Digital Products for Your Genealogy Research Business
Digital products let you earn income beyond your hourly research rates and reach clients who aren’t ready to hire you for a full project. As a genealogy researcher, you have specialized knowledge about records, research methods, and family history documentation that many people want to learn. Selling templates, guides, and courses builds your reputation while creating passive or semi-passive revenue alongside your service work.
The products that work best for genealogy businesses are those that solve specific problems your clients face: finding records, organizing their findings, understanding DNA results, or documenting their research properly.
DNA Test Result Interpretation Guides
What it is: A downloadable PDF or ebook that walks people through understanding their AncestryDNA, 23andMe, or MyHeritage results. Include explanations of matches, confidence levels, what different relationship predictions mean, and how to use the results to advance their research.
Who buys it: People who took a DNA test and feel confused by the results, or genealogy enthusiasts wanting to learn how to interpret DNA data before hiring a researcher.
How to create it: Use your knowledge of DNA testing platforms and real examples from your own tests (anonymized). Structure it as a step-by-step walkthrough with screenshots and clear language for non-technical readers. Add sections on common mistakes people make when interpreting matches.
Where to sell it: Gumroad, Etsy (digital downloads category), or your own website. Promote it to people who’ve recently ordered DNA kits or joined genealogy Facebook groups.
Realistic income: $300–$800 per month at $15–$25 per download, depending on your marketing effort. A strong guide with good promotion can reach $1,000+ monthly.
Research Planning Worksheets and Checklists
What it is: A collection of downloadable worksheets that help genealogy researchers organize their work: source checklists for different record types, research planning templates, ahnentafel worksheets, family group sheets with genealogical standards built in, and timeline templates.
Who buys it: DIY genealogy researchers and amateur family historians who want to approach their research more systematically.
How to create it: Design these in Canva or Word based on forms you already use in your research. Make them professionally formatted but simple enough for non-researchers to follow. Bundle 8–12 related worksheets into one downloadable package.
Where to sell it: Etsy is ideal for worksheets. You can also sell directly from your website or through Gumroad. Consider selling some worksheets individually and others as discounted bundles.
Realistic income: $400–$1,200 per month. Worksheet products have lower price points ($5–$15) but higher volume potential. SEO-friendly listings on Etsy can drive steady organic sales.
Online Course: Getting Started in Genealogy Research
What it is: A self-paced video course covering the fundamentals of genealogy research: how to organize information, where to find vital records, understanding different document types, building a research plan, and avoiding common beginner mistakes.
Who buys it: Complete beginners interested in researching their own family history, or adult children wanting to understand their family’s records before hiring professional help.
How to create it: Record 5–10 video lessons (15–30 minutes each) using screen recordings, talking-head video, or a combination. Host it on Teachable, Udemy, or Kajabi. Include worksheets, a resource list, and a community forum or email support option.
Where to sell it: Your own website with Teachable or Kajabi creates the best margins. You can also publish on Udemy for wider reach, though they take a larger cut. Promote through genealogy blogs, Facebook groups, and Pinterest.
Realistic income: $500–$2,500 per month once established. A beginner-level course priced at $29–$97 needs 10–50 enrollments monthly to reach this range. Udemy courses typically bring less revenue but easier promotion.
Record Research Guides by Location
What it is: Detailed PDF guides for researching specific locations: “How to Research Your German Ancestry,” “Finding Scottish Records Online,” or “Complete Guide to New York City Vital Records.” Include what records exist, where to access them, typical costs, what information each record contains, and research strategies.
Who buys it: Genealogy researchers trying to find ancestors from a specific country or region, especially people with limited genealogy experience.
How to create it: Choose locations where you have real research experience. Draw on your knowledge of which repositories hold which records, online access options, and practical tips from your own work. Update the guide annually as websites and availability change.
Where to sell it: Etsy, Gumroad, and your website all work well. Create multiple guides to build a product line that covers major immigration sources (Ireland, Germany, Italy, England, etc.).
Realistic income: $600–$1,500 per month across a product line of 4–6 regional guides, priced at $12–$20 each. Location-specific guides rank well in search results and attract consistent sales.
