Lost in the Genealogy Wilderness...

Ever have that feeling where you don’t know where you are, or which direction to turn? Or even what to do next? I’m sure some of you have, while others have never experienced that feeling. Of course I’m talking about this in relation to your genealogy research. And that is where unfortunately, (and unexpectedly), I’ve found myself at. I’m not a professional researcher, and I don’t claim to be, but I have been researching for a number of years. However my research these days tends to consist of me seeing new sets  records released, so I’ll go check for so-and-so … or hear a tidbit from another relative about this other person, or something they did, so I’ll go see what I can find. In otherwords it’s very piecemeal. Very unfocussed, very unstructured, and without an exact goal in mind. More like dabbling if you like. So now when I find that I have a free weekend (not that it happens often, but it’s nice when it does), and I want to settle in to doing some research – I am unable to just get into it, as I have no idea which line or person to get going on. So I’m rather lost in the genealogy wilderness, and I really just need to set myself some research goals and FOLLOW them … Or even better, get entering the piles of stuff I have collected that I “STILL” haven’t entered.  (Is anyone else like that? You love finding stuff, but hate entering it, or is it just me?) Actually I really, REALLY should do that entering stuff first. Sort out what I have, note it, file it … then get back the fun part of the searching! So while I’m...

20 Tips for Genealogists...

As we know learning never ends, and the same goes for genealogy too. I’ve decided to compile a listing of 20 Do’s, Don’ts and tips for genealogists. For my regular readers I’m sure you know all of these things already, but this list is meant or those who happen to stumble upon my list when they are starting their genealogy journey. And hopefully there will be points that they’ll learn from it. Don’t expect to find your whole tree online. In fact, if you find info online, never assume that it is accurate until you’ve verified it for yourself. Always start with yourself and work backwards. It is wise to always write on a chart in pencil, and only overwrite it in pen when you’re 100% sure the details are correct. Don’t show living people in your online tree (unless it is a private tree). Don’t take information from others without giving something back. Put yourself on the opposite side and see how it feels. Don’t expect that you can do it ALL for free, there will be times you need to pay for things (certificates, researcher, products, subscription etc). Don’t be a ‘name collector’, look for the stories that MAKE the people. If you hit a brickwall, don’t give up. Just look at it from a different direction, or head on over to another branch for a while. Never be afraid to ask for help. It is wise to join a group or society, as the more you mingle with other genies, the more you’ll learn. Do your homework, and learn about the area your reli’s came from. Honour family members wishes when they give you family photos, stories and information. Expect to find variant names and dates...

Arrggh, the Power is Out Again!!...

Arrggh, the power is out again!! Sadly this is a phrase that is heard a lot in my house. With three power outages in the past week, and the most recent one so far being out for 16 hours (and still going), I am writing this from elsewhere. It has not only been frustrating, as well as confronting about everything that we do that requires internet and/or power. I swear we must live in the most power-outage-prone place in the Adelaide Hills. Seriously it must attract power outages! Anyway enough complaining, on to something useful … In the darkness of last night, I got thinking about all the things a genealogist can do when the power goes off, so as to use the time effectively. And assuming that the power goes off at night (so it is dark), and you’ve either got torchlight or candlelight to work with, here 5 suggestions: 1. Quality reading Read the latest genealogy magazines by candlelight (ok, so it’s not great for the eyes, but it might get the backlog of magazines waiting to be read down a little) 2. Write your next blog post Grab a pen and paper and start writing your next blog post. It might be a forgein concept to some to handwrite your blog post first, but in fact most of mine start out that way, as when I go somewhere and have to wait, I take my Blog Notebook with me, and start writing. 3. Create a timeline Something I thought of that would be a very cool idea, and I must do this myself, was to get those in your house to think of 10 events or things in their life that really stand out (good or...