How to Make Money With Family Trees

If you've got a talent for genealogy research, then you can make money with family trees. Learn how to turn your love of family history into a profitable business that brings joy to clients for generations. A family tree business can be a full-time or part-time effort, and many of the resources you need are free.

Instructions

1. Master the art of genealogy research first by researching your own family tree or that of a friend. You can give family trees as a baby gift or create custom family trees for bridal gifts.

2. Select display model that you can market. Some family tree companies specialize in a rolling parchment scroll, others embroider family trees on blankets or wall hangings. A family tree is just a visual representation of someone's family history, and if you create one that's attractive, you will have clients who patronize your business for the art form alone who might already have the research done.

3. Set research rates based upon the varying levels of difficulty in obtaining verifiable documents. For example, U.S. birth certificates and death certificates are generally easy to obtain. Overseas records and unknown factors like adoption can make the research more difficult.

4. Subscribe to records-searching tools that have indexed government records, hospital records and land records. There are online services that have archived and indexed resources from various agencies, and these can cut down on research time.

5. Ask your clients for testimonials and referrals. When they share their finished family trees with their friends, they can also pass along your business card. Offer a small discount for keeping your phone number and contact information in a discreet location. Also get permission to share a promotional copy of their family tree with your prospective clients, either on your website or advertising materials.

Tips & Warnings

• Advertise your business at bridal shows.