Genealogist Panel

Expert Genealogist Panel | Irish Family History Centre at EPIC

About EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum

At EPIC, discover Ireland from the outside in and find out why saying “I’m Irish” is one of the biggest conversation starters, no matter where you are. EPIC tells the moving and unforgettable stories of those who left the island of Ireland and how they influenced and shaped the world.

We want the people who work with us to be equally inspired by what they do. We aim to create a working environment where people are encouraged, challenged, valued and supported, and where everyone has the opportunity to contribute.

About the Irish Family History Centre

Located within EPIC, the Irish Family History Centre (IFHC) connects people from around the world with their Irish ancestry.  With millions of people worldwide claiming Irish heritage, our team of expert genealogists works with visitors at every stage of their family history journey. From someone taking their first steps into Irish genealogy to clients looking to resolve complex research questions, we use our knowledge of Irish records, archives and social history to uncover the people and stories behind a family tree.

We are now looking for experienced genealogists to join our Expert Genealogist Panel, providing professional genealogy consultations to clients both in person at the Irish Family History Centre and online.

The Role

As an Expert Genealogist, you will work directly with clients to research and develop their Irish family history.

Our consultations are live research sessions. You will be researching in real time with the client, either sitting with you in the Irish Family History Centre or joining you online. There is no advance preparation or research undertaken before the consultation, so you will need to be confident assessing the information a client brings, identifying the most useful sources and deciding where to take the research next as the consultation unfolds.

This requires strong professional genealogy expertise, but also the ability to think on your feet, explain what you are doing and bring the client with you through the research process. Sometimes you will find the answer they are looking for; sometimes the value will be in identifying what the evidence tells us, ruling something out or giving the client a clear direction for the next stage of their research.

Each client and family story is different. You will need to be comfortable moving between different records, sources and research questions while providing a warm, professional and engaging experience for the client.

What You’ll Do

• Deliver live, one-to-one genealogy consultations, researching alongside the client either in person or online.
• Quickly assess the information and research a client brings to the consultation and identify the most appropriate starting point.
• Research Irish family history in real time, using your knowledge and judgement to follow the evidence and adapt the research direction as new information emerges.
• Explain your research process, findings and limitations clearly so that the client is part of the research journey.
• Research, document and develop Irish family trees using a broad range of genealogical sources.
• Work confidently with Irish civil, church and census records, local histories, archival material and other relevant sources.
• Use online research platforms including Ancestry, Findmypast, FamilySearch and IrishGenealogy.ie.
• Critically assess existing research and online family trees, identifying gaps, inconsistencies and potential errors.
• Develop appropriate research strategies and recommend next steps where further investigation is required.
• Handle personal, family and potentially sensitive information with appropriate confidentiality, discretion and sensitivity.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the Irish Family History Centre to provide a professional and consistent service.

What We’re Looking For

This role requires strong practical experience in genealogical research. You should be confident working independently with genealogical records and able to apply your knowledge to a wide variety of family history questions.

Because our research happens live with the client, we are also looking for someone who is comfortable thinking on their feet. You will need to be able to assess information quickly, change direction when the evidence requires it and communicate what you are doing clearly and confidently throughout the consultation.

You’ll bring:

• Proven experience conducting Irish genealogical research across a broad range of sources.
• Strong knowledge of Irish civil, church and other relevant genealogical records, including records across different faith communities.
• Confidence using major online genealogy and research platforms.
• A good understanding of Irish social history and the historical context surrounding the records you use.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to assess evidence critically rather than relying solely on existing online family trees.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain research and findings clearly to clients with different levels of genealogy knowledge.
• A warm, engaging and professional approach to client service.
• Strong attention to detail and respect for confidentiality.
• Reliability and the ability to work collaboratively as part of the wider IFHC team.
• Flexibility to work across a seven-day operation, including weekends and Public Holidays.

A degree in History or a related discipline such as Anthropology or Folklore, or a recognised qualification in genealogy, would be an advantage.

How the Expert Genealogist Panel Works

The Irish Family History Centre operates seven days per week, Monday to Sunday, including Public Holidays.

This is a flexible panel arrangement rather than a role with fixed weekly hours. Panel members will be offered available shifts based on the operational requirements of the Centre and can choose whether to accept those shifts.

Consultations may be delivered in person at the Irish Family History Centre at The CHQ Building, Dublin 1, or online, depending on the service being provided.

Interested in Joining Our Panel?

If you have strong Irish genealogy expertise and enjoy using that knowledge to connect people with their family history, we’d love to hear from you.

Please apply with:

1. A short cover letter telling us about your genealogy experience, why you would like to work with the Irish Family History Centre and what you would bring to our Expert Genealogist Panel
2. Your CV.

We look forward to hearing from you.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic. We strive to create an environment that embraces and celebrates the differences among our employees, promoting a culture of fairness, equality, and mutual respect.