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Not everyone has the time or skill to research their family history at which point they decide to hire a researcher to provide them with a family history or to deal with specific issues.

If a few enquiries are needed at some far away records office it is usually more economical to hire a local researcher rather than making the trip yourself..

There are three types of researcher available for hire.

Inhouse Researchers at specific places

Places like Records Offices and museums often have a facility for people to request specific items of research are carried out. This is normally done by a member of staff or a person contracted to carry out searches.

There normally is a set procedure and a set fee to pay.

Contact should be made via the relevant place

Family History Society Researchers

Most Family History Society  (FHS) have experienced members who will carry out family history research in respect of their County , area or particular interest.

There normally are set procedures and fees for this research.

Contact should be made via the relevant FHS

Freelance Family History Researchers

These are normally experience genealogists who having researched their family history enjoyed the task so much that they offer their services to research other peoples family history.

The are qualifications such as the certificate in Family History although there is not a recognised universal qualification and many excellent genealogists have no formal qualification but a lot of experience which is probably more valuable.

Sadly there are some researchers who advertise their services but do not provide a good service.

The Association of Genealogists and Record Agents (AGRA) have members who provide genealogy services. AGRA members have a good reputation although they tend to be on the more expensive side.

Many researchers offer general services but specialise in one records office are specific area of expertise.

Researchers advertise in family history magazines or via websites but of course this is proof of their capacity to advertise rather than proof of their ability.

As an example this website is operated by Marshland family historians with expertise in a small area of rural Eastern Essex.

Whilst the research skills are transferable there is little indepth knowledge of researching coal miners whilst there is a great deal of knowledge about farm labourers so to hire Marshland to research a coal miners family may not be productive but in tracing farm labourers they may prove the best.

Researchers tend to fall into two categories. Professional genealogist who make a living and pay the mortgage from their fees and retired people who offer research as a small additional income.

Both categories can offer a good service.

Costs vary from researcher to researcher but charges of £20 to £40 per hour or a 2 generation set  fee of £200 are not uncommon.

Telling the researcher what you want

A researcher will need a clear brief as to your requirements and a copy if the information that you have already found.

This is especially important if you are paying the researcher by the hour as wasted time will be paid for by you.

Negotiate a fee

Never ask for research to be done before you have agreed a fee.

Always ask to be notified before any work is carried out that will increase this fee.

Make sure that the agreement is in writing even if only be e mail.

Shop around amongst researchers until you find the right qualifications and price.

Most genealogists will make a few checks on your requirements and give an estimate free of charge so ask if this is possible.