The Genealogy Professional podcast with Host Marian Pierre-Louis – Interviews with Experienced Genealogists

Paula Stuart-Warren talks about making a living as a full-time researcher, getting involved and getting known and why her credential is important to her business.

Link to the show notes: https://www.thegenealogyprofessional.com/paula-stuart-warren

Do you love writing? Have you ever considered a career as a genealogy mystery writer? Nathan Dylan Goodwin wasn't sure that even existed when he embarked on his writing career. Discover how Nathan carved out a niche for himself as the creator of the Morton Farrier mystery series. You'll learn how to ease into a writing career, to stay on track and get your book written.  And you'll hear some tips on marketing your book and self-publishing.

Direct link to the show notes: https://www.thegenealogyprofessional.com/nathan-dylan-goodwin

Jessica Taylor, President of Legacy Tree Genealogists, talks about what she looks for in potential staff hires, building a genealogy research company, empowering employees, partnering for growth and work/life balance.

Direct link to the show notes: https://www.thegenealogyprofessional.com/jessica-taylor

Join me as we follow the journey of Brian Sheffey from advertising and marketing executive to catching the genealogy bug. Hear how he transformed his life to become a genealogy professional,  published author and YouTube host.

Direct link to the show notes: https://www.thegenealogyprofessional.com/brian-sheffey

Fiona Brooker is a professional genealogist (Memories In Time) who has been actively researching her family history for over 30 years, inspired by two marriage certificates and a collection of family letters written from New Zealand back to her immigrant ancestor’s family in Devon. Whilst living and researching in the UK, she studied and gained a Higher Certificate in Genealogy from the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies. Fiona has served as both President and Treasurer of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists (NZSG). She is currently part of a ProGen study group.

Contact Links

Website – Memories in Time

Facebook Page – Memories in Time

Pinterest – Memories in Time

Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies – https://www.ihgs.ac.uk/

The New Zealand Society of Genealogists – https://www.genealogy.org.nz/

Talking Family History (Facebook) – https://www.facebook.com/talkingfamilyhistory/

Plan to Publish (Facebook) – https://www.facebook.com/groups/PlantoPublishYourFamilyHistory/

The Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) – https://www.apgen.org

ProGen Study Group – https://www.progenstudy.org/

“Finding people who are actually going to pay you to do what you really love doing.”

“Action not perfection. Do let the need for perfection stand in your way of just doing what needs to be done.”

“Go out and look for what opportunities are out there. You just don’t know what you can do until you see what others are doing as well. Get involved with projects in your local community.”

Bringing Your Family History to Life through Social History by Katherine Scott Sturdevant

“You reap what you sow. Get out there and be involved in groups and do things like transcribing.”

Today’s action item comes straight from Fiona’s lightning round suggestion. If you are looking for opportunities look right in your local community. What opportunities are there that you can get involved with? Are any local groups doing projects that could use your research expertise? Perhaps research into soldiers of past wars. Or perhaps researching the town founders in the local cemetery. Use these opportunities to build networks and to spread the word about your services and expertise.

The Genealogy Professional podcast is now available on Spotify. Search for either Marian Pierre-Louis or genealogy to find it. Don’t forget to follow!

If you’re a YouTube you can also find all the episodes of the podcast on YouTube. Don’t expect any video. It’s just an audio-only file with a picture but I’ve put it over there because some people are more comfortable with that platform.

Join the TGP Action Group on Facebook! You can find it at https://www.facebook.com/groups/TGPActionGroup/

If you’re not on Facebook, follow the Genealogy Professional on LinkedIn. You can get new episode notices there. Go to Linkedin and search for The Genealogy Professional and hit the follow button.

I’m continuing in my effort to get back on a bi-weekly schedule for the podcast. Eventually I’ll settle on an exact release date twice a month. But in the meantime you can expect a new podcast generally every two weeks.

