Family tree researchers help individuals discover their family history by identifying ancestors, tracing family lore, and collecting information from family members. They use public records and other sources to deepen the family history and solve family mysteries. Both professional and amateur genealogists can function as researchers.
A family tree researcher is a type of genealogist who helps individuals discover facts about their family history. While this type of research may include tasks such as identifying ancestors and creating a pedigree chart for both maternal and paternal lines, the work will also often involve tracing details related to family lore, enabling people to better appreciate the character and setting in which different ancestors lived. Researchers of this type often work with family members to track down relevant records that help deepen the family history and make it come alive.
One of the strategies used by a family tree researcher is to talk to family members and collect whatever information they have. This can often help in building a family tree that includes at least some names, dates and places. From there, this data can be used to identify what kind of public records can be used to add to this information. For example, the researcher may find that, in addition to using census records from a particular area, consulting records at different houses of worship or even land records and property deeds in the town or village where an ancestor lived will provide further clues about how this person lived and interacted in the community.
Part of a family tree researcher’s job is working as a genealogist. The assembly of basic data provides the platform for a more intense investigation of the lives of ancestors, as this data often allows identifying specific geographic areas on which the research should be focused. This means that even though the family tree is being expanded in terms of the number of identified ancestors, the family tree researcher has the potential to discover forgotten facts that may shed light on family tradition or help solve a family mystery of long date.
Professional and amateur genealogists can function as researchers. Key qualifications for this type of endeavor are familiarity with the strategies used to find information, where to look for that data, and how to use it as a springboard to discover additional information. A professional family tree researcher will typically charge some form of fee for their services, plus expenses if travel is involved in researching a specific relative.
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