Professional geneologists

[Mr-H]

I know this will produce some derisory comments, but what do you think about using Professional geneologists rather than diy? I simply do not have the time to spend and I would like to get some background on my wife's family for her birthday. Thoughts please?

[craft1948]

Nothing wrong at all with using a professional if you don't have the time. If you don't want to pursue it as a hobby it's not worthwhile subscribing to the sites you'll need to gather the information.
I do family trees for friends and friends of friends, but as I already subscribe to several databases it only costs my time (which I don't charge for). The only real expense (which I do charge for) is in obtaining the relevant birth, death, marriage certificates which I feel are necessary in veryifying your research.

[Mr-H]

thanks for that craft - the site I've looked at will charge extra for certificates (birth, death etc.) naturally and say they will charge me £10 per time. I didn't think that extorionate. They also quote £120 (50% up front, balance on completion) to go back 4 generations, or £295 for 7 back, again, I thought not too unreasonable (her indoors only wants 4 back). Would you seek testimonials before signing up?

[craft1948]

4 generations is very easy, unless it's a very common name, and £10 for the certificates is good (they actually cost £9.25).
It's difficult to say really as I've done trees going back to the 1840's which have taken literally an hour, but have had to give up totally on others.
It's always good to have testimonials............

[craft1948]

After having looked at various sites on the internet that does seem to be quite cheap (whether this is good or bad I can't say)
This seems to be a good site but then it's all smoke and mirrors online

http://www.bensongenealogy.co.uk/aboutme.htm

[dotty.]

Using a professional genealogist without an understanding of the sources can put you at risk of being overcharged, you should only use someone you have been recommended, to do 4 generations solely based on certificate information would be quite sparse though, you could get most of the info from gravestones possibly.