How to Be Genealogist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Apr 1, 2021 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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A genealogist studies and documents the family history of individuals and families. This type of research requires an extensive knowledge of family lineage, historical records, and other genealogical sources. As a result of the genealogist's hard work, people can better understand the origin and development of their family and gain insight into their ancestral roots.

Furthermore, the research of a genealogist can uncover previously unknown details about a family's past, such as immigration patterns or connections to famous people. This discovery can lead to a greater appreciation of one's heritage and a deeper connection to the family's history.

Steps How to Become

Obtain an undergraduate degree in a related field, such as history, anthropology, or genealogy. A bachelors degree is typically the minimum requirement to become a professional genealogist.
Take courses in family history research. Many universities offer courses in genealogy, family history, ancestry research, and related topics. Attending courses and seminars will help you gain a better understanding of the field and learn more about the specific research methods and techniques used by genealogists.
Develop your research skills. Genealogists must be able to effectively search for and analyze records and documents to build family trees and uncover new information about their clients ancestors. Learn how to use a variety of research tools, including census records, birth and death certificates, and immigration records.
Become certified. Several organizations offer certification for genealogists, including the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) and the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG). Certification is a great way to demonstrate your knowledge, skills, and experience in the field.
Join professional organizations. Becoming a member of an organization like the BCG or APG will allow you to network with other professionals in the field, stay up-to-date on the latest developments in genealogy, and access additional resources to help you with your research.
Start building your portfolio. Create a portfolio of your work to showcase your skills and experience as a genealogist. This portfolio should include samples of your research, records searches, reports, and family trees.
Establish yourself as a professional. Once youve built up your portfolio and gained some experience in the field, youll be ready to start taking on clients and building a successful career as a genealogist. Consider marketing yourself online or setting up a website to promote your services.

The ability to find reliable and qualified genealogists is an important part of successful family history research. Good genealogists can provide accurate and reliable information about a person's family tree. To ensure that the research is of the highest quality, it is important that genealogists have a combination of qualifications, experience and expertise.

Qualifications should include courses in genealogical research, courses in archival studies and courses in the use of computer databases and other technology. Experienced genealogists should have a proven track record of successful research projects and a comprehensive knowledge of the sources available to them. Finally, experts in genealogy should have a network of contacts in the genealogical community, including other genealogists, archivists, librarians and historians.

All these elements will ensure that the genealogist chosen for the project is reliable and qualified.

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Job Description

Researching and compiling family histories
Examining historical documents and records
Analyzing family trees and genealogical data
Creating detailed family trees and other genealogical charts
Interviewing family members to uncover family stories and oral histories
Utilizing online databases, archives, and other sources to trace family history
Writing reports and presenting findings to clients
Providing guidance to amateur genealogists
Performing archival research
Maintaining databases of genealogical records

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of genealogical research methods, including record keeping and indexing, archival research and heritage management.
Familiarity with the historical sources and databases used in genealogical research, such as census records, birth, death and marriage records, land records, wills, probate records, military records, and immigration records.
Ability to interpret genealogical data and draw meaningful conclusions from it.
Ability to use genealogical software programs and online tools effectively.
Strong written and verbal communication skills for sharing research results with clients.
Detail-oriented nature and excellent organizational skills.
Ability to work independently and collaborate with others.
Creative problem-solving skills for tracing difficult-to-find ancestors and resolving conflicting evidence.
Knowledge of ethical standards for genealogists, including the proper handling of sensitive information.
Knowledge of legal procedures related to genealogical research, such as obtaining permission to access records or transferring title to assets discovered through genealogical research.

Genealogists are experts in tracing and documenting family histories, playing an important role in connecting people with their past. One of the most important skills a genealogist can develop is the ability to search and analyze records. Knowing how to locate and interpret various types of records such as birth certificates, census records, immigration documents, and military records can help them to uncover new family connections and build an accurate family tree.

having good research skills and an understanding of the different systems used to record and store data is essential for any genealogist. By understanding how to search through databases, archives, and other sources, genealogists can access detailed information that can be used to trace the lineage of a particular family. Finally, the ability to communicate effectively and work with other people is also key to a successful career as a genealogist.

