Frequently Asked Questions
It is only natural for people to have questions. We are in the business of not only providing document images and research information, but answering questions as well. Here you will find the answers to common questions that you may have about our website and services. If you have a question that isn't addressed here, please feel free to email us and we will happily respond.
Indexes
What are "Search Indexes?"
Search Indexes is the term DigitalCambria has given to record indexes for which we have created a searchable database. Each index can be searched a variety of ways. For example, obituary indexes can be searched by given name, surname, year published, etc. You can view the indexes currently avaialable by subject or by region. Return to top of page
How do you create indexes?
We create indexes the old fashinoed way! A lot of hard work goes into cerating an index. We manually search documents and microfilm avaialble andercord where the document is located within a set of records. We also include additional information regarding a record such as the date it was filed or publshed, license numbers, and so on. We then compare our indexes to others that may be avaialable online or in printed and other electronic formats. We make the comparison to insure that we are providing the most comprehensive and accurate resource available that is also the easiest to access and navigate. Return to top of page
Is there a cost to search DigitalCambria's indexes?
Each of our indexes is completely free to search. We provide the indexes to help researchers locate information and documents and, though we hope you will order a digital image of a document we have avaialbe, we do not make ordering acondiiton of searching our indexes. Return to top of page
Services
What exactly can Cambria Media & Research do for me?
In addition to providing digital images of public records of genealogical and/or historical importance we can also provide images from books and microfilm that we hold. For more information about our digital image service, please visit our DocRetrieval page. You can find more information about our look-up and page image services by checking out our Library Holdings page.
We can perform research for you on just about anything. If you are interested in a particular surname, we can research our holdings and report to you what we have immiadte access to. We can also check online resources and the holdings of various repositories and archives and provide you with a proposed research plan. You can also let Cambria Media and Research obtain documents for you to further your research. Since each project need and request is different, we do not have published rates.
If you have a special request or a simple question, please feel free to email us at info@digitalcambria or use our Contact form. We will make recommendations and include estimated pricing after reviewing your note. Return to top of page
What are your research rates?
Our research rates vary based upon the nature and volume of work requested. Please email us at info@digitalcambria or use our Contact form to submit questions and requests. We will review each request and reply with a proposal and estimated pricing to complete the job.
Our published rates for look-ups and images from books and microfilm can be found on the Library Holdings page and pricing for obtaining digital images of records is located on out DocRetrieval page. Return to top of page
How can I inquire about a specialty research project?
If you specialized and/or specific information for family history or a research prjoect, Cambria Media & Research can help. Please email us at info@digitalcambria or via our Contact page. When emailing, be sure to include your specific objective, the purpose of the work, and the type of infromation you are seeking. Once we have reviewed your request, we will email with our recommendations and proposed pricing. Return to top of page
Digital DocRetrieval
What is DocRetrieval?
DocRetrieval is our digital document service. We can provide digital copies of the records within our holdings or that we retrieve on your behalf. Each record we provide is tagged with pertinent information to allow for easy access in your collection. Tagging allows you to search your computer for a subject and will allow your system to proivde the images among the search results. Each of the digital images we make available is assigned a unique image or file ID#. When ordering, we request this ID# in order to provide you with the correct image. Return to top of page
What documents are available?
The documents avaialbe through the DocRetrieval service vary. Any item that is listed in our will book indexes, obituary indexes, naturalization indexes, and marriage license indexes can be provided quickly. If you would like to locate and obtain documents on your behalf, the time frame for fulfillment depends upon the source whence the documents come. Return to top of page
How do I order digital images?
Ordering digital copies of records from Cambria Media is quiet simple. While you search our online record indexes, note that each item has an IMAGE ID# or FILE ID#. Keep track of the ID#'s in which you're interested. On our Order page, simply enter your name and email address along with the ID# you would like a copy of. The online order form asks for a brief description of the item including the surname on the document as well as a year and location... providing this additional information will insure that the image we send to you matches your needs.After completing the order form simply click the Submit button. Return to top of page
Can I order images that aren't in your holdings?
You can always request a record that we do not hold. We will locate the document and determine the cost to obtain the item as well as the time frame involved. Once we have assembled the information, we will send you an email detailing the price and time for obtaining, digitizing, and tagging the item. You are under no obligation to complete the order if you do not like the price or need it sooner than we can provide. Return to top of page
How much do images cost?
