The Genlighten Tour -- for Lookup Providers

Genlighten makes it simple and convenient for you to offer genealogical record lookups to interested clients and earn extra income in the process. Here's a brief look at the steps you'll go through and the features we offer.

Provider profile page: Tell us about yourself!

This page acts as your personal storefront on Genlighten. Here clients can see a list of the lookups you offer, review ratings and feedback you’ve received and scan a summary of your background.

  • Start by uploading a profile photo and composing a brief biographical sketch to help clients get to know you.
  • Summarize your research specialities, including the localities and record types you can search.
  • List your genealogical experience, training, certifications, and anything else you feel establishes your credibility with potential customers.

The "My Genlighten" dashboard

The dashboard serves as the central hub of your activity on Genlighten. Here you can quickly get up-to-date on incoming requests from clients and access all the site’s key features from a single convenient location.

  • The Lookup Feed displays your activity stream, including new lookup requests and messages from clients.
  • You can choose to receive alerts whenever new custom lookup requests are posted for localities in which you conduct research.
  • The buttons on the right link you directly to the site features you'll use most often.

Create a new lookup offering

You’ve done your homework -- you know what records you can retrieve from nearby repositories and the data clients can gain from those records. Now it’s time to market your lookups to potential clients.

  • Start by selecting a record type and a locality. Then craft a descriptive headline for your lookup that will grab interest and attention.
  • Describe the records you'll search, the info you'll need, and typical turnaround times. Set prices that fairly value your time and expertise.
  • Compose instructions that will help elicit from the client the details you require to complete their lookup request successfully.

Track lookup requests you’ve received

Did any new requests come in overnight? What's my to-do list look like for the trip to the repository tomorrow? You can find the answers to these questions here. Click on "Detailed View" and you can also:

  • Review incoming requests and choose to accept or decline them.
  • Exchange brief messages with the client to get clarifying info or to update them on your progress.

Deliver documents and receive payment

After retrieving the document(s) the client requested, you’ll mark the lookup "Document Found" and upload a scanned image of the record. You’ll also add the appropriate source citation data.

  • When you complete the upload process, you’ll finalize the lookup and charge your fee to the client’s credit card or PayPal account.
  • Once the charge goes through, the client will be able to view and download their document(s).
  • After a brief escrow period, your fee will be transferred to your PayPal account.
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