Putting My Research "house" In Order: Genealogy Do-Over

Photo by Thomas McEntee

When Thomas MacEntee posted that he was creating a Genealogy Do-Over group on Facebook,  I jumped at the challenge.   In putting together my family tree, I have been more of a collector of names, places, and dates which has resulted in very little organization in my paper and digital files. So this is my plan from Week 1 of the Genealogy Do-Over.

1.  Setting Previous Research Aside

Setting aside my previous research is the easiest part of the Week 1 challenge.  My research is so helter-skelter; I've gone from one software program to another hoping to make sense of it all.  I also have family trees on Ancestry.com and Family Search.  Unfortunately, I have varying numbers of people on each of my three trees and many with no documentation.

2.  Preparing to Research

I will learn how to better use Legacy 8, my current software program.  I will also learn how to use Evernote (that I downloaded over a year ago).  Most importantly, I will use them to benefit my research.

3.  Establishing Base Practices and Guideline

This aspect hit me the hardest because I find that I often "discover" information that I already have, so from this point on I will ONLY work with a research log.  I will:

• establish a research plan 
• document EVERYTHING, especially sources and including dead ends
• take my time and be thorough
• stick with my research plan and not be sidetracked
• establish a filing system

Although I have hard copies of various paper research logs, I have not used them.  I "googled" for research logs and the one below seems like it will keep me on track.    Thank you Calvin Knight!

http://calvingenealogy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/ResearchLogScreenShot01.png

Midwest African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI)

July 8-10, 2014 I attended the second (my first) Midwest African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI) in St. Louis Missouri. .  It was held on the beautiful campus of Harris-Stowe State University, an historically Black public university.

The rallying challenge  --  So What?  --  was a real wake-up call.  This question forces you to really dissect that printed page of a document. You have a document from your ancestor -- so what? -- how are you going to process that information, pick apart that information, what exactly does it mean, where else will it lead you?

There have been so many times that I was so proud of myself for finding and/or acquiring a document about an ancestor.  But I never realized that it was just one step among many in genealogy research.  That document is not the end all be all.

The Institute offered four tracks.  Track 1: Fundamental Methods & Strategies for African American Research; Track 2: Technology and Social Media; Track 3: Pre & Post Emancipation Records Track 4: Genealogy As a Profession.  

I took Track 1 which was coordinated by Dr. Shelley Murphy, who along with presenters, Thomas MacEntee; Judy Russell, and Bernice Bennett, kept the class spellbound with their presentations.  

My brain is fried but I'm on a new genealogy mission  --  So What?

Sandra Williams Bush, top row, second from left

I am proud to be a member of the second annual Midwestern African American Genealogy Institute -- Class of 2014.  In the spirit of "Each one, teach one",  I refuse to hold on to what I have learned.  I will share information with my group, Buffalo Genealogical Society of the African Diaspora, and others interested in genealogy.   I look forward to MAAGI 2015!