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== | == Hiring a Professional Genealogist Resource Guide == | ||
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. | ||
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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 == | ||
=== | === Services Provided by Professional Genealogists === | ||
The services of professional genealogists fall into four major categories, with other minor services. | The services of professional genealogists fall into four major categories, with other minor services. | ||
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*Finding missing people. | *Finding missing people. | ||
=== | === Methods of Professional Genealogists === | ||
Regardless of the type of research they perform, most professional genealogists follow a similar research process, which is outlined below. Understanding this process will help you know what to expect from the genealogist you hire. | Regardless of the type of research they perform, most professional genealogists follow a similar research process, which is outlined below. Understanding this process will help you know what to expect from the genealogist you hire. | ||
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'''''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 === | ||
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. | ||
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*Have other family members help pay costs.<br> | *Have other family members help pay costs.<br> | ||
=== | === Research Scope === | ||
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. | ||
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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 == | ||
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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=== | === Step 1. Determine Your Research Needs === | ||
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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At this point, determine if you really need to hire someone. Maybe you can get help from friends or a genealogical society. If you decide to employ someone, try to determine what expertise the genealogist needs. | At this point, determine if you really need to hire someone. Maybe you can get help from friends or a genealogical society. If you decide to employ someone, try to determine what expertise the genealogist needs. | ||
=== | === Step 2: Obtain a List of Genealogists === | ||
Next, obtain a list of potential genealogists. The reference section in [[Hiring a Professional Researcher#Part_III:_Reference_Section|Part III of this guide]] identifies where to obtain lists of genealogists. You can also contact libraries, archives, or genealogical societies in your area. | Next, obtain a list of potential genealogists. The reference section in [[Hiring a Professional Researcher#Part_III:_Reference_Section|Part III of this guide]] identifies where to obtain lists of genealogists. You can also contact libraries, archives, or genealogical societies in your area. | ||
=== | === Step 3: Contact Candidates === | ||
Contact several genealogists whose skills and credentials seem appropriate. If you telephone candidates, you can find out immediately if the genealogist is available and interested in working on your project. And you may also be able to gain a sense of the genealogist's competence. However, be considerate of the researcher's time. Do not expect too many ideas before the genealogist has seen your records. | Contact several genealogists whose skills and credentials seem appropriate. If you telephone candidates, you can find out immediately if the genealogist is available and interested in working on your project. And you may also be able to gain a sense of the genealogist's competence. However, be considerate of the researcher's time. Do not expect too many ideas before the genealogist has seen your records. | ||
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*Rates and billing procedures.<br> | *Rates and billing procedures.<br> | ||
=== | === Step 4: Determine Whom to Hire === | ||
After contacting several genealogists, decide which one will best meet your needs. Consider the following questions: | After contacting several genealogists, decide which one will best meet your needs. Consider the following questions: | ||
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*Do the genealogist's fees seem appropriate?<br> | *Do the genealogist's fees seem appropriate?<br> | ||
=== | === Step 5: Make an Agreement === | ||
Before the genealogist begins working on your project, be sure to make an agreement. Although verbal agreements are possible, especially when the project is small, they may be of little benefit in the event of a dispute. A written agreement can be as simple as a letter stating your expectations and authorizing the genealogist to proceed, or it can be a formal written contract. Either you or the genealogist can prepare the agreement. In lieu of a formal contract, some genealogists have a list of their research methods and policies that is modified for each project and signed by the client. | Before the genealogist begins working on your project, be sure to make an agreement. Although verbal agreements are possible, especially when the project is small, they may be of little benefit in the event of a dispute. A written agreement can be as simple as a letter stating your expectations and authorizing the genealogist to proceed, or it can be a formal written contract. Either you or the genealogist can prepare the agreement. In lieu of a formal contract, some genealogists have a list of their research methods and policies that is modified for each project and signed by the client. | ||
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*What forms the genealogist will prepare.<br> | *What forms the genealogist will prepare.<br> | ||
=== | === Step 6: Pay Fees and Provide Information to Start === | ||
Send whatever retainer or fees are required for the genealogist to begin working. '''Share any information you collected in step 1. You will avoid needless duplication by informing your genealogist of the records you found and the research that has already been done.''' Send good photocopies of your materials. Never give original documents or other materials for which you have no other copies. | Send whatever retainer or fees are required for the genealogist to begin working. '''Share any information you collected in step 1. You will avoid needless duplication by informing your genealogist of the records you found and the research that has already been done.''' Send good photocopies of your materials. Never give original documents or other materials for which you have no other copies. | ||
=== | === Stay in Contact === | ||
As you work with your genealogist, be sure to communicate often. Most problems can be avoided through good communication. However, if problems do arise that you cannot solve together, get in touch with the organization that credentialed the genealogist. Many organizations will mediate or arbitrate disagreements between the genealogists they credential and their clients. | As you work with your genealogist, be sure to communicate often. Most problems can be avoided through good communication. However, if problems do arise that you cannot solve together, get in touch with the organization that credentialed the genealogist. Many organizations will mediate or arbitrate disagreements between the genealogists they credential and their clients. | ||
== | == Part III: Reference Section == | ||
==== The Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives (AGRA) ==== | ==== The Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives (AGRA) ==== | ||
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