Whether you’re interested in joining the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Society of the Cincinnati or the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, a professional genealogist can help make your application process much easier.
Here are 5 reasons to consider hiring a professional genealogist to help with gathering your documents:
- They know what’s required. Do you need a certified copy? What generations require vital records? A genealogist with lineage society experience can tell you the specific requirements of the society, saving you time, effort and stress.
- They have experience requesting documents. I hear far too often about someone experiencing an extended wait time when they order vital records. Most states have a multiple options for requesting birth, death, and marriage records. A professional genealogist may be able to access the option that takes 2 weeks instead of 2 years.
- They may know about a cheaper option. Applicants often default to ordering copies of a vital record for a clerk or recorder, but they’re online for many states.
- They know what to do if a record doesn’t exist. Does grandpa not have a birth record? It’s not that uncommon, as it usually took individuals sometime to fall into alignment with state recording laws. Yet, many societies require birth, death and marriage records for the applicant, their parents, and grandparents. How do you document that a record doesn’t exist – and what can substitute instead?
- They know how to document the line prior to vital records. With some rare exceptions in the New England states, you’re going to need to document your connection to your ancestor using something other than church records.