Deep Roots Historical Research & Genealogy
Chicago area · Research anywhere

Prove the line. Tell the story.

Deep Roots helps you document ancestors for lineage societies, rebuild family and house histories from original records, and turn hard questions into clear, cited reports.

Book a free 30-minute consult See services
Image: Declaration of Independence (1819), John Trumbull — public domain via Wikimedia Commons

What I do

I’m Jonathan Spangler — a historian-trained researcher based near Schaumburg, Illinois. I dig into primary sources, write careful proof arguments, and work remotely with clients across the country. Chicago-area archives are a specialty when a visit makes the difference.

Painting of the Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor
Flat package

Lineage society applications

DAR, SAR, Mayflower, and related societies — from eligibility checks to full documentation packets.

From $175 · Full apps $950

Civil War era soldiers of the 4th U.S. Colored Infantry
Hourly

Family history research

Brick walls, immigrant origins, and multi-generation projects with a written report and citations.

$60/hour · $500 min. deposit

1855 Colton map of the United States
Flat or hourly

House histories & retrieval

Chain of title, occupants, maps — plus in-person Chicago-area archive pulls or remote ordering.

House histories from $450

View all six services →

How we work together

Consult Free 30 minutes to clarify goals
Scope Written scope letter before any work
Deposit At least $500 before research starts
Research Original records, careful analysis
Report Cited findings and next steps
Honest about results. Genealogical research is paid for time, skill, and a documented report — not a guaranteed finding. Society application fees and record-copy fees are separate and billed at cost.

Clear pricing from the start

Base rate $60 per hour. Packages for lineage applications and house histories. Every project begins with a free consult and a written scope — and no research starts until a deposit of at least $500 is received (smaller flat items such as the $175 eligibility check are paid in full up front).

Full pricing Start a project inquiry
Handwritten 1910 U.S. census schedule page
1910 U.S. census schedule (Erie County, PA) — public domain via DPLA / Wikimedia Commons

Ready to talk about your research question?

A free 30-minute consultation is the best next step — no obligation, no deposit required for the call.

Request your free consult