Just wondering (and I have some questions).

I did genealogy for several years. Once I reached back to the last ancestor I could find for each surname I quit.

I did some genealogy for a while.  When my sister got interested in it, I let her take over.  She's a Virgo and I'm not. 

Sister got into contact with two distant cousins from different branches of the family.  We've played hostess to each of these cousins when they travelled across county and into the country to view the genealogy records at the state captial (where I live). 

There was the memorable question I asked one cousin, "Why did your grandfather leave Kentucky and go all the way to Alberta Canada?"  Her response echoed in the thirty foot tall entrance of the Archives building, "Why?  Didn't you hear about the shooting?"   He was later cleared of charges.  ---  Our mother discouraged looking into the family background because we might find some horse thieves.  

My sister and I did go to Ireland with a couple of cousins to do some more digging.  We did go back one more generation, past the potato famine immigrant.   That was an interesting trip.

We found the census to be a very good source of information.   We found out our grandfather was older than we thought. His mom changed dates in the family Bible to keep herself young. 

Uh, what were your questions?  

I've researched my family as much as I can without having to travel & I enjoyed it. 

I have an ALA-accredited Master's so I have a good research background but there wasn't any genealogy training. I like researching & I was wondering about genealogy as a possible profession.

Well, I'm no career consultant.  I'm retired. 

We found several places and people that offered search services.  The services we saw in Ireland had the access to the Catholic Church records that "outsiders" didn't have.  I don't remember the particulars that allowed them access.  

So, even though I'm no career consultant, I suggest that you may want to look up the existing services to see what they do, what they charge.  You know, research them.  You know how.  Maybe you could start into this part time.

Here's a tangent thought. (I'm full of them.)  It seems to me that people would be interested in the health records of their ancestors to find out what diseases they may be predisposed to.  I got a copy of an ancestor's death certificate, for my Virgo sister, so she could get the cause of death.  Maybe that sound yucky to most people.   

Schooling/accredidation is available for those who wish to do genealogical research as a career.

Wow that medical thing sounds very interesting & kind of right up my alley for various reasons haha thanks you guys.

Jilly - try here for word on professional genealogists...

http://www.apgen.org/

thanks D.

You're welcome Jilly - here's another one....

http://www.bcgcertification.org/certification/index.html

Thanks - it seems like a way for me to be in control of how much work I take on to pace myself.

Maybe when Saturn goes into my 9th next year.

my grandmother was pretty accomplished.  she compiled a genealogical history that goes back to the 1500's.  she was a member of the DAR and that was how she learned her skills.  my mac won't let me link but if you google DAR genealogy you get some interesting links.

thanks satori - I'm going to the next local DAR meeting if I feel up to it