Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or
business.
Job Description:
A genealogy researcher helps people find their ancestors.
Education: None
necessary, but a background in history is a plus.
Skills: The knowledge
and ability to find records and other historical documents relating to personal
heritage and genealogy.
Job outlook: U.S.
Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) finds that “Employment
of historians is expected to grow 18 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast
as the average for all occupations.” Check out the BLS
Occupational Outlook Handbook for more details.
Possible employers:
Check out the National Genealogical Society,
the Association for Professional Genealogists
and Genealogy Research Associates for
leads. Consider starting your own consulting business or joining with other
genealogists.
Preparation: Join
the National Genealogical Society or the Association for Professional
Genealogists. Take genealogy research courses from the above-mentioned
organizations.
Get your foot in the
door: Start with your family or friends and offer to do a family tree for a
reduced price or as a gift to gain expertise and recommendations.
Testimony: Ashley offers genealogy research
assistance through the website FIVERR. “I help people start their family trees
going back four generations from their grandparents,” she says, adding that she
has had more than 300 clients so far. “I have been a researcher for over 25
years now. … Most folks cannot afford the price for an Ancestry membership or
to hire a professional genealogist. I offer the service for the working man and
I love what I am doing.” She backs up her research through U.S. Census reports,
military documents and other historical data.
“I don’t know if this will ever grow to a revenue that would
support the household finances. However, the revenue I generate does supplement
and make things easier at the end of the month,” says Ashley. “I encourage you
to think outside the box, find your passion and market that passion. I love
genealogy and I love the fact that I am able to help someone discover who they
are and where they come from.”
Until next time,
Sarah
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