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Professional Genealogists

This is an archived copy of a response to a question on our Italy Roots Forum Italian Genealogy Online Message Board regarding Professional Genealogists.  This sign is used [---------] to indicate the persons name in order to protect their privacy. 

"Italian Ancestry Family Tree Research & hiring "professionals"

From: pmn
Professional Genealogists
Wed Sep 27 16:53:52 2000

Dear [---------],
I have NEVER used a "Professional" Genealogist and maintain this website so that other Italian-Americans can learn to do their own research and possibly even contact unknown family members and people that once knew of their family, etc. Scroll down and read some of the postings by people trying to help others and it will teach you how to help yourself...also read the stories on the Italian Ancestry Family Tree Pages written by people who have found lost relatives:
Italian Ancestry Family Trees

I particularly recommend Barbara’s story...as she has sent [22] letters to Italy using Italian Form Letters and Translation Programs..all from things she learned from the Net, and has had 18 (EIGHTEEN) Official Responses.  Plus extra letters were sent to her later because she was wise enough to send Thank You notes to people who helped her...

At one point I seriously considered listing so-called "Professional Genealogists" but have decided against it due to the TERRIBLE stories I have found out about individuals like you being ripped off. In fact, your posting on a message board, such as this, asking for referrals is setting yourself up, like a "sitting duck"
…...I can't remember the legal term for it .. But this is what could happen:
Someone that works with someone will come along and claim to have been helped by “so and so” and will give that person tremendous accolades...when in fact they work for the individual they are recommending.
In fact an unscrupulous individual can even take out multiple e-mail addresses and write up their own recommendations...all coming from different e-mail addresses.

SEEK Recommendations from people who are related to you, or who are personal friends whose families you know to have always been honorable in their dealings with you.
I would NOT advise anyone to take a recommendation from some unknown individual who picks up your name off the Internet...
If you do take a chance, please be advised that you must consider the risk.
"Caveat emptor" – comes from the Latin and is still in use today….It is a rule of Law warning buyers that they are not protected during a transaction against the seller failing to live up to their “bargain” except to the extent that the sales contract stipulates.

If you do find a "Professional Genealogist" I would advise you to do research on them through the Better Business Bureau, the "Bunko-Fraud" Dept. of the City in which they are located and other detective work on your part....If they are in Italy the same cautions would apply. If you do find your "Professional Genealogist" make sure you have your lawyer go over the contract.

If this is a life or death emergency or you need to consult a professional because you have to prove lineage in order to inherit land or some other VERY valuable property, then I would FIRST consult a Lawyer versed in International Law/Italy who can refer you to someone in Italy who knows the Laws for the particular REGION in which you have to do your discovery. (In your case Genova, Province of Genova, Region of Liguria).

If you don't have friends or relatives who are Lawyers to recommend a good one. Then take a trip to the City Hall or Town Hall in your area...go to the "City Attorneys Office" strike up a quiet conversation with one of the Secretaries or the Clerk at the Desk, try to get an educated referral.
Also, go to your local LDS Family History Center...look around, listen closely, ask questions...go to the Ladies room when someone is in the Middle of some heated conversation and learn something.

First…why don’t you give it a try yourself. Genealogy is a rewarding and uplifting Hobby. You can meet new friends and discover information about the History and People of what you are researching that will enrich your life. It is more fun than baking a pie or going to the local ball game. Since I have been doing this..I have found out all kinds of interesting things about Italy..in fact the world… above and beyond mere Genealogy Research.

ALSO NOTE: At this point you are still dealing with "hearsay"....You don't know if the Genoa your story refers to is the Town or the Province...so....that is why I suggested that you write to the <----people with your surname-----> who live in Italy...
Also, here is a page of info on Genoa/Genova
http://members.nbci.com/annita/rwgenova.htm

Do you live in a small, safe town?
PLEASE...Be careful.

Sincerely
Paula Nigro

P.S.
I just read about this on a legal brief the other day...(I don't like to watch TV...too boring and legal news is most interesting)  There is a possibility that someone posting a message requesting the need for professional services could himself or herself be part of a “confidence game”.

Working in the following manner...a person...goes to a "Message Board" with a story claiming desperately to need a referral to some sort of Professional...then another person comes along (one working for the same group) and pretends they don't know you and claims they were "saved" by so and so and are now “all their problems are solved”. Etc, etc. saccharine yuck, bogus accolades …etc. ad nauseam…etc.  Without serious investigation I advise everyone exercise caution with everything they find over the Internet.

AGAIN….If you do find your "Professional Genealogist" make sure you have your lawyer go over the contract .  And If anyone wants to charge you something and you don’t know them and no one in your family knows them…get it in writing ahead of time, make sure you have their business and home address in case they skip town.

============ notes added later to help others =========================

Family History Centers, are a great FREE resource for Italian Family Tree Research.  Go there first and learn how to do Genealogy Research.  If you have spent at least 2 to 5 years trying your very best to uncover records on your ancestors then and only then start looking around for someone to hire, IF YOU MUST.  This way you will have gathered enough research experience to be able to make a good judgment on hiring someone.

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