After completing a research like a pro with DNA project, you may not have come to a proven conclusion. Or perhaps you finished your objective and are ready to move forward with something else. What's next? How do you continue to make progress on your goal or choose a new goal? Here are several suggestions. Continue Your Research and Writing Start another iteration of the same objective If you didn't come to a proven conclusion after writing your research report, start a new project with the same objective. You will have a new starting point and known facts. Perhaps your...
Have you heard of the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) and their annual conference? The mission statement of FGS is "The Federation of Genealogical Societies empowers the genealogical and family history community, especially its societies and organizations, by advocating for the preservation and access of records, and providing resources that enable genealogical organizations to succeed in pursuing their missions." Like other family history conferences, FGS holds classes on a wide array of topics taught by professional genealogists. This year the conference is being held in Washington, D.C. I received a grant to attend the conference from the Center for Family History and Genealogy...
Have you made New Year's resolutions in the past and come February 1st, they are discarded and forgotten? Maybe you know there's a better way to research your family but you're stuck in the same routine. Is your pile of paper getting deeper and deeper? Don't worry - I've been there and I'm going to give you some ideas on how you can start now to make some changes that will make a difference in your genealogy life. Set Reasonable Goals The key word here is reasonable. I regularly teach about organizing research and I hear stories of people with...
In today's podcast episode, Diana and I are talking about continuing education in genealogy. Benjamin Franklin said, "an investment in knowledge pays the best interest." We discuss accreditation, the importance of keeping up with new methodologies and developments in the field such as DNA, and how to go about improving your genealogy education. Learning about records, localities, and methodologies are a good place to start. We also talk about setting goals, creating an education plan, books, webinars, conferences, institutes, blog reading, and other types of educational experiences. Links Some of these links are affiliate links, where we receive a commission...
I'm happy to introduce our spotlight today, Clarissa Baxter. She and I met online when she read one of my blog posts about Margaret Ann McCleve, my husband's 2nd great grandmother and Clarissa's 3rd great grandmother. We had visited Margaret's log cabin in Taylor, Arizona which is now a museum. Clarissa tells about a discovery in her family history that brought meaning to her current education goals. Thank you for sharing, Clarissa! To read more about the LDS topics Clarissa addresses, go here: Why Family History is Important in the LDS Church (Mormons) Tell us about yourself. Hey! I’m Clarissa Baxter. My sweet...
Summer is coming to a close. Among the vacations, picnics, and other fun did you get a chance to do any family history? You may have done more than you thought. Did you reunite with extended family at a reunion? Maybe visit some ancestor graves or historic sites? How about attend a family history or genealogy conference? If you're ready to get back on track with your research, then I have just the thing for you - and it's free! The famed Family History Library will be holding two week-long events: the United States Research Seminar 2016, August 22nd to...