Direct link to this post: https://www.thegenealogyprofessional.com/fiona-brooker

As a genealogy researcher and creator of the Are You My Cousin? blog, Lisa Lisson takes the overwhelm out of genealogy research and keeps researchers moving forward finding their ancestors. Whether researching ancestors alongside clients or writing how-to articles and books, Lisa uses her 12 years of research experience to help others build a solid research plan, find the needed genealogy records, and get the most out of those resources. When not working with clients or writing genealogy articles, Lisa can be found pursuing her passion for running, traveling with her husband or simply enjoying time with her two adult children.

Contact Links

Website –LisaLisson.com

Facebook Page – Are You My Cousin?

Facebook Group – Are You My Cousin?

YouTube – Are You My Cousin?

Twitter – Are You My Cousin?

MediaVine – www.mediavine.com

ConvertKit – convertkit.com

Jessica Stansberry – Hey Jessica – heyjessica.com

Melissa Culbertson – Blog Clarity – blogclarity.com

Amy Lynn Andrews – amylynnandrews.com

“That nobody would read my blog.”

“They need to start their email list.”

Stories that Stick by Kindra Hall

“Don’t be afraid to look outside the genealogy world whether it’s starting a genealogy business or whether it’s in your own personal research. Don’t be afraid to look for the sources outside of the genealogy world.”

For your action item today I want you to focus on your education. Lisa saw specific items that she needed to learn in order to make her blog function as a business. What do you need to do to function as a business? Do you need a website to attract clients or readers? Do you need a mailing list to communicate with your clients? Do you need time tracking software or a bookkeeping program? Think about what tool would take your business to the next level and then do some research to determine how to find classes and to make that happen.

The Genealogy Professional podcast is now available on Spotify. Search for either Marian Pierre-Louis or genealogy to find it. Don’t forget to follow!

If you’re a YouTube you can also find all the episodes of the podcast on YouTube. Don’t expect any video. It’s just an audio-only file with a picture but I’ve put it over there because some people are more comfortable with that platform.

Join the TGP Action Group on Facebook! You can find it at https://www.facebook.com/groups/TGPActionGroup/

I’m continuing in my effort to get back on a bi-weekly schedule for the podcast. Eventually I’ll settle on an exact release date twice a month. But in the meantime you can expect a new podcast generally every two weeks.

Direct link to this post: https://www.thegenealogyprofessional.com/lisa-lisson

Melissa Barker is a Certified Archives Manager and Public Historian currently working at the Houston County, Tennessee Archives. She lectures, teaches and writes about the genealogy research process, researching in archives and records preservation. She conducts virtual webinar presentations across the United States for genealogical and historical societies. She writes a popular blog entitled A Genealogist in the Archives and is a well known book Reviews Editor for the FGS Magazine FORUM and Utah Genealogical Association Magazine Crossroads. She writes a bi-weekly advice column entitled The Archive Lady published at Abundant Genealogy. She writes history pieces for her local newspaper The Houston County Herald called From the Archives. Her Professional Genealogy expertise is in Tennessee records and she is currently taking research clients. She has been researching her own family history for the past 30 years.

Contact Links

Website – A Genealogist in the Archives

Facebook – The Archive Lady

Twitter – Melissa Barker

“Find out what you love to do and figure our how to make an income at it.”

“Watch webinars. They are a great educational tool which you can access right now from your home.”

Organize Your Genealogy: Strategies and Solutions for Every Researcher by Drew Smith

“Always remember that not everything is online. You need to contact or visit an archive.”

One thing that really struck me was how Melissa created a niche, that worked within her constraints, by promoting herself as a webinar-only speaker. I like the way she bucked convention by not following the traditional speaker path.

ACTION:

For your action item this week I want you to think out of the box the same way Melissa did. In her case, she chose to do webinars-only instead of in-person speaking events. Is there a path you’re not following because of constraints due to a full-time job, family responsibilities, location, cost or something else? Try to think of a way around the problem.  You don’t need to stick to traditional rules with your business. Make it your own and push yourself out of your comfort zone to make it happen.

