Joining APGI
How
to become an APGI member.
If
you are a professional genealogist resident anywhere
on the island of Ireland, you should consider applying
for membership of the Association of Professional
Genealogists in Ireland. If you have perhaps only just embarked upon your career in professional genealogy you might wish first to consider Affiliate status. For more details about this click here.
What
are the benefits of membership?
The
most important benefit of being a member of APGI
is the accreditation. Most English-speaking countries
now have at least one professional organisation
which assesses the work of genealogical researchers
and regulates their practice. This provides protection
both for members and for their clients. APGI is
the only such regulating body within Ireland which
operates an assessment process for membership applicants.
Its accreditation is, therefore, a significant stamp
of approval for any Irish genealogist.
The
Association provides a voice for those working in
the field of genealogy and monitors the standards
of research facilities in Irish record repositories.
In this regard APGI is a very active participant
on the Council of Irish Genealogical Organisations
(CIGO). Of course, being a member of APGI brings
the entitlement of inclusion in the APGI membership
brochure and on the APGI website. Members may use
and display the initials "M.A.P.G.I.".
What
are the duties of membership?
APGI
members are expected to uphold the good name of
the organisation and to play an active part in fostering
Irish genealogy in general. They must adhere to
the Association's rules and a strict Code
of Practice. Complaints from clients are taken
very seriously. There is a Complaints Investigation
Procedure and serious or repeated cases of justifiable
complaint can result in expulsion from membership.
What
are the application requirements?
To
be eligible to apply for membership of APGI an individual
must comply with the following requirements;
To
have practised as a professional genealogist for
not less than one year full time or two years part
time.
To
be resident in Ireland and conducting all or most
of his/her genealogical work in Irish records.
Not
to be employed at any full time occupation other
than that of a professional genealogist.
The APGI definition
of "professional genealogist" is as follows;
A
genealogist is one who conducts genealogical research
in primary and secondary sources, who assesses the
findings, determines further sources or constructs
a pedigree, and who compiles a written account of
the completed research. A professional genealogist
earns his/her living by such work.
Application for membership is made by submitting
a sample of work. This must be a copy of a report
on research conducted over a period of between
seven and ten hours, exclusive of report preparation
time. It must be accompanied by an application form;
a non-refundable application fee; a brief description
of the initial information supplied by the client;
an indication of the length of the search; reproductions
of the relevant photocopies or other documentation
submitted to the client with the original report;
a letter from the client giving permission to submit
the case for assessment.
Who
assesses applications?
The
Board of Assessors entirely controls admission to
membership. The APGI council and individual members
have no say in the matter. The Board is made up
of people whose combined knowledge of record repositories,
archival practices and genealogical research procedure
gives them ample expertise with which to judge the
merits of applications. Current members of APGI
are disbarred from serving on the Board, but retired
members are eligible for appointment. At least three
members of the Board participate in any assessment.
Their decision is final.
How
to apply
Application
forms and further details may be obtained from:
Hon.
Secretary,
30
Harlech Crescent,
Clonskeagh,
Dublin
14.
or
by email to: info@apgi.ie
