Showing posts with label Genealogy Do-Over. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Genealogy Do-Over. Show all posts

06 April 2016

Genealogy Do-Over : Month 4

March Assignments and What I Did

The assignment for March was to conduct a self interview, recording information about my life. We are also supposed to conduct family interviews with our parents and siblings.

Since I always enjoy talking to myself the self-interview was easy. [just kidding] I went ahead and entered all my vitals and such into my genealogy database as I thought of them. Then I dug up the supporting documents, scanned, sourced, transcribed them all. As I continue to come across personal information and supporting documentation I'll add that too.

I started from scratch entering vital information for my parents, being sure to add images, transcriptions, etc. of supporting documentation.

April Assignment and What I Plan to Do

  • Tracking research : We are encouraged to select a Research Log and use it to track our research. I'm already using the research log that comes with the RootsMagic software. It seems to be working pretty well for me, so I will continue with that.

  • Conducting Research : Now the fun starts! We are supposed to start with ourselves and for each data point (birth date, location, marriage, etc.) we are to track our research. For each record we find we are supposed to make an entry in our research log. Since I have already recorded and entered as much information as I have, all from copies or original records that I have on hand, I'm going to continue with tracking my research on my current focus, which is my maternal grandfather and his siblings.

 

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04 March 2016

Genealogy Do-Over : Month 3

February Assignments and What I Did

February was all about establishing practices and setting up guidelines to help with the research process.

Establish Base Practices and Guidelines : I came up with five procedures for setting research goals, tracking research, and making the most of every source. I'm happy to report that I have been [mostly] sticking with them. Every once in a while I get ahead of myself and forget to log my searches in the Research Log. I've found having a procedure for dealing with my sources very helpful.

Setting Research Goals : I have written out my initial research goal in Evernote. That is to identify and document the family group of William A. Dixon and Mary E. Klein. I also created a "Research Resources Checklist" for each family member using Evernote. Each time I log in a resource in my Roots Magic research log, I go to the note for the individuals concerned and check that resource off my list. By using a master template, it is easy to copy and paste the checklist into a new note each time I find a new person. It allows me to see, at a glance, which sources I've checked and which I still might need to explore.

March Assignments and What I Plan to Do


The assignment for March is to conduct a self interview, recording information about my life. We are also supposed to conduct family interviews with our parents and siblings.

I've already started recording my own particulars. I'll go back over what I have and add to it as needed. Interviewing relatives is pretty much a non-starter. Both of my parents are dead, and I have no siblings. Instead, I will go over family group sheets for myself and my parents and make sure that they are as complete as I can possibly make them.

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09 February 2016

Genealogy Do-Over : Month 2

The Do-Over so far...

January's assignment was easy-peasy.

  1. Set previous research aside : I purchased and downloaded Roots Magic software, which I plan to use for my main database from now on. In the spirit of the Do-Over I did not import any of my files from Family Tree Maker into RM. Rather, I started a brand new database that I can take my time filling as I learn new and better research habits.
  2. Preparing to do research : As I intended, I have started keeping the desk clean and tidy, and my computer desktop as well. I have begun setting research goals, objectives, and making research plans. I've even started scribbling a note to myself on where to pick up with my research next time. I'm all in with Evernote after watching Lisa Louise Cooke's videos on using Evernote for genealogy. They are available to her Premium Members, and worth every penny of the subscription.  

 

February Assignments and What I Plan to Do

Establish Base Practices and Guidelines : Come up with a list of 5 procedures that will guide your research process.

  1. Create a written research goal, with specific objectives.
  2. Methodically track research using the built in logs in Roots Magic, including negative results.
  3. Thoroughly mine every source for all data, recording in appropriate places for each fact/individual mentioned.
  4. Take time to fill out source citation form, to link each fact for each individual to the appropriate citation.
  5. Update to-do lists for each individual as each source is evaluated.

Setting Research Goals : Decide on a system for creating and tracking research goals.

I plan to write out my research goals using Evernote. It is very easy to create and edit notes, and create checklists in that app. Once I've managed to sort out exactly what I want to know, what I already know [and how I know it], come up with a series of questions that will help me with my research, and make a list of sources to check, I then begin working with the Research Logs and To-Do lists in Roots Magic to help me track my results on the way to my goal.

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02 January 2016

Genealogy Do-Over 2016

Sophie Karvoius Dixon
Sophie (Karvoius) Dixon
Yes, she really said that. Often.

"If something is worth doing, it's worth doing right." - Grandma Dixon


Even as I'm working on this blog I'll be participating in the 2016 Genealogy Do-Over. This is a great program designed by Thomas McEntee to help us become better genealogists. Topics are divided into a monthly format with to-do lists.

I just started doing my genealogy research in 2015, so I don't have years of research to review. Still, I started out as a stark-raving beginner (as a former riding instructor used to call newbie equestrians) with more enthusiasm than organization. Yes, my college major was History. But apparently there are rules, or at least strong suggestions, on how to proceed with this family tree stuff. And really, I'd like to get it right the first time. Or I guess the second time, what with the do-over and all.

I'm going to try to post what I'm going to do for the assignments at the beginning of each month, and then give a little progress report at the end of the month.

Hopefully, just writing this will make me stick to it!

January Assignments and What I Plan to Do

Setting previous research aside : time to break up with the old files and research.

Aside from the few items I will use for my blog posts here, I intend to pretty much ignore the research I've done so far and start from scratch. I'm trying out some new software since Ancestry has decided to discontinue Family Tree Maker. I figured the do-over would give me a chance to learn the new software while I was reviewing all my research.

Preparing to research : This assignment is all about how you researched in the past, what worked and didn't, and making changes in time, location, tools, etc. We are to think about our past research habits and consider what changes to make. Also, we're to make a list of tools that are essential to our research process, and write a few research exercises as warm-ups for when we get to the research part of the program.

I will be the first to admit that my research process is a bit whimsical. Also, the desk is usually cluttered with papers of various sorts. So here are some things I'd like to do:
  • Clean off the desk before and after each research session.
  • Have a research goal in mind when I start, make notes of what I've found where, and make a note of where to start next time.
  • Think about what tools might help me research more efficiently. I pretty much do everything on my computer now, putting my iPad to use for quick reference. I'm going to look into Evernote, which people seem to rave about, and see if it will be useful for my work flow.
  • Research "warm-up" exercises. I'm not entirely sure what to do for that. I'll get back to you!

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