Directory

Board-certified genealogists (“associates”) know the records in their areas of expertise and demonstrate skill in using them. They are well grounded in the laws, customs, and terminology of the relevant time and place. They are able to research thoroughly, cite properly, analyze and correlate evidence efficiently, deal with conflicting evidence, and write a clear and convincing conclusion. These skills are enhanced by continued professional learning to keep up with new techniques and resources. Associates subscribe to a rigorous code of ethics backed by BCG’s mediation and arbitration services.

Associates' research specialties and services can be located in the directory. Associates can also be searched by surname, credentials, residence, geographic areas of research, and languages.

Many genealogists work with clients on family research projects. Consider hiring a board-certified genealogist for expert help with your genealogy questions. A BCG associate can help

• when you don't know where to start;
• when distance or personal life limits access to needed records;
• when a "brick wall" problem seems insurmountable;
• when language or old handwriting presents barriers;
• when assistance is needed to plan research or organize existing materials;
• when unknown parentage, such as in the case of an adoption, is an issue, or
• when the benefit of an arbitration service is desired.

Use the directory to identify associates who accept clients and whose specialties may correspond with project needs. Associate specialties include use of DNA evidence, forensics, research on Native Americans, government projects, applications for lineage society membership, applications for dual citizenship, editing and indexing, lectures and workshops, and writing and adding historical context to a project.

Certified Genealogist-CG®

Those who hold this credential have demonstrated their competence in research, analysis, kinship determination, and reporting skills.

Certified Genetic Genealogist-CGG℠

Those who hold this credential have demonstrated their competence in using genetic evidence to solve complex genealogical problems while meeting standards for using DNA evidence.

Certified Genealogist Lecturer-CGL℠

Those who hold this credential have demonstrated their competence in selecting and organizing lecture contents, providing accurate and effective presentations, and use written and visual learning aids. 

• BCG has awarded Emeritus status to individuals who retired after a long and distinguished career with the Board. Those indicated with an asterisk are deceased. Contact information for those holding Emeritus status who have consented to their information being listed can be located by using the "Status" box at the bottom of the filter selections to the right.
•  Retired status is held by individuals who retired from research for clients and from the profession of genealogy for more than incidental monetary gain after holding a BCG credential for twenty years or more. Contact information for those holding retired status who have consented to their information being listed can by using the "Status" box at the bottom of the filter selections to the right.

Board-certified genealogists are entitled to proclaim their certification-category designation or its short form (initials) after their names, and they are licensed to use the distinctive Board seal that signifies they are certified. The certification seal can be used only by board-certified genealogists on stationery, reports, invoices, business cards, and flyers (“Work Product”). Board-certified genealogists may not use the Board-certified designations or Board seal in any way that might mislead the public into believing that any specific Work Product has the approval or endorsement of the Board for Certification of Genealogists.

Each individual seeking certification signs The Genealogist’s Code of Ethics, a pledge to protect the public, clients (whether paying or pro bono), the profession, and people who provide DNA samples. This code was updated by BCG on 5 October 2020 and is effective immediately.

To protect the public

• I will not publish or publicize as a fact anything I know to be false, doubtful or unproved; nor will I be a party, directly or indirectly, to such action by others.
• I will identify my sources for all information and cite only those I have personally used.
• I will quote sources precisely, avoiding any alterations that I do not clearly identify as editorial interpretations.
• I will present the purpose, practice, scope, and possibilities of genealogical research within a realistic framework.
• I will delineate my abilities, publications, and/or fees in a true and realistic fashion.
• I will not publish any personal, genealogical, or genetic information disclosed to me unless I have informed consent or omit personally identifying detail. I will also treat publicly available information about living people with sensitivity and will not publish any information with foreseeable potential for harm.

