Setting up as a 'professional' researcher???

[louisa maud]

All of the friends and family I have helped over the years I have never earnt a bean, neither has anyone offered me anything in return, my hairdresser asked me to do some work for her, I still paid for my hair AND  she got a tip, I never got anthing from her, I spent my own fare going to London for her on several occasions, so I don't think you will earn a fortune but I admire your courage.
I have spent many an hour at the FRC and the LMA and come home with nothing, people won't pay for no info.
I only do this to help people because I find it such a fascinating subject.
I don't want to put you off  but Good luck

Louisa Maud

[lizdb]

I know just what you mean, Louisa, sometimes I too have spent hours searching to no avail.

But , if one sets up a business as a researcher, then people will be paying you to search, not paying you only for information found. That would have to be quite clear in your advertising.
So ifor example, if you spend all day at the LMA for a client and find nothing, that doesnt affect your charge. Their 'invoice' (though I favour the idea of paying up front!) would read something like:

7 hours at LMA searching parish records for the parishes of A, B, c, d,e,f,g,h,and i  for the years 1770-1880 for members of the Bloggs family. No trace in any parish found. (fictional names and dates of course)

My plans (and it is all just a dream and I will most likely never do it!) would be to run it as a business. It would be completeyl separate to helping friends, rellies etc and to helping Rottschatters of course! That will always be free!!!! And fun, and willingly done.

[lizdb]

Been looking for an excuse for years!

[Jane0601]

All of the friends and family I have helped over the years I have never earnt a bean, neither has anyone offered me anything in return, my hairdresser asked me to do some work for her, I still paid for my hair AND  she got a tip, I never got anthing from her, I spent my own fare going to London for her on several occasions, so I don't think you will earn a fortune but I admire your courage.
I have spent many an hour at the FRC and the LMA and come home with nothing, people won't pay for no info.
I only do this to help people because I find it such a fascinating subject.
I don't want to put you off  but Good luck

Louisa Maud

I know what you mean!  I've done family trees for family members and have done a couple for people on another (non-genealogy) forum.  I enjoy it so much and I find it hard to ask for money from people I 'know' (albeit that the forum people I've never met in real life but you know what I mean!). 


And regarding people not understanding that you can search for hours and not find anything, yes this is very true.  Theres not many services that people would pay for and expect to (potentially) get absolutely nothing in return.

All in all I think its a nice idea, but theres so many potential pitfalls you could run into I'm not sure its worth doing for a 'few quid' as opposed to going into it as a full time profession.

[louisa maud]

Despite all of this I enjoy this subject, it has become my hobby and for the want of a better word "I love it" it is rewarding

LM

[lizdb]

Hear hear!

[Guy Etchells]

Sorry Jane but if you need to ask such basic questions then you are not ready to become a professional researcher.
Cheers
Guy

[Necromancer]

 

[Jane0601]

Sorry Jane but if you need to ask such basic questions then you are not ready to become a professional researcher.
Cheers
Guy

Sorry, but I don't see what the questions I asked (is there a market for internet only research, and how you go about setting up) has any reflection on my ability to do the job?!