I am looking into becoming a professional genealogist. Genealogy is something I've enjoyed doing, on an amateur level, since I was twelve years old. However, I seriously considered it to be something I can do professionally.
Tonight I was meandering around Ancestry.com and discovered their Careers link. Most of the job openings are in Utah and most have to do with technology and computers. Which makes sense because Ancestry.com primarily exists on the Internets. There was also a listing for a position called Assistant Genealogist.
As I read through the job description....I thought: I can do that!
"Conduct research at various archives, libraries, online and on site as directed to solve genealogy problems"
Sounds like fun! No. Seriously. It does! Nothing says excitement to me like microfilm reels of quit claim deeds.
"Write, format and edit scholarly reports, blog posts, articles as requested."
Heck, I actually went to college to learn how to write and edit scholarly articles. I also worked for a local religious publication when I was in my twenties. Writing and editing stuff.
"Collect and organize data and complete accurate data entry."
I am very adept at collecting and organizing data. I can also keep numerous ancestral lines in my head...including names, dates, and relationships. On top of that I have prior work experience in data entry.
Degree in Family History Research or 1-2 years of professional genealogical research or 2+ years of amateur genealogical research
I've been doing genealogy since I was twelve years old! I think that is above and beyond 2+ years they're looking for.
Anyhow, even though I won't be moving to Utah to become a genealogical research assistant (seriously this job sounds like grad school only they pay you to do the work) ....it is nice to know that such opportunities exist in the world.
So....I started doing some research on How to Become a Professional Genealogist
It is something that I could definitely do...at my own pace, and in my own time. There are on campus and online academic programs through colleges as well as a home study program through the International Genealogical Society. Plus, there are many continuing ed opportunities through various conferences on national, regional, or local levels. After you've done course work, logged research hours, and participated in various conferences you can study for board certification. There are also the Association of Professional Genealogists.
While I am sure that some people do hire genealogists to help dismantle the brick walls in their family history research, aside from Ancestry.com's obvious need for them....I wondered what exactly can a professional genealogy do to earn money?
One area of specialization is in adoption reunion work. If an adoptee wants to seek out her birth parents she may hire a professional genealogist to assist in the search.
Attorneys often hire genealogists to find heirs to settle estates. Some genealogists even go to court to provide evidence in estate disputes.
Some genealogists are involved in deed platting, map making, and explaining old property lines in contemporary terms. If you've ever read an 18th century deed from Virginia you will understand the need for this. It was very common for property to be described as being between yonder apple tree near the creek that runs through the edge of Johnson's land, and then twenty five paces of a six foot tall man in boots under the moon at seven o'clock, and up until the tides come in, and then seventy five yards toward the setting sun, whence ye shall view a robin's nest in the third oak tree from the small ridge where the lilies bloom, and then forty eight acres to the north, to the river, and up to the field where the brown cows of Smith graze.
I'm exaggerating. But not much.
No comments:
Post a Comment