Genealogy Chat

I need to work from home for several reasons, and I know its a lot harder than it sounds, but it occured to me I could study to become a true Genealogist. Where do I start?! Can you study at home, or only at college? Ive done ok with mine and my husbands trees, but need some serious brushing up before I could start charging. Limited funds apply!

I reckon experience counts for a lot perhaps you could start small with stuff you already know?

Hi Rebekah - I have just started a correspondence course with the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies in Canterbury. You can do it at your own pace and have to do 24 modules (to date I have done the grand total of one!!!). You can get all the details from their website. Alternatively, are there any evening classes that you could do locally?

Thanks both. I suppose Im worried that somepne will be putting trust in me, and I don't want to let them down! How are you finding the course, Angela? Roughly how long does it take to complete? I can study most days.

Have to disappear in a minute, Rebekah, so can you send me a private message? I found the first module okay and got good marks for it, but it was mainly designed for them to find out how much research you had already done for your own tree. If you spend 3 hours a week on it they reckon it will take a couple of years, but if you can spend more time studying then obviously you could do it in a much shorter time.

wea.org.uk I did a couse through them and it taught me loads. Then I learnt more from reading these boards.

Doesnt Open University do one? Im often tempted to do an OU course but I still owe them money from my BA 24 years ago!

Which course was it, Pippa? Ive typed in family history on their website but it doesnt come up. Tried Genealogy, but that doesnt either.

Lol Heather!! Just looked at one for £1980, not sure what hubby would say...would have to mke sure I completed it lol.

try, http://genealogy.about.*com/library/lessons/blintro.htm remove * Roy

Oh yes, Workers Education - they should have them. Why dont you contact your local FHS or the records office and ask them. Mind you, you want to do it at home, dont you? But some of the college courses only means going once a week - our local Uni does a genealogy one and all sorts of related courses for local history. Check if your local college or Uni have anything. Dont know how old you are - but there is also the University of the Third Age (is that right guys?) for over 50's who will probably do this sort of course. Trouble is, these may be just for beginners in searching for their own family history. I guess the really professional ones are going to cost big bucks.

Hi Angela, i was wondering aboout doing that course, the course fees seem expensive, do you think its a worthwhile course? i did read somewhere to get the benefit from it you need to take at least 3 yrs to complete it is that right? i did find another course for about £60 it says you need to spend about 12 hrs a week on pc

I think the important thing is to decide if you really do want professional qualifications to do this properly and then go for it. Sort out the recognised authorities though - you dont want to be scammed by any one!

http://webcam.wea.ac.uk/courselist.asp?currentpage=1&showresults=True&tsearch=family%20history&vLocation=&vsearch=&psearch=&hLocation=&ssearch=All&ssortby=&lngLBound=1&lngUBound=20

Reb - tell the old man its a good investment, you will be earning him up to £35 an hour when you are qualified (except for your mates on here of course, whom you will charge just a fiver).

I think its like everything else really - you get what you pay for. The cheap courses are likely to be not much more than an introduction to Family History - come on here and learn it for free! Any course leading to a professional qualification is going to be expensive and I understand that the syllabus is quite difficult - you need to know at least a smattering of Latin and Norman French. If, on the other hand, you want to be a genealogical researcher, then you dont need a qualification - you can just call yourself a researcher and advertise as such. I'm not sure that there is anything in the middle between introductory family history, and the professional qualification. Good luck though! OC

Sorry for the delay, Karen - I have resurfaced now!! The full course is £1500, which considering what you can spend per term on a Local Authority evening class or on University fees probably doesn't work out too bad. You do get a proper qualifcation at the end provided that you can pass the exam. I think that some of the later modules cover all aspects of going into professional practise. 11 people sat the exams last time and only 4 passed which is a bit worrying. Think I will have to spend more time on my assignments!!!

Lol Heather :)