Good morning! I have been reading this line with interest. It points to some questions that I have been working through my brain. They are related to Debbie's comments: <<When/if you specialize in a certain area (state, region, etc.), you will become familiar with those records. >> 1st question: I would like to start my CG but I am stumped by the very first step on the preliminary application. What do you do if you do not have a certain area that you have specialized in? I live near Salt Lake City and work at the SLFHL often. I know how to use the library well and the records that are there. But I do not "specialize" in Utah or the surrounding states because my family lines are not there. They are more in Wisconsin, Illinois, New York, and Hungary. I do understand the importance of living close to the area or region so that you can visit archives and do footwork when necessary. I checked the archives for the TGF and did not find an answer to this. 2nd question: I have an interest in land records. I have used them some and am intrigued about the information that can be available when researching them. Are there any good land classes out there? I am registered for SLIG this coming January and will be in Josh Taylor's class, "Bridging the 1780-1830 Gap: New England to the Midwest" and am planning on attending the NGS conference this spring. Are there other options available to gain some in-depth training pertaining to land records? With that said, could I use land records, once I feel I am knowledgeable enough, as a specialty (instead of a region) for my portfolio? Thank you so much. I appreciate the knowledge base that is out there to help. Patty McIntyre Linked2Ancestors On Wed, Nov 7, 2012 at 10:39 AM, Debbie Hooper <debbiehooper@verizon.net>wrote: > Connie, > > Harold and Jay have made very good points. I just wanted to add the > following. > > When/if you specialize in a certain area (state, region, etc.), you will > become familiar with those records. It will become easier for you to > determine how much time a project will take and if a project is feasible. > Just one of the perks of experience. > > Hindsight is 20/20, but I think the next time a client approaches you with > such vague goals/objectives in such a short period of time, your first > response to them will probably be to educate them as to what is possible. > > Rest assured that you are better off without taking on this project. It > sounds like they contacted several people at the same time. Some clients > are not as concerned about the quality of research as others. > > Chalk it up to a lesson learned. Good luck in your future endeavors! > > Debbie Hooper > Delmarva Genealogy Associates > Specializing in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia > > -----Original Message----- > From: transitional-genealogists-forum-bounces@rootsweb.com > [mailto:transitional-genealogists-forum-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of > Rvsailor@aol.com > Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2012 10:12 AM > To: transitional-genealogists-forum@rootsweb.com > Subject: [TGF] Before the Contract > > Good Morning, All! > > I am in the process of working toward certification. I have been > researching for family and friends for nearly 30 years, always pro bono. > I > recently completed the Boston University research course in preparation to > expand my research services. > > Monday, I was contacted via Internet about a potential research project. > In the initial contact I was asked about my rates and whether I could > accomplish the research (a very vague goal of a Christmas gift to her > father of his potential heritage from Ireland or Scotland) before > Christmas. I responded with some general information on rates and > indicated the information I would need to determine an estimate of costs > and my ability to meet the Christmas deadline. The potential client > provided "what she knows" Tuesday morning which was basic information to > her father's grandparents all born in Northern Georgia and I am located > Florida. I spent some time on the Internet to identify the scope of what > was readily available and identify whether the Ireland or Scotland > connection appeared on census or other on-line records. My next step was > to send another email explaining that we would need to discuss her > specific > goals so I could provide her a proposed quote and contract. I explained > my > policy of obtaining a 4 hour research retainer with the contract. Her > next > email thanked me for my time and explained that her mother had already > found another genealogist for the research. I was disappointed but feel > the > process was an additional learning experience. > > My question. How much time should I have spent on this initial research > and as professional genealogists, how are these hours recouped > financially? > > As the saying goes, "Time is money." One thing I noted in the BU course > was that I took more time than the instructors indicated when factoring in > time spent for writing reports and pre contract research. I realize the > more times specific actions are accomplished, the quicker results will be > obtained. > > Thanks! Connie Bradshaw > The Transitional Genealogists List was created to provide a supportive > environment for genealogists to learn best practices as they transition to > professional level work. Please respect the kind intentions of this list. > ------------------------------- > 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 > ----- > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 2012.0.2221 / Virus Database: 2441/5379 - Release Date: 11/07/12 > > The Transitional Genealogists List was created to provide a supportive > environment for genealogists to learn best practices as they transition to > professional level work. Please respect the kind intentions of this list. > ------------------------------- > 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 >

