Local Genealogy Experts
Find a Genealogist Near Me

How do I find a certified genealogist? Great question, our experts are available to help you solve genealogical mysteries, perform record searches, find links to unknown family ancestry. Below you’ll find a number of genealogists that are located throughout geographic region of the United States and worldwide.

Find a Local Genealogist Near Me

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Free Genealogy Assessment

Highest Rated Local Genealogist

For more than 10 years our professional genealogy experts have been helping people overcome their genealogy roadblocks and helping families trace their ancestral background. Connecting you with your past is our passion while enjoying the stories and memories will take you back to the life, joy, and struggles of the past.

With our combined research experience, we have the team with the passion and knowledge you can trust to discover your family’s story. Highlighted below are some of top researchers.

Quentin, skilled and experienced professional researcher, an author, a film and video producer, a businessman, and a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) case officer. His University of Utah degree and his work in the intelligence community gave him a deep knowledge of research and investigative techniques that he has continued to use in later years. He has been an avid private investigator and professional genealogical researcher for over 50 years and has handled cases for more than 200 clients in more than 30 countries.

Joyce, 40+ year veteran professional researcher has been accredited by the Family History Library and by ICAPGEN in Isle of Man and English genealogy research since 1992. In addition, she is extremely knowledgeable in Irish, Scottish, U.S. and a few other types of genealogical searches. Well experienced in genealogy, family history research, and tracing roots. She is an extremely effective researcher and often ask for by name by new customers. Joyce credits genealogy and family history research with keeping her “sane” and staving off Alzheimers.

Kim, a gifted family historian and an internationally respected qualitative researcher with an interest in social history. She has conducted genealogical research for over 20 years and as professional for the past 10 years. Kim has a doctoral degree in the social sciences and a post-graduate diploma in genealogical studies. Having a Metis heritage, she has a significant interest in Metis, Native American, French-American/Canadian, Creole and early American/Canadian genealogy. Customers describe Kim as a problem solver.

Nancy, specializes in heir research or probate research cases. Earning her PLCGS credential in Methodology and American Records, she needs be your next genealogy export for your estate settlement research report; if you want it done correct the first time. You’ll find her education, her skills, and her passion all match and visible in her reports. So much so that her reports are usable in court and Nancy is available for testimony, if required. Due to her expertise in American records, Nancy is aspires to solve your next American genealogy roadblock.

Linda, your project manager. Linda will coordinate people and processes to ensure that your projects are delivered on time and produce the desired results. She is the go-to person for everything involving a project’s organization and timeline. She’s focused on assuring professionalism, promptness, and your satisfaction.

Tone, is your Norway, Denmark, Sweden, & early Finnish expert. She completed all of her education in the cities of Oslo & Bergen. Speaks English, Swedish, Danish, Spanish & German. Her proximity to the Salt Lake Library enables her for quick archive retrievals & other resources.

Ed, professional researcher with 10+ years of experience. Helped explained a mystery surrounding the names in an old bible which seemed to not match the bible’s owners names to working with DNA to not only see matches but pin down exactly how we are connected.

Megan, a retired corporate litigation partner at a major law firm and now a professional genealogist. She has over 20 years of experience in U.S. genealogical research – including Colonial New England – and has helped many clients uncover their roots in Ireland and Italy. In several cases she has used DNA analysis in combination with documentary research to solve genealogical mysteries.

Blain, DNA expert and a professional genealogist with more than 10 years of experience. Blain helps our team crack some complicated DNA analysis roadblocks, along side providing his genealogy expertise.

George, working out of the New York state, George has access to an array of resources. His 20+ years in genealogy helps us uncover ship records, immigration records, and much more. George has solved so many immigration roadblocks, it’s amazing.

Larry, has over 10 years of experience in genealogical research and his primary focus is around Georgia.

Highest Rated International Genealogist

Canada
Heather
Susan
Michael
Mark

UK
Richard
Abigail
Benny

Germany
Thomas
Ursula
Heiko
Benny
Michael

Russia
Marta
Aleksandra
Dennis
Michael

Poland
Aleksandra
Michal
Michael

Croatia
Norbert

Ukraine
Norbert
Dennis
Marta
Michael

Italy
Alessandro
Megan

Romania
Norbert

Ireland
Emma
John
Katrina
Megan
Shawn

Spain
Fernando
Blake
Benny

Netherlands
Benny

France
Benny
Craig
Sebastian

Portugal
Yann

Why Choose RecordClick to Hire a Professional Genealogist?

At RecordClick, we take pride in our 94% success rate, showcasing our dedication to uncovering your family’s history with accuracy and detail. Our clients have direct communication with our team of professional genealogists, ensuring that your journey into the past is handled with personal care and professional expertise.

We’re committed to providing the best pricing for “Professional” services, making top-tier genealogical research affordable and accessible. You can see our genealogists’ skills in action on smaller projects, allowing you to gauge our work quality without a hefty initial commitment.

