Genealogy is the study of your ancestral descent from a single ancestor, tracing that bloodline continuously throughout numerous generations. Today, it is a popular hobby for people all over the world, appealing to both amateurs and professionals. Whether you want to become a genealogist for the sole purpose of tracing your own roots, or you want to become a certified professional genealogist and get paid to research other people's family roots, there are many options available to you as you embark upon this exciting genre of human history. Read on to learn how to become a genealogist.

Have you ever wondered about your heritage; whether or not you have royal bloodlines dating back to the middle ages, or whether your great grandfather fought upon a famous battlefield? Today, more and more people are taking up genealogy research, learning how to trace their familial roots back through the centuries. Due in part to the growing popularity of online genealogy websites, becoming a genealogist is something even a beginner can excel at. This page will provide you with information on how to become a genealogist.

Genealogists study and trace the ancestral descent of families, following the descendants of a single ancestor continuously from generation to generation. Genealogists trace these bloodlines by performing genealogy research, creating family trees and pedigree charts. Research they may perform includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Studying census records
2. Obtaining copies of birth, death and marriage certificates
3. Researching probate records, both estate records and guardianship papers
4. Studying military records
5. Obtaining land records
6. Studying old newspapers and city directories
7. Reading obituaries
8. Obtaining funeral records
9. Locating circuit court records

In addition to performing the above types of research, genealogists also engage in DNA testing, which can only be performed on males that are direct, paternal descendants of the family being traced.

Now that you have an idea of what genealogy is and the types of documents genealogists are required to study, it is important for you to learn and understand how genealogy works. You should:

1. Attend genealogy workshops and conferences, learning about genealogy research and how to analyze the specific documents such as land or census records. These workshops will often offer specific areas for you to study, including entire lectures and instruction on certain sections of genealogical research such as military research, researching church records or learning how to build a family tree
2. Talk to other genealogists; consider watching them work and asking them as many questions as they will answer.
3. Read books on genealogy and specific accounts of individual families
4. Visit online genealogical communities such as GenForum or Rootsweb. Consider becoming a paid member of ancestry.com. The website offers free, two week trial memberships and is a great way to learn about the various research materials available.
5. Start researching your own family! Practice is the best way to learn and gain experience.

The next step is to decide your purpose for pursuing genealogy. Do you want to perform family research as a hobby, or do you think it is something that you can make money doing, whether full-time or on a part-time, freelance level?.

1. Personal Genealogists are those that do genealogy work as a hobby. You may pursue your own family tree, or volunteer to help others
2. Professional genealogists get paid for their services, whether in an official capacity at a library or genealogical society, or in the private, freelance arena. All professional genealogists must become certified by The Board for Certification of Genealogists.

If you decide to become a professional genealogist, now is the time to start working toward your certification. You can go here for detailed information on the certification process. Some tips for getting prepared include:

1. Build a portfolio. The board will evaluate some of your work samples, so start working on genealogical reports, including the construction of family trees, descendant charts, etc.
2. Attend college, genealogical workshops or conferences, and specific genealogy courses that you can show the board you have completed
3. Participate in all things genealogy, including joining societies or volunteering in genealogy related societies or for genealogy related activities

Once you have been certified, you can seek work in numerous capacities. You can apply for a job at:

1. A genealogical library or regular library
2. At an online genealogy website
3. At a courthouse
4. Offer your services to researchers by posting in online communities or through genealogical libraries or societies