Professional Genealogy Services
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ANCESTRAL PRIDE Professional Genealogy Services |
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Robert M. Wilbanks IV |
Robert Martin Wilbanks IV is a long time genealogist and professional genealogist. At 13 he became interested in genealogy in 1977 with the advent of the television mini-series Roots. He first became very interested in history in the 4th grade, virtually reading all of the history books in his elementary school library by the 8th grade. With Roots he realized that he could search for his ancestors and learn their part in the "Great American Experience" that he so loved to read about. He instantly became a fervent genealogist, researching constantly. He learned so much about libraries and library research, that he has worked in libraries from 1982 through 1992, and again from 1998 to the present. He earned a degree as a library para-professional, as well as a B.A. in History. Meanwhile throughout the 90s he became involved in local genealogy societies and attended many seminars of the most notable genealogists today, as well as listening to them at many of the National conferences. He even attended the Institute of Genealogy and History at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama for three years. He learned all the most sophisticated techniques for genealogical research and analysis, which he strongly practices not only as a professional genealogist, but also in his own personal genealogical research. In 1989 he gave his first genealogical presentation, on military records, to the Paradise Valley Chapter of the Family History Society of Arizona. That was the beginning of his career as a professional genealogist, publishing surname newsletters, speaking, researching, editing society newsletters and quarterlies, and even writing a column for a small local newspaper. He helped start the East Valley, Tempe and Scottsdale Chapters of the Family History Society, holding the office of President for the latter for two years. He helped to charter the Barry M. Goldwater Chapter of the Arizona Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, as well as two local chapters of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, holding the office of Commander for 5 years. In the 1990s his professional career got so busy that he was unable to do personal genealogical research. Then his personal life circumstances changed and Robert quit genealogy as a profession in 2000. Since June of 2000 he has worked as a Library Assistant at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe. The last few years he has slowly gotten back into genealogy personally and professionally, making speaking appearances, teaching an 8 week beginning genealogy course for the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department, teaching a 6 week Irish-American beginning genealogy course for the Irish Cultural Center. He is currently President of the Arizona Council of Professional Genealogists, and is the Chief Genealogist for the Caledonian Society of Arizona.
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Ancestral Pride: Professional Genealogy Services is a registered trade name certified with the State of Arizona, Department of State.
©2009-2014, Robert M. Wilbanks IV, Scottsdale, Arizona