If you want to find out your family roots, you can acquire the services of a genealogist. In instances where you do not have complete information, or lack the expertise to draw meaningful conclusions from the information you have in your hands, or you do not have the time and energy to travel for the purpose as needed, hiring a genealogist may solve your problems. They can work with you to find out the important information by digging through records and carrying out relevant tests to give you the answers you may be looking for.

If you want to hire a genealogist, you must understand the nature of the services they offer. Continue to read to find out more as we discuss the services offered by a genealogist.

Trace Ancestry

Genealogists can help you find out about your ancestors, i.e., who they were and where they came from. For this purpose, they may have to check immigrant records if needed or may need to refer to other records or trace your family line. It will help you find out about your roots. This information is particularly helpful if you want to join a lineage society.

Research the descendants

This refers to identifying individuals who descended from a specific individual. It can be helpful in instances where it is important to trace descendants of an individual for any reason, for instance, property settlements or inheritance issues, etc.

Search important records

A professional genealogist can research records at your behest. These may include old records and documents such as marriage, birth and death certificates, tax records, property documents, etc. If you do not have the time to travel or want to avoid incurring travel expenditures, a genealogist may prove to be very useful.

Run DNA tests

The professional researcher can also help carry out DNA tests by tracking down the individuals required for DNA testing. They can help with interpreting the results of the test as well.

Additional services

As an extension of the services mentioned above, a professional genealogist provides additional required services as well. They work with the client to counsel and consult about the services and gauge their expectations. They are qualified and experienced in translating old records, including foreign records as well.

Many genealogist concerns offer customized services based on ethnicities and international and local domains. Therefore, if you are looking to find out your family’s history to identify who your ancestors were, apply for a lineage society, get a DNA test conducted and assessed, a professional genealogist may help you. They may also be particularly helpful in case of state and property settlements, retrieving important documents from other states even and helping clients build their family tree.

The competency of a genealogist is backed by their experience, education, and customer satisfaction and is not necessarily reliant on license or certifications. However, most of them are certified by the Association of Professional Genealogists. When hiring a genealogist, you may need to evaluate their performance against these criteria, as well as the purpose for which you need to hire them.