The main difference lies in the source of the evidence: while traditional testing relies on paper documents, genetic testing relies on the biology of your cells. Both are complementary, but they work in very different ways.
Genealogy is the science and study of a person's or family's ancestry and descendants. Conducting family research goes far beyond mere curiosity; it serves social, legal, and emotional purposes, depending on our goals and interests.
In my view, the hiring of genealogical services has gone from being an exclusive interest of the "aristocracy" as was common many years ago to a practical tool for people of diverse backgrounds.
There is no fixed "maximum" number of generations, as it depends entirely on whether a particular surname was researched, the geography, and the state of the archives. However, for research in Chile or involving Hispanic roots, there are certain standard limits that determine the success of a search.
Hiring a professional genealogist is a strategic decision when personal research reaches a standstill or when the goal has serious legal implications.
