Every order I have placed with Bob (and I think this makes 5 now) has always been done professionally and so efficiently. He is quick to answer any questions you might have and I just have never been more pleased with a retrieval company. Additionally, the ordering system is easy to use and navigate, which I appreciate greatly. Gopher Records will continue to be my servicer.

Previously this year, I had requested records directly from NARA. I believe the cost was in the range of $80 and it took 6 weeks to receive. I had a similar request for Gopher Records and they delivered the records in two weeks for about half the cost. I will definitely use them in the future!

I've been researching and documenting two ancestors' stories for several years now. I avoided getting records from NARA because the official process is tedious. With my research process ending and my writing process starting, I knew I needed more. There were numerous blanks that needed filled in for my ancestors, as well as a handful of close friends and cousins who served alongside them. Thankfully, I recently discovered Gopher Records, and was amazed at their speed, quality, and communication. The documents I got were a gold mine. Pensions revealed uncomfortable details of how the group suffered after the war. Service [...]

When the records became available I was notified and the records were all copied and sent to me in a timely manner. I was again notified and was able to copy the records on my computer and make hard copies. Everything was done as discussed in the original contact. I was very pleased with how it was handled and what I received.

I ordered Civil War pension files for two of my 3rd great-grandfathers. It was during the pandemic, and I liked the fact that I didn't have to pay until I received the files. I've sent money to places in the past, and then never heard another word, so I appreciate the opportunity to pay *after* documents have been located. Of course, NARA was shut down for a while, but I never despaired that my order would eventually make it to the top of the wait list. Very satisfied with the professionalism of this company, as well as their communication [...]

Gopher Records did a great job of researching my ancestor and providing a lot of information that I didn't know was available. Land records, Service records, and Pension records all of which provided a story of his life and filled in a lot of details. Highly recommend GR and I"m already planning to get records for a couple more CW ancestors. Great job!

For my line with many men of the same name, Alfred Ridge is a son of Thomas Ridge, I thought an unmarried man's records could name siblings and parents. As a beginner, this was a daunting task and closures from Covid made it impossible. When I saw Gopher mentioned in a Facebook chat group it seemed like the answer. And it was, 52 pages worth! His injuries led to an extensive medical record with testimonials from many people because his doctor died. Who knew. Just a single page has descriptions, dates, living situation, and multiple locations. As the only [...]

I came across the Gopher Records service during research into one of my ancestors. I decided to use their service to get specific civil war records that could contain some interesting and detailed information regarding my ancestors, somewhat unexpected, military service. Gopher Records provided exactly what I was looking for and at a very reasonable cost. I highly recommend them based on my experience.

I found Gopher Records on a list of independent researchers available for hire to retrieve records at the National Archives. Bob Velke was very responsive and kept me updated as the National Archives gradually re-opened to researcher access during the COVID pandemic. Fortunately, Bob retrieved my ancestor's entire Civil War pension record including his widow's pension application where I found the information I needed to document my ancestor's divorce from a previous wife, my second great-grandmother. The county records were burned in 1864 so I had no other documentation of my second great-grandparents' life event.

I am extremely happy with the service from Gopher Records. Communication score: 5/5- they responded to my initial inquiry quickly and with everything I needed to know, and checked in while the work was in progress so I knew where things stood. Ease of Ordering: 5/5- a well-designed order form. Speed of Delivery: 5/5- they gave a reasonable time estimate and then were even quicker on delivery. Ease of Payment and Delivery of Material: 5/5- kudos to their webmaster! I can only wish every online transaction worked this well. Value: 5/5- Ordering from Gopher Records was affordable, even without reference to the much [...]