Genealogy Software Training Tutorials
What it is: Video or PDF tutorials teaching people how to use specific genealogy software like Family Tree Maker, RootsMagic, or Legacy Family Tree. Cover the basics: building a tree, entering sources correctly, generating reports, and avoiding data-entry mistakes.
Who buys it: People who purchased genealogy software but don’t know how to use it effectively, or researchers wanting to switch software platforms.
How to create it: Record screen-capture videos or write step-by-step guides with screenshots for your software of choice. Keep tutorials focused on specific tasks rather than trying to cover everything. Create separate courses for different software platforms.
Where to sell it: Your own website, Teachable, or Gumroad. YouTube with a community tab linking to your paid course can drive viewers to purchase.
Realistic income: $200–$700 per month. Software-specific courses have smaller audiences but dedicated buyers. Price at $29–$49 per course.
Family History Interview Guide and Template
What it is: A downloadable guide and audio recording template that helps people conduct and document interviews with elderly relatives. Includes interview questions organized by life stages, guidance on recording and transcribing conversations, follow-up questions to ask, and how to organize recorded interviews.
Who buys it: Adult children and grandchildren wanting to preserve family stories before relatives pass away, or genealogy researchers preparing for client interviews.
How to create it: Write a comprehensive question list based on interviews you’ve conducted. Create a simple template for organizing recorded or written interview notes. Add sections on best practices for recording and transcribing. Keep the tone warm and encouraging.
Where to sell it: Etsy, Gumroad, or your website. Market through life legacy blogs, memory-keeping communities, and end-of-life planning websites.
Realistic income: $250–$600 per month at $7–$12 per purchase. This is a smaller niche but with steady demand.
Research Report Templates for Professional Genealogists
What it is: Customizable Word or PDF templates that other genealogy researchers can use to format their client reports professionally. Include sections for source citations, analysis, findings, conclusions, and recommended next steps, all following genealogical standards.
Who buys it: Other genealogy researchers and emerging professional genealogists who want to present work more professionally without building templates from scratch.
How to create it: Base these on your actual client reports (with client information removed). Make them customizable with instructional notes for other researchers. Create multiple versions: one-person research summary, extended multi-generation report, and DNA analysis report.
Where to sell it: Gumroad or your website work best for B2B products. Promote through genealogy professional networks, Facebook groups for genealogy business owners, and industry forums.
Realistic income: $150–$400 per month. B2B products sell to fewer people but at higher price points ($25–$50). You’ll also build relationships with other professionals who may refer clients to you.
Getting Started With Digital Products
- Start with worksheets and checklists. These require the least creation time since you’re adapting forms you already use. List the five worksheets or checklists you use most in your research and create polished PDF versions for each.
- Choose one location guide as your second product. Pick a region where you have deep research experience and can speak confidently about available records and research strategies. Invest time making this comprehensive and useful.
- Set up a sales platform. Open a Gumroad or Etsy account (or both) and upload your first two products. Test your product descriptions and pricing. Make sure your file names and downloads work correctly before promoting.
- Plan your first course or comprehensive guide. Based on what sells from your worksheets and location guides, record a beginner-level course or write an in-depth ebook. This becomes your signature digital product and can generate higher revenue over time.
- Promote strategically. Join genealogy Facebook groups, answer questions in forums, and link to your products when relevant. Avoid hard selling—build trust first by sharing free knowledge, then mention paid resources as deeper options.
- Gather feedback and iterate. Ask customers what additional products they need. Update your best-selling products annually to keep information current.
Pricing Your Digital Products
Price your digital products lower than your hourly research rate but high enough to reflect real value. A worksheet that saves someone 5 hours of work is worth far more than $5, but most genealogy hobbyists won’t pay $50 for a PDF. Find the middle ground: worksheets and checklists typically sell well at $5–$12, guides and location resources at $12–$25, and courses at $29–$97. People who research their own family are cost-conscious but willing to pay when they see specific, practical value.
Test pricing by starting slightly lower than you think appropriate. A product priced at $9 that sells 30 times monthly generates more revenue than the same product priced at $19 that sells 10 times monthly. Watch your sales data and raise prices gradually as demand stabilizes. Most genealogy researchers expect to find good deals, so promotions and bundle discounts often outperform full-price sales.