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Genealogists

Outlook

Despite the recent resurgence in popularity, genealogy holds limited prospects for growth in the future. The majority of genealogical work is done by people researching their own families. People consult genealogists about how to get started and may seek professional help when they run into problems. Individuals also hire genealogists to help them research information in other parts of the country or the world.

Lawyers and people with legal claims sometimes employ genealogists to determine a person's right to a legacy, title, or family name. Societies whose members are required to prove a certain heritage, such as the Daughters of the American Revolution, employ genealogists to verify the ancestral claims made by prospective members. Physicians and medical researchers are also beginning to trace family histories of people with genetic predispositions for a specific illness and other hereditary maladies in hopes of finding a cure. Therefore, although much growth in the industry is unlikely, these needs should ensure that work opportunities in the profession at least remain at the current level.