Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers, and Librarians

by Elizabeth Shown Mills (Editor)

Professional Genealogy is a manual by professionals for everyone serious about genealogy. For family historians who want to do their own study, reliably, it describes the standards. For hobbyists, attorneys, and medical scientists who seek professional researchers, it's a consumer guide that defines quality and facilitates choices. For academics as they increasingly cross over into genealogy - as well as librarians who struggle to help a whole new class of patrons - it provides a bridge to the methods, sources, and minutiae of "history, up-close and personal." For established genealogical professionals, it offers benchmarks by which they can advance their skills and place their businesses on sounder footing. For all those who dream of turning a fascinating hobby into a successful career, Professional Genealogy details the preparation and the processes.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Research

682 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2001

Reviews

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don't learn from this book. You absorb!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a classic and is for anyone interested in entering the world of professional genealogy. This manual has some outdated sections as it relates to technology and various current educational opportunities/resources (my only reason for four stars instead of five). However, there is a great deal that is still relevant and worthwhile.

I also have the more recent follow-up manual titled Profesional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice, and Standards. Both are excellent books and equally deserve places in the libraries of profesional genealogists. I read many of the equivalent chapters across both manuals simulatenously and found valuable elements in each. In some cases, I preferred the older version and in other cases I preferred the newer version. Thus, I do recommend owning both.

Finally, the authors of the chapters of in each book are well-recognized and acclaimed genealogists in our field. Their wisdom is worth reading and absorbing in order to fully meet one's genealogical potential.

[Robyn Choate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for the basics - is a bit outdated and new book is now available.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great information for any genealogists

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Glad I got through it with my study group.

[Larry Gambrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource. I enjoyed reading every page.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me, this was a massive textbook full of commmon sense, and very little I didn't already know. I suppose if you're trying to become a professional genealogist without having a college education this book would be valuable, but most of its insights will have been learned in any college writing class, or any genealogy courses one has taken.

[Denielle]

This massive book is invaluable to anyone wanting to introduce more professionalism into their genealogy. Topics included are preparation for a career in genealogy, ethics, career management, research skills, writing, publishing and teaching.

[Melissa Brooks · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wouldn't recommend this as a light read unless you have to read it or seriously want to become a professional genealogist.

[Darren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Has everything you need to know to become a genealogist.

[Cari Taplin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book on Professional Genealogy. Of course it could be updated (which might be happening even now), but it's still very relevant and the ProGen study groups are amazing!

[Peggy Clemens Lauritzen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolute MUST for the genealogist - whether professional or not - in assuring that research is done correctly.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have book for anyone doing family research for themselves or professionally.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read book for anyone doing serious genealogy. It addresses both methodology and the business aspects of professional genealogy.

[Cat von Hassel-Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great resource for your genealogy library

[Tina Sansone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have for any serious geneaologist. I highly recommend for all researchers, those professional and those doing it as a hobby.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent resource for anyone who wants to pursue a career as a professional genealogist! Very in-depth. Lots of good information.