Fair rates based on actual complexity and time required.
Professional transcription service backed by 30 years of experience at prestigious London law firms. Every document is quoted individually. Prices quoted in British Pounds (£). International clients: PayPal accepts all currencies.
Here's a general guide to help you understand what to expect:
Typical documents:
• Single-page wills
• Short letters (1-2 pages)
• Clear handwriting
• Straightforward content
• 18th-19th century standard script
Usually completed within 1-2 days
Typical documents:
• Multi-page wills (2-4 pages)
• Property deeds
• Moderate complexity
• Some legal terminology
• Average 18th-19th century handwriting
Usually completed within 2-4 days
Typical documents:
• 17th century secretary hand
• Extensive legal terminology
• Challenging handwriting
• Faded or damaged documents
• Tabular records/registers
Timeline depends on complexity
Every project is quoted individually based on actual document complexity. Contact me for a free, no-obligation quote.
A single-page will costs less than a 10-page court deposition. Length is the primary factor.
Clear 19th century clerk hand is faster than cramped 17th century secretary hand. Challenging scripts take longer.
Faded ink, water damage, or poor-quality photographs require extra care and time to decipher.
Dense legal terminology, extensive abbreviations, or technical content takes longer than straightforward prose.
Tabular records (registers, census returns) require conversion to readable table format, which takes additional time.
17th century documents in secretary hand take longer than 19th century copperplate script.
Email me clear photographs or scans. Include any context that might be helpful (date, type of document, etc.)
I'll assess the length, complexity, and time required. Quote provided within 24 hours, usually sooner.
No obligation to proceed. If the quote works for you, I'll start transcription immediately.
I'll send the first page as PDF proof. Once you're satisfied and payment is made, you receive the complete Word document.
Your transcription is finished and checked for accuracy
You receive the first page (or 25% of short documents) as a PDF to verify quality
Once you're happy with the quality, payment via PayPal or bank transfer
Full transcription delivered as editable Word document within hours of payment
Quality Guarantee: You'll see a sample of the completed work before paying, so you can verify accuracy and quality. This protects both of us and ensures you're completely satisfied with the transcription before making payment.
Clean, properly formatted, ready to use in your research.
You'll know exactly what's definite and what needs verification.
Archaic terms and abbreviations explained where helpful.
Most documents completed within 2-5 working days.
If you need clarification or spot something, revisions are included.
Direct communication with me throughout. I answer questions.
If you have several documents from the same collection or time period, I can offer a discount for bulk transcription. Contact me for a quote.
Members of recognised family history societies may be eligible for a small discount. Mention your membership when requesting your consultation.
Academic researchers or professional family historians working on large projects—let's discuss rates for ongoing work.
Once your transcription is complete, I'll send you the first page (or approximately 25% of shorter documents) as a PDF preview. This allows you to verify the quality, accuracy, and that I've understood your document correctly.
After you've reviewed the preview and are satisfied with the work, payment is made via PayPal or bank transfer. I then immediately send you the complete transcription as an editable Word document.
This process protects both of us—you can see the quality before paying, and I know you're satisfied with the work. For very large projects (over £100), I can arrange a 50% deposit with balance due on completion if preferred.
If I encounter unexpected complexity while transcribing, I'll contact you before exceeding the quoted price. You can choose to proceed at a revised rate or cancel with no charge.
Yes—I'm happy to transcribe a small section (typically 5-10 lines) as a free sample so you can see the quality of my work before deciding.
Yes—if you need a document urgently, I can usually accommodate rush requests for a small additional fee (typically 25-50% extra depending on timeline). Ask when requesting your consultation.
PayPal or UK bank transfer. International clients welcome—PayPal handles currency conversion automatically.
No—the prices above are for transcription only (reading and typing what's written in your document). If you'd like additional historical context—such as identifying legal officials, verifying dates, or researching people/places mentioned—this is priced separately as an add-on service. Basic research typically £20-40 per hour depending on complexity. This is NOT genealogical research or family tree building, just contextual information to enhance your transcription.
No obligation. Just send me your document and I'll tell you exactly what it will cost.
Request Your Consultation