Making money doing family trees etc

shar_2

Hi there.

I am very interested in genealogy, family trees and so on.

I have traced my own family history, and seem to be naturaly good at it. I have also traced a lot of my extended familys history, and done their family trees for them.

Word is now spreading, and people at work are asking me to trace their family history for them.

Now I really love doing it, so don't really mind.. BUT it takes an awful amount of time (and some money) to do it properly.

This as got me thinking if maybe I could so this as a part time job - something that I really enjoy doing that is a hobby, that I could maybe earn a few extra pounds.

But I have no idea if this would be feasable, and if it was, how I would start?

If anyone has any ideas, or even just wants to tell me I am being daft, well, please do!

scotsbob

Our local council have a genealogy centre. For £10 you get one hour with an assistant who has access to all the databases and sits down and does it with you.
In the hour I was able to trace back on maternal and paternal lines to 1832 and was also given advice on how to go back further. It wa £10 well spent. I guess other local councils would have similar facilities so you would be competing with them on price.

fengirl_2

Look in the trade press - Family Tree magazine and Family History magazine. In the back you will see several adverts from qualified genealogists. If you think you can compete with them, then advertise there. But be aware that not everyone's family is so strightforward and most people will expct more than just a list of names and dates.

Rael

Half of the fun in finding out your Family History is doing it yourself. A lot of information is gleaned from talking to relatives who know and trust you. That's a difficult bond to build if you're doing it for someone else. There are more ways to trace your own FH now than there have ever been. There may be a niche for doing research for people who can't do it because they live remotely from the records though. Have a look through the Classifieds in a Genealogy magazine and see what people are advertising themselves as - that will give you an idea of where the money is.

In short, I'm not sure there's really a market for it, but good luck.

shar_2

Thanks for the replys guys.

I know what you are saying. I also know that it is not that easy or straight forward - that's the reason some people I know have asked me to help them, as they have hit a brick wall - and I have helped them to knock it down ;-)

In an ideal world I would like to work in a genealogy centre in a library or something along those lines. It's something I will have to look into.

Many thanks again.

pollyd_2

I actually do this, but not for a living - more for pocket money. I also teach family history courses. I can honestly say that despite advertising, the market is very flat right now for genealogy researchers. (that is not to say it always will be) If you want to go into family history research seriously you might consider becoming a member of ARGRA, or looking into a job at your local county record office as an archives assistant or simillar. As an independent researcher, you tend to charge per hour, not for the results -so if you have spent an hour searching relevant records and not found anything, you charge anyway. (it sounds mean, but it is still work that has taken your time). If you live near London or a big city it is probably possible to make a living, I live in North Wales, and there just isn't enough work available at the moment. Do let me know if you want any more details or anything.