Professional Genealogy Research Guide

Thinking of making a living from genealogy research? This guide is for you.

Get familiar with the Standards and Practices of Professional Genealogy

Standards

Currently, the primary set of standards for sound genealogical research is the Genealogical Proof Standard created by the Board for Certification of Genealogists. See the first link for a more detailed description, but in short there are five:

1. a reasonably exhaustive search;
   A Reasonably Exhaustive Search, by Michael Hait, African-American Genealogy Examiner, 21 Jul 2009.
2. complete and accurate source citations;
3. analysis and correlation of the collected information;
4. resolution of any conflicting evidence; and
5. a soundly reasoned, coherently written conclusion.

See also:

• Criteria for Genealogy Well Done
• Genealogical_Standards

Practices

The following books delve into the practices of professional genealogy, including how to put the standards to work:

• Professional Genealogy, edited by Elizabeth Shown Mills
• The Genealogical Proof Standard, published by Board of Certified Genealogists
• Evidence! by Elizabeth Shown Mills

The following listservs offer opportunities to network online with professional genealogists:

• Transitional Genealogists Forum
• Association of Professional Genealogists (public) Forum. (A separate, private list exists for paying APG members.)

Learn more about Certification & Professional Organizations

• Board for Certification of Genealogists
• International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen)

Consider Formal Education Programs

• BCG home study course syllabus.
• Boston University Genealogical Research Certificate course, one 14-week (or 14-day in the summer intensive) course.
• NGS Home Study Course, provides a solid foundation for someone just starting out and new possibilities for experienced researchers’ more difficult problems.
• Heritage Genealogical College offers a certificate on-line; is licensed (also bonded) to issue associate and bachelor degrees as well in genealogical research.
• Brigham Young University has certificate, associate, and bachelor degrees in General Studies with a Genealogy emphasis. This program is regionally accredited.
• Akamai University (Canada) has genealogy associate, bachelor and master degrees. It is not regionally accredited and the degrees will not be recognized in the US.
• The University of Toronto, Canada has the National Institute for Genealogical Studies. This program offers a certificate but it isn't a short program. The certificate requires several short courses to complete.
• Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies in Kent, England, includes correspondence courses, "Diploma" and "Higher Certificate." One might also self-educate and then take the examinations and do the appropriate assignments to prove skill. Candidates may further move on to complete a dissertation and receive "Licentiateship of the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies (L.H.G.)." Requires a fair amount of local-to-England research; currently about U$ 4,000.

Attend a Genealogy Conference

See below for scholarship information.

Strengthen your Genealogical Writing

The following organizations run annual or semi-regular writing contests:

• The Southern California Genealogical Society has sponsored the GENEii Family History Writing Contest for over 10 years. Entrants do not need to be members of SCGS. Visit the SCGS website and click on "Writing Contest" (left-hand column)
• The Connecticut Society of Genealogists - for books that span all of New England. There are four categories, covering descendants books, ancestor books, resource books, and a fledgling essay.
• The Minnesota Genealogical Society, in cooperation with the Yankee Genealogical Society, sponsored its first writing competition in 2009. Details on the 2010 Michael Clark Writing Competiton will be announced in early 2010.
• The Ohio Genealogical Society
• The Oklahoma Genealogical Society
• The Susie Pryor Award in Arkansas Women's History offers a $1,000 prize annually for the best unpublished essay on topics in Arkansas women's history. Deadline is February 15.
• The Texas State Genealogical Society has separate categories for professionals and non-professionals for books, manuscripts, articles, columns, student projects, and society journals/newsletters.

Follow Peer-reviewed Publications

• National Genealogical Society Quarterly
• The American Genealogist
• The Genealogist
• New York Genealogical and Biographical Record
• New England Historical and Genealogical Register

Related Topics

• Webinar: Get Paid for your Passion, delivered by Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, at the APG Professional Management Conference, 2 Sep 2009, runs through a number of considerations when thinking about going professional. (Requires installation of MS Silverlight to view video.)
• List of professional genealogy service providers