Services

The content, size and volume of the books we produce are determined by the amount of biographical, reference, information and illustrative materials assembled at the time of publishing. The Family Encyclopedia is structured in such a way that some chapters could be published in separate volumes. Each section includes introductory, topic and reference articles, as well as illustrations. The data that has been collected, both from the client and during the research, is systematized, arranged, digitized and prepared for printing. The material, ready to be printed, is presented to the client for agreement and confirmation. Printing and binding are not included in the payment. The method of printing and the type of binding, including the price, are specifically arranged with each client. In addition, each client determines the exact list of services which he wants our agency to provide. 

Genealogy Book

First volume

The first, and usually the main volume, of the Family Encyclopedia is the Genealogy Book. It includes genealogy documents, such as charts, as well as generation lists. A generation list is presented in the form of a family tree or in tables and charts of ascending and descending relationships. According to the chart of an ancestors’ ascent, the ancestors of an individual are arranged according to ascending relationship. In addition, all of the descendants of an individual are placed on a chart of descending relationships (showing the descent from an ancestor to his descendants).
The family tree may be presented in the form of diagram: in a circle, a semicircle, or in quadrant form. It is impossible to enter all biographical data about individuals on such a diagram. The generation lists are made for this purpose, using the same data as the charts. In the case of the lists, the relationship information is not presented in the form of graph, but by utilizing a special system of numeration to mark the generations.
The lineage list is composed of a logical description of each of the family branches in which birth certificate and biographical information is given for each family representative. The initial set-up of an individual’s lineage is accomplished by our agency with the help of specific software. According to our observations, a person with average knowledge is still able to remember, at least, from fifty to a hundred relatives’ names. The family tree chart is then expanded as the result of information obtained from older generations of the extended family, as well as from genealogy documents preserved in state and regional archives.
To expand the schematic representation of each relative, the agency supplements biographical information in the Genealogy Book with memories of family representatives, collected through numerous interviews with specific people. Older representatives of the family are encouraged to relay and share their personal experience and lifestyle in the book’s pages. Thus, the science of genealogy is ready to meet its sister, the art of bibliography, with the help of our publishing efforts.
Another part, named the «Geography of the Family», is included in the Genealogy Book of the Family Encyclopedia. It serves to present additional information about the family history written in the generation list. This part contains geographical maps where the places of birth, study, military service, work, as well as relatives’ burial places are marked in a conventional manner. Attention to this part allows the reader to study the «personal geography» of each member of the extended family. It records the migration and resettling of whole generations of family members. 
The Genealogy Book provides much additional reference information. If these elements were missing, it would be difficult to understand how personal destinies have been intertwined with our country’s destiny and its history. This reference material includes explanatory articles and illustrations from dictionaries and encyclopedias, unusual uses of abbreviations, reference information about names and surnames, as well as the origins of these names, dates from historical and popular calendars associated with family events, and articles on regional studies and other such data. This volume is completed by geographical, name and subject indices that facilitate the reader’s use of the book.

The Book of Documents

Second volume

The Book of Documents is devoted to all sorts of paper documents kept in domestic archives. It includes copies of passports, birth and death certificates, diplomas, college degrees, deeds, receipts, school notebooks, diaries, drawings, licenses, newspaper and magazine articles and other records related to the client’s family life. This volume represents all of the family history archives.
In preparing this book, the agency first systematizes all of the client’s documents and makes a list of them. When they are in good order, the documentation is returned to the client in special archival folders and electrograph cardboard boxes with an itemized list. The documents are usually arranged according to their association with particular family representatives and arranged in chronological order. If there are several of the same types of documents, the agency makes topic sets. As always, the final decision belongs to the client.
All the illustrations are labeled with appropriate captions. In cases of certain documents, a caption would prove superfluous.
In the event that there are no ancient documents or manuscripts in your family’s possession, it is likely that such items will not be found to represent your family’s ancient history. But we are sure that future generations will be interested in looking through your Book of Documents. This book will preserve contemporary documents for future reference. Everything will be properly catalogued: passports and diplomas, as well as all sorts of certificates. 
When discussing family history, your descendants will not have to speculate about dates. Nor will they need to locate or handle original documents. By simply opening this book, they will be able to confirm questions about family history. It is just such a volume that might soon be a museum rarity because of the start of a new period when paper documents are being replaced by electronic ones. Biometrics will become an obligatory part of documents as people change paper documents into microchips. One day, the book of documents will accommodate electronic certificates in addition to the paper ones. However, it will be another type of book, or maybe not a «book» at all in nowadays understanding.

