I provide customized military and family history research assistance to individuals, community groups and institutions. I offer a variety of report packages and customized services including helping you obtain a Second World War Canadian service file.

For 2025 I’ve introduced a low-cost Timeline-only option and have modified the number of hours in my Timeline and Report packages. Although the hours have increased the average cost per hour has been reduced.

I’ve been helping people, both inside and outside of Canada, research Canadian soldiers for over ten years. I encourage you to read the testimonials at the bottom of this page.

To view a sample of my work please check out my report on John Robert Crook, RCVNR that was recently posted to his For Posterity’s Sake memorial page on behalf of his family. Here is a link to the PDF report itself.

Timeline-only Package for WW1 and WW2 Canadian service personnel:
This includes 3 hours of customized research used to prepare a detailed timeline. It does not include a report. The timeline is based on a soldier’s military service file and is presented as an easy-to-understand chronology that covers the soldier’s service from enlistment to demobilization.

This option would suit anyone who simply needs an outline of a soldier’s service, and it would provide a solid foundation for those of you who wish to conduct your own research. While it includes dates of service within a theatre of war it may not include specific locations within that theatre (this information is not included in a military service file).

If within 30 days you change your mind and would like a report I will deduct the cost of this package from the cost of any of my report packages.

Cost: CAD$99 (3-hour package)

Timeline and Report Packages for WW1 and WW2 Canadian service personnel
This package includes the timeline described above as well as a written narrative that provides background and context. This would include information on the structure and role of the units a soldier served in, as well as a summary of the significant battles and events they experienced.

I use a variety of resources such as war diaries, regimental histories, reports and other archival documents. The level of detail is dictated by the number of hours available and what you are most interested in learning about. There will be an opportunity for you to review the draft timeline and for us to discuss my suggestions and your priorities before the report is prepared.

My reports often include war diary or service file excerpts, copyright-free photographs and an appendix of suggested reading and/or links to online resources. The report is provided in PDF format that can be shared with your family. Many of my clients have used the report as the basis for their own book project.

I offer two hourly packages with the option to add additional hours at a discounted rate:

Cost:
CAD$269 (8-hour package)
CAD$329 (10-hour package, recommended for WW2 research)
Additional hours at CAD$32.50

Customized Research and Services:

• ATIP application to obtain your soldier’s Second World War service file
  An ATIP application can reduce wait times from years to months (currently ~4 months). All requests require a Proof of Death document (obituary, death certificate or a photo of a headstone).
  • ATIP request for individual who died 20 or more years ago: CAD$45 (includes LAC fee)
  • ATIP request for individual who died less than 20 years ago: CAD$65 (includes LAC fee)
    • important note for requests for individuals who died less than 20 years ago: the individual I submit the request on behalf of must be an immediate family member. LAC will require proof of your identity and proof of relationship to the deceased.
• Book Research. If you are planning to write a book on your ancestor, I can customize my timeline/report packages to suit your needs. See hourly rates below.
• Photo identification. Your family photos may hold clues that will move your research forward. I can help date photographs and identify badges and insignias. See hourly rates below.
• Family History research. I’ve been knocking down brick walls for over 25 years and would be happy to help you research your non-military ancestors. See hourly rates below.

Hourly rate packages:
10 or more hours: $32.50/hr
4 or more hours: $35.00/hr
Less than 4 hours: $40.00/hr

I offer a free consultation to determine what works best for you. For your free consultation please complete the form below and I will reply by email. Thank you!

Testimonials

“This is brilliant and exactly what I was hoping for. You have managed to collate some very disparate information and weave it into a coherent, engaging and ‘readable’ document. You also added some wonderful background details that make my grandfather’s war come alive in a way that I would never be able to manage. You cite authoritative sources and lay out his WWI service in a logical and sequential way that is easy to follow.I am absolutely thrilled and would recommend you to anyone interested in finding out more about their relatives.”

B.W.

“I have been meaning to come on here and wanting to say something regards what Steve has been able to do regards WW1 research for me … So this is long overdue! I cannot say enough for what Steve has researched for me with two of my Gt Uncles who fought for the Canadians during WW1. From what was an initial emailing asking “What can you do with the info I have” turned out to be a great return from Steve to be able to track both Gt Uncles war from start to finish. Anyone wanting to have their family soldiers researched then look no further than turning to Steve for help. Even though I got in touch in March 2020 to this day Steve is of great help with answering emails. Steve has also done another super job on another Gt Uncle who made it into the second world war and found his records to enable me to find out about his service then. I cannot recommend Steve highly enough.“

Richard Rogers

Leicestershire

“Many years ago, a Canadian soldier’s letter and photo dated Aug 22, 1918 from, Seaford Sussex, C.E.T.D. were found, hidden (circa 1989)  in my grandmother’s antique writing desk. Over the years, I had often wondered who this soldier was and where he lived . As soon as I sent the photo and letter to Steve he was able to promptly identify the soldier who wrote it and research his background. I was greatly impressed and found Steve to be a diligent, enthusiastic and honest researcher. If you have any photos of soldiers, you need identified, I would highly recommend Steve.”

Michael G.

Ontario, Canada

“Steve was able to provide me with the information that I requested on my father’s service in the Canadian army during WWI.  The detail provided was beyond my expectations, including medical information from his stay in military hospitals in England.  The information was provided promptly and, where possible, accompanied by photocopies of the source. This has allowed me to see my father’s role in the Great War from the perspective of his military unit and the army as a whole.  I found Steve’s charges for his service very reasonable.”

K.Elizabeth Gibbs

Hampden, Maine

USA

Payment

Payment can be made by Interac e-transfer (Canada only) or Paypal. Canadians may also pay by cheque.

My rates are in Canadian dollars. To estimate costs in UK Sterling, Euros and US$ click the highlighted links.

Money-back Guarantee

I’m so confident that you’ll be happy with my services that I will refund your money if you are not.

My visit to the Arnhem War Museum in 1983