To protect the client (paying or pro bono)

• I will reveal to the client any personal or financial interests that might compromise my professional obligations.
• I will undertake paid research commissions only after a clear agreement as to scope and fee.
• I will, to the best of my abilities, address my research to the issue raised by the client and report to that question.
• I will seek from the client all prior information and documentation related to the research and will not knowingly repeat the work as billable hours without explanation as to good cause.
• I will furnish only facts I can substantiate with adequate documentation; and I will not withhold any data necessary for the client’s purpose.
• If the research question involves analysis of data in order to establish a genealogical relationship or identity, I will report that the conclusions are based on the weight of the available evidence and that absolute proof of genealogical relationships is usually not possible.
• If I cannot resolve a research problem within the limitations of time or budget established by contract, I will explain the reasons why.
• If other feasible avenues are available, I will suggest them; but I will not misrepresent the possibilities of additional research.
• I will return any advance payment that exceeds the hours and expenses incurred.
• I will not publish or circulate reports in which a client or colleague has a proprietary interest without that person’s informed consent. I will respect this interest whether my report was made directly to the client or to an employer or agent.

To protect the profession

• I will act, speak, and write in a manner I believe to be in the best interests of the profession and scholarship of genealogy.
• I will participate in exposing genealogical fraud; but I will not otherwise knowingly injure or attempt to injure the reputation, prospects, or practice of another genealogist.
• I will not attempt to supplant another genealogist already employed by a client or agency. I will substitute for another researcher only with specific, written consent of and instructions provided by the client or agency.
• I will not represent as my own the work of another. This includes works that are copyrighted, in the public domain, or unpublished. This pledge includes reports, lecture materials, audio/visual tapes, compiled records, and authored essays.
• I will not reproduce for public dissemination, in an oral or written fashion, the work of another genealogist, writer, or lecturer without that person’s written consent. In citing another’s work, I will give proper credit.

To protect people who provide DNA samples

• When seeking DNA from a living person for genealogical research, I will explain

a) how I would use and share their genetic information and the risks and benefits of that use and sharing;

b) the possibility and consequences of discovering unanticipated relatives, unknown medical conditions, unexpected ethnic backgrounds, and intentional misinformation about such situations;

c) options for openness and privacy, how other researchers could or could not access the data; and why complete anonymity and privacy can never be guaranteed.

After providing this information, I will request and comply with the consent, freely given by the person providing the DNA sample or that person’s guardian or legal representative.

• When working with DNA test results of living people, I will not publish personally identifying information without each test taker’s consent. I will not privately share a match list without the list owner’s consent. If I have the list owner’s consent, I may privately share details of a match without the match’s consent.

BCG’s bylaws provide for a system of discipline and dispute resolution in order to enhance public confidence in the work of Board-certified genealogists.

BCG's bylaws provide that each certified associate be subject to discipline for conduct in violation of the Genealogist's Code. [Bylaws: Article 9, Sections 1-5.]

BCG will provide its dispute resolution service as an expeditious and low-cost alternative to litigation, to resolve disputes between its certified associates and any members of the public who agree to accept its determination as a final and binding resolution of the matters in dispute, and consent to enforcement of the board's determination by appropriate legal process in any tribunal having jurisdiction over the person or property of the parties. (The consent form is available as a PDF file here.)

The dispute resolution process is set out in the Discipline and Dispute Resolution policies (available as a PDF file here) and consists, first, of mediation and, second, of binding arbitration.

When a dispute complaint against a certified associate is resolved during mediation or arbitration, copies of the following documents will be placed in the certified associate’s permanent file:

– the original letter of complaint;
– the final letter from BCG to the complainant and the certified associate confirming that a settlement was reached during mediation or arbitration.

Appeal

The certified person shall have the right to appeal the determination of the Executive Committee as to individual discipline to the full board in writing within thirty (30) days after receipt of the executive committee’s determination.

The BCG trustees, when deciding appeals from executive committee decisions on complaints or disciplinary actions, shall consider only evidence and complaint-related records previously available to the executive committee, unless clearly relevant evidence was withheld from the executive committee by an interested party. The decision of the board shall be by two-thirds affirmative vote and shall be final and binding, and shall be made available to the certified person in writing with reasonable promptness and included in the certified person’s permanent file.