Information on Business:
Basics:
As a genealogist you will be researching, documenting and writing reports for your clients. You will spend most of your time online, at family history centers, libraries, and interviewing people of interest. Your professionalism and high level of details on your reports along with extensive supporting documentation will set you apart and make you successful in this business. Even though it is not required to enter this business, you should get certified first. Certification will add credibility to your services and it will also associate you with professional groups which can give you advice and build a referral network.
To Get Started:
You should advertise in the newspapers, phone book, online, historical and family magazines. You should also attend events that carry historical themes and family themes, attend genealogical association events also. You should be able to charge from $35 to $200 per individual work, and you can charge $300 to $800 for a family search. It is extremely important that you are very familiar with your sources and how to oblation useful information from them, otherwise your profits will be small compared to the time spent researching. You can also branch out to helping government agencies find missing people from the past, work as a probate searcher, or find heirs of estate, you can also write books and instruct individuals who want to do their own research but do not know how.
Tips:
You should be able to run this business from home. This business is an opportunity for people with disabilities. Continue to educate yourself on the field. You will be working alone so you should not need assistants unless your business grows. For Internet links related to this business do a search for the Association of Professional Genealogists, the Board for Certification of Genealogists, and the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists.
Definition:
A service that helps individuals by tracing their family roots, finds missing people from government agencies and trains individuals on genealogy.
Revenue Range:
$20,000 to $30,000 per year.
Education and Training Required:
You should have a certification to add credibility, excellent research and writing skills.
Equipment Required:
Genealogy software, computer, printer, office supplies and materials, filing cabinetry.
