family historian

A family historian or family history researcher is person who collects and compiles family history information. Family historians are often motivated by a personal interest in family heritage and family origins, but tend to collect and share information throughout the family. Family historians often become the family genealogist, conducting extensive research, becoming more educated and systematic in their approach, strongly committed to accuracy and documentation. Family genealogists sometimes go on to compile and publish formal genealogies.

Family historians or family genealogists are distinct from professional genealogists, in that they typically do not receive pay for their activities and typically do not conduct research for others outside of their family. However, some family historians do go on to become professional genealogy researchers.