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= '''Hiring a Professional Genealogist Resource Guide'''<br> = | = '''Hiring a Professional Genealogist Resource Guide'''<br> = | ||
Hiring a professional genealogist is an excellent way to discover your family roots. If you encounter a challenging research problem, if you lack skills or the time to research, or if travel is a problem, you may benefit from the assistance of an experienced professional. These guidelines can help you find and employ a competent genealogist. | Hiring a professional genealogist is an excellent way to discover your family roots. If you encounter a challenging research problem, if you lack skills or the time to research, or if travel is a problem, you may benefit from the assistance of an experienced professional. These guidelines can help you find and employ a competent genealogist. | ||
The keys to finding a good genealogist are the same as those for hiring other competent professionals. First, you need some general information about what genealogists do and the services they provide. This information can be found in Part I of this guide. Second, you need to know how to evaluate genealogists and select the right one to hire. This information is found in Part II and III.<br> | The keys to finding a good genealogist are the same as those for hiring other competent professionals. First, you need some general information about what genealogists do and the services they provide. This information can be found in Part I of this guide. Second, you need to know how to evaluate genealogists and select the right one to hire. This information is found in Part II and III.<br> | ||
== '''Part I: General Information'''<br> == | == '''Part I: General Information'''<br> == | ||
=== '''Services Provided by Professional Genealogists''' === | === '''Services Provided by Professional Genealogists''' === | ||
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'''''Searching Records.''''' To save time and avoid travel costs, you can employ a record searcher to find and review the records for you. Record searchers review only the records you instruct them to search. | '''''Searching Records.''''' To save time and avoid travel costs, you can employ a record searcher to find and review the records for you. Record searchers review only the records you instruct them to search. | ||
'''Other Services.''' Genealogists also provide a range of other services that include the following <br> | '''Other Services.''' Genealogists also provide a range of other services that include the following <br> | ||
*Consulting and counseling with you about how to solve a research problem. | *Consulting and counseling with you about how to solve a research problem. | ||
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'''''Share Results.''''' Genealogists can help you share the results of your research. A genealogist can contribute the findings to genealogical databases such as Ancestral File, prepare articles or books, or submit names of ancestors to LDS temples. | '''''Share Results.''''' Genealogists can help you share the results of your research. A genealogist can contribute the findings to genealogical databases such as Ancestral File, prepare articles or books, or submit names of ancestors to LDS temples. | ||
'''''Bill for Services.''''' Genealogists bill for their services at agreed-upon intervals. Bills should clearly identify the time spent and expenses incurred on the project to date. Bills are often included with reports. <br> | '''''Bill for Services.''''' Genealogists bill for their services at agreed-upon intervals. Bills should clearly identify the time spent and expenses incurred on the project to date. Bills are often included with reports. <br> | ||
=== '''Genealogical Credentials''' === | === '''Genealogical Credentials''' === | ||
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Genealogists are generally not required by law to be licensed or certified. However, they can receive credentials from several organizations. Each organization sets its own criteria for granting credentials. The reference section at the end of this guide includes two major organizations that grant credentials and offer arbitration if problems arise. | Genealogists are generally not required by law to be licensed or certified. However, they can receive credentials from several organizations. Each organization sets its own criteria for granting credentials. The reference section at the end of this guide includes two major organizations that grant credentials and offer arbitration if problems arise. | ||
You should also consider other criteria as you make your hiring decision. Most genealogists are self-taught, and many competent genealogists do not seek credentials. Years of education, research experience, and satisfactory service to clients may be just as important as credentials. <br> | You should also consider other criteria as you make your hiring decision. Most genealogists are self-taught, and many competent genealogists do not seek credentials. Years of education, research experience, and satisfactory service to clients may be just as important as credentials. <br> | ||
=== How Genealogists Are Paid === | === How Genealogists Are Paid === | ||
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Generally, genealogists use the first few hours of a research project to define their clients' goals, analyze the problem, and develop a research plan. This can vary considerably depending on the amount of previous research. | Generally, genealogists use the first few hours of a research project to define their clients' goals, analyze the problem, and develop a research plan. This can vary considerably depending on the amount of previous research. | ||
