2018 Genealogy Resolutions

Although it’s a few days past January 1, it’s not too late to make some genealogy resolutions. Do you want to “up your game” and work a little harder on your research this year? Maybe you’d rather focus on a project with an end result, such as a story about an ancestor or a photo book. Think about where you are with your genealogy today and where you’d like to be in December 2018. If you need some ideas, try one of these:

Want to get organized?

DearMyrtle offers tips to get organized within a month. Follow her week-by-week suggestions to clear up your clutter.

Check out Organize Your Genealogy from Cook Library’s genealogy shelves.

The Family Curator genealogy blogger offers these ten tips:

1. Sheet Control – Use standard 8 ½ x 11-inch paper for all notes and printouts.
2. Stay Single – One surname, one locality per sheet for easy filing.
3. No Repeats – Avoid errors; write legibly the first time.
4. Dating Yourself – Always write the current date on your research notes.
5. Be Color Clever – Distinguish family lines with different colored folders, binders, tabs.
6. File First – File one research trip or effort before starting the next one.
7. Ask Directions – Write your own filing instructions; a big help when you take a long break.
8. Supply Closet – Keep a stash of folders, plastic sleeves, tabs, printer ink.
9. One File at a Time – Work through paper piles steadily; the mess didn’t happen in one day.
10. KISS – Keep It Simple, Silly! Use an easy to set up, easy to maintain system.

Is It Time to Put Your Genealogy Papers into a Software Program?

Paper forms are good. Keeping your research on a software program is a must these days. See an earlier post with software reviews.

Improve Your Skills

Everyone has room for improvement. Attend a library program or one of the Genealogy Academy sessions to hone your researching skills.

Webinars are another way to learn new skills. Legacy Webinars  and and FamilySearch webinars are two good choices. The FamilySearch Help Center has shorter presentations for a quick lesson.

What About DNA?

Using DNA in genealogy research is all the rage today, but it can be a complicated and confusing subject.

The International Society of Genetic Genealogy has lots of helpful pages for the beginner with explanations that are easy to understand.

Trying to decide which DNA test to take? DNA explained and Who Do You Think You Are both have evaluations and descriptions of the different kinds of tests.

Write Some Family History

Cook Library sponsors a Genealogy Writers Group that meets every other month to inspire and encourage each other. In February the Family History Writing Challenge could get you going. Or check out Steve Szabados’ Write Your Family History book for some practical tips.

What are your 2018 Genealogy Resolutions?