This month’s JOTM spotlights a vocation not many people think about when deciding what they want to do with their Freelance career: genealogy. Because it deals with historical records that are barely legible and sitting at the library going through microfilms, it’s generally considered boring and no one gives it a second look.
But if the monotony doesn’t bother you, this job can actually be very challenging. It requires quite a bit of intellect and could be compared to detective work. Not only that, but you may be surprised at what you find. For all you know, you could be George Washington’s distant cousin.
Doesn’t sound so boring now, does it?
The Job
At its most basic, the job of a Genealogist is to research and problem solve. A lot of them start off by researching their own Family trees and eventually decide to make a career out of doing the same for other people who lack the skills to find the information themselves. Clients may pose a specific question related to a family story or a connection that can’t be made. Others might just want more minute details filled in.
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Genealogists frequently need to locate original records, some of which may be centuries old, and interpret the writings to answer the questions posed by clients. The most common sources include legal, tax, church, military, cemetery, census, and property records. Other times they may get lucky and find magazines, books, and personal papers published by family members.
Some genealogists specialize in specific subsets of genealogy, like tracing the lineage of African American slave families or sorting through immigration records. Others cover general research.
Regardless of the project, they complete written reports and pedigree charts with copies of sources to turn in to the client once the research is finished. Clients may include historical societies, genealogy libraries, government agencies, or anyone who wants to look into their family history for any reason.
Training and Education
Every client has different stipulations when seeking a trained genealogist. Some have no formal requirements and are only concerned about on-the-job experience. Others want certification through organizations like the Board for Certification of Genealogists. Higher-level clients sometimes require Master’s degrees in history or a related field.
Regardless of how they learn, genealogists need to know correct research techniques, GEDCOM (genealogical data communication) format, evaluation criteria, reporting methods, and citation styles. Speaking another language is helpful, especially when the job requires sorting through foreign records, but it’s not usually a necessity.
To be successful in this field, a genealogist requires creativity and the ability to think analytically. It also helps to have solid communication skills, organizational abilities, attention to detail, networking capabilities, and entrepreneurial knowledge.
Average Salaries
According to ZipRecruiter, annual salaries for genealogists can vary greatly depending on the amount of work required and the client requesting the services. Genealogists can make anywhere from around $17,000 all the way up to $105,000 a year. The national average sits at around $47,000, with most salaries landing between $26,000 and $56,000.
Occupational Outlook
Genealogy itself is a popular topic, but the growth seen in professional work is minimal. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 6% growth rate for historians (as close to the term “genealogist” as you’re going to find), which is considered about average.
That said, working as a freelance genealogist could be a very lucrative career. Because there are only a few thousand in the country, demand for the service is high if you know where to look.
How to Get Started
If you’re considering a freelance career as a genealogist, the first thing to do is get some practice. Sign up for websites dedicated to family history research, especially Ancestry.com. They have some of the most extensive databases in the world, and it’s growing every year. The best part is that it’s not going to cost you an arm and a leg. The average American is already carrying quite a bit of credit card debt. You can go here to view more.
Start with your own family tree and spend some time learning the tricks of the trade. You’ll figure out very quickly how to identify records that may be incorrect, interpret old-time terminology, and create connections by making a few educated guesses. You’ll also learn how to navigate foreign databases and the occasional quirks associated with them.
Once you have some experience under your belt and feel comfortable navigating the genealogical landscape, you can start taking the steps needed to put your own business together. Create a plan, determine your prices, decide who you want to market your services to, and start putting yourself out there.
Keep in mind that if you choose not to get a formal degree, it’s unlikely you’ll land any big fish clients like government agencies or major genealogical databases. Should that be the route you want to pursue, you can still continue your freelance business while you acquire your college education or certification.
Final Thoughts
Family history research can be tedious and frustrating. While most of it is doable online these days, there may be times you’ll have to travel to find original records or books. But it generally doesn’t require a lot of investment to get started as a freelancer, and someone with an interest in history can easily spend hours working on a project and forget to eat in the meantime.
Ultimately, genealogy is a rewarding career when you’re able to help people trace their lineage. If you’re looking for an intellectual challenge that’ll teach you something, this may be the job for you!
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