In a recent webinar(1), Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL, reminded us all how important it is to document our stories. To preserve our research - in one form or another - and to share. Share with your family, your friends, your dog, your colleagues, or the general public. It struck a nerve.
2016 has been an incredibly fulfilling year for me, professionally. But it's also been exhausting. I've focused almost entirely on my role with Findmypast, a year full of lectures and traveling, and my volunteer work with the War of 1812 Preserve the Pensions effort via FGS, the Larimer County Genealogical Society here in Fort Collins, and of course, #genchat.
What I've given up is my own personal research. And blogging. And pretty much all forms of documenting my own family.
This certainly is not a unique experience. I know many - many - genealogists who work professionally, either as researchers or in other roles in the industry, who find themselves very rarely being able to work on their own families. Working on our own stories, however, is one of the best ways to learn and to continue to grow as researchers.
I've certainly promised myself in the past that "this year... I will focus on my own education." "This year... I will finally write out my theories." "This year... I will lay out a plan for researching [insert any random ancestor here.]"
Well, this year has come. It's time. It's long overdue, actually. As I look forward to 2017 on the calendar I have three goals:
Time to carve out some time for me, for my family, for my passions. This year... is going to be a good year.
(1) Russell, Judy G., JD, CG, CGL. "When Worlds Collide: Resolving Conflicts in Genealogical Records." 7 Oct 2016, Legacy Family Tree Webinars BCG Series. http://familytreewebinars.com/download.php?webinar_id=502
2016 has been an incredibly fulfilling year for me, professionally. But it's also been exhausting. I've focused almost entirely on my role with Findmypast, a year full of lectures and traveling, and my volunteer work with the War of 1812 Preserve the Pensions effort via FGS, the Larimer County Genealogical Society here in Fort Collins, and of course, #genchat.
What I've given up is my own personal research. And blogging. And pretty much all forms of documenting my own family.
This certainly is not a unique experience. I know many - many - genealogists who work professionally, either as researchers or in other roles in the industry, who find themselves very rarely being able to work on their own families. Working on our own stories, however, is one of the best ways to learn and to continue to grow as researchers.
I've certainly promised myself in the past that "this year... I will focus on my own education." "This year... I will finally write out my theories." "This year... I will lay out a plan for researching [insert any random ancestor here.]"
Well, this year has come. It's time. It's long overdue, actually. As I look forward to 2017 on the calendar I have three goals:
- Submit my application to join the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
- Commit to at least three blog posts per month, focused on my own interests.
- Incorporate consistent education into my weekly schedule; through webinars, podcasts, online courses, institutes, or structured peer dialogue.
Time to carve out some time for me, for my family, for my passions. This year... is going to be a good year.
(1) Russell, Judy G., JD, CG, CGL. "When Worlds Collide: Resolving Conflicts in Genealogical Records." 7 Oct 2016, Legacy Family Tree Webinars BCG Series. http://familytreewebinars.com/download.php?webinar_id=502
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