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Archiver > APG > 2008-02 > 1201966353
From: Langdon <>
Subject: Re: [APG] The Use of Tiers
Date: Sat, 2 Feb 2008 07:32:33 -0800 (PST)
In-Reply-To: <002101c86435$b20bc820$6701a8c0@heirlines>
A few observations from another seriously full-time career researcher:
1. Other genealogists are not your competition. We each have our own little niche. We should be colleagues and support for one another as we go about doing what we each do best. There are enough people needing research to go around and then some.
2. Most of my clients have not come from APG, which was only was icing on the cake for me. It has helped me personally develop as a genealogist, but hasnt provided my client work. Those of us who have worked 20-40 years at genealogy have our own network of people recommending us. Long before I ever heard of APG, I had a base of lawyers, professors, librarians, and archivists, who used my services before I even realized that I was a professional. The same people are the base of my business and referrals today.
3. No one has ever asked me if I am certified. [Im not] No one has asked me if I have a degree. [I do] A couple of people have wanted to make sure that I am not certified. Generally, clients only care if I can do their work. Certification is not part of the equation. Yes, I would like to get certification, but for my own satisfaction, not my clients. Id bet that every person who applied for certification said that certification was desired for their own satisfaction, and not for the purpose of making more money. I think that if you were ever lead to believe that certification would lead to greater income in the short-term, you were mislead.
4. If someone needs research on a Native American ancestor in Cherokee, NC, you would not be the best person to hire, no matter how many degrees and certification you obtained. Someone who has spent years specializing in a particular niche would be a better hire, whether or not he has a degree or certification. Genealogists know their own specialty best, whether or not they have a degree or certification. If someone needs what you provide, the Native American researcher isnt the best choice for him, even if that researcher is also credentialed.
5. We all need to know our own niche. Sticking to our own genealogical niche wont hurt our business, because the quality of our work and relationships with clients will be maintained, leading to more of the type of work we most want.
Langdon Hagen-Long
APG Menber
Virginia Beach, VA
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