Diploma in Family HistoryDiploma in Family History

Professional genealogy

Medieval Irish GenealogyMedieval Irish Genealogy

Beware of O’Hart!

Ulster King of ArmsUlster King of Arms

1552

Sir William BethamSir William Betham

1759-1853

Sir Bernard BurkeSir Bernard Burke

1814-1892

Gertrude ThriftGertrude Thrift

1911

The Genealogical OfficeThe Genealogical Office

1943-1988Rosemary ffolliott

Ulster Historical FoundationUlster Historical Foundation

Originally “Scots-Irish Historical Foundation”

www.ancestryireland.com

Hibernian ResearchHibernian Research

1980-2001

APGIAPGI

The Association of Professional Genealogists in Ireland: www.apgi.ie

Heritage centres?Heritage centres?

EneclannEneclann

1998 to date

Getting workGetting work

NAI/NLI listingWebsiteAds?APGI BrochuresMarketing...?

Full processFull process

Initial assessment Quotation for hours assessedClient paysGenealogist works to hours assessedGenealogist writes report

Initial assessmentInitial assessment

Get everything they know– “One thing I need to be certain about is that you have told me all

you know. It is important that I do not spend research time uncovering information that you already have.”

Manage expectationsPayment?If Irish research not possible, suggest ...

Quotation for hours assessedQuotation for hours assessed

Including expenses?Standard packages?Underestimate? Overestimate?

Client paysClient pays

PayPalOther online paymentsAvoid overseas cheques!Payment before research because no guarantee of results

Genealogist works to hours assessedGenealogist works to hours assessed

In my experience …

Genealogist writes reportGenealogist writes report

which very often takes longer than the research …online difference – write as draft as research proceeds

Other models?Other models?

Family?The experience of Irish WorldYou are helping someone with their family history. You are NOT doing it for them.

Report writingReport writing

PrinciplesAbsolutely required:

1. Summary of information supplied by client.2. Narrative account of research process (“First ... Then,

because... For this reason, next ...”)3. Reasons for choice of research sources (relevance)4. Findings in each source transcribed and explained5. Detailed list of all sources consulted, including years,

references and locations

Report writingReport writing

PrinciplesHighly desirable:

1. Sketch pedigree.2. Digital images of records3. Interpretation and judgement where evidence is

ambiguous

Step-by-step componentsStep-by-step components

Report components1. Starting summary

Summary of starting information, and As labouriously explicit as possible, Avoid possible misinterpretationAny specific goals of the client

2. Research ProcessResearch process or family narrative?Reasons for sourcesDescription of sources (or directions to descriptions)Explicit repetition of record contentsChain of logic, not necessarily chronologicalProof summariesBalance of evidenceArgument

3. ConclusionsRepetitionSummary of findingsRepeat of argumentRecommendations for further research

4. Sources Complete!Repositories visitedRecorded searchedYears coveredBooks consulted (full publication details)Websites used (dated)

See: www.bcgcertification.org/ for sampleswww.progenealogists.com/citations.htm for citation guides