Six months later ... let's relook at genealogy resolutions
I did pretty well this year on resolutions - including my quest to get reorganize my genealogy files and website bookmarks. That was quite an accomplishment, despite it being time-consuming!
So.... how did you do on your resolutions? Here's a quick list of 10 basic ideas that may help you "rethink" your resolutions and stragegy! There are so many more to consider. !!
1. Cite your sources! We all get in a hurry, and you may think that referencing your sources isn't important. Trust me, doing so is very important. I didn't in my very early days, and had to
redo my listings. Hopefully, your software has a built-in tool to document your sources.
2. Take some time to rethink your organization of files. Go through those scraps of paper and records. Enter the information for each person in your database.
3. Identify your photos! I cannot stress this enough! Hopefully, you have family members who can help you identify. Do not (!) write on the back of the photo. Write on a label, then place it on the back. You do not want a marking imprint on old photos!
4. Establish some time, at least once a week or twice a month, to work on research. It doesn't have to be an all-day event (but it helps!). Perhaps it's a library event, online research, or an all-day or afternoon event that fits your schedule.
5. While your asking your relatives and identifying photos, that's a perfect time to ask them about that person. Do not miss this opportunity, before it is too late - and you're left with a box
of Aunt and Uncle "Somebody."
6. Stay up to date with genealogy websites and newsletters, in particular - Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter www.eogn.com, Genealogy Gems at https://lisalouisecooke.com/ and Family Search Magazine. A basic Google search of genealogy newsletters and blogs will provide a plethora of sites.
7. Now that your photos are identified, consider digitizing them and storing them on your hard drive. When I was digitizing mine, under my Genealogy, I organized by surnames. Some of the families were so large that each surname needed its own folder.
8. Organize your family heirlooms. Grandma or your Auntie Emma's jewelry needs a safe place for storage. Nice or expensive items should be in the bank's safe deposit box, or a secure place in your home for a safe.
9. Back up your files - regularly!!! Do not take a chance of losing all your work. Your files and photos should be backed up at least once a month. Save copies also to an external hard drive.
10. Create a master family tree to keep you organized. This will make it easier to check and share what you're missing.
