Introduction - Where you are going to turn for research.
Family research is a very fun hobby that has rewards beyond what words can express. However, there are many frustrations involved and it can be a serious drain on your bank account. This website was designed to give FREE information to those research Mulroys and it always will remain free. This site is fueled by family member donations and remain that way. Not only do you run into what we feel is very unreasonabl fees for information you also are faced with people that just really do not seem to want to help. We put this section together to help you face these problem areas. This overview will help you be better prepaired for what you may run into.

Our View
Those that formed this site have a very clear stance on family research and money. We feel that there is an abuse of fees for family research. The fees are way over priced and we believe that people shouldn't have to pay large amounts of money for history. History should be available for all. This does not mean that we do not believe in supporting organizations and societies.

Historical Societies
These by far are the most complex of family research. It is hit or miss with these societies what you will face. The rules and fees vary at each one. While one historical society works hard to help you, others leave you feeling like they are guarding information like a armored car and you have to fight to get to it. It makes you wonder what their real objective is. It is very frustrating to feel like you are not welcomed to the information they have. There is no doubt in my mind that some of these historical societies have allowed their frustrations to form their attitudes, fees and rules. You will know pretty fast those that really enjoy what they are doing and those that don't.

Researching

• Look for their websites, sometimes they will have information searchable right there on their website for you. Either giving you an idea they have something of interest or at times the record. Many will want you to have name, date of birth, date of events and not allow you to do a general search on the last name Mulroy for example.
• Some will be happy to help you if you explain the website to them and tell them you are interested in all information on Mulroys and that you are willing to take the time to dig through the information yourself.
• Ask for historical books on the area to look through these often have biographies or a mention of those that lived in that county.
  
• Ask where information on newspapers in the area are located to look through, many of them are at the local library.
• Many keep records of all queries of others researching, these can offer great clues.

Fees

(Be prepared)

• Many histroical societies will charge a research fee either a one time fee or many do it by the hour usually this is more expensive for nonmembers.
• Copies can get very expensive at most times 25 cents per sheet.

Churches
These are by far hands down the easiest to work with. I have yet to have a church be uncooperative with me or even charge me anything. Those helping seem eager to help and many have gone out of their way to help me. St Mary's Catholic Church in DeKalb County, Illinois is one example. The lady at the church went to the graveyard and took a picture of my third great grandparents graves out of the goodness of her heart and sent me the pictures!

Reasearching

• Often if you are looking for baptisms, weddings and other events they will need dates. Even having the month is best, just the year can be tricky but doable.
• Graveyard searches just having the name. These records are the easiest. These are important to us to know where Mulroys are laid to rest it helps us as a starting point to research families.

Fees

Have yet to run into a church charging a fee but it is possible some will.

Government
Each state and each county hold historical records in different ways, charge different fees and have different restrictions. Many of them over privacy have strict rules on birth certificates. The older they are late 1800s and early 1900s the easier they are to get. Death certificates and birth certificates are often cheaper if they are very old.

Research

• Youre going to need to know names and dates for these.
• Some states have online searchable databases
• You usually have to go to the courthouse in the counties of that state to get the records
• Some states have a central area they old all the old historic vital records though.

Fees

• These vary. Some states are reasonable while others are very high.
• The cost of getting many records really piles up fast!