Our pricing structure is very straightforward. All documents, such as marriage licenses, wills and naturalization records are $8.00 each. Obituary images are $6.00 each.
If you would like a complete transcription of the item in pdf format, we will add $3.00 to the image cost for the first 4 pages and $1.50 for each additional page. Our fee schedule is listed on our DocRetrieval page. Return to top of page
How do I pay for my order?
Once we have reviewed your submitted order we will proivde an email containing the total cost and estimated processing time .You will then receive an invoice via PayPal. Once your order is completed, ay the invoice using your PayPal account or any method they accept (e.g. debit card, credit card...). When we have received payment we will process your order. We use PayPal for your protection and ours. Return to top of page
How long will it take to recieve my order?
We handle requests in the order they have been received. In most cases we attempt to fill orders within in 24 to 48hours. Before you pay, you will always be quoted a processing time for your order.
When your order is ready, you will receive an email fromus. If the file size is small enough to email, it will be attached; however, if you have ordered a document consisting of many pages it may need to be downloaded from our site. In this case, you will be provided with a link and instructions on how to retrieve your images. Return to top of page
What is "tagging?"
Tagging is a means of attaching descriptive items to an image that make it easier to search for on your computer (or on the web). We will add information to the image you request such as the type of record, date of event, parties involved, and location. Tagging simply helps you stay organized and makes it easier to retrieve specific documents you have stored on your system.
For example, a marriage license could be tagged "Marriage License, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, 19 September 1902, Ethel Smith, Harry Brown." When searching your computer for an image later this image will most likely be found using any of the above as search terms. Return to top of page
How do I view the images?
We provide images in jpg format. You can use any popular viewer to read the images. We recommend IfranView, a free image tool. To see all of the features provided by IfranView and download the software, please visit their website at www.irfanview.com (link opens in a new window).
The images we send are high-resolution. They print quite well on their original page size (e.g a Cambria County Marriage License is legal size and looks best when printed on the same size paper.) Return to top of page
How do I report problems with my order?
If you have any issues at all with your order we would like to hear from you. To report issues please email us at orders@digitalcambria . Be sure to include your order#. Return to top of page
Can I get a refund if i'm not satisfied?
There are extremely few instances in which we would issue a refund. If the image quality is extremely poor and cannot be read (we do, however, proof each image before we fulfill an order to insure quality) we will work to obtain a better image for you. If we cannot provide you with a better image within 7 days, we may issue a refund.
We will not refund a purchase if you have ordered documents that are not what you thought they would be. For example, if you order a naturalization record for Hugh Reese and find that it is not the specific Hugh Reese that you have been researching, we will not refund your purchase. It is a researcher's responsibility to be diligent and reasonably certain that the record will be of use in his/her research.
In short, refunds are issued in our sole discretion. Return to top of page
Publications
What publications do you offer?
We currently offer research aids to help genealogy and family history researchers. Our publications usually focus on a particular geographic region or surname. We will be issuing publications over the coming months that cover the Rees(e) surname in Cambria County, Pennsylvania. We will be expanding into other regions and surnames over time. All of our work undergoes strict fact checking and proofreading to ensure the highest quality of data. Though a work may sound simple to compile, a great deal of time and effort are devoted to each one.
We also offer digital reprints of out-of-print works. In some cases, we correct punctuation and spelling. Any items that differ from the original are noted in the publication description.
We issue our works in digital formats. A digital copy makes it tremendously easily to search for general and specific information. Our digital copies are published in pdf format.
We will also provide copies of our works on cd/dvd for institutions including libraries and genealogical and historical societies. To inquire about ordering copies on disc, please email publshing@digitalcambria. Return to top of page
In what format are your publications available?
Currently, we offer our works in only a digital formats. Digital works are easy to store and transport, extemely easy to search and we can make them immediately available on a pay-per-download basis using PayPal. We can also offer digital copies at a lower price than traditional books. Return to top of page
When will I receive the publication I've ordered?
Because all of our books are digital, you receive them immediately after payment. Once you hae made your paymeny via PayPal, you will be provided a download link that is avaialbe for 24 hours. Return to top of page
Other Questions
What if my questions hasn't been answered here?
How do I report a problem with your website?
