Setting up as a 'professional' researcher???

[Jane0601]

Not sure if this is the right place for this, but here goes.....

I have been thinking about setting up as a semi-professional researcher (for money) and wondered if anyone had done this, how they went about it, etc.

Due to other commitments I'd initially only be able to do online research (census/bmd stuff). 

Do you think there is a market for this?

I'd appreciate any views (positive OR negative)

Thanks,


Jane

[Necromancer]

theres another thread around on this very topic.

Try searching RC threads ?

I think there is a market, based on what was said - and the ever increasing popularity of the 'hobby' .... but I suspect you wont get rich overnight !

You might just tackle it as a cottage industry, helping family, friends et al locally and see if it blossoms ....

A qualification would help - again, theres a thread on that topic.

I'll have a look for the threads.

 

[EDO]

Hello Jane0601

As you have no doubt noticed the members of Rootschat provide a wonderful service in all aspects of Genealogy, 'Free of Cost".

You will have these people who are very generous with their time and energy, as your competitors.

Also, you have no doubt noticed that CENSUS material is Crown Copyright.

\Good luck

EDO

[Jane0601]

Hello Jane0601

As you have no doubt noticed the members of Rootschat provide a wonderful service in all aspects of Genealogy, 'Free of Cost".

You will have these people who are very generous with their time and energy, as your competitors.

Also, you have no doubt noticed that CENSUS material is Crown Copyright.

\Good luck

EDO

Yes, I understand what you are saying re. Rootschat - people on here have indeed helped me out of a brick wall, and I have also offerred Lookups on other sites.  But if there wasn't a market for researchers, then there wouldn't be any!

I'm not sure what you are saying about the census material being copyright - what do other researchers do if the information can not be passed on to interested parties?  We're not talking about downloading the whole lot and offerring access free of charge to anyone who wants it!

Its not something I'm looking to make a lot of money on, but if you can earn a few pounds doing something you love, then why not?!

[Jane0601]

theres another thread around on this very topic.

Try searching RC threads ?

I think there is a market, based on what was said - and the ever increasing popularity of the 'hobby' .... but I suspect you wont get rich overnight !

You might just tackle it as a cottage industry, helping family, friends et al locally and see if it blossoms ....

A qualification would help - again, theres a thread on that topic.

I'll have a look for the threads.

 

Was this the thread you were talking about?

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,227683.0.html


Some useful suggestions and information there anyway, so thanks for pointing me in the right direction


Jane

[lizdb]

I have read this thread and the one linked with interest.

I too have often wondered about, and recently thought more seriously about, setting up as a self-employed researcher as a paid job.

I havent wondered so much about how much to charge - there are some good pointers though on the other thread - but more about things like:
 - Can you just advertise, or is there a 'prafessional' qualification needed before you can say you are a genealogist and charge for services as such?
 - do you need things like public liabliltiy insuarance in case someone sues you for ... well I dont quite know what!!
 - Where is the best place to see 'clients', regarding safety. This was my hubby's first thought, if I advertised say in the local newsagent and some unknown person responds and says he wants to make an appointment to discuss his family tree with me, if I am alone in the house, how do I know he isnt going to rob/attack/rape/murder me?

[Jane0601]

I have read this thread and the one linked with interest.

I too have often wondered about, and recently thought more seriously about, setting up as a self-employed researcher as a paid job.

I havent wondered so much about how much to charge - there are some good pointers though on the other thread - but more about things like:
 - Can you just advertise, or is there a 'prafessional' qualification needed before you can say you are a genealogist and charge for services as such?
 - do you need things like public liabliltiy insuarance in case someone sues you for ... well I dont quite know what!!
 - Where is the best place to see 'clients', regarding safety. This was my hubby's first thought, if I advertised say in the local newsagent and some unknown person responds and says he wants to make an appointment to discuss his family tree with me, if I am alone in the house, how do I know he isnt going to rob/attack/rape/murder me?

I hadn't really thought about your third point.  I was kind of working on the assumption that most of it would be done via email/phone/post.  I would be very wary about seeing anyone in their own home I think.

I suppose you could meet at a library or somewhere of that nature (although they may not like too much talking!)

Food for thought though!

[jksdelver]

I did research at one time. The only problem being is you may search for a full day and find nothing. How do you convince your client that's what you have done. You (in general) can only start searching with the information you are given by them. So if they say that their family comes from a small town in Yorkshire, that's where you start your research, looking at PR's and the like.  It may be that the family comes from a town some miles away, so your time has been wasted.

[Necromancer]

if I advertised say in the local newsagent and some unknown person responds and says he wants to make an appointment to discuss his family tree with me, if I am alone in the house, how do I know he isnt going to rob/attack/rape/murder me?

probably best not to get up in the morning then