The Legacy of a Professional Genealogist: 50 Years of Price Genealogy

The journey of a master genealogist often begins not in a grand archive, but in the quiet corners of a family home. For Richard Price, that journey began in 1962. Like many young teenagers, Richard was naturally curious, but the discovery of an old file drawer of family memorabilia in his grandfather’s garage, transformed a passing interest into a lifelong professional calling.

What began as childhood fascination would grow into five decades of professional research, global travel, mentorship, and a reputation built on accuracy, integrity, and respect for the past. Explore the legacy of a professional genealogist.

The “Aha” Moment: Discovery

Opening that file drawer was more than a glimpse into the past; it was Richard’s first experience with the physicality of history. As he sifted through original records, fading photographs, and handwritten notes, he realized these were not just artifacts, they were puzzles waiting to be solved. These documents were created by real people whose lives once unfolded in real time, and he felt the responsibility of handling their stories carefully.

This early exposure to primary sources shaped a philosophy that would define his career: genealogy must be grounded in tangible evidence to uncover the truth. Assumptions were never enough. Stories had to be supported. Records had to be found, read, and understood in context. Richard recalls:

“When I was about 12 or 13 years old, my Grandad, J.R. Price, showed me his file cabinets in his garage. He had drawers of genealogical material, much of it inherited from his mother, Mary Hannah Daybell Price. He let me go through it and eventually take anything I wanted. We didn’t have copy machines, so I would type up the sheets as I could. I copied pedigrees, family group sheets, histories, photos, and newspaper clippings.

At the time, my Grandad was president of the Mesa Arizona Temple. He and my Nana had their home in Phoenix but also stayed in the president’s home next to the temple. They would take me to stay there during the summers and took me to the genealogical library adjacent to the temple. The ladies there helped me find histories and genealogies I could copy for our family. It helped me get started on the Price and Alexander families and was very enlightening.”

Those early summers built more than research skills — they built confidence, independence, and a sense that history was something living and reachable.

By age fifteen, Richard’s dedication had already surpassed that of a typical hobbyist. He set his sights on the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS), spending a week immersed in its collections. Standing in one of the nation’s most prestigious genealogical repositories as a teenager, he wasn’t just searching for names — he was learning rigorous methodology, careful source evaluation, and disciplined research habits that would guide him for the next fifty years.

The Traveling Researcher

For fifteen years, Richard traveled to England approximately every eighteen months, often staying six to eight weeks at a time for intensive research. He worked in county record offices across England, Scotland, and Wales, gaining firsthand knowledge of original records long before digitization made them widely accessible. These were not vacations, they were research marathons driven by purpose.

In 1973, during a family trip to Europe, Richard parted ways with his parents and siblings who were sightseeing so he could pursue records. He spent days at St. Catherine’s House in London ordering birth, marriage, and death certificates. Unaware of how long the process would take, he found himself without lodging and slept in a band shell rather than lose valuable research time. That moment captures the determination that defined his career: when the records mattered, comfort came second.

From London, he traveled to Norwich, researching the Daynes family in the archives and visiting all forty parish churches in the area. He then continued to Ludlow to seek records for the Price family. It was during this trip that he joined the Society of Genealogists in London, further connecting him to the professional community.

On nearly every research journey thereafter, Richard devoted most of his time to client work, often spending a week in Northampton for one client line and another in Somerset for someone else, while also working in multiple counties for additional families. He later conducted research in Germany, visiting churches to trace both his own ancestors and those of clients.

As his daughter, I was fortunate to accompany him on one of these trips back in 2001. It was exhausting, exhilarating work. From morning until closing time, every day was spent in archives in London, Norwich, Cornwall, Ludlow, Warwick etc. Watching him work and learning from him, I saw not just knowledge but endurance, focus, and deep respect for the responsibility of getting each family story right. I began to understand the excitement and obsession of finding that missing person and not stopping until that person was found!

Richard worked in every county record office in England and numerous archives in Scotland and Wales. This era of “boots-on-the-ground” research gave him an instinct for English lineages that can only come from years of handling original parchment, deciphering old handwriting, and understanding local record traditions.

The Becoming of Price Genealogy

Richard pursued genealogy professionally despite skepticism. A BYU professor once told him he could never make a living as a genealogist and should find a “real job.” Instead, he pressed forward, trusting both his ability and the growing need for professional-level research.

After graduating with his bachelor’s degree, he worked for the Institute of Family Research, earning $2.50 per hour while becoming their English genealogy specialist. While there, he wrote a book about John Lothropp, an ancestor he had been particularly interested in since discovering him in his youth. Richard said this in the preface of his book, “To commemorate the 400th anniversary of the birth of John Lothropp, a grand old Puritan whose life seems to have perfectly mingled intense integrity and boundless charity for others, I have prepared this fourth revised edition of his history and genealogy. Because he is my ninth great-grandfather (on three separate descents), it has been a labor of love as well as professional dedication.”

