What do you have to do to become a genealogist?

Question

What do you have to do to become a genealogist?

Answer 1

There is specific criteria that you must meet.  This website is for the governing body that has the authority to certify someone as a genealogist.  They tell you everything you need to know.

http://www.bcgcertification.org/

Here is the direct link to their page for requirements for application submission:

http://www.bcgcertification.org/certific...

While no college degree is probably required, I would personally consider getting a master's degree in Library Sciences with a minor in History for a thorough educational background that will give you the required knowledge and opportunities for required experiences.  The website for the ALA will tell you all the schools that are certified by the ALA for their Library Sciences degree programs.  Not all states have one, but some universities have on-line programs that you can do.  This site also tells you which ones those are as well.

http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=...

Answer 2

Be really good at researching arcane stuff.

I love it as a "hobby," and there are many ways to become certified without obtaining degrees.

But if you are young, and you want to get into it at a professional level, I would suggest library and archival information science degrees. This takes many years, but some body's got to do it, and it's an indoor job. And the archivists I met who worked for my state government LOVED their jobs. And they knew their stuff. Same with librarians.

Genealogists operate as detectives and researchers, but the best ones appreciate information storage and retrieval the most.

Answer 3

First of all to become a Professional Genealogist requires a knowledge in U.S. and World History. There are a few schools that offer a degree in Genealogy here is a website for information on the degree and course descriptions, good luck!

Answer 4

And in addition to the above, marry a rich husband.   That way it won't much matter how successful you are professionally and you'll be able to go lots of places to do your research.   :)