Frequently asked Questions:

What archives can you access?
I will perform digitization and research at the National Archives at Kansas City and the Harry S. Truman Library in Independence, Missouri, as well as other facilities in the Kansas City metropolitan region.

Do you do textual research?
My aim is to get images of documents into the hands of experts who can then synthesize the information in them. I do not read through documents generally. 

Is my job too small for you?
No, I accept jobs of all sizes. I bill by the quarter hour (30 minutes minimum), and have worked on jobs that take 30 minutes, to jobs that take months to complete.

I’d like to engage you for a large grant-funded project. Are you willing to accept that work?
Absolutely. Feel free to get in touch to discuss your project.

Can you research my genealogy?
No. If you have identified a document that you are interested in for your own research, I am happy to make copies of that for you, but I do not do family history research.

What equipment do you use?
I use a scanning application on a mobile device to get high-quality searchable images of text. 

How many pages can you scan in an hour?
That all depends on the state of the original documents. Older documents on onion skin paper require special handling that can reduce the number of pages. But for more recently created documents on normal bond paper, I can scan upwards of 300 pages per hour. 

What information is included in my scans?
Every scan begins with a photo of the containing box, and a pull slip indicating its precise location in the archives and associated NAID, so it can be accurately cited. I scan the documents in original order, and where appropriate divide folders or individual documents into their own PDF files. 

I suspect my file contains an image that I would like to reproduce in a book. Can you get a high-quality image?
Yes. Let me know when you hire me if you suspect there are original documents (trade catalogs, photographs, etc.) you’d like to reproduce and I will take separate photos to ensure high quality and accurate reproduction. Otherwise, most scans will be in black and white or spot color. 

What do you charge?
My rates are based on the scope and nature of the project. Before beginning work, I provide an estimate of the time and cost based on the information available. Because archival materials can vary in size and condition, the actual time required may be more or less than estimated. You are billed for the actual time spent on your project, in 15-minute increments, with a 30-minute minimum.

How can I pay you?
I accept digital payments through PayPal and Venmo. If your company or university does not allow such payments, I can accept a check and provide tax information. I am registered with Payment Works through several colleges and universities, and am able to complete any necessary forms to be a vendor for your company or university.

Do you require a deposit for work?
I operate on a trust basis. I only get paid after you get the documents and are happy with them.

One of my scans is unreadable. Can you fix this?
I proof every scan before I send it along to you, but sometimes mistakes happen. If something is awry, I will do all I can to fix it until you are satisfied. 

How quickly can you get a document to me?
Depending on when you make contact with an archivist to identify your files, I can generally get material scanned and delivered to you within 5-10 business days. 

Why should I hire you and not another person?
I am the most local independent researcher to the National Archives at Kansas City, living within a mile of the facility. I specialize in quickly digitizing material rather than spending your time and money on conventional textual research. I respect the confidentiality of our agreement, and do not ask questions about why you need this record. I am committed to producing quality work, quickly, economically, and precisely.

How do I get my documents?
The files are generally too large to attach to an email, so I send files to your email address via WeTransfer, a temporary file hosting service. You have one week to download the information. 

I’m not sure if I want to hire you or another person. Can we talk on the phone?
I will do phone consultations but those hours will be billed to you. Most information I have is most effectively communicated via email. 

Can I see samples of your work?
Yes, visit my sample scans t0 view sections of documents that I have scanned recently.

Ready to request an estimate? Contact Kansas City Archival Services