User:ProfessionalGenealogy

Mary E. Petty, BA (History), BA (Genealogy) is the Vice President of HEIRLINES Family History &amp; Genealogy, Inc, (www.Heirlines.com), a Salt Lake City, Utah based professional genealogy research services firm, "Climbing the Family Tree Professionally, since 1969". Chief proponent of the "Professionalization of Professional Genealogy by 2020" movement, Mary is currently working on her master's degree at Heritage Genealogy College with her research thesis entitled "Professional Genealogy Vision 2020".

As of 2011, there is no profession in genealogy with established qualified members-only designators, which has had a severe effect on the quality of the commercial environment as well as impacting the validity of public and private domain family trees. Consumers are unaware of this lack of established professionalism in this buyer-beware marketplace. Mary is working to institute formal professionalism in the genealogy industry through consumer and commercial provider groups.

Recently, Mary E. Petty wrote the following to the Association of Professional Genealogists "APG" (which is not yet a qualified members-only professional organization):

Thank you for this invitation to submit my name for consideration to serve on the APG Professional Development Committee. I am very interested in participating because of my 39 years of experience and interest in the occupation of professional genealogy research services, my pursuit of a master's degree in professional genealogy/forensic genealogy, and my consumer advocacy service in the State of Utah.

I am currently working on my master's degree in professional genealogy/forensic genealogy here at Heritage Genealogical College on the topic of professionalism and the professionalization of Genealogy by 2020. Because of this scholarly study and my lifetime experiences in the business of genealogy, both as a provider and as a mentor, and my involvement with consumer rights, I would like to make a contribution to the profession, my fellow practitioners, and the consumer by such service as the PDC deals with the important developmental issues of education, professionalism and mentoring. I would appreciate this opportunity to become involved with APG in the development of Professional Genealogy and its future.