If you like, head to the TGP Action Group on Facebook and share your obstacles and we’ll see if we can come up with solutions.

The Genealogy Professional podcast is now available on Spotify. Search for either Marian Pierre-Louis or genealogy to find it. Don’t forget to follow!

I’m trying to get on a bi-weekly schedule for the podcast. Eventually I’ll settle on an exact release date twice a month. But in the meantime you can expect a new podcast generally every two weeks.

Direct link to this post: https://www.thegenealogyprofessional.com/melissa-barker

An Stofferis is an experienced historian and founded International Genealogy Services, which is based in France. She was born in Belgium and studied history at the Catholic University of Leuven specializing in cultural history of the middle ages, modern times, and contemporary history. 

Also at that time, she conducted an extensive genealogical research about the origin of the Belgian scientist Joseph PLATEAU (1801-1883). In March 1996, she was successful in bringing together the different branches of the PLATEAU family to a reunion in Ghent. Her frequent visits to PLATEAU’s descendants resulted in direct access to a very large number of sources for the history of this family. Some sources remained unknown, but gave her the opportunity to uncover new scientific and family data.

In 2010, AN STOFFERIS prepared and presented a biographical article on the decoration painter Antoine PLATEAU (1759-1815) :
A. Bergmans & A. Stofferis, un des meilleurs peintres de fleurs de son temps - Biographie d'Antoine Plateau, dans Een belvedère aan de Schelde. Paviljoen De Notelaer in Hingene (1792-1797), Brussels, 2010, p. 557.

In 2004 An STOFFERIS obtained her master's degree in Tourism & Management at the University Antwerp Business School. That same year she moved to France and began working at the Belgian Embassy in Paris. But her passion for history and genealogy was very present. In 2012 she decided to expand her genealogical knowledge by following a course in Historical & Probate Research. 

An STOFFERIS is fluent in Dutch (native language), French, English and German. Some or all of these languages may be necessary to fulfill a project, as records were created in different languages, depending on the time and the place.

An STOFFERIS is a member of the Syndicat de généalogistes de France 'SYGENE' (http://www.sygene.fr ) and  of the Association of Professional Genealogists (http://www.apgen.org).  An STOFFERIS has become member of 'Interpret Europe' (www.interpret-europe.net). 

Contact Links

Website – International Genealogy Services

Facebook - International Genealogy Services

Twitter - IGS Genealogy

" To be honest in your work and in your accountancy. ”

To take a risk and if you have a dream to go for it.

Guider les jeunes sur la piste de leurs ancêtres by Évelyne Duret 

" Don't give up your dream."

An is building her business based on choosing her service (heir research), analyzing her strengths (her familiarity with many foreign languages) and identifying her ideal target clients (law firms on the north coast of France who need both French and Flemish speaking researchers and familiarity with Flemish history and records). By identifying who most needed her unique services she was able to showcase her strengths and make a strong case for getting hired.

ACTION:

If you're an introvert read the book that Jennifer mentioned Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain so that you can become more comfortable promoting yourself.

For today's action item, I'd like you to take a stab at doing the same thing. Choose a service, analyze your strengths and identify ideal clients. Your strengths should include qualities or skills that differentiate you from everyone else who does the same service. For instance, many genealogists offer heir research services but not so many researchers in France offer the service along with knowledge of the Flemish language.

Let's take an example of a genealogist who offers research services in colonial New York. His/her strength could be their ability to read both 17th century English and Dutch handwriting. Who could the potential target clients be?  The obvious answer would be private clients who have New Netherland ancestors. But let's think beyond that. How about authors who write about New York history, New Netherland history or even simply colonial America. You could also potentially market your services to museums and curators focused on colonial America.

Strengths can be lots of things, from proximity to an in-demand location (think of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City), to a specific skill such as understanding how a surveyor does his job which might be good for interpreting old deeds, or more familiarity with a particular record group than anyone else around.