Grandmother’s Chest

Third volume

The next volume has a lyrical title. It is called «Grandmother’s Chest." Family treasures are kept there as the most valued items. They are arranged in particular sections. Likewise, everything is always perfectly in order in «grandmother’s chest.»
It sometimes happens that we do not attach any importance to the old things which were of great value to our parents. In this way, we can sell a once treasured Russian classic of Ivan Turgenev, or give it away as a gift, or leave it when moving from one place to another, or we can just carelessly lose it. Incidentally, in her letters to Turgenev, his own mother used to reproach him exactly for having such a fault!
«How about father’s box, the ink pot, the icon -my blessing- haven’t they been found? Isn’t it possible to find them, maybe with the help of money? It is necessary to have something sacred!»
Each person has always aspired to own something which has a kind of «sacramental» value. Most people treat things related to their life’s events or their ancestors’ lifestyle with great respect. It is important to remember this, and to find a safe place for keeping family treasures at home. Even if they don’t remain intact during life’s troubles and difficulties, they will be kept in mind thanks to Grandmother’s Chest.
The chest contains several sections. The section called «Family Treasures» is reserved for the owners’ most valuable things. Any keepsake described in this section, be it a child’s toy or jewelry, is like a magic key that opens a door to the memory’s store room. Each heirloom has its own history described in the explanatory article or is accompanied by a commentary. The «treasure» often becomes a kind of talisman to protect against misfortune and illness with a power to bring good fortune and happiness. The family talismans illustrated in the pages of «Grandmother’s Chest» will be helpful for family members. They will surely come to mind in hard times.
The part called «Hobbies» is related to the section called «Collections» which contains collections of a wide variety of items. Another section is called «Creative Work» and is focused on drawings, poems and prose made by different generations. In the section «Pets» there are a lot of pictures of our «little brothers and sisters» that are treated as full family members. The part called «Cookery» contains detailed information about family recipes and cooking tips which have been passed on from generation to generation. Your family must have special recipes inherited from older generations! For sure, your guests will be pleasantly surprised to enjoy meals cooked according to traditional family recipes. The part «Alley of Glory» takes a special place in this volume and contains pictures of state awards, memorable presents, honorable prizes and diplomas. These important things are the evidence of different achievements of the client’s family members. 
Thus, your «chest» is filled up to the top. Now, you surely won’t lose anything when trying to turn over its content!

The Photo Book

Fourth volume

The Photo Book is an important keepsake for future generations. This is a book that your family members and future generations will surely enjoy. It contains portraits, collective photos, and subject pictures from albums of the family members. Children and parents, friends and acquaintances, classmates and colleagues, are all of great value to the book owner. It is certain that their photographs will always be treasured!
When numerous photographs are discovered, the agency may publish several volumes of the Photo Book.
The main task of the book is to create and replicate the common «still library» of the extended family which will help all relatives remember their closest relatives of past years. Names disappear into the mists of time, known only to the oldest family members. Once they are gone, then important pieces of family information are also gone forever. This book will help preserve the unique old photos and preserve your memories as well.
It isn’t a secret that photographs become out of date in a short period. According to Russian law, any photo may be classified as an antique having cultural value, if it is more than fifty years old.
Lots of family photos made at the beginning of the twentieth century are of unique value and importance. As they were originally printed from negatives which are usually not available, many of them have become objects of private or museum collections. Generational explosion has led to the fact that unique and irreplaceable photographs of our ancestors are no longer available to many of their descendants.
If people are lucky, and such photographs have been kept in their family, they should not hesitate to make them available to other descendants. The Photo Book is the best instrument for this purpose. It provides the opportunity to replicate and organize photos in chronological order, with detailed commentaries of grandmothers and grandfathers, mothers and fathers. This will be helpful for children and grandchildren to learn about their ancestors. The book publishing method also allows the preservation of the photographs in their permanent state for a very long time. When storing photos at your homes, you risk losing their pleasure because they may fade and deteriorate from light, oxygen and thermal conditions. All the photographs which have been given to the agency by owners, in order to publish them, will be returned to the client in electronic form. This provides the best situation for preserving the family’s photographic heritage.
Perhaps your old photographs from the family album are discolored and deteriorated and it is difficult to discern the people on the photos. You may be sure that the modern digital methods of renewing photographs give old photos new life. Many defects of old photos may be corrected.
Signatures and comments made on the photos by their owners are also an important source of information for the Photo Book. Having collected the best photographs into a family album, you will have wonderful occasion to note family resemblances between your relatives and yourself, feeling the spirit of times past! This family photo chronicle is sure to take one of the honored places on your book shelf.