In June 1976, while still working at IFR, Richard opened PO Box 11980 and began Price & Associates, serving private clients on evenings and weekends. It was a season of long days, late nights, and quiet faith that the work would grow. He built his client base the old-fashioned way: through personal connections. He gave presentations to friends of his parents, extended family, and community groups across Phoenix, Washington D.C., San Diego, Oregon, Denver, and beyond. These gatherings were part lecture, part storytelling, and part education, and they worked. Word of mouth steadily expanded his reputation.

When the Institute of Family Research closed in 1981, Richard continued independently, acquiring English clients from IFR and expanding his private practice, laying the foundation for what would become Price Genealogy.

Professional Pillars

These years established Richard not just as a researcher, but as a professional leader in genealogy:

• 1978 – Joined the Guild of One-Name Studies (member #284)
• 1979 – Achieved Accreditation in English Genealogy
• 1979 – One of twelve founders of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), helping establish ethical and professional standards; served as second president in 1981
• 1984 – Earned a Master’s Degree in Family History from Brigham Young University

These milestones reflect his commitment not only to research, but to elevating genealogy as a respected profession.

A Legacy of Mentorship

After opening his first office in downtown Salt Lake City in 1981, Richard’s practice became a training ground for future leaders in genealogy. Rarely was he seen in the Family History Library alone; he almost always had a researcher at his side learning methodology, writing standards, and professional discipline. He emphasized that a genealogist must be able to prove conclusions through clear writing, correct grammar, and exhaustive evidence. His mentorship shaped careers and strengthened standards across the industry.

From First Office to Continuing the Work

Richard’s wife, Nancy, joined him in the business and remains Vice President today, still packaging projects with the same care that defined the early years. In 2020, following the passing of colleague Johni Cerny, Richard took on her clients and unfinished projects, ensuring her life’s work would continue. Thus, Lineages joined forces with Price Genealogy.

Personal Legacy

Richard and Nancy have five children and twelve grandchildren. They spend most of their free time with their family, who mean the world to them. They love to travel and see the world, especially enjoying walks through the streets of Europe. They make regular visits to California, where their son, daughter-in-law, and four of their grandchildren live.

You can often find Richard at any BYU football game, which is his favorite pastime; he also loves to golf. Both he and Nancy enjoy the arts and hold season tickets to a nearby theatre. They are wonderful parents who have always taught the importance of faith, family, and kindness towards others first. Among family and close friends, there is a standing joke that Richard lives each minute of every day asking himself, “Have I done any good in the world today?” If he hasn’t, he makes sure it happens soon.

Richard and Nancy just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year. They are remarkable parents who taught their children to work hard and rely on the atoning grace of our Savior Jesus Christ.

As their oldest child, I grew up working in the Family History Library beside Richard, scrolling through microfilm and microfiche. All four of my siblings have also worked with him.

Richard’s high expectations and demanding work ethic built a culture of trust and excellence, both in his business and at home. His relationships with clients reflect a deep personal connection and professional respect. He often says:

“I have never worked a day in my life because my work is also my hobby.”

And that passion remains the heart of Price Genealogy, fifty years later.

Continue the Story With Price Genealogy

For fifty years, Price Genealogy has been built on one belief: every family story matters. Behind every name is a life, and behind every life is a story worth preserving with care, accuracy, and respect. Whether you are just beginning to explore your heritage or trying to break through a long-standing family mystery, the mission remains the same as it was when Richard first opened that file box decades ago, to find the truth in the records and bring the past into clearer focus for the present.

As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we are deeply grateful for the trust families have placed in us across generations. It is a privilege to help people discover where they come from, understand the paths their ancestors walked, and preserve those stories for the future.

If you are ready to learn more about your own family history, we would be honored to help you continue your story. Contact Price Genealogy to begin your research journey.

Jessica

All photos Owned by Author

1. Richard Price, Phoenix Arizona, 1967, photo owned by Richard.
2. Mabel and JR Price family, Phoenix, Arizona, 1952, photo owned by Richard.
3. Richard Price, London, England, 1984, photo taken by a friend.
4. Richard Price, England, 1974, photo taken by Richard’s father.
5. Richard Price with his aunt and uncle, Benbow Farm, England, 1987, photo owned by Richard.
6. Richard Price studying old records, Tolleshunt, Essex, England, 1987, photo owned by Richard.
7. Richard Price presenting, San Diego, California, 1988, photo taken by Nancy Price.
8. Price Genealogy Team, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1990, photo taken by Nancy Price.
9. Price Genealogy Team at new office, Salt Lake City, 1990, photo taken by Nancy.
10. Price family photo, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1996, photo taken by Barrus Photography.
11. Jessica and Richard at a BYU game, Provo, Utah, 2024, photo taken by Jessica Adlard.
12. Family photo with Grandchildren, St George, Utah, 2024, photo taken by Jessica Adlard,
13. Photo of Richard Price, Sandy, Utah, 2025, photo taken by Jessica Adlard.