Put all of this together and see if it helps you look at your business in a new light.

Direct link to this post: https://www.thegenealogyprofessional.com/an-stofferis

Jennifer Campbell founded Heritage Memoirs in 2003 following 25 years as a writer and editor. During her career, she interviewed and wrote profiles of hundreds of people, but did not get any of her own family’s stories before her father died and her mother developed dementia. Recognizing the great and final loss when the histories are not written down, she joined other pioneers in the personal history field and built her company, one story at a time.

Heritage Memoirs and Jennifer Campbell have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the Toronto Star, More and Elle magazines, CNN Money, Gannett newspapers (publishers of USA Today), Costco Connection, and Kiplinger’s Retirement Report, among others.

Contact Links

Website – Heritage Memoirs

“Do what you do best and farm out the rest.”

“Read her book Start and Run a Personal History Business by Jennifer Campbell”

Bringing Your Family History to Life Through Social History by Katherine Scott Sturdevant

Computer, digital recorder Edirol R-09 (the current version of this is the Roland R-07), and Mac Family Tree software.

“If you’re an introvert learn how to do self promotion. You can do this by reading the book Quiet by Susan Cain.“

For your action item this time around let’s focus on PR. This has two parts – you can choose to do one or both.

ACTION:

If you’re an introvert read the book that Jennifer mentioned Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain so that you can become more comfortable promoting yourself.

If you’re not an introvert then give some thought as to how you could possibly make use of some PR. Have you done something recently that would be newsworthy that you can send to a local newspaper? Maybe a project that you have been working on related to a local historical figure. Or maybe you’ve recently earned a credential. If nothing comes to mind then create a plan to do something that could become a newsworthy event.

Direct link to this post: https://www.thegenealogyprofessional.com/jennifer-campbell

Cari Taplin,CG is related to Roy Rogers. Or at least that's what her family told her. As a result, finding her true heritage has been her focus since the year 2000. She is a native of Wood County, Ohio but migrated to Wyoming, Colorado and now Pflugerville, Texas which is just outside Austin. Cari holds the Certified Genealogist® credential and has served in a wide variety of volunteer and leadership positions for state, local, and national societies. She currently serves on the board of the Association for Professional Genealogists and is the Vice President of Membership for the Federation of Genealogical Societies. As the owner of GenealogyPANTS, she provides speaking, research, and consultation services. Cari focuses on midwestern and Great Lakes states and methodology. Cair Taplin, CG is an internationally renowned genealogist. He has authored numerous articles for genealogy magazines and scholarly journals. He is a popular presenter at conferences and seminars around the world.

Contact Links

Website – Genealogy Pants

Facebook – Cari Taplin, CG

Other Links   

The Association of Professional Genealogists

The Board for Certification of Genealogists

"Join the Association of Professional Genealogists.”

The Life of Pi by Jan Martel

Evernote and time check app called Toggl

"Join a local society to meet like minded people, a mentor or friends."

Actually I'm going to give you two action items! We'll touch on two topics that Cari mentioned - tracking clients and education.

ACTION:

First, if you're a professional who takes clients or does speaking engagements or writes articles - basically someone who get paid by someone else for work - I want you to start tracking the requests you are getting for work. Who is contacting you, how are they contacting you and what are they asking for? And does the communication lead to paid work? If you are a client researcher, you can track potential clients. If you're a speaker, you can track requests for presentations. If you're a writer you can track your writing proposals. And if you already track all of this I want you to spend some time with your data to see what you can learn from the information.

Second, if you're not a professional I'd like you to focus on one of Cari's other topics - education. If you're a member of APG you could go listen to that webinar she mentioned. The one by Jeanne Bloom about how to track your clients. If you're not an APG member, you could watch a free BCG webinar. They are broadcast live the 3rd Tuesday of every month at FamilyTreeWebinars.com

Direct link to this post: https://www.thegenealogyprofessional.com/cari-taplin