Every family has one. You may not know yours. It could be your second cousin, once removed, grandchild of a great-uncle you never knew you had, but they know who you are! That's right, there's a genealogist in every family.
In my genealogy research, I like to travel and meet the living members of my family. I ask them for information, and I've been lucky to have only a few people wonder why I want to know — but they answer what they can. Unfortunately, I leave many of them with my contact information and they say they will write or email and I never hear from them again, and I KNOW there are things happening in the family that they're not telling me when they don't keep in touch. For those people, I've written a list of Ten Ways to Keep Your Family Genealogist Happy. This is the second draft. Comments, suggestions, and changes are welcome.
When you first meet or talk to your family Genealogist, realize that the Genealogist isn't out to know all your secrets, but instead to compile a history of the family. Try to provide information as requested.
The Genealogist will ask you questions to try to procure information. Sometimes all the right questions will not be asked. If you remember something that you think may be significant to the Genealogist, volunteer the story or information, because the Genealogist may not know to ask you about it specifically.
Tell the Genealogist the truth. Keep in mind that you're probably not the first relative the Genealogist has spoken to, and even guarded family secrets may have already been revealed. If you don't want to "spill the beans", ask questions of the Genealogist to determine what is already known. Also, don't make up new tall tales, but any fables already in the family can be retold; they can sometimes lead to the real stories.
Inform the Genealogist of important current and recent life events that occur, including births, deaths, marriages, divorces, bar/bat mitzvahs, graduations, etc.
Supply the Genealogist with copies of the documentation supporting the important life events; such as birth, marriage, and death certificates; newspaper clippings and obituaries; invitations to said events; etc. This will especially help future genealogists, as they will already have copies of the inherited documentation and won't have to spend tons money to buy the copies themselves.
Note: Original documents are not required. Readable photocopies are absolutely acceptable. Also acceptable are digitally scanned copies.
As described above, send copies of all invitations and announcements of life events to the Genealogist.
Note: This particular Genealogist will not be upset to receive a wedding or other invitation and not be invited, especially in the case of not having a particularly close relationship to those persons involved in the event, however, the Genealogist WILL be upset to not be informed.
Share with the Genealogist any other research in your possession, such as school assignments from years ago when grandparents were still available for questioning.
Share with the Genealogist some photographs, particularly the kind that your family Genealogist prefers. Some prefer cameos, while others prefer posed pictures from weddings and other events. Find out which one, and send some copies when you send to everyone who attended the event. Digital copies with a good resolution are also acceptable.
Note: This particular family Genealogist travels with a laptop and scanner to make copies of your photos right in your home when I visit.
Please try to remember the Genealogist exists, and don't completely lose touch. Although it may be a while since any events have occurred that you think the Genealogist would want to know about, do drop a short note (email is fine) to let the Genealogist know that nothing has happened, but that you will remember to inform the Genealogist if anything does occur. Otherwise, the Genealogist may start to think that things are happening and the family tree is growing out-of-date.
Keep in mind that although the Genealogist may be spending the majority of his/her time, effort, and money to research the past, keeping the present in the research is just as important, if not more so. Remember, a hundred years from now, your direct descendent may be the one with the "genealogy bug". When that person discovers the research done by your current family Genealogist, he/she will need as much overlapping data as possible to verify the families are one and the same.