Above all, we’re a personable and trustworthy team. Our goal is to deliver great results, and we believe in building strong, trusting relationships with our clients as we navigate the story of their ancestry together.

Services Provided by Professional Genealogists

Professional genealogists offer a wide range of services tailored to uncovering your family’s past. Their expertise can guide you through the complex journey of genealogy research, offering services that go beyond simple record searches. Here’s a closer look:

1. Custom Research

This is the bread and butter of a genealogist’s services. Whether you’re starting from scratch or hit a roadblock in your own serious research project, they can take on specific research tasks. This could involve tracing your lineage, uncovering the origins of an ancestor, or solving specific family mysteries. They develop a research plan, execute it, and present you with detailed findings.

2. Record Lookups

Sometimes, you might need just a single document to break through a research barrier—a birth certificate from a distant country or a will from two centuries ago. Genealogists, with their access to various archives and databases, can retrieve these crucial pieces of the puzzle.

3. DNA Test Analysis

With the rise of DNA testing, interpreting the results and understanding their implications for your family histories can be overwhelming. Genealogists skilled in genetic genealogy can analyze your DNA results, explain them in straightforward terms, and integrate this information into traditional family research, to paint a fuller picture of your heritage.

4. Lineage Society Applications

Applying to organizations like the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) or the Mayflower Society requires proving your ancestry. Genealogists can help compile and verify the necessary documentation, ensuring your application meets the strict criteria of these societies.

5. Heritage Travel Planning

Some genealogists combine research services with travel planning, helping you visit your ancestral homelands. They can pinpoint exact locations related to your ancestors and suggest places to visit, creating a deeply personal and enriching travel experience.

6. Writing and Publishing

Turning research into a compelling family history book is a dream for many. Professional genealogists can assist in writing, editing, and organizing your family’s stories into a publication-ready format, ensuring the legacy is preserved for future generations.

7. Legal Genealogy

In cases of estate settlement or unclaimed property, most genealogists can track down living heirs or prove relationships required by law. This specialized service requires a thorough understanding of both genealogical research and legal documentation.

8. Educational Workshops and Speaking

Many genealogists share their knowledge through workshops, webinars, or speaking engagements. They cover topics from beginner genealogy to advanced research techniques, helping others hone their skills.

9. Consultation Services

If you prefer to do the research yourself but need guidance, consulting with a professional genealogist can provide direction and advice. They can review your work, suggest next steps, and give other services to help you overcome obstacles.

If you prefer to do the research yourself but need guidance, consulting with a professional genealogist can provide direction and advice. They can review your work, suggest next steps, and give other services to help you overcome obstacles.

How to Find a Genealogist?

Finding a qualified genealogist to help you learn about your family’s past can be exciting. Here’s how to do it in simple steps:

Understand Your Goals

Before starting your search, set expectations about what you hope to discover. Are you looking for information on your immediate ancestors, tracing your lineage back several centuries, or uncovering medical histories? Your objectives will influence the type of genealogist’s involvement you need.

Identify the Expertise Required

Genealogists have different research specialties in certain areas, such as specific geographical regions, ethnic backgrounds, or types of records (military, immigration, etc.). Determining the expertise needed for your research will narrow down your options.

Professional Associations

Utilize directories from reputable organizations like Record Click. These organizations list professional genealogists who adhere to a code of ethics.

Local and Online Resources

Check with local historical societies, libraries, and archives. They can share examples and often recommend genealogists familiar with local records and history. Additionally, online platforms and forums dedicated to genealogy can provide personal recommendations.

Experience and Qualifications

Look for genealogists with proven experience and relevant qualifications. This might include academic degrees in history or genealogy, certification from recognized boards accredited genealogist, or publications in reputable genealogy journals.

Public Reviews and References

Seek out online reviews, or ask for references from previous clients to gauge the genealogist’s success in similar projects. This feedback can provide insight into their research skills, work samples, reliability of work samples, and communication style.

Interview Potential Candidates

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of potential clients, conduct interviews with potential genealogists. Ask about their experience, approach to research, access to special archives or databases, and how they handle challenges or dead ends in research.

Discuss Fees and Contracts

Understand how the genealogist charges for their services—whether by the hour, a flat fee for a project, or a retainer. Discuss any additional costs, like document fees or travel expenses. Ensure all agreements are clear and in writing.

Communication

Clear communication is vital. Discuss with your prospective genealogist how often and through what means (email, phone, sample report) you will receive updates. Establish expectations for the final deliverable, whether it’s a detailed report, family tree, or digital records.

Ethics and Privacy

A good genealogist respects privacy and ethical standards, especially when dealing with sensitive information. Ensure they commit to confidentiality and ethical research practices.

How Much Do Professional Genealogists Charge?

