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For members interested in earning an accreditation or 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 accreditation and 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 Accredited Genealogist), LCG (Louisiana Certified Genealogist), and LCH (Louisiana Certified Heraldist), which you can use as post-nominals after your name (e.g. Jean Dauzat, LCG).

In every profession, accreditation and 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 accreditation and certification program for Louisiana genealogists.

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

You might wonder why a genealogist needs to earn credentials, especially since so many professional genealogists have created careers without them. Besides becoming a better researcher and honing their craft, it’s worth noting some of the reasons genealogists pursue credentials.  

• Expertise and Recognition. The process of becoming accredited and certified involves rigorous testing, research, 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, LCG; 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 started by researching their own family history. Uncovering your own lineage is the best way to determine whether becoming a genealogist is something you want to do long-term. Not only does it provide first-hand experience, but it also lays the groundwork for the patience and motivation required to succeed in this field.

After building a family history, you will understand how you would like to proceed professionally. And while a formal degree isn’t necessary to become a professional genealogist, there are several ways to enhance knowledge and experience. For example, you might have a college degree in the same or a similar subject, such as family history or anthropology. However, most genealogists come into genealogy from other areas of study or careers.

Many dedicated and motivated genealogists attend institutes and conferences for training, networking opportunities, and courses. There are also online courses in family research and genealogy. Whether you have a degree or not, tracing your own ancestry and completing in-person or online courses are two-steps aspiring genealogists need to complete before beginning the accreditation or certification process. 

Accreditation is usually the first-step a genealogist will take in the credentialing process. While not a prerequisite, most certified genealogists started as an accredited genealogist. At LGHS, the credentials are LAG (Louisiana Accredited Genealogist) and LCG (Louisiana Certified Genealogist).

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

• 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 LCG 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 accredited and certified genealogists.

Genealogists desiring the LCG 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.

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.