What is a Professional Genealogist?
Monday January 7, 2008
Every year or so this discussion seems to come up - what exactly is a professional genealogist. Does the term "professional" apply to the profession, as in someone who makes a living or earns income in the field of genealogy? Does "professional" apply to experience or proficiency? As in a genealogist who has many years of experience and training, specific skills and/or high-quality work? How about credentials? Does "professional" imply that the genealogist has received certification? In other words, does the term "professional" relate to how a genealogist makes a living, the skills and experience he/she brings to the field, or the time devoted to genealogy research?
Many on the Association of Professional Genealogists mailing list seem to feel that the term "professional" applies to someone who makes a living in the field, although others argue that you can be a professional without making a profit. And then there's the secondary discussion about other terms, including amateur, serious, hobbyist, skilled... Where do you weigh in on this matter? Click on "comments" below to share your thoughts.
Comments
I work nearly 30-45 hours a week, not oly for myself, but patrons at the family history center. I also am paid to research for clients as well. I’ve specialized in medieval work, and consider myself professional, although the Association of Genealogists might not without their seal. So I think there is a fine line between certification and professional.
Professional from the dictionary: “engaged in an activity as a means of livelihood or for gain”. As a teacher of genealogy and family history, I consider myself a professional teacher but not a professional genealogist.
I have spent 35 years researching my own family history and am going on 8 years as a volunteer for RAOGK. I have been thinking about applying for certification but am reluctant to give up my volunteer status. Could someone give me some advice on this? Thank you.
Since the dictionary defines genealogist as “one who studies family ancestries and histories,” it would seem that a professional genealogist is one who gains from the study of family ancestries. Therefore, if a person does research for someone and gets paid, that person is a professional genealogist, whether or not that person is a certified genealogist or not. A certified genealogist is a separate designation. One can be a certified genealogist and not be a professional genealogist. I also agree with Marcia Murray Holstrom when she said that if you teach genealogy classes, as I do, that does not make me a professional genealogist, but it does make me a professional instructor or teacher.