Type ‘free genealogy’ into google and you will face 14,900,000 results.
When I first started my research, I thought that this little
hobby wasn’t going to cost me much. I wonder how many of you felt the same? I think anyone new researching their family
history would be excited to learn that so much free genealogy is available, I also think they would be misled.
There is no such thing as free genealogy. Sure, there are many
wonderful websites offering free transcribed data. There is plenty of free
information about researching genealogy in the form of websites and blogs.
There are plenty of places to grow your family tree... free, however, usually with
restrictions, and they usually want you to upgrade to a premium account that
will cost. (we won't even discuss the recent Geni.com fiasco.) However, when it comes down to the nuts and bolts of finding some
hardcore documents, primary and secondary sources, there are no such thing as
free.
In terms of the internet, most primary documents are locked
behind subscription walls. Secondly, even if you’re lucky enough to find a
primary or secondary document on the internet for “free”, it all comes at a
price... your time.
Outside of the internet, unless you’re among a minority
where your ancestors lived in your current town, you’re looking at extensive traveling,
to cemeteries, archives, land record offices etc.etc. None of which is free. Let’s
not forget the time to accomplish all of this. Why do you think so many of us
spend decades chasing our ancestors documents – the time and expense, but we love it just the same.
Do You Have a Budget?
Many of us are on restricted budgets and time restraints, like laundry and soccer practices and a little thing we call a mortgage. Personally, I probably spend somewhere between $500.00-$1000.00 a year for database subscriptions, software, local travel, books, microfilms, photocopies etc., the basics of just keeping my personal research ongoing. This doesn’t include any conferences or large genealogy research trips. How much do you spend?
In terms of time... let’s just say a lot, I put it in the same category as revealing my weight, I just can't say the number out loud.
When it comes to spending your money, you have to know when
the price will justify the result, and often times that is hard to know in
advance.
Best Buys
For instance, I was looking for information on my Polish
ancestors. I had a deadline for a family history book. I spent $500.00 with a
professional researcher in Poland and got to the heart of what I was looking
for in a matter of a couple of weeks. Could I have found this information for myself?
Certainly. These particular parish records were microfilmed with the LDS.
However, by going thru a researcher and paying my money I got 15 copies of original
documents along with accompanying translations. (I was able to recoup the expense
in the book price).
After seeing the documents it became clear to me I would
have never have found them on my own. First, they were understandably in Polish;
secondly, they were in an old handwriting script. Even if they were staring me
straight in the face, I would not have known what I was looking at.
This worked out well for me, but plenty of times, I have
placed my money on the table with no results.
This usually revolves around my Irish ancestors. I’m sure you could tell of tale or two of similar circumstance,
of money out the window.
I think the majority of us spend plenty of money on travel,
and databases, we might scrounge a few things free – but
for the most part, time will be your biggest expense.
Occasionally you get an email from a distant cousin who
might drop something into your lap, (who doesn’t love that) or you stumble
across something in the most unlikely place, and we might consider that “free.”
How many of us have not been elated when this has happened, convincing ourselves
we just got something for free. Let’s be
honest, we've been pounding the pavement for years, those little surprises did
come at a price.
So newbies, I’m not trying to discourage you but don’t
believe them when they say 'free genealogy', nothing in life is free and
especially not genealogy. I would rather you start your genealogy knowing what
you’re getting into, don’t be misled and be prepared for the long haul.
Genealogy is time consuming; it requires endless hours of
searching even with subscription databases. Many start and then reality arrives and their research falls by
the way side. Genealogy takes time, it takes travel and it takes money but finding an ancestor is priceless. Ask anyone in the biz, we wouldn't trade it for anything.
Do you have a yearly
budget to spend on genealogy? Do you
have tips and tricks to keep your expenses down? Feel free to share in comments your “best buys” or “money wasted” story?
