Reply from Trace Your PastFeb 15, 2021
Hi Kim,
Thank you for reaching out to us to share your experience.
Our researcher in France provided the research as outlined in the proposal and submitted the records the obtained for the apostille, fulfilling the agreement. When the researcher presented the documents to the Cours d’appel de Paris for apostille, they were denied and the Hague Act referenced.
The government entity who is responsible for apostilles in France, Cours d’appel de Paris, indicated that the apostille was not required for use in the Czech Republic due to a dispensation (exemption) in place between the two countries. Basically, outside of the Hague Act, (which is what allows for the apostille to be accepted between member countries), these participants can also have a bilateral agreement between themselves. There are bilateral agreements in place between France and Hungary, as well as France and the Czech Republic, which removes the need to have an apostille for some records, including vital records, when issued by a government agency in France for use in either the Czech Republic or Hungary. Were one to hold personal documents, as opposed to official vital records issued by the government, apostille would be required.
In regard to the second project mentioned, the proposed research plan, which you agreed to, was limited to research in the digitized Roman Catholic records of Kostelec nad Labem which were originally held in Státní oblastní archiv v Praze. The records did not include any reference to the subject for the time period provided. As is the nature of genealogical research, one is paying for the time and efforts for the research specified, not specific results. We are happy to hear that a researcher was able to locate your great grandfather’s birth certificate in another record set.
We are committed to the highest quality research and our research team went beyond the scope to make this outcome optimal by providing their expert explanations and insight. Please contact us via [email protected] if you require further assistance or have any additional concerns.
Update:
Hi Kim,
As outlined in our terms and conditions listed in your proposal agreement, "research proposals outline research that is to be conducted by the researcher(s). Due to the nature of genealogical research, research outcomes cannot be guaranteed. Accepting and paying for a research proposal serves as an agreement for services rendered as outlined in the proposed research plan(s), regardless of whether the research results in positive or negative findings. All findings, whether positive or negative, will be reported to the client, as outlined in the accepted research plan(s)." Our Terms and Conditions can be accessed at https://www.trace.com/terms. We understand how frustrating it can be to not have positive results and we are thrilled that you were able to obtain the records you sought. Although our researcher was denied the apostille of your records, we hope that you are able to use them in your research goals.
