When Careless and Lazy Probate Genealogists Contact Me: A Case Study in Professional Incompetence
Yesterday, I received yet another message from a probate genealogist that perfectly exemplifies why most of these inquiries waste everyone’s time.
The Initial Message
“Can you find relatives of a woman born in Osaka in 19XX? If so, please provide a quote.”
My first thought: He hasn’t read my profile at all.
I sent my standard response explaining that I specialize in ancestry research, not probate genealogy, and included a link to my detailed article: “Why 100% of Japanese Heirs Think You’re a Fraud: The Failure of Probate Genealogists“
I also asked eight specific questions essential for any quote:
- Do you have their address in Japan? When was this valid?
- Have you contacted them by mail?
- Do you have their names in Japanese kanji?
- Do you have their registered domicile (honsekichi)?
- Have you obtained their family registers (koseki)?
- Do you have birth date, career, or cemetery information?
- What is your budget? (Minimum: ¥100,000)
- What exactly do you want me to do?
The Response That Confirmed My Suspicions
Instead of answering these questions, he replied:
“We need to locate her birth record and identify siblings/nephews. She died in Spain. This is not fraud – it’s necessary for legal issues with Spanish tax authorities and property associations.”
Notice what’s missing? Answers to any of my questions.
The Fatal Flaw: “It’s Routine in Most Countries”
Then came the revealing follow-up:
“I only requested a quote. This is a necessary and routine procedure in most countries.“
This single sentence exposes the core problem with many Western probate genealogists approaching Japan:
The Assumption of Universal Systems
“Routine in most countries” = “Should be routine in Japan too”
Wrong.
Japan’s koseki (family register) system makes probate genealogy fundamentally different – and largely unnecessary – compared to Western countries. This is explained in detail in the article I sent him.
But he didn’t read it.
The Pattern of Professional Laziness
This genealogist demonstrated classic traits I’ve observed repeatedly:
1. Skipping Basic Research
- Didn’t read my profile (clearly states “ancestry research specialist”)
- Didn’t read the article I sent (twice)
- Made zero effort to understand Japanese systems before contacting me
2. Refusing to Provide Information
- Wants a quote without giving necessary details
- Expects me to work with minimal information
- Assumes “woman born in Osaka 19XX” is sufficient : “Osaka” has two meanings: Osaka City, with a population of 2.8 million, and Osaka Prefecture, with a population of 8.77 million.
3. Defensive Rather Than Collaborative
- “It’s not fraud” (I never said it was)
- “It’s routine” (dismissing cultural/systemic differences)
- “I only requested a quote” (as if that requires no information)
4. Misunderstanding the Real Issue
I explicitly told him:
“The important thing is not whether I suspect you of fraud, but whether the person you’re looking for suspects you of fraud.”
His response showed he completely missed this point.
Why This Matters
When I warned him, “If you don’t change your perception, you will fail. The situation and system in Japan is completely different from the countries you’ve worked in. Please do your best,” I wasn’t being dismissive.
I was giving him crucial professional advice.
But he was too lazy to:
- Read the explanation
- Answer basic questions
- Understand systemic differences
The Inevitable Outcome
If I had accepted this case, here’s what would have happened:
- Investigation Challenge: Minimal information makes finding anyone nearly impossible
- His Response: “Why can’t you find them? Other countries have databases!”
- My Explanation: “Japan doesn’t work that way, as explained in the article”
- His Counter: “What article? I didn’t read it. This is your fault.”
- Final Stage: Accusations of fraud, demands for refunds, bad reviews
The Professional Standard I Maintain
I run a business where information is the product.
Before payment, I don’t provide:
- Detailed investigation methods
- Specific findings
- Free consulting
But I do provide:
- Clear explanations of Japanese systems (via articles)
- Specific questions to assess feasibility
- Transparent pricing and limitations
This genealogist wanted the service without doing his homework.
A Message to Probate Genealogists
If you contact me about Japanese cases:
Do This:
✓ Read my articles about Japanese systems
✓ Answer all requested questions
✓ Understand that Japan ≠ your home country
✓ Respect that quotes require information
✓ Accept that some cases are impossible
Don’t Do This:
✗ Expect quotes with minimal information
✗ Assume “routine” procedures are universal
✗ Ignore questions and articles
✗ Claim legitimacy instead of understanding systems
✗ Treat cross-cultural genealogy casually
The Bottom Line
Being a professional genealogist means:
- Doing research before contacting specialists
- Providing necessary information before requesting quotes
- Understanding that different countries have different systems
- Reading materials that experts provide
Being careless and lazy is not a business strategy.
It’s a path to failure – especially when working across cultures and legal systems as fundamentally different as Japan and the West.
I warned this genealogist that without changing his approach, he would fail.
I meant it.
Yuya Kinoshita is a family genealogist specializing in Japanese ancestry research and President of the Genealogical Institute of Japan. He does not provide probate genealogy services due to fundamental incompatibilities with Japan’s koseki system and cultural practices.
#Genealogy #ProbateGenealogy #Japan #ProfessionalStandards #CrossCulturalBusiness #LinkedInLearning