Patty -- BCG asks about specialization, not necessarily to commit you forever to one area, but because they want to send you a document (of their choice) for part 3 of the portfolio (document work) that is in a region and a language that you are familiar with. The point is what you know best now. Your decision about future specialization may be the same or it may wait. As for that future decision, I trust one of our Salt Lake City researchers may suggest their take on specialties. It is a different kind of decision there, or in Washington DC, than it is out here in the boonies! Harold On Wed, Nov 7, 2012 at 12:34 PM, Patricia McIntyre < linked2ancestors@gmail.com> wrote: > Good morning! > > I have been reading this line with interest. It points to some questions > that I have been working through my brain. They are related to Debbie's > comments: > > <<When/if you specialize in a certain area (state, region, etc.), you will > become familiar with those records. >> > > 1st question: I would like to start my CG but I am stumped by the very > first step on the preliminary application. What do you do if you do not > have a certain area that you have specialized in? I live near Salt Lake > City and work at the SLFHL often. I know how to use the library well and > the records that are there. But I do not "specialize" in Utah or the > surrounding states because my family lines are not there. They are more in > Wisconsin, Illinois, New York, and Hungary. I do understand the importance > of living close to the area or region so that you can visit archives and do > footwork when necessary. I checked the archives for the TGF and did not > find an answer to this. > > 2nd question: I have an interest in land records. I have used them some and > am intrigued about the information that can be available when researching > them. Are there any good land classes out there? I am registered for SLIG > this coming January and will be in Josh Taylor's class, "Bridging the > 1780-1830 Gap: New England to the Midwest" and am planning on attending the > NGS conference this spring. Are there other options available to gain > some in-depth training pertaining to land records? With that said, could I > use land records, once I feel I am knowledgeable enough, as a specialty > (instead of a region) for my portfolio? > > Thank you so much. I appreciate the knowledge base that is out there to > help. > > Patty McIntyre > Linked2Ancestors > > On Wed, Nov 7, 2012 at 10:39 AM, Debbie Hooper <debbiehooper@verizon.net > >wrote: > > > Connie, > > > > Harold and Jay have made very good points. I just wanted to add the > > following. > > > > When/if you specialize in a certain area (state, region, etc.), you will > > become familiar with those records. It will become easier for you to > > determine how much time a project will take and if a project is feasible. > > Just one of the perks of experience. > > > > Hindsight is 20/20, but I think the next time a client approaches you > with > > such vague goals/objectives in such a short period of time, your first > > response to them will probably be to educate them as to what is possible. > > > > Rest assured that you are better off without taking on this project. It > > sounds like they contacted several people at the same time. Some clients > > are not as concerned about the quality of research as others. > > > > Chalk it up to a lesson learned. Good luck in your future endeavors! > > > > Debbie Hooper > > Delmarva Genealogy Associates > > Specializing in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: transitional-genealogists-forum-bounces@rootsweb.com > > [mailto:transitional-genealogists-forum-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf > Of > > Rvsailor@aol.com > > Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2012 10:12 AM > > To: transitional-genealogists-forum@rootsweb.com > > Subject: [TGF] Before the Contract > > > > Good Morning, All! > > > > I am in the process of working toward certification. I have been > > researching for family and friends for nearly 30 years, always pro bono. > > I > > recently completed the Boston University research course in preparation > to > > expand my research services. > > > > Monday, I was contacted via Internet about a potential research project. > > In the initial contact I was asked about my rates and whether I could > > accomplish the research (a very vague goal of a Christmas gift to her > > father of his potential heritage from Ireland or Scotland) before > > Christmas. I responded with some general information on rates and > > indicated the information I would need to determine an estimate of costs > > and my ability to meet the Christmas deadline. The potential client > > provided "what she knows" Tuesday morning which was basic information to > > her father's grandparents all born in Northern Georgia and I am located > > Florida. I spent some time on the Internet to identify the scope of what > > was readily available and identify whether the Ireland or Scotland > > connection appeared on census or other on-line records. My next step > was > > to send another email explaining that we would need to discuss her > > specific > > goals so I could provide her a proposed quote and contract. I explained > > my > > policy of obtaining a 4 hour research retainer with the contract. Her > > next > > email thanked me for my time and explained that her mother had already > > found another genealogist for the research. I was disappointed but feel > > the > > process was an additional learning experience. > > > > My question. How much time should I have spent on this initial research > > and as professional genealogists, how are these hours recouped > > financially? > > > > As the saying goes, "Time is money." One thing I noted in the BU course > > was that I took more time than the instructors indicated when factoring > in > > time spent for writing reports and pre contract research. I realize the > > more times specific actions are accomplished, the quicker results will > be > > obtained. > > > > Thanks! Connie Bradshaw > > The Transitional Genealogists List was created to provide a supportive > > environment for genealogists to learn best practices as they transition > to > > professional level work. Please respect the kind intentions of this list. > > ------------------------------- > > 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 > > ----- > > No virus found in this message. > > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > > Version: 2012.0.2221 / Virus Database: 2441/5379 - Release Date: 11/07/12 > > > > The Transitional Genealogists List was created to provide a supportive > > environment for genealogists to learn best practices as they transition > to > > professional level work. Please respect the kind intentions of this list. > > ------------------------------- > > 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 > > > The Transitional Genealogists List was created to provide a supportive > environment for genealogists to learn best practices as they transition to > professional level work. Please respect the kind intentions of this list. > ------------------------------- > 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 > -- Harold Henderson midwestroots.net Research, Writing, and Brickwall Dismantling from Northwest Indiana Regularly Researching at the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center Certified Genealogist (SM) No. 1029 Certified Genealogist and CG are proprietary service marks of the Board for Certification of Genealogists® used by the Board to identify its program of genealogical competencyevaluation and used under license by the Board’s associates.

