Researcher

Job summary

Research and trace family lines using genealogy and public-records databases, courts, and libraries; analyze documents and prepare accurate case reports, status letters, and family trees. Manage a caseload and deadlines, communicate professionally with clients and heirs by phone, and make cost-effective decisions about external research and support services.

Job details

About HeirSearch HeirSearch (a division of International Genealogical Search, Inc.) helps law firms, trust companies, and estate administrators locate missing heirs and descendants in matters involving estates, trusts, and properties. We do real research with real consequences — our reports are relied on in courts and in the careful work of settling families' affairs. We're a family-owned, second-generation company of about 50 people, with a research team of 25 to 30. The culture here is collaborative, kind, and committed to work-life balance — alongside the things you'd expect from a small, tight-knit firm: social events, annual recognition bonuses, and a mix of young researchers and seasoned mentors. The Opportunity We are hiring four new Researchers to start in early December. You do not need a genealogy background. We will teach you the research method. We are looking for sharp, accountable people with some life and work experience behind them who want to learn a niche and stay with it. You start as a junior Researcher and progress through our internal training program. What You Will Do • Research and trace family lines using genealogy databases, proprietary public records databases, courts, and libraries. • Analyze and interpret documents, then write clear, accurate case reports, status letters, and family trees. • Manage your own caseload. Track your hours, hit client timelines, and keep your production current. • Speak with leads, clients, and heirs by phone. Build rapport, manage expectations, and handle difficult conversations professionally, including delivering difficult news. • Make cost-effective decisions on external researchers, translators, and notary services as needed. Nice to Have • Some project management experience. • Background in history, humanities, or another research-heavy field. • A second language. Spanish as a native speaker is a real plus. Tools You Will Use • Genealogy and public records databases, including proprietary ones. • Family tree software, Salesforce, and MS Word and Office. Education Secondary education required. Post-secondary preferred. Equivalent experience is considered. What We Offer • Extended health and dental, plus a Health Spending Account. • Three weeks vacation after one year, with more added as your tenure grows • Annual bonus plan based upon performance • Hybrid schedule with four days in our Vancouver office and one work-from-home day per week (available after six months in role) • A supportive, flexible, open culture that rewards long service. Hourly: $27-$29/hr Requirements Most of this is about mindset. We can teach the genealogy. We cannot teach accountability or reliability. • Strong critical thinking. You can look at evidence, reason through it, and explain how you reached a conclusion. • High accountability. You own your work, and you work through your mistakes rather than around them. • Reliability and a long-term mindset. We are not looking for job hoppers. We are looking for someone keen to invest in a workplace. • Real-world experience before this role. Retail, customer-facing, or any setting where you dealt with clients or difficult people. • Comfortable on the phone, including cold calling. Professional and calm under pressure. • Strong time management. You can plan your work and deliver under deadline.

What you’ll do

Research and trace family lines using genealogy and public-records databases, courts, and libraries; analyze documents and prepare accurate case reports, status letters, and family trees. Manage a caseload and deadlines, communicate professionally with clients and heirs by phone, and make cost-effective decisions about external research and support services.

Requirements

Secondary education is required, while post-secondary education or equivalent experience is preferred; prior genealogy experience is not necessary because training is provided. Candidates should demonstrate critical thinking, accountability, reliability, real-world client-facing experience, comfort with phone calls including cold calls, and strong time management.

Benefits

• Extended Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Health Spending Account
• Three Weeks Of Vacation After One Year
• Additional Vacation With Tenure
• Annual Performance Bonus
• Hybrid Work Schedule
• Supportive And Flexible Culture

Listed skills

• Critical Thinking · Preferred
• case management · Preferred
• Time management · Preferred
• Relationship Building · Preferred
• Reliability · Preferred
• Project management · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Critical Thinking
• Genealogical Research
• Document Analysis
• Report Writing
• Case Management
• Time Management
• Client Communication
• Phone Communication
• Relationship Building
• Expectation Management
• Professionalism Under Pressure
• Accountability
• Reliability
• Project Management
• Cost-Effective Decision-Making
• Family Tree Research

Job areas

• Science & Research
• Legal
• Administrative
• Customer Service & Support