Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers, and Librarians

By: Mills, Elizabeth Shown

Book Overview

This is a manual by professionals for everyone serious about genealogy. For family historians who want to do their own study, reliably, it describes the standards. For hobbyists, attorneys, and medical scientists who seek professional researchers, it's a consumer guide that defines quality and facilitates choices. For librarians who struggle to help a whole new class of patrons, it provides a bridge to the methods, sources, and minutiae of "history, up-close and personal." For established genealogical professionals, it offers benchmarks by which they can advance their skills and places their businesses on sounder footing. And for all those who dream of turning a fascinating hobby into a successful career, Professional Genealogy details the preparation and the processes.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0806316489
• ISBN13: 9780806316482
• Release Date: September 2009
• Publisher: Genealogical Publishing Company
• Length: 682 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.7" x 8.8" x 11.2"

Customer Reviews

A LOT of Good Ideas in This Book!

I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library as I have been exploring the possibility of self-employment in this field. I found a LOT of good ideas that I had never thought of before!!!! Once I can afford to, I plan to purchase a copy of this book so I can refer to it INDEFINITELY!!!!

If You're Serious About Your Genealogy...

This book was a splurge for me, but one that I can definitely say was well worth it! I thought I knew quite a bit about genealogy research, but this book has taught me so much more. Each chapter is written by a professional genealogist who specializes in the topic. While some chapters are geared towards genealogists starting their own research business, most are helpful to all genealogists. Lots of excellent examples of proper research methods and techniques.

A must have for Professional Genealogists and Hobbiests Alik

You don't have to be a professional to benefit immensely from Professional Genealogy. I purchased this book when I first began offering my services as a professional researcher, and wished I had acquired it sooner. The book is filled with useful information for professional and hobbyist alike, such as tips on building a library of "essential texts" (including an extensive list of resources for ethnic research), samples of research reports and guidelines for proper reporting, steps for determining the validity of a document, as well as the validity of published research...the list goes on. Each chapter has been created by a different expert in the field of genealogy, it is well cited, and gives a list of further recommended reading. I used this text everyday as I was developing my company, and it walked me through the complicated process of writing business plans, creating and executing contracts, organizing, filing, and marketing. This is the perfect gift for the aspiring professional, or anyone who is serious about genealogical research.

Of immense practical value in the field

Ably edited by Elizabeth Mills, Professional Genealogy: A Manual For Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers, And Librarians is a core title for any private or professional genealogical reference book collection. Family historians wanting to do independent study, genealogy students needed to familiarize themselves with research standards and resources, professionals in search of benchmarks against which to measure their skills and expertise, will find Professional Genealogy to be an expansive (680 pages) encyclopedia text and indexed reference of immense practical value in the field of genealogical research and recording.

Professional Genealogy

This comprehensive manual for professional genealogists is a "must have" for any serious genealogical researcher. Each chapter, which contains sections written by 23 professional genealogists, covers a different aspect of using professional skills to produce quality work. The topics covered include every aspect of professional genealogy, from legalities and ethics, to education, research, compiling research reports, and publishing. Although the manual is intended for professional genealogists, I would strongly recommend it to every hobbyist. There are chapters which are obviously more useful to the professional, such as, "Career Management", but most of the topics simply pertain to producing quality work, and would benefit the serious hobbyist. With 654 pages, it covers the same amount of material as several "lighter" books. It would be hard to imagine a question that is not covered by this manual, which is destined to become the standard in this field.