The Book of Letters

Fifth volume

The Book of Letters is a family archive of all kinds of letters, cards, telegrams and notes.
When reading it, future generations will probably learn the lessons of life. Letters like a living and vital history, can reproduce the mood and thoughts not only for their author and addressee, but for any interested reader throughout the centuries. Storing our personal letters for generations to come, we often can help our descendants in difficult situations. For much of their lives, human beings have been involved in solving the same timeless problems, such as leaving their native land or staying at home, starting and raising a family, or, deciding «to be or not to be?»
Devoted descendants who study history will discover valuable facts in this Book of Letters. They will certainly be able to notice how both writing style and spelling has changed, as well as the changes in envelope and stamp design. They will probably read a story told by an eyewitness. This can help in understanding events that have become important for their family’s, and even their country’s, history. 
Personal letters are written by hand even today, in the twenty-first century. This fact proves that a person is sincere and trustful and cherishes kindly feelings for the person he is addressing. Original messages, included in the Book of Letters, are usually written with an ink or ballpoint pen, and often reveal their author’s individuality. Relatives may note that blood relations have some similar features, even in handwriting style. For example, you may determine the emotional or impulsive state of a person, when you examine how hard he pressed his pen on the page. Deviations from conventional handwriting form will help to reveal distinct personalities. When reading the letters of people and comparing the elements of their handwriting style, you will be convinced that graphology should be considered as a science and you will enjoy making your own discoveries.
Nowadays, we often use the Internet and electronic mail. We think about the fastest ways of communication, and often use the telephone. We have no time in this world of technologies. It is possible that soon there will be even more new kinds of communication. Although, it is likely that people won’t completely give up their favorite communication forms, such as writing letters by hand. If all the complicated equipment on our planet comes to a stop one day, be sure that humanity will return to a sheet of paper, pen and ink.
When opening your Book of Letters, you will be able to enter deep into your memories, while experiencing the described events. Maybe you will even understand that the past was not as bad as you had first thought! This book will be both enjoyable and edifying at the same time. Without a doubt, it will be interesting for your descendants, relatives, friends and guests.

Additional services

If a client wishes, his archival documents may be prepared for long-term storage. Usually such materials are creative works, correspondence, photo albums, notebooks, biographical and official details, as well as the family members’ and other individuals’ personal archives. In addition, the documents will be listed and catalogued, then categorized into separate storage units. These units will then be put in order according to the type of archives, such as documents, and the varying importance of materials. Documents will be stored according to their content and structure, including the type of storage facilities necessary. A typical well organized system would include the following categories:

• Biographical materials
• Materials on public and occupational work
• Creative literary works
• Letters
• Property documents
• Personal art 
• Collections
• Photographs

Personal documents will be catalogued according to their size, text layout, medium and the method of presentation. Each document must be stored in accordance with the procedure best suited for its long-term physical preservation. For example:

• Documents of a personal origin are not bound, or collectively filed.
• Each storage unit is placed in a soft cover consistent with the size of the unit.
• The most valuable documents are placed in a cover made from mica paper in order to keep them from adhering to other documents.
• Art documents, like drawings and drafts, are interleaved with mica paper, in order to protect the front sides. Drawings are stored with the face sides up.
• Small sized documents, such as visiting cards or photographs, are put in envelopes.
• Larger documents, such as posters and diplomas are placed in soft covers and then the large size folders. 
• According to the practices of archival science, envelopes containing documents are placed in special archival folders and boxes made of chemically neutral static-free pressboard. In order to prevent the original document from deteriorating due to handling, copies of the most valuable documents are produced. This also insurances against loss.