When considering the cost of hiring a professional genealogist, prices can vary significantly based on the service provider and the package you choose. Generally, genealogists offer their services in hourly packages, with some offering smaller bundles while others provide more extensive research services at higher costs.

For example, a 5-hour research package might cost around $795, which can be suitable for a focused inquiry or a specific aspect of your family history. If you’re looking for a more thorough exploration, a 10-hour package could be available for about $1,272. For in-depth research, which may include multiple lines of your own family tree or more complex historical periods, a 20-hour package could be priced at approximately $2,226.

Other service providers may not offer project types or smaller hour packages, with their services starting at more substantial hours and, consequently, higher prices—starting from $3,000 and going up to around $6,000 for extensive research that requires more time and resources.

Price Comparison

We’ve been in the industry for a long time so we know that not everyone can afford a large price tag – nor does their research require it. However, our competitors don’t seem to care. You be the judge.

It’s essential to evaluate the offerings against your research goals and budget. Some genealogists might include additional services like document retrieval, DNA analysis interpretation, or detailed reports within these packages. RecordClick services do not charge additional fees. With others, always clarify what is included in the package to make an informed decision on the value you’re receiving for the price paid.

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Genealogist

1. Deep Dive into History: Professional genealogists don’t just scratch the surface; they dive deep. They leverage specialized training in historical contexts and genealogical research methods to uncover details that most people would miss. Why did your ancestors move? What were their professions? These experts can often provide insights beyond names and dates, giving you a fuller picture of your heritage.

2. Efficiency and Time-Saving: Think about the hours spent trying to figure out old census records or ship manifests. With their experience, Genealogists can navigate these quickly, efficiently solving puzzles that might take weeks or months. This isn’t just about speed; it’s about making the most of your time, allowing you to enjoy the discoveries without the headache of the hunt.

3. Exclusive Access: There are treasure troves of information that aren’t digitized or publicly available online. Professionals often have access to exclusive databases, libraries, and archives. They might also belong to networks that allow them to go into corners of research you didn’t know existed.

For example, certain church records or private collections can hold the key to your family’s past, accessible only by those in the know.

4. Navigating Language Barriers and Geographical Challenges: If your ancestors hail from non-English speaking countries, language barriers can halt your research. A genealogist specializing in Italian or Chinese ancestry, for instance, brings language skills and understands the local nuances, geographically specific data, and historical context that might influence your family’s story.

They can interpret documents or communicate with foreign archives, tasks that might be insurmountable hurdles for you.

5. Problem-Solving Skills: Hitting a brick wall is common in genealogy research. Professional genealogists have encountered many such barriers and developed strategies to overcome them. Their problem-solving skills are honed through experience.

For instance, when direct records are missing, they know how to use indirect evidence to piece together the puzzle, a skill akin to detective work.

6. Accuracy and Avoiding Pitfalls: Genealogy research is fraught with potential errors. Misinterpretation of a record or following the wrong family line can lead your research problem take you astray for years.

Professionals bring a critical eye to the data, ensuring that the family tree you’re building is actually yours. Their expertise is particularly valuable when dealing with common names, where the risk of mixing up individuals is high.

7. Emotional Distance: While deeply personal, genealogy can also benefit from an objective viewpoint. Genealogy professionals can provide a level of detachment, making them less likely to jump to conclusions based on family lore or wishful thinking.

This doesn’t mean they’re cold or uncaring about your family history project; rather, they can help validate stories with evidence, ensuring the accuracy of your family narrative.

8. Presentation of Findings: The end result of professional genealogy research isn’t just a list of names and dates. It’s often a comprehensive report with documents, photos, and narratives that bring your ancestors to life. These presentations can become cherished family heirlooms passed down to future generations.

9. Ethical Considerations: Genealogy researchers adhere to a code of ethics, ensuring that sensitive information is handled with respect and privacy. This is especially crucial when dealing with adoptions, unknown parentage, or any potentially delicate family matters.

FAQs

Can I hire someone to trace my family history?

Yes, all of the professional researchers listed above are available for hire. Simply use our free consultation form to give us an idea of the geographic location for what or who you’re searching for, and we can get helpful information and generate a quote for you, as well as give you an idea of the probability of success.

What services does a genealogy company offer?

A genealogy firm typically offers a range of services, including ancestry research, DNA test analysis, record retrieval, and help with lineage society applications, all performed by professional genealogists.

How do I know if genealogists are qualified?

Qualified genealogists often have accreditation from recognized genealogy bodies, have completed rigorous exams, and have a track record of professional experience and success in the field.

What is genealogy accreditation, and why is it important?

Genealogy accreditation is a process where genealogists are formally recognized for their expertise by a professional body. It ensures they have met specific standards of education and experience in genealogy research.

Does professional experience matter when choosing a genealogist?

Absolutely. Professional experience is crucial as it reflects the genealogist’s ability to tackle complex research tasks, navigate various types of records, and provide accurate and comprehensive findings.