If you’re going to bring in a professional genealogist to assist with your lineage society application, when should you do so?
Applicants will often start the application themselves and wait until they’re involved with the process to ask for help. At this point, they do have the advantage of having access to the society’s referral list. But they also have a major disadvantage: they’re “on the clock.” If they run into issues, they may not have adequate time to complete the application.
It is often easier to start the application process before you approach the society, as you’re able to do so without time constraints. If an issue arises or a different ancestor needs to be used, there’s room to do so. If you’re an active guest at a society’s events, it is still within the realm of acceptable protocol to ask for the society’s referral list. Simply state that you wanted to be sure you have your documentation prepared before taking their time.
It’s ultimately a personal choice, but having seen enough cases run up against the clock, I tend to lean towards papers before invitation.