Allow enough start-up time on your project for the genealogist to be productive-usually eight to ten hours on most research projects. Simple tasks, such as performing a record search or evaluating a lineage, should take much less time than a research problem. <br> | Allow enough start-up time on your project for the genealogist to be productive-usually eight to ten hours on most research projects. Simple tasks, such as performing a record search or evaluating a lineage, should take much less time than a research problem. <br> | ||
== '''Part II: The Hiring Process''' == | == '''Part II: The Hiring Process''' == | ||
The six steps in this section are designed to help you locate several professional genealogists and then select the one that best meets your needs. <br> | The six steps in this section are designed to help you locate several professional genealogists and then select the one that best meets your needs. <br> | ||
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'''Six Steps for Hiring a Genealogist'''<br> | '''Six Steps for Hiring a Genealogist'''<br> | ||
1. Determine your research needs.<br> | 1. Determine your research needs.<br> | ||
2. Obtain a list of genealogists.<br> | 2. Obtain a list of genealogists.<br> | ||
3. Contact candidates.<br> | 3. Contact candidates.<br> | ||
4. Determine whom to hire.<br> | 4. Determine whom to hire.<br> | ||
5. Make an agreement.<br> | 5. Make an agreement.<br> | ||
6. Pay fees and provide information to start. | 6. Pay fees and provide information to start. | ||
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=== '''Step 1. Determine Your Research Needs'''<br> === | === '''Step 1. Determine Your Research Needs'''<br> === | ||
Before hiring a professional genealogist, clarify your research problem and determine what you want the genealogist to do. If you define your research goals early, you are more likely to be satisfied with the results. In addition, you can often save money by gathering information that already exists. | Before hiring a professional genealogist, clarify your research problem and determine what you want the genealogist to do. If you define your research goals early, you are more likely to be satisfied with the results. In addition, you can often save money by gathering information that already exists. | ||
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*Do you feel the genealogist has a good understanding of your research problem and knows how to solve it? | *Do you feel the genealogist has a good understanding of your research problem and knows how to solve it? | ||
*Does the genealogist have familiarity with and access to the records that are most likely to solve your research problem?<br> | *Does the genealogist have familiarity with and access to the records that are most likely to solve your research problem?<br> | ||
*Do you sense that the genealogist is really interested in your project? | *Do you sense that the genealogist is really interested in your project? | ||
*Do you sense that the genealogist is really interested in your project? | *Do you sense that the genealogist is really interested in your project? | ||
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== '''Part III: Reference Section''' == | == '''Part III: Reference Section''' == | ||
==== '''''Accredited Genealogist<sup>®</sup> Researchers''''' <br> ==== | ==== '''''Accredited Genealogist<sup>®</sup> Researchers''''' <br> ==== | ||
International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen<sup>SM</sup>) <br>P.O. Box 970204<br>Orem, UT 84097-0204 | International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen<sup>SM</sup>) <br>P.O. Box 970204<br>Orem, UT 84097-0204 | ||
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A [http://www.icapgen.org/Programs/aglist.htm#SearchAG list of genealogists] who have passed a competency-based examination, have been credentialed in specific geographic areas or subjects, and who have signed a code of ethics. | A [http://www.icapgen.org/Programs/aglist.htm#SearchAG list of genealogists] who have passed a competency-based examination, have been credentialed in specific geographic areas or subjects, and who have signed a code of ethics. | ||
==== Certified Genealogists ==== | ==== Certified Genealogists ==== | ||
Board for Certification of Genealogists <br>P.O. Box 14291 <br>Washington, D.C. 20044 <br>Web: [http://www.bcgcertification.org/ http://www.bccertification.org] | Board for Certification of Genealogists <br>P.O. Box 14291 <br>Washington, D.C. 20044 <br>Web: [http://www.bcgcertification.org/ http://www.bccertification.org] | ||
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Tests and certifies researchers in various categories of services. All [http://www.bcgcertification.org/associates/index.php certified individuals] must agree to a "code of ethics." | Tests and certifies researchers in various categories of services. All [http://www.bcgcertification.org/associates/index.php certified individuals] must agree to a "code of ethics." | ||
==== APG Directory of Professional Genealogists ==== | ==== APG Directory of Professional Genealogists ==== | ||
The Association of Professional Genealogists <br>P. O. Box 40393 <br>Denver, CO 80204-0393 <br>Web: [http://www.apgen.org/index.html www.apgen.org/index.html] | The Association of Professional Genealogists <br>P. O. Box 40393 <br>Denver, CO 80204-0393 <br>Web: [http://www.apgen.org/index.html www.apgen.org/index.html] | ||
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Researchers listed in the directory must agree to a code of professionalism. The brochure ''Are You Ready to Become a Professional Genealogist?'' is free with a SASE. | Researchers listed in the directory must agree to a code of professionalism. The brochure ''Are You Ready to Become a Professional Genealogist?'' is free with a SASE. | ||
[[Category:Beginners]] [[Category:Professional_Genealogists]] | [[Category:Beginners]] [[Category:Professional_Genealogists]] | ||