Panel of Professional Genealogists to Pontificate in Merced

Next Saturday, May 17, I'll be giving a different sort of presentation than the ones I normally do.  Three members of the Northern California chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists — Sheri Fenley, Corey Oiesen, and I — will be at the Merced County Genealogical Society to talk about what it's like to work as a professional genealogist and when it's a good time to call one to help you with your research.  The meeting is free and open to anyone interested in attending.  If you're in the area, come by and give a listen!  Sheri and Corey are great people, and it should be a lively and interesting panel.  The talk will be held at the Gracey Research Room in the Merced County Library, 2100 O Street, Merced, CA 95340 from about 12:30–2:30 p.m., after the society's business meeting has finished.

Calling in the Pros

Have you wondered when it might be the right time to ask a professional genealogist to help you with your research and how to go about it?  Researchers are a varied lot:  Some are good at translations or reading old records in other languages; some are experienced in archival research; others are adept at writing.  This panel of members of the Northern California chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists will discuss questions such as:

When does one hire a professional genealogist?
What's involved?
What is the cost?
Where does one find such a person?

More specific questions about the panelists' areas of expertise will also be welcomed.

These are the bios of my copresenters:

Sheri Fenley has been researching for ten years as a professional.  She does research in Northern California, with an emphasis in San Joaquin County, Gold Rush counties, 19th-century San Francisco, and lineage society applications.  She earned a certificate in Family History Studies from Monterey Peninsula College and has attended the Family History Conference at Brigham Young University and two years at Samford University Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research.  She is president of the San Joaquin Genealogical Society.

Corey Oiesen is a professional genealogist and founder of Genealogy Heroes research consultancy based in Santa Cruz, California.  She offers her clients writing, editing, genealogical research, and French translation.  She serves as Communications Officer for the Association of Professional Genealogists and is a teaching assistant for the Boston University Genealogical Studies program.  She earned her certificate in genealogical studies from Boston University in February 2010, a certificate in genealogy through Monterey Peninsula College in 2011, and completed the ProGen Study Course (group 4) in 2011.  She holds an MBA in international business from Georgia State University and a B.A. in international studies/French from Virginia Tech University.