Hiring a Professional Genealogist

In case you haven't heard my latest podcast at Geni.com, please take a listen here and also look at the episode notes which are filled with links to great resources.

I hope I've done the profession well - I tried my best to accurately describe when to hire a professional genealogist and what criteria to use when making your selection.  Most importantly I wanted to make sure that the public understands that genealogy is a profession for some of us and just like any other professional we invest quite a bit of time and money in our education and professional development.

© 2011, copyright Thomas MacEntee

How Social Media Helped Give Me a New Career

I was recently interviewed for a news article about social media at the website Second Act (which bills itself as an "online destination uniquely tailored to the needs and interests of readers over age 40."). In her piece entitled, Are You Google-able?,  the author Melinda Emerson interviewed several people who had undertaken a "midcareer makeover" like me.

Most of you know that back in late 2008, I was laid off from my job in the information technology field. After several months of looking for work and ending up back at another global law firm (and working with attorneys who are always the "smartest ones in the room"), I decided to "repurpose" myself and create a career in the genealogy field.

Eighteen months later, I have no regrets and am enjoying the fact that I've been able to turn an avocation into a vocation. So, everyone wants to know, "how did he do it?" Mostly with social media - the focus of the Are You Google-able? article.

In the article, Emerson and I spoke mainly about Twitter and how I have been able to leverage it to my advantage:

Thomas MacEntee, the 48-year-old founder of High-Definition Genealogy, says its best to think of social media as a garden you have to tend.

Laid off from his tech job in Chicago in late 2008, MacEntee reinvented himself as a family historian -- helping people investigate their family trees -- and utilizes social media to connect with clients. It took MacEntee about a year to build his business.

He's been so successful mastering the intricacies of Twitter -- the free service that allows users to share information in 140 characters or less -- that he now teaches a social media class for baby boomers called "Twitter: It's not just what I had for breakfast anymore."

He says the key to Twitter is giving as much as you get, and listening as much as you speak. He says some boomers have a problem with these concepts. "They think they are giving away their work for free, but it's part of building yourself as a brand and an expert," says MacEntee.

Take a look at the entire article since I feel it is spot on in terms of advice from the other experts, especially concerning LinkedIn. Did you know that one of my current and largest consulting clients found me because I had a LinkedIn profile complete with my resume?

© 2011, copyright Thomas MacEntee

Reflections on Salt Lake Christmas Tour 2010

I am finally back home in Chicago - and made it just in the nick of time before that blizzard arrived! Last week, from Monday, December 6th through Friday, December 10th, 2010 I delivered 8 different genealogy and technology related lectures as part of the Salt Lake Christmas Tour.

I wanted to share some of my thoughts and observations on this wonderful event:

• While attendance was slightly down over previous years (I blame the economy), there are about 100 fellow genealogists from all over the country and from all walks of life.

• There are many social events during the week, some organized and scheduled and some spur-of-the-moment such as the nightly dinner club.

• My favorite event was the daily breakfast (at the not-so-favorite hour of 7:00 am) where I could talk with folks and see how their research had progressed the day before. Also there were prizes given away each morning and also many people brought genealogy-related gift items for sale and on display.

• All the staff involved are phenomenal and so friendly, from Leland and Patty Meitzler, to Donna Potter Phillips in her role as "den mother," to Bill Balter who makes sure lecturers like me have everything they need to teach, to Dick and Dee Cattaneo who prepare breakfast each morning.

• While many of the attendees have been coming each year for over 25 years, newcomers are instantly made to feel welcome and part of the family.  This is sort of like "genealogy camp" and by the end of the week you don't want to leave all the new genea-friends you've made!

• Sure there are lots of fun and games, but there is some serious research taking place.  The professional researchers including Arlene Eakle, Loni Gardner and others are available for consultation and to guide you to the resources and methodologies you need to break down those brick walls. The ratio of professional researcher to attendee is usually around 1 to 7.

• The chance to research at the Family History Library during a period when there are plenty of microfilm readers available. All those tapes you usually order and wait for are there waiting for you!

And I'm happy to report that there are 356 days left until the 2011 Salt Lake Christmas Tour and that I'm scheduled to participate again next year! Leland Meitzler and I will hammer out a list of presentations - including some hands-on mini-classes - and sign a contract by the end of January.

I'd love to see some of my readers and fellow genealogists there for a week of research, education and holiday fun! You'll be hearing more from me next year about the 2011 tour - stay tuned!

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

Having Fun at Salt Lake Christmas Tour

Just a quick note before I go teach my 9:30 am class this morning (the topic is Build a Genealogy Blog) at the Salt Lake Christmas Tour.

I am having so much fun here in Salt Lake City this week and here's why:

• I am speaking and teaching to a very enthusiastic group of genealogists and family historians. They are very appreciate of the content I am trying to deliver and they also love to interact with me and the other attendees.

• I get to meet many colleagues such as Arlene Eakle, Dear MYTRLE, A.C. Ivory and more while I am in the Salt Lake City Area.

• I also get the opportunity to meet with various genealogy vendors including FamilySearch and "talk shop" about the genealogy industry.

• And finally, I get to visit the Family History Library and work on my own research!

Who could want anything more? Talk about a great Christmas present.

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

APG PMC Night of the Roundtable

Sorry for the bad pun but I am really psyched about this opportunity: I've been named as a participant in the upcoming Annual Meeting and Roundtable of the Association of Professional Genealogists being held on Tuesday, August 17, 2010 in Knoxville, Tennessee.

You can read more here over at my business site, High-Definition Genealogy.  I can't wait to participate in what should be a stimulating conversation about how professional genealogists can build a Web presence.

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

An Ancestry Adventure This Week

Okay, I  can let you all in on a secret - well not really a secret, but an event that I am attending later this week in Salt Lake City.

It is Ancestry.com's annual Blogger's Day.

So what is this all about?  Well I first heard about Blogger's Day back in January 2009 through a series of posts at Randy Seaver's Genea-Musings (see Randy's post on his best 2009 genealogy moment to learn more about last year's event) and I found every aspect of his visit interesting.

Late in 2009, I received an invitation from Ancestry.com to attend the 2010 Blogger's Day planned for Friday, January 8, 2010 in Provo, Utah where Ancestry's headquarters are located.  Not only was I ecstatic at the chance to meet with Ancestry staff and hopefully discuss issues in the genealogy industry, I was grateful for such an opportunity.

I will be reporting on my trip beginning Thursday, January 7, 2010 and will fill my readers in on my experiences and what I learn during the tours and meetings.

Stay tuned!

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee