Does the law acknowledge geneologists ?

Question

I recently had a geneologist trace my family tree, he managed to locate my relatives but in the process, he had to write out an affidavit to prove the link between me & my great grandfather.Will the home office acknowledge his proffesion & statement that he has provided me?

I live in London & the genealogist trained at canterbury & is part of the record & heraldic society. He is the only person that can prove the link between my great grandfather & his son due to the fact my grandfather was not issued a birth certificate.

Answer 1

Has he worked as an expert witness in the past? He has to have the knowledge, skills and background for his knowledge to be accepted as expert; otherwise anyone could write down names and swear on an affidavit that they are true.

Answer 2

I assume this is a question of whether or not you have claim to an estate?
A few years back, I was contacted by an attorney, concerning my records of one certain family. Both husband and wife lived past 100, none of their children left descendents, so it was necessary to identify other relatives. I am not certified, but I was the family "secretary", and had collected what they needed. The attorney did not ask for any affidavit of any kind.
I am not certain what home office you are referring to. I would guess that any such information would be submitted to the judge (or probate official), who would be the authority on determining if the records were enough to be valid. There might be closer requirements, IF they believe there could be cause to dispute it. I would assume that the affidavit names the sources used, and his signing the affidavit puts the burden on him if there is any question. There may be no reason in their minds to challenge his work.

Answer 3

His affadavit is like a warranty. He is guaranteeing to a moral certainty (which is a very high standard of the law) that the work he performed is true and accurate. I don't routinely provide them in the US, but I have provided them in international work. In the US, I simply provide a statement with my work that it is true and accurate to the best of my capabilities and that if there is any reason for revisiting the research to reprove a lineage, I stand behind my work and will assist the client in proving his/her lineage. The only time I provide affidavits in the US is in probate or estate issues, law suits, or other legal disputes where the veracity of the work is integral in someone else proving their case.

Answer 4

Typically, a 'Certified Genealogical Research Scientist' (CGRS) is a member of a nationally recognized, professional organization that is recognized as an authority on genealogical research matters. Whether or not your genealogist is qualified to act as an expert witness is another level of sophistication and it is really up to the 'home office' to accept his credentials or not.

Answer 5

With that question you get into the area of - what country's laws? What are the genealogist's qualifications and certifications, are they legally recognized and to what extent ... see what I mean?