Researching your family history can be a rewarding and exciting experience, but it can also be expensive. Professional genealogists typically charge an hourly rate for their services, and the cost of research depends on the availability of genealogical records. In the United States, for example, census records only began in 1790 and only included the head of the household until 1840. From 1850 to 1940, all members of the family were included.
The availability of birth, marriage, and death records also varies from region to region. Once you have determined the region you are researching and how far back you want to go, a professional genealogist can provide you with an estimate for their services. When considering the cost of hiring a professional, you should also consider other genealogical resources that may be available to you. One of the most expensive temptations is to travel back to your ancestral home and do research on the ground. However, genealogy research can cost more than just a few nights in a hotel, as a genealogist will need to stay awake researching. We have previously examined how much it costs to hire a genealogist and the above prices seem to be the norm.