Hiring a Professional Genealogist
Sometimes you need help from a pro
There is no shame in admitting that you need professional help with your genealogy studies. Hiring a genealogist can help you get past those brick walls.
Just like with any project or hobby, sometimes you need the services of a professional. Someone who may have better skills and access to better resources than you. Genealogy is no different than other pursuits.
Whether you need someone to help with your actual research, or you want to hire someone to compile a family history book, finding the right professional is important.
Here are some resources on finding a professional, as well as other articles on what you should look for when hiring someone to help you with your research.
Association of Professional Genealogists- If you're looking for a professional, here is one place to start your search. The APG website has directories for genealogy specialists in many different professions. Being a member of the APG doesn't necessarily reflect a person's level of knowledge, but that they adhere to the code of ethics of the association.
Board for Certification of Genealogists - Unlike the group above, the BCG does competency testing with uniform standards. You can find out more about this certification from their site, and they offer resources to help you find a certified genealogist.
Hiring a Professional Genealogist - An excellent 5-part article on finding, hiring and working with a professional. The author shares his own experiences with hiring a pro, as well.
When, Why and How to Hire a Professional Genealogist - A list of reasons why you might want to hire a pro, and all kinds of other questions you need to ask yourself in order to find the right person for the job.
Be aware that hiring a genealogist to do research for you can get expensive, and since you pay for time rather than results, you may end up paying for services and not getting anything for it. That's not to say you're getting scammed, but there will always be cases where the information on your family members is simply not available.