Hi Patricia, I am also in SLC, and I don't do UT research. I have not pursued being a CG. Being here is a *little* different. Where people in other areas may specialize only in their county, or neighboring counties, or if they are near their state archives, they may specialize in their whole state. I think many in SLC end up specializing in an area where their own ancestry was from, because that's where they started their research. I do mostly MD, VA, NC, KY, TN. Of course once you get to the eastern shore of MD, there will be overlap with DE. Many NC or MD lines may go back to PA, so I also do a lot there. With all the other southern states you may have lines that originated in NC or VA, but the client's line is stuck in another southern state. So, I do some here and there in all the southern states to get them back to the more familiar "area of specialization." After a while, not only do you know the statewide records, but you know individual counties and automatically what is available, when they were formed, and what counties were formed from them without looking. You see an uncommon surname of a neighbor or associate and automatically think "this goes back to area ----." You know the migration routes, the large rivers, the small streams, and picture them in your mind and how close they are before even looking at a map. So yes, that's what comes through specializing, even if whole states or areas. Many counties were so common in migration, or at one time one county was half the state, that you will see/use those records over and over. If you do a lot of Colonial research as I do or back to when a state was first settled, then you're back to where a state may have had only a handful (well, maybe large handful) of counties, and you will definitely see/use records of those counties again and again. The one thing of specializing and being in SLC is knowing what exists but is NOT here, and developing contacts that can get those records when needed. Rick Saunders -----Original Message----- From: transitional-genealogists-forum-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:transitional-genealogists-forum-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Patricia McIntyre Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2012 11:35 AM To: Debbie Hooper Cc: transitional-genealogists-forum@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [TGF] Areas and Specializations Good morning! I have been reading this line with interest. It points to some questions that I have been working through my brain. They are related to Debbie's comments: <<When/if you specialize in a certain area (state, region, etc.), you will become familiar with those records. >>

Hi Rick, Thanks for writing. It was informative to hear from someone who is here in SLC. Actually you could be from anywhere that there is a large repository, library, or archives. It does put a certain twist on things. I especially like your last comment. <<The one thing of specializing and being in SLC is knowing what exists but is NOT here, and developing contacts that can get those records when needed.>> Thanks for your input. Everyone's comments have given me a lot to think about and consider. Patty McIntyre On Wed, Nov 7, 2012 at 6:00 PM, Fredric Z. Saunders <fzsaund@ix.netcom.com>wrote: > Hi Patricia, > > I am also in SLC, and I don't do UT research. I have not pursued being a > CG. > Being here is a *little* different. Where people in other areas may > specialize only in their county, or neighboring counties, or if they are > near their state archives, they may specialize in their whole state. > > I think many in SLC end up specializing in an area where their own ancestry > was from, because that's where they started their research. I do mostly > MD, > VA, NC, KY, TN. Of course once you get to the eastern shore of MD, there > will be overlap with DE. Many NC or MD lines may go back to PA, so I also > do > a lot there. With all the other southern states you may have lines that > originated in NC or VA, but the client's line is stuck in another southern > state. So, I do some here and there in all the southern states to get them > back to the more familiar "area of specialization." > > After a while, not only do you know the statewide records, but you know > individual counties and automatically what is available, when they were > formed, and what counties were formed from them without looking. You see an > uncommon surname of a neighbor or associate and automatically think "this > goes back to area ----." You know the migration routes, the large rivers, > the small streams, and picture them in your mind and how close they are > before even looking at a map. > > So yes, that's what comes through specializing, even if whole states or > areas. Many counties were so common in migration, or at one time one > county > was half the state, that you will see/use those records over and over. If > you do a lot of Colonial research as I do or back to when a state was first > settled, then you're back to where a state may have had only a handful > (well, maybe large handful) of counties, and you will definitely see/use > records of those counties again and again. > > The one thing of specializing and being in SLC is knowing what exists but > is > NOT here, and developing contacts that can get those records when needed. > > Rick Saunders > > -----Original Message----- > From: transitional-genealogists-forum-bounces@rootsweb.com > [mailto:transitional-genealogists-forum-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of > Patricia McIntyre > Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2012 11:35 AM > To: Debbie Hooper > Cc: transitional-genealogists-forum@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: [TGF] Areas and Specializations > > Good morning! > > I have been reading this line with interest. It points to some questions > that I have been working through my brain. They are related to Debbie's > comments: > > <<When/if you specialize in a certain area (state, region, etc.), you will > become familiar with those records. >> > > > The Transitional Genealogists List was created to provide a supportive > environment for genealogists to learn best practices as they transition to > professional level work. Please respect the kind intentions of this list. > ------------------------------- > 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 >