Why Hire a Professional?
A family history researcher (or genealogist) investigates and documents family lineages, histories, and relationships. Here's what they typically do:
Gather and analyze historical records (birth/death certificates, census data, marriage licenses, military records, etc.)
Interview family members to collect oral histories and personal accounts
Organize and interpret findings to create family trees and narratives
Break through "brick walls" where information is difficult to locate
Provide historical context to understand ancestors' lives
A professional researcher differs from a casual hobbyist in several key ways:
Expertise and Training Professionals typically have specialized education, certification, and experience with historical research methodologies and archival systems.
Access to Resources Beyond public online databases, professionals often have:
Knowledge of obscure or specialized archives
Relationships with record keepers and institutions
Understanding of which records exist but aren't digitized
Access to subscription databases and tools
Analytical Skills Professionals excel at:
Evaluating source reliability
Resolving conflicting information
Understanding historical context for accurate interpretation
Recognizing patterns across multiple documents
Working around missing or incomplete records
Research Methodology Professionals approach genealogy systematically, following established standards to:
Properly cite sources
Document chains of evidence
Distinguish between direct and indirect evidence
Construct proof arguments for difficult cases
These elements allow professionals to produce more comprehensive, accurate family histories, especially when dealing with complex or challenging research situations.
