dna analysis/advice
Have you done a DNA test to solve a family mystery, find biological family members, or just for fun? Done an autosomal DNA test but don’t know how to interpret it?
I provide a professional service which would entail gaining access to your DNA results, then analysing them. Adoptees particularly welcome – I will be able to provide answers or leads much more quickly than if you did it yourself!
Research costs will vary depending upon individual requirements. I offer a free 2 hour analysis initially then DNA analysis/research is billed at an hourly rate. As a guide, DNA research into an adoptee generally takes 10-20 hours to complete, unless you are really lucky with matches.
Clients are always provided with a research report and a GEDCOM of their biological tree.
If you would like to buy a DNA test, consider buying from AncestryDNA®. As far as DNA tests go Ancestry have the most comprehensive database of testers.
HEIR/probate RESEARCH
Probate research deals with finding heirs and proving their right to an inheritance. In some estates there may be no known heirs, or there may be missing heirs whose names are known but their contact information is not. There also may be known heirs from one part of the family, but another part of the family may be unknown.
Whether you are a lawyer or notary public, have been appointed as a administrator of the estate by the court, need assistance with research as an heir investigator, or need to provide evidence as a private individual, I may be able to assist.
I can identify potential heirs for you professionally and reliably. Kinship charts will be produced in addition to a cited, written report.
I am a local contractor for Finders International Probate Research, State Trustees Ltd Victoria, NSW Trustee & Guardian, Public Trustee Tasmania, Family Wise Ltd, Title Research, Coutot-Roehrig International and Harrisons Probate Solutions Group.
RECORD AGENT SERVICE
Are you applying for citizenship in a foreign country? Do you need to access a New Zealand birth, death or marriage record from overseas? Do you need a record apostilled, authenticated, translated or notorised?*
I can retrieve records for you held in Auckland Libraries Research Centres, Auckland Council Archives – their databases are now unavailable online so must be visited in person in order to access valuation, rating records, Heritage Images, Manuscripts etc, Auckland War Memorial Museum Research Library = Te Pātaka Mātāpuna, Archives New Zealand Auckland Office, Pompallier Heritage Centre & Archives (Catholic), Anglican Diocese Archives, New Zealand Baptist Archive,New Zealand National Maritime Museum and any other archives in the Auckland area.
I am a part-time contractor with AncestryProGenealogists and Trace.com
Research fees are calculated on an hourly basis.
*Please note: Certificate, translation, apostilling and authenticating and additional documentation charges, along with photocopying and postage and packaging are additional and will be charged to you at cost. These extra costs during the research process will always be advised to you before proceeding.
family tree reports/narratives
I am a highly competent family tree researcher of more than 25 years.
Standard family reports are available using family tree software.
If you are looking for something a little more special, I am proudly partnered with MyGeneTree, a family-owned business based in Canterbury, New Zealand with fabulous designer digital tree solutions.
Use the code GENEGEEKGIRL to get a 15% discount off all their trees
Here are some beautiful examples (see their website for more):
HISTORICAL RESEARCH
Partnerships with historians/authors are welcomed.
Needing some New Zealand historical background for your book? Historians and genealogists increasingly draw upon each other’s work and often one cannot be done without the other.
Research is calculated on an hourly basis or by individual agreement.
testimonials
“It was a delight working with Nicola. With a quick turnaround and thorough, efficient results, we will definitely refer any future work to Kinship Genealogy. A five-star review! Thank you so much!“
Kathryn H, Blanchards Inheritance Ltd, Kent, England – probate case locating NZ heirs
“I highly recommend Nicola…to undertake genealogical research. Her work is very thorough, informative and I now have a full picture of my paternal heritage and where I fit into my previously unknown family. Nicola provided all my family information to me in professional caring compassionate manner. Her documentation is through, well presented and easy to follow..”
ECL, Norlane, Victoria, Australia – DNA case identifying ECL’s biological father
“I was extremely happy with the service Nic provided for me. The depth and thoroughness of her research was astounding and she managed to unearth answers to questions that my family have had for many years. She was incredibly easy to work with, very responsive and explained everything in a way that a novice, like myself, could understand. I would highly recommend Nic’s services to anyone who is on a journey with their ancestry and needs that additional support to find answers. I will be forever grateful…for the answers she provided me with.”
Linda Taylor, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia – DNA case identifying Linda’s biological maternal grandfather
“After searching without success in the maze of Ancestry information and DNA results, we felt we would never find a connection to lost family… [Y]our skill, knowledge of genealogy, analysing DNA data and research, combined with your gentle and sensitive understanding when dealing with families shows an obvious love and passion for what you do. Thank you Nic, you have given us the most wonderful gift possible and you have completed our family.”
