Frequently Asked Questions
Deciding to Hire a Professional Genealogist
If I don’t want to do my own family history research, what are some benefits of working with a professional genealogist?
Many individuals choose to work with a professional genealogist to preserve their family history as a lasting legacy for future generations. While the desire to uncover family stories is strong, the research process can be time-consuming, complex, and overwhelming. A professional genealogist brings the expertise needed to conduct thorough and accurate research, uncovering the people, places, and events that shaped a family's past. Beyond research, a genealogist can help identify meaningful areas of focus, recommend ways to gather and incorporate family memories through interviews and photographs, and provide guidance on creating a beautifully documented family history that can be treasured for generations to come.
If I do my own genealogy research, when is the right time to get help from a professional genealogist?
Our clients who do their own research typically come to us when:
· They have a “brick wall”— Often, they are stuck trying to find the parents of an individual born before 1850.
· They need someone with specific expertise (often European records).
· They’d like to have a professional confirm the accuracy of previous work.
· They need their research organized into a logical proof argument, possibly to submit to a lineage society.
· They need help with record types that are unfamiliar (probate, land records, naturalizations, immigration, church records, etc.)
Can a professional genealogist help me find information that I couldn’t find on my own?
Yes, quite possibly. Genealogists have many years invested in gaining skills in a variety of record types, many of which are not online. For most projects, we use church records, deeds, tax records, and probate to attempt to identify the parents of a target individual—these records are complex, not always easy to locate, and many times in a foreign language which we then need to transcribe and translate.
Can you find a record that directly names a parent or child?
We always try to! It can be more difficult depending on which century or time period we are looking, Sometimes, the census only named a male head of household and the census is a relatively new thing, vital records didn’t often exist, and both parents were infrequently named when their children married. Sometimes, children are named in their parent’s probate file.
What does it cost to hire a professional genealogist?
This varies depending on the type of work the genealogist is hired to do and the complexity of the project, but expect to pay $65-$100 per hour for family history work.
Tips for Working With a Professional Genealogist
How do I determine what level of service I need from a genealogist?(e.g., a comprehensive search vs. a targeted search)
A skilled genealogist can do either, but this is very dependent on the research question that you have. We recommend scheduling a consultation with us and asking for a proposal based on your research objectives. You can request a consultation here.
How do I prepare for a consultation with a professional genealogist?
Review your tree and your previous research. Formulate your research objective. For example: Determine the parents of Gottlieb Schwartz (1800-1860), born in Stettin, Germany. Note any questions you may have for the genealogist. Send along any materials you have for them to review. Genealogists are very detail-oriented and generally appreciate having a chance to prepare for a consultation call with you!
What do I need to send you in terms of research I've already done?
We like to review the most important documents you have discovered, and also like to review your online tree. We may also ask for access to your DNA matches, if you have tested and if DNA is relevant to the project.
How much time and effort will be required on my part when working with a professional genealogist?
It depends on the services you are contracting for. Many genealogy projects are “done for you” projects, so you may not need to plan for any time after the initial calls and project kickoff, although when the work is complete, you should expect to participate in a meeting to discuss it. (“Done for you” for you describes most of the projects here at Rooted in Time Genealogy.) If you are contracting with us to review your tree or to help sort and organize your materials, your time commitment may be greater
Photo attribution: Women at work in the Central Statistical Office during the 1900 Norwegian census. Photographer: Colditz, Caroline. Archive: Norwegian Technical Museum NTM C 11164 CC BY-NC-SA 4.0