Unfortunately, the genealogy industry is not immune to scamming and fraudsters. Most of us working as freelance genealogists or for small businesses are highly-qualified professionals who know what we're doing and have the accreditation and qualifications to confirm that. But from a client's point of view, how do you choose an expert for your own family research project?
Smart Searching
One of the easiest tools to use to make sure you are dealing with a genuine company is to use a search engine. If you type my name into Google you'll find not just this website but also my listing on the family history speakers website, my Rootstech speaker biography, a link to the podcast I spoke on - and more. If you find that the person you have been emailing has no relevant hits related to genealogy, you might be dealing with a faker.
Accreditation
There are some very experienced genealogists out there who have been doing it for decades but have never taken any qualifications or become a member of any genealogy organisations. If you've received a personal recommendation from someone who has used a genealogist in the past and is delighted with the service, then that is a great approach to take. If you don't have a personal recommendation, most genealogists are members of at least one professional body. In the UK, the main bodies are Register of Qualified Genealogists (RQG), https://www.agra.org.uk/research(AGRA), or their Scottish partner, ASGRA. In Ireland, Accredited Genealogists Ireland is the main trade body, or in North America, APGEN, the Association of Professional Genealogists. These professional organisations have entrance requirements, so you know that you will be working with someone who has demonstrated their capabilities.
Specialisations
My speciality is (obviously) Scottish research, and I also have loads of experience researching in the rest of the UK and Ireland. That's my niche, and I am more than happy sticking to it! I do have loads of connections in the genealogy community though and am happy to point you in the right direction for the best person for your individual project. For example, if you need help with DNA and your Irish ancestry I'd recommend Kayleigh at the Irish Family History Centre in Dublin, for Lancashire/north of England specialist research I'd send you to Kim, or if you are looking at a Welsh family, Fiona. Be wary of any genealogist who promises to research effectively in any country, any time period, any language. I'm always happy to answer emails and make recommendations.
So if you are interested in research, do your checks first. Any genuine genealogist will answer emails, discuss scope, or tell you if what you're proposing is possible before asking for cash.
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