David,I did pro bono research for my local society for years before I went pro. I also had a job with the local historic preservation office which gave me tons of experience reading 19th century handwriting. Best wishes, Mary Clement DouglassTranscribing & publishing Kansas genealogical records "If you can’t get rid of the skeleton in your closet, you’d best teach it to dance." – George Bernard Shaw From: David Joyce <djoyce42@gmail.com> To: Harold Henderson <librarytraveler@gmail.com> Cc: Transitional Genealogists <transitional-genealogists-forum@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2016 4:32 PM Subject: Re: [TGF] Inquiry concerning offering Volunteer Genealogical services I want to help people as well because that is what professional genealogists do. I realize that almost all genealogy services are for pay, and I also realize this puts me in an odd situation. On Sun, Sep 25, 2016 at 5:24 PM, David Joyce <djoyce42@gmail.com> wrote: > Understood :}. I temporary owned a business and the liability of owning a > business concerned me. Plus the passion of genealogy began to diminish due > to the business responsibilities. So it's not the level of my skills per > say, I just want to find a way to practice it while I work on the > historical society plan. > > On Sun, Sep 25, 2016 at 5:18 PM, Harold Henderson < > librarytraveler@gmail.com> wrote: > >> David -- >> >> I think we've all practiced our skills doing free research or lookups for >> friends, family, or neighbors. Perhaps a less obtrusive way to the same >> goal would be to monitor queries and requests for help in the counties or >> ethnic groups you plan to specialize in, and offer your services >> individually to them in response. If you are really uncertain about your >> skills, it might be better to work up a report on one of your own ancestors >> and share it with fellow genealogists for their comments. >> >> Everyone sets their own rates; some rationales for how to set them are in >> the appropriate chapter of Professional Genealogy (edited by Elizabeth >> Shown Mills and available in any good genealogy collection), and in APG >> president Billie Fogarty's presentation at last week's Professional >> Management Conference held in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I don't know of any rule >> against advertising free services in the APG directory, but that may not be >> necessary and it would probably generate a number of jokes, as you might >> imagine. >> >> Others may have other opinions or corrections to the above -- good luck! >> >> Harold >> >> Harold Henderson, Certified Genealogist ®  midwestroots.net >> Genealogical writing and editing >> Current research: Boren 1750-1840 PA, >> Flint/Gedney 1800-1950 IL/MO, Thrall 1792-1934 VT/OH/IL >> >> >> On Sun, Sep 25, 2016 at 3:42 PM, David Joyce <djoyce42@gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> Hello Folks, >>> >>> I have a quick question. I have plans to try and get a genealogy related >>> job at a historical society but would still like to practice my >>> professional genealogy skills. I am curious if posting a volunteer >>> genealogical website on the APG directory is fair to other genealogists >>> within the area? I want to be respectful to my fellow genealogists and >>> will >>> do what is best for the genealogical community. >>> >>> >>> Thanks, >>> David >>> >>> ------------------------------- >>> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >>> TRANSITIONAL-GENEALOGISTS-FORUM-request@rootsweb.com with the word >>> 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >>> >> >> > ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to TRANSITIONAL-GENEALOGISTS-FORUM-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message