They work as researchers, writers, or expert witnesses in a variety of fields. Some hire employees and grow their business into a company, others prefer to work alone. Some work as freelance researchers or writers for a number of different consulting firms. The most numerous self-employed public historians are genealogists, who trace family ties through time and space. The Washington DC area is home to hundreds of freelance researchers, including genealogists, environmental historians, litigation support researchers, writers, journalistic authors, and others.
Many individual contractors are graduate students.
They work during Summer and Winter break, or whenever their schedule allows. Freelance opportunities are also posted on history news groups. For a list of news groups you can join, click here .