A genealogist is a professional who traces the history of individuals (or even whole families) and reports findings to family members or other interested parties.
The genealogist uses various tools such as census records, church records, birth certificates, marriage licenses, death certificates, and many other sources to track down ancestors and their family connections.
How do Genealogists work?
Genealogists also provide information that cannot be found in primary sources; they use anecdotal evidence, or even rumors passed down through the generations to document their findings.
As genealogists become more deeply involved in their profession, they typically specialize in a particular period (colonial America, for example) or a particular area (such as central Europe or ancient Rome).
Genealogists and Family History
The professional genealogist is not just someone who happens to be good with family history and knows how to do research. There are many such people in the world, but very few of them know what they’re doing enough to be called professionals.
A true professional is someone who has studied the field and CANNOT be fooled by frauds. They understand how genealogy fits in with history, geography, sociology, political science, language difference, economics, religion – in fact, any subject under the sun that affects the lives of individuals from one generation to another.
To hire genealogist, you need them to have a vast knowledge of how to use those records and tools most efficiently. While many people can often stumble over a good source, the professional genealogist knows the best sources to locate information and how to extract it from those sources.
There is no such thing as a ‘typical day for someone who works as a genealogist. The required kind of work depends on the interests and needs of their clients and can range from simply copying a family tree to extensive research in foreign records.
Much of the work performed by professional genealogists isn’t just for individual families; it is performed to understand history as a whole better. The more information professionals can get on one family; the more extrapolate about that particular region or period.
Once a person becomes a genealogist, it is not something left behind once one has made enough money for retirement. The trade never stops, and records are constantly being added to collections all over the world.
Are Genealogists Family Historians?
Although some people enjoy working as family historians on their own, many choose to work for one of the genealogical companies that have sprung up in recent years. Many companies employ researchers who work full-time sifting through records and putting together family trees for paying customers online.
One can make a lot more money working at home researching than one could work at a traditional job. Still, genealogists who work for these companies are often regarded with some suspicion by their more experienced peers.
On a concluding note, a Genealogist’s services are invaluable for any person who wants to know about their family’s history.
In the long run, it will save people money as they will have comprehensive knowledge about their origins and family tree. Furthermore, a professional genealogist provides incredible knowledge and extensive documentation of sources to back up his claims.
