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For members interested in earning a certification in genealogy, heraldry, or a specialty area unique to Louisiana, LGHS offers a program to recognize professionals. These credentials are for hobbyists, practitioners, and those seeking a professional career in genealogy. Earn yours through the first genealogical certification program in Louisiana.

While doing research for others is common for a working genealogist, it is not the only area of endeavor. Genealogists serve in many different capacities: lecturers, teachers, professors, archivists, librarians, writers, editors, and consultants.

The Society provides for a renewal program and online verification of credentials. The credentials include LAG (Louisiana Associate Genealogist), LPG (Louisiana Professional Genealogist), and LCH (Louisiana Certified Heraldist), which you can use as post-nominals after your name (e.g. Jean Dauzat, LPG).

In every profession, certification serves as a seal of confidence and credibility. These credentials are a symbol of pride in work done well, personal or professional. As in all fields, practitioners are judged by their skills, knowledge, and ethics. These credentials demonstrate a practitioner has met the field’s rigorous standards. Genealogy is no exception. As an example, for legal or medical consumers know to seek out those with the proper credentials. For genealogical work, the same is true.

For the consumer, these credentials offer reassurance and protection. Consumers recognize they are working with a professional committed to the highest standards in the industry.

LGHS is the first state-wide genealogical society in Louisiana and is nationally and internationally recognized. Over 100 libraries subscribe to its journal, which has been in publication for over 70 years. As a publisher, its books on genealogy and history have been cited in countless articles, research papers, and other books. As Louisiana’s oldest state-wide genealogical society, LGHS created the first certification program for Louisiana genealogists.

LGHS provides for a renewal program and online verification of credentials. The credentials include LAG (Louisiana Associate Genealogist), LPG (Louisiana Professional Genealogist), and LCH (Louisiana Certified Heraldist).

There are considerable benefits to becoming certified.

• Expertise and Recognition. The process of becoming certified involves rigorous research, university/professional coursework, and practical experience, which encourages you to refine your skills. This deepens your expertise in research methodology, source analysis, and problem-solving, improving your overall quality of work. Your credentials signal to clients and peers that you have met high professional standards that have been independently verified. This recognition can increase your credibility, helping you stand out in the competitive field of genealogy.
• Increased Earning Potential. You’re likely to attract more clients and job offers, including legal firms, genealogy companies, and individuals seeking top-tier genealogical services. Your enhanced reputation can lead to more business opportunities and a higher rate for your services.
• Stand out. Relatively few genealogists hold these credentials. Your business card and other documents will include the credential after your name (post-nominal). Examples are: Tiffany Bordelon, LAG; Boudreaux Fontenot, LPG; or if you have multiple credentials Josephine Guidry, LAG, LCH.
• Legal. Your credentials hold up in most courts and will receive an accompanying “qualified expert” witness status.
• Credibility. Credentials add credibility at conferences, panel discussions, and speaking engagements.  
• Networking Opportunities. Your credentials open doors to networking with other professionals, which can lead to collaborative projects, shared resources, and ongoing learning. The support and mentorship from experienced professionals can be invaluable for career development.
• Specialization. Clients seeking in-depth knowledge about their ancestors from Louisiana will prefer a specialized genealogist. This is especially true if you further specialize in Creole, Acadian, Founding Fathers, and Indigenous peoples.
• Commitment to Ethics and Best Practices. Your credential requires adherence to ethical standards and best practices in genealogical research. This ensures that your work is conducted with integrity, reliability, and respect for privacy, which is critical in a field that deals with sensitive personal and historical data.

For many genealogists, their interest in this field did not begin in college, but instead, started by researching their own family history. Discovering your own lineage and the history of your ancestors is the best way to determine whether becoming a genealogist is something you are interested in long-term.

A formal degree isn’t necessary to become a professional genealogist, and few universities in the U.S. and Europe offer dedicated degree programs in this field of study. Most genealogists come into genealogy from other, unrelated areas of study or careers.

Many genealogists attend seminars, institutes, and conferences for training, networking opportunities, and courses. Local genealogical and historical societies are a good place to start. There may even be a genealogical library nearby offering seminars and other training. Online courses in family research and genealogy are readily available, and some are offered at no cost. Whether you have a degree or not, researching your own ancestry and completing in-person or online courses are steps genealogists must complete before beginning the certification process. 

Becoming an associate is usually the first-step a genealogist will take in the credentialing process. This level of certification requires the least amount of experience and education. While not a prerequisite, most professional genealogists started as an associate genealogist. At LGHS, the credentials are LAG (Louisiana Associate Genealogist) and LPG (Louisiana Professional Genealogist).

Compared to the LAG, there are more requirements to obtain the LPG:

• 5 years of experience
• 80 hours of research experience and education
• Submit a detailed portfolio of past genealogical work
• Note: All requirements for the LAG and LPG are provided in the application documents

Most genealogists will be able to achieve their personal and professional objectives with the LAG. You will be able to work as a professional genealogists, publish papers and books, speak at seminars and conferences, participate in panel discussions, and collaborate with other genealogists.

Genealogists desiring the LPG typically want to achieve the highest personal and professional objectives. This may include:

• Guiding or managing the work of other genealogists
• Editing or peer reviewing papers and books
• Keynote speaker at conferences
• Leadership role in a genealogical society
• Working for a state, federal, or tribal government
• Teaching at the university level
• Running your own genealogy business

Heraldry is the design, display, and study of armorial bearings (known as armory or achievement of arms) and includes elements of the study of genealogy, heraldic code, military history, religion, rank, pedigree, and vexillology. Today, the most popular aspect of heraldry is the “coat of arms.” The coat of arms is technically the design that features on the shield in the middle of the panel of the armorial bearings. Another popular misconception that the word “crest” describes a whole coat of arms or any heraldic device. A crest is a specific part of a full achievement of arms: the three-dimensional object placed on top of the helm.

Coats of arms are inherited as are surnames. Typically, a coat of arms is granted or confirmed to one person and their descendants in the legitimate line (usually, but not always the male line) so only that family group will be entitled to the coat of arms, as opposed to everybody of that surname. Many people of the same surname may often be entitled to different coats of arms, and others of that surname may be entitled to no coat of arms at all. For any person to have a right to a coat of arms they must either have had it granted to them or be descended in the legitimate male line from a person to whom arms were granted or confirmed in the past. Sound confusing? It can be, but heraldists are available to help in this process. Heraldists can research and find your coat of arms, as well as, assist in the confirmation process.

Many of Louisiana’s Founding Fathers, Creoles, Cajuns, and other families have European roots, particularly from France, Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire. Their families have armorial bearings. Many Louisianans and LGHS members are armigerous – i.e. they have a coat of arms. Members struggled with finding heraldists and resources that could assist in this aspect of their genealogical research. In response for this growing need, LGHS offered seminars in heraldry and established the first heraldry program in the state: Louisiana Certified Heraldist (LCH).

In addition to researching, identifying, and deciphering ancient and traditional coat of arms, heraldists can design and register coats of arms with U.S. and European heraldic societies and registers. There is also an international register. All new coats of arms are registered with rationale and history behind the use and design along with family biographies.