“I am the product of all the ancestors getting together and deciding these stories need to be told”-Rupi Kaur

Ancestry and genealogy are interesting things. Your ancestors have shaped who you are and the type of life that you currently have. As the famous poet Rupi Kaur says in her poem, you are a product of your ancestors. In this article, we’ll provide you with answers to what a professional genealogist does. We’ll also provide 4 reasons why you should hire a genealogist. So, if you’re interested in learning more about yourself and your family’s history, keep reading.

What is a professional genealogist?

A genealogist, as we mentioned in a previous article, is an expert in family history and lineage. The genealogist finds out about your family history and background by using things like genetic testing, birth and marriage certificates, and even oral and written accounts. A genealogist may also use libraries, archives and other documents that they can get a hold of through different sources of information. 

When you hire a genealogist, they will find out what type of information you’re looking for by asking you about yourself and your history. The genealogist will then try to find the answers to the questions that you have about your family history and ancestry. 

4 Reasons To Hire a Professional Genealogist

Although different people hire professional genealogists for different reasons, we will focus on some of the most common reasons. These are also reasons why you should consider hiring a professional genealogist. 

You have questions about your ancestry and don’t know what to do

One of the most common reasons that individuals or families come to us as professional genealogists is because they have questions but don’t know how to go about getting the answers. For example, a lot of people assume that they can find their ancestry information by themselves. This is due to advancements in technology and more libraries and archives being opened to the public. These archives have also been digitalized. Think of how the Ellis Island Foundation has digitized their immigration records and opened it for the public to research. Some people assume that pulling up a record of their ancestor will be easy, when in fact, it’s tricky. Things like the relationship between the client and their ancestor, the ancestor’s spelling of their last name, and the script used to write in all shape the type of information you can find on your own. This can sometimes lead to finding the wrong information. 

So, if you’re frustrated and have been searching for answers to your ancestry, then a professional genealogist would be able to help you. A genealogist like those found in Heritage Consulting, would help you find the correct information. 

You want to know of ancestry that could impact your current financial situation

Sometimes, people come into our office because they’re curious to find out more about whether they have an ancestor who left capital behind. For example, some people find out that they might have had a wealthy ancestor who left behind an estate or inheritance. Knowing about things like things, then shapes their access to the inheritance that might be theirs. 

A professional genealogist would be able to locate any potential inheritance that is yours or which you might have a claim to. 

You have a desire to belong to something

Another reason that people come to our office for help with genealogy is because they have a desire to belong to something. Sometimes, it might be the desire to belong to an organization. Think of Daughters of the American Revolution or Sons of the American Revolution. On the other hand, some people come to our office wanting to know what culture or background they “belong” to. 

Seeking to understand where you belong is natural to humans. In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, a diagram that’s foundational to psychology, belonging is the third aspect that we need, right after things like food, shelter and safety. At Heritage Consulting, we honor the desire to belong, and will help you in your journey. 

You’re genuinely curious about your ancestry

Finally, many people are interested in consulting with a professional genealogist because they’re genuinely curious about their lineage and background. Sometimes, people come into our office because they want to know what their cultural background is or what they might be “mixed” with. Other times, people are just curious to know about the lives that their ancestors lived. 

Heritage Consulting Can Help You No Matter What Your Reason Is

Regardless of the reason behind why you want to find out more about your ancestors, at Heritage Consulting, we can help you! We believe that finding out more about your ancestors history can help you find the answers that you’re looking for. 
Rather than trying to do it on your own, contact us at (877) 537-2000. You can also contact us here.