Asking your parents about your family only goes so far. Even they can’t remember every single person in the family, and they likely won’t know people going further than a couple of great-grandparents. If you want to learn more about your ancestry and how to get started with genealogy research, there are generally three options for you. You can do it yourself, use genealogy sites and services, or employ a genealogy researcher for hire on a top online freelance marketplace like Guru.
What Is Family Genealogy Research?
Family genealogy research is the process of collecting and analyzing data on the origins and history of a family. It involves combing through different public records, information repositories, and more to learn about the connections between multiple generations in a person’s lineage.
There are plenty of ways to research family genealogy, and the cost of genealogy research will ultimately depend on which method you choose. You can do it yourself, but if you’d like to get a more in-depth explanation of your ancestry, it’s best to hire a professional genealogy researcher to do the job.
DIY Family Genealogy Research
Pros and Cons of DIY Family Genealogy Research
DIY family genealogy research will save you money because you won’t have to pay for the subscriptions or fees that often come with alternative options. Plus, you may find it more rewarding to uncover the ins and outs of your family yourself; many people have even turned family genealogy research into a worthwhile hobby.
That said, going the DIY route will take more time. Plus, without the right expertise, you may be unable to derive the same conclusions as the pros would, which would mean you’d be missing out on some key details about your family.
Using Genealogy Services to Research Family Genealogy
Another cost-effective but more convenient way to research family genealogy is through genealogy services. These are typically businesses or sites that offer to do the legwork on research in exchange for a small fee or subscription.
Pros and Cons of Using Genealogy Services
Genealogy services make family genealogy research easier and more convenient, but they often only give you a peek into the surface of your family tree (unless you pay more). It’s great if you only want to know the basics or have a specific question you need answered, but it’s rare to see one giving you the full picture of your family origins.
Hiring a Genealogist to Research Family Genealogy
Hiring a genealogist to research your lineage is the best way to truly immerse yourself in your family history. Genealogists often have access to a pool of resources, plus they have the know-how to analyze and decipher information to point you towards accurate representations in your tree.
Pros and Cons of Hiring a Genealogist
There are many benefits to hiring a genealogist. They can access data that can be difficult to get for individuals like yourself, and they’re ready to conduct research in a more timely and accurate manner.
You can be sure that they’re exhausting all their leads to ensure that you get the information you need. The only caveat is that it’s the most pricey of all family genealogy research methods. You can expect to pay an average of $60 an hour for a genealogy researcher’s services (though it could start as low as $30 to $40 hourly), but it’s well worth the price if you’re ready to start learning about the truth of your family history.
Learn About Your Family History with a Freelance Genealogy Researcher from Guru
If you’re looking to get a comprehensive insight into your family tree, you can hire a freelance genealogy researcher from Guru to address your needs. Finding the right person for the job is easy on our top online freelance platform–you can simply upload a free job listing to attract potential hires or browse through the search page to find a professional that fits your criteria and needs.
Then, hire your perfect researcher in just a few clicks, and manage everything related to the job–including payments–right on the site. Find a freelance genealogy researcher on Guru today to learn more about your family history!