By working together with family members or other researchers to clarify facts, share information, and build connections, genealogists can fill in the missing pieces of a familys history.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have researching family histories?
How do you go about verifying information or documents related to genealogy?
What techniques or methods do you use to uncover new data or evidence related to genealogical research?
How familiar are you with the different records and databases that are available for genealogical research?
Are you comfortable working with a variety of sources and technologies to complete genealogical research?
What approach do you take to record and organize the results of your genealogical research?
How do you stay up to date with the latest advancements in genealogy technology and research?
How do you handle sensitive topics or difficult conversations with people who may be reluctant to share family information?
What challenges have you faced while conducting genealogical research and how did you overcome them?
Describe a project or research task that you are particularly proud of.

Common Tools in Industry

FamilySearch (www. familysearch. org). A free online genealogy search engine with access to millions of records. (eg: Searching for the birth record of John Doe, born in 1925. )
Ancestry (www. ancestry. com). A subscription-based online genealogy service with access to billions of records. (eg: Finding the marriage certificate of Mary Smith, married in 1920. )
Findmypast (www. findmypast. com). A subscription-based online genealogy service with access to records from around the world. (eg: Tracing the family tree of the Jones family from the 1700s. )
MyHeritage (www. myheritage. com). A subscription-based online genealogy service with access to millions of records and features such as family tree builders, DNA testing, and more. (eg: Constructing a family tree for the Smith family and exploring their genetic history. )
GenealogyBank (www. genealogybank. com). A subscription-based online genealogy service with access to millions of records from newspapers, books, and more. (eg: Finding an obituary for John Smith, who died in 1950. )
Geni (www. geni. com). A free online genealogy platform that allows users to create and collaborate on their family trees. (eg: Creating a family tree for the Doe family and inviting family members to contribute to it. )

Professional Organizations to Know

Association of Professional Genealogists
Federation of Genealogical Societies
International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists
British Association of Professional Genealogists
National Genealogical Society
Genealogical Speakers Guild
International Society of Family History Writers and Editors
International Society of Genetic Genealogy
National Archives and Records Administration
National Institute on Genealogical Research

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Common Important Terms

Genealogy. The study of one's family history and descent from ancestors.
Pedigree Chart. A chart that documents the lineage of an individual or family, listing ancestors from the most recent generations to the earliest known generations.
Ancestry. Lineage or descent from an ancestor or ancestors.
Lineage. Line of descent or ancestry.
Heraldry. The science of devising, granting, displaying, describing, and recording coats of arms, flags, and badges.
Surname. A family name passed on from one generation to the next.
Archival Research. The practice of seeking out and analyzing primary source material from archives to extract useful information.
Census Records. Records kept by a government that provide a count and description of a population at a particular time.
Family Tree. A diagram that visually displays the relationship between individuals in a family.
DNA Testing. Genetic testing used to trace ancestry and to help identify relationships between individuals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the definition of a Genealogist?

A Genealogist is a person who specializes in researching and documenting family histories and lineages.

What type of information does a Genealogist collect?

A Genealogist collects information such as names, dates, locations, and relationships between family members.

How long have Genealogists been researching family histories?

Genealogists have been researching family histories for hundreds of years, with early records dating back to the 14th century.

What is the primary tool used by Genealogists?

The primary tool used by Genealogists is a family tree, which is a diagram that shows the lineage of a family over time.

What other sources do Genealogists use to research family histories?

In addition to family trees, Genealogists also use records such as birth, marriage, death certificates, census records, military records, and other public documents to research family histories.

Web Resources

Online Genealogy Studies Program | Boston genealogyonline.bu.edu
Heritage Genealogy College genealogy.edu
Genealogy Studies Program | Boston University Metropolitan College CPE cpe.bu.edu