Phillipa and Bob, Geelong, Victoria, Australia – DNA case involving an unknown close match
“Nicola’s research went above and beyond my expectations — she is a best in class family history researcher. If you have any questions about anyone who so much as passed through New Zealand, look no further… (If you live outside the country, you’re probably better off hiring her than flying to Auckland — which I briefly considered!)
“She is extremely thorough, efficient, and communicative… her reports are presented beautifully… and with scholarly rigor.”
Maya, Historian, New York, NY, USA – Historical New Zealand-based research
“Late last year, after decades of whanau research to try and identify my mother’s paternal side, I was ready to admit defeat. Browsing the Internet, I came upon Nicola’s website – Genealogy Geekgirl – and thought ‘why not’. A genetic angel…over Xmas/New Year period, [she] analyzed and interpreted my DNA evidence and historical records, added her own research and solved the missing link quickly. The comprehensive genealogical report on her findings is awesome. Thank you for your outstanding service and I would definitely recommend your expertise to others.“
JR, New Zealand – DNA case identifying JR’s biological grandfather
“Nicola helped me build my family tree once my DNA result came through on Ancestry.com. At every stage of the research, through to contacting DNA matches on my behalf, I felt I was in excellent hands. The nature of my search was very private and sensitive. Nicola was fully respectful of my needs at every stage of the process and would communicate every exciting new discovery as soon as she had results. We had success very quickly. Due to her excellent research and skills, I have found many relatives, going back for many generations. At the end of it all, she also provided me with an invaluable document that outlined her findings and explained how she verified a connection to relatives whose DNA were not on the databases. I cannot recommend Nicola highly enough. She literally changed my life in the course of a week!”
PM, Auckland, New Zealand – adoptee with unknown biological father
“Nicola was super easy to work with. She’s quick, efficient, and the quality of her research is excellent. Highly recommend!“
Amy Leavitt, Leavitt Genealogy, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA – probate case identifying and locating US heirs
“Contacting Nicola for help has been an incredible experience. I had a very complicated ‘needle in haystack’ situation trying to find my paternal grandfather… [Nicola]…not only found him but also found my maternal grandfather. Finding the pieces of the family puzzle, for me, has been a long hoped for wish. I felt elated, emotional and extremely grateful for having Nicola’s expertise, sensitivity and professionalism to work out these mysteries that I really thought were just never going to be solved. I highly recommend Nicola to find your loved one.”
CD, Auckland, NZ – daughter of adoptee with unknown biological paternal and maternal grandfathers
“After decades of wondering, years of searching and 2 failed attempts to ‘David Lomas Investigates’, we found Nicola Sherrock. Being adopted in the early 1960’s at birth in England and immigrating to NZ at the age of 2, it was hard to search the records in the UK for leads…there were a lot of twists and challenges. Finding Nicola was the best thing we did in the search for my birth family. With her experience, knowledge and resources, Nicola managed to find my birth siblings on both my mother & father’s side. I am over the moon with the result – a dream come true. Thank you so much Nicola :)”
Tracy Shakes-Berry, Auckland, NZ – adoptee with unknown biological father, seeking to connect with birth family
“A big thank you for all the awesome work you have done in locating my family… You have compassion and insight. Well done…”
Mike Brunton, Auckland, NZ – adoptee with unknown biological parents
“Nicola was a pleasure to work with. Her research was thorough and efficient and her turnaround time was great. I would happily recommend Genealogy Geekgirl for anyone hoping to uncover more about their family history, delve into their DNA or to help with searching for heirs.”
Born & Bred Historical Research, Geelong, Vic., Australia – probate case searching for NZ heirs
“Excellent work. Thorough and finds everything. A big help to my estate law practice.”
Darin Leviloff, Froneberger & Leviloff, San Rafael, California, USA – US probate case searching for heirs
“I thought that after 57 years there would be no outcome or understanding of where my paternal lineage had come from. I have spent many years and resources trying to uncover the hidden past… Geekgirl…achieved the unthinkable and cracked the case, she found the missing pieces to my jigsaw… She left no stone un-turned, dug deep and got the results… A huge thank you for closing a chapter in my life and for my family and opening a new one.”
Pablo, Auckland, NZ – adoptee, with unknown biological father
“Very detailed work program leading to some fascinating results. I highly recommend Nicola for any genealogical research.”
Wayne Gemmell, NZ – case involving endogamy (Maori DNA), endeavouring to identify an unknown 2x great-grandfather
“Nicola …. oh .. my .. goodness … you are my angel … thank you … hugs and more hugs to you lovely lady. I truly believe you have a talent or perhaps a spiritual gift …you made this happen… I had truly given up!! so many years and pieces of paper and unanswered messages …”
LW, Brisbane, Australia – with unknown biological father
have questions? i’d love to hear from you
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