input Jay County, IN data for the 1870 U.S. Census of Indiana Index completed by The Indiana Genealogical Society. I transcribe and post genealogically relevant material (such as census, biographical, & vital records) on the town web sites I create and maintain, and, I will continue to add information to the sites, and will do free lookups in the Vital Records of Royalston, Massachusetts, To the end of the year 1849, (1906), Systematic History Fund, Published by Franklin P. Rice: Worcester, MA for those also researching ancestors in Royalston, MA. (I developed a fondness for the towns I host through my own family history research.) Additionally, I am the State Coordinator of the USGenWeb for Vermont.

EDUCATION
B.A. - Purdue University with a double major in Philosophy & Psychology,
concentrating in Ethics, Logic, & Folklore.

AFFILIATIONS

National Society Daughters of the American Revolution:
Mary Penrose Wayne Chapter.
Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana.
Allen County--Fort Wayne Historical Society.
Noble County, Indiana Genealogical Society

Author and Maintain many Local History and Genealogy Research web sites, including the following:

USGen Web Volunteer, Copyright, Create & Maintain:

Disclaimer: My membership in the above Societies is not to be construed as an endorsement of my services by the named societies.

RATES

IN-ACPL LIBRARY Research - ON-SITE Research
How to Request My Professional Historical Genealogy Research Assistance?

IN-ACPL LIBRARY Research:
I charge $35 per hour for time spent evaluating, exploring sources, obtaining copies of relevant documents, and composing a research report, and in-library research. Expenses, such as photocopy and postage costs, will be added to this base fee.

A non-refundable deposit, of one-half of the requested time cost, with a minimum of $35, is required. This is used to defray research costs, and will be fully credited toward the balance.

I will include an invoice when I send your requested information. Payments to be made with money order to Ann Mensch, upon receipt of requested information, unless arrangements have been made with me prior to the research.

I do not wish to be unfair in my charges. I will research on a FIXED TIME LIMIT basis and/or report research progress to you at your specified intervals. You may be surprised by what can be found in an hour.

Additional service: If you have the ability to receive picture files (.bmp, .tif, .gif & .jpg), I can scan the photocopy so you can receive the information without waiting for the post. (I will, of course, mail hard copy as well.) You will be invoiced an additional $5 if you choose this option.

If your research request will involve an extensive investment of time and resources, I reserve the right to request an additional earnest deposit.

If you would like my research assistance with your project, see "How to Request My Professional Historical Genealogy Research Assistance?"
If you have any further questions, please ask.
As you know, historical-genealogical research is a service, not a product. I cannot guarantee particular results. I can only guarantee that I will do my best.
Thank you.
--Ann

E-mail to: ann.mcroden.mensch@gmail.com or mensch.family@verizon.net

Ann McRoden Mensch, Professional Genealogist
Researching at The Allen County Public Library

ON-SITE Research:
I charge $40 per hour for time spent traveling, photographing, researching and obtaining copies of relevant documents at archives and libraries other than Allen County Public Library. Expenses will be added to this base fee.

A non-refundable deposit, of one-half of the requested time cost, with a minimum of $80, is required. This is used to defray research costs, and will be fully credited toward the balance.

I do not wish to be unfair in my charges. I will research on a FIXED TIME LIMIT basis and/or report research progress to you at your specified intervals.

If your research request will involve an extensive investment of time and resources, I reserve the right to request an additional earnest deposit.

E-mail to: ann.mcroden.mensch@gmail.com or mensch.family@verizon.net

http://annmcrodenmensch.webs.com

How to Request My Professional Historical Genealogy Research Service?

Since each historical genealogy project is unique, it is not possible to use a "one-size-fits-all" format for your request. Though the following information should be included with your request, please personalize the family information you send to include items you feel relevant to your project.
If you would like me to research for you, please include, with your postal mail request, and your deposit check, the following information:

1. State the names of each known family member (including siblings, parents, spouse(s) and children, and any known birth, marriage and death dates, and specific locations (city/state/country).
These help me to become familiar with, and correctly identify information concerning your family members.

2. Please include information about the resources you have already researched. If you have already obtained documents, such as census pages, birth certificates, obituaries, and so forth, I would like to see photocopies of these
as well. Often, there are small details contained in these documents which may become large leads. Please do NOT mail the original documents.

3. Also, include any details which may be helpful, such as religious affiliation, military service, family stories, etc.

4. If you have other family surnames which are expected to be in the same location, you may include brief information concerning these as well, since I would be happy to take note of these as they may present themselves during research.

5. State your main goals for this research project.
Examples:
"I would like you to photograph the gravestones of Mary and Tom Adams."
"I would like to try to identify John Smith's father and mother."
"I would like to find biographical information for Jane and John Smith."
"Does John Smith appear to be a veteran of the Civil War?"

6. Would you like me to report progress to you at specific intervals during longer research projects, or would you like to contain research to a specific time limit. State your preferred research time limit.

7. Do not forget to include your own address and phone number (for my own records only).

My postal address is:
Ann McRoden Mensch
8215 Medicine Bow Run
Fort Wayne, IN 46825
Phone: (260) 497-8065

E-mail to: mensch.family@verizon.net or ann.mcroden.mensch@gmail.com

     If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to write or
     E-mail to: mensch.family@verizon.net or ann.mcroden.mensch@gmail.com
     I look forward to researching for you.