Are you stuck on a brick wall ancestor and wondering if you should hire a professional genealogist? Need help untangling conflicting evidence? Or perhaps you want someone to review your family history research for accuracy?
Finding the right professional genealogist in Australia can feel overwhelming. Unlike other professions, genealogy isn’t regulated here. Anyone can call themselves a professional genealogist. There’s no single membership body or directory to consult.
This guide will help you navigate the landscape and find a professional who’s the right fit for your project. Don’t forget to download my free Professional Genealogist Evaluation template.
What Makes Someone a Professional Genealogist?
In Australia, a professional genealogist is simply someone who gets paid to do genealogy work. The definition is loose because the field isn’t regulated.
This means you’ll find genealogists with vastly different backgrounds, qualifications, and specialties. Some hold university degrees in history or related fields. Others are self-taught researchers with decades of experience. Others have a lot of enthusiasm but are still quite new to the field.
The key is finding someone whose skills match your specific needs.
When You Need Professional Help
You might benefit from hiring a genealogist if you:
- Are just starting out and need guidance on research methods
- Have hit a brick wall and don’t know what to do next
- Need someone to review and verify your existing research
- Want help creating a research plan that identifies the next steps
- Require specialised skills or knowledge you don’t possess
- Need access to resources you can’t reach
- Don’t have enough time to do the work yourself
- Need professional-looking documentation or reports.
What professionals can do for you:
They can review your evidence objectively and ensure everything has proper source citations. They’ll analyse your research, identify new leads, and create a targeted research plan to give your work direction.
Professional genealogists can fix errors in your family tree or help untangle conflicting information. They often have specialised knowledge in areas like DNA analysis, palaeography (reading old handwriting), foreign languages, or specific countries and time periods.
Many have access to resources you might not, such as international repositories or subscription databases. And they may have software that can produce customised reports and family tree charts.
How to Choose the Right Genealogist
Selecting a genealogist depends entirely on your project. You need the right fit for the job.
Experience is your most important criteria. Look for someone with sufficient experience in genealogy generally, plus expertise in areas relevant to your project. This includes:
- Geographic specialisation (Irish records, Australian colonial records, etc.)
- Time period expertise (18th century records, etc.)
- Source type knowledge (land records, military records, passenger lists, etc.)
- Technical skills (DNA analysis, palaeography, foreign languages, etc.)
Qualifications aren’t essential, but they demonstrate commitment to professional education. In Australia, university options include:
- University of New England (UNE): Graduate Diploma or Advanced Diploma in Local Family and Applied History
- University of Tasmania (UTAS): Diploma of Family History
Non-university options include the Diploma of Family Historical Studies with the Society of Australian Genealogists and various online courses. Some Australian genealogists also study overseas through formal programs or short courses.
Professional memberships aren’t required but may indicate ongoing education and professional standards. Look for memberships in genealogy societies and professional groups.
Fees vary widely since the field is unregulated. If budget is a concern, explore single-person consultancies who may offer competitive rates while maintaining high standards.
Get quotes from multiple genealogists before deciding. Check their payment schedule.
Availability matters. Many professionals have waiting lists. Consider your timeline and any deadlines when making your choice.
Where to Find Professional Genealogists
Unfortunately, there’s no comprehensive directory of Australian genealogists. You’ll need to try several approaches.
Start with referrals. Personal recommendations from other researchers are valuable. Ask at your genealogy society or in online genealogy groups.
Try search engines or AI search tools, but remember these won’t give you a complete picture of available professionals.
Check professional organisations:
Society of Australian Genealogists maintains a list of Diplomats who have completed their Diploma and work professionally
Australasian Association of Genealogists and Record Agents (AAGRA) is often cited as the main professional body, but their member list is limited and many excellent genealogists aren’t members
International organisations may include some Australian members:
- Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) in the USA
- Association of Scottish Genealogists and Researchers in Archives (ASGRA) in Scotland
- Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives (AGRA) in England and Wales
Register of Qualified Genealogists (RQG) is an international directory of genealogists with recognised qualifications. It’s based in England and includes professionals from the UK and worldwide, though it’s unclear how many Australians are registered.
Essential Tips for Success
Prepare thoroughly. Work out exactly what you need done. Pull together a document summarising what you already know. This helps genealogists understand your project and provide accurate quotes.
Communicate clearly. Talk through the project to refine tasks and expectations. Understand what will be done, timeframes, and what format the work will be delivered in.
Start small. If you haven’t worked with a genealogist before, consider doing a small project first. Some will be happy to carry out a preliminary investigation. This lets you test whether the project is viable and if you can work well together before committing to a larger engagement.
Get it in writing. Ensure you have a written contract or agreement with pricing. Read their terms and conditions carefully before signing.
Manage expectations. Professional genealogists can’t guarantee they’ll solve every mystery. Some brick walls remain standing despite the best efforts. Discuss realistic outcomes before starting.
Your Next Steps
Finding the right professional genealogist takes time and research. Start by clearly defining your project needs and budget. Then reach out to several genealogists who seem like good fits.
Remember, the cheapest option isn’t always the best value. Focus on finding someone whose experience and approach match your specific requirements.
With the right professional by your side, you’ll be amazed how your family history can progress.
Need help organising your research and choosing a genealogist? Download my free Professional Genealogist Evaluation Template to prepare your information effectively and make the best choice.
About the Author
Danielle Lautrec is a genealogy educator, researcher, and author of The Good Genealogist. With qualifications in history, family history, and historical archaeology, she used to work as a professional genealogist and now teaches for the Society of Australian Genealogists.
Feature image: AI generated image of woman at desk, created using Flux schnell AI