Five Advantages to Professional Genealogy Research
We all want to know more about our ancestors and where we come
from. Learning more about family history is becoming a more
popular goal. But genealogical research can quickly go from a
weekend hobby to a daily pastime to a full-time (albeit unpaid)
job. Relying on professional genealogy research is an attractive
alternative to incomplete research or quitting your day job.
Here are the top ten advantages that professional genealogy
research offers.
5. Speed
Professional genealogy research offers you the advantage of
speed. Using certified and trained genealogists to conduct your
research allows you to take advantage of their years of previous
experience. Certified genealogists can apply their previous
researching experience to increase their efficiency as they
conduct your search. Let their speed and efficiency work for you.
4. Training
Trained genealogists know where to begin and where to look
to find the best and most pertinent information, instead of
sifting through countless census, probate or other records in a
fruitless search. Years of training and experience mean that
your professional genealogy researcher will know where to look,
how to look and what to look for. Family history research
requires a knowledge of many different types of resources, from
computerized records to microfilm to books, from censuses to
probate records to correspondence indices.
3. Geographical Access
Although the Internet is a good resource for many records, some
records have yet to be entered into computers. Obtaining these
records often includes sending letters and money to archives
offices thousands of miles away. When choosing a professional
genealogy research service, look for one that is located close
to a large resource, like the National Archives, or the Family
History Library, each home to millions of documents.
2. Accuracy
If you've been involved in genealogy long enough, you've
received conflicting information. Perhaps an interview with your
mother put your great-grandmother's birthday in June but the
official record has it in February. Or maybe your documents
themselves disagree. How can you tell which source is right? Or
perhaps your great-grandfather is John Smith and all you know is
that he died in 1955. How can you find the right John Smith?
Trained genealogical researchers have already learned the ins
and outs of analyzing conflicting sources and accurately
identifying individuals in records. Based on their training and
experience, they can judge which date is more likely to be
accurate or which John Smith is your ancestor. It takes years of
genealogical experience to assess source material, especially
from documents that can't give a clear answer. Professional
genealogists have the experience necessary to ensure accuracy in
their work.
1. Qualified Access
Many resources are highly sensitive or have restricted access.
Most archives have stringent rules for using their resources,
including who may access what, how to access materials, what
researchers can bring with them, and more. Certified
genealogists are familiar with these restrictions and have
experience handling documents and researching in these settings.
Additionally, in those archives that limit access, professional
genealogists are often granted access that other researchers
might not be able to get.