365 Ways to Discover Your Family History. Presented by Lisa A. Alzo, M.F.A.

Transcription

1 365 Ways to Discover Your Family History Presented by Lisa A. Alzo, M.F.A.

2 Overview With genealogy: Some tasks can become tedious or frustrating. Ways will be discussed to make the process fun and challenging throughout the year. Using your calendar as a genealogical research guide. How to utilize holidays and special events to enhance your quest.

3 Family Tree Magazine February EB06.pdf

4 Research Quiz 1. Do you find you have little (or no) time to research your roots? 2. Are you a weekend genealogist squeezing in family history only on Saturday and Sunday? 3. Feeling overwhelmed with your genealogy projects or tasks that have become boring and tedious? 4. Are you drowning in a sea of papers, documents, old photographs and other research materials? 5. Have you failed to accomplish your genealogical research goals?

5 We are a society encompassed by: To-do lists Daily planners Smartphones/calendars and alarms Tweets, Links, Pins, and Posts How to find time for everything?

6 Self-Help Books How to do more in less time Working smarter Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs. - Henry Ford

7 Basic Principles of time-management: Chip away at a big project, bit by bit and piece by piece Divide a seemingly overwhelming task into several five- or ten-minute subtasks Write down the tasks; listed in order to be performed Tackle the first one, then the next and the next Once you start, you ll gain momentum to finish the job

8 Apply principles to genealogical research: Break your research tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces Do a little bit of genealogy every day and it won t seem overwhelming

9 Tackle Those Tasks Think about this: How much time do you spend on the following each day? Watching television Reading and/or answering Surfing the Internet (Web)

10 Multi-Tasking Perform a mindless task while watching TV. Reading/Answering - Genealogy focus. Surfing the Web: Visit a genealogy-related Web site Bookmark it. Limit browsing time. Social Media: Use for genealogy/professional reasons but.turn it off!

11 Multi-Tasking Perform a mindless task while watching TV Reading/Answering - Genealogy focus Surfing the Web: Visit a genealogy-related Web site Bookmark it. Limit browsing time. Social Media: Use for genealogy/professional reasons but.turn it off!

12 Customize Your Calendar Add genealogy or family history related tasks to your calendar. Set up a personal research plan. Outline your goals/tasks.

13 Customize Your Calendar Schedule genealogy-related trips alongside vacations, etc. Use holidays as a guide (e.g. St. Patrick s Day = Irish Genealogy; Valentine s Day for Marriage records; Veterans Day for military records research, etc.) Find a genealogy research buddy.

14 Genealogy Bloggers: A Real Community Photo removed for privacy reasons

15 Genealogy in 15 minutes per day: In 15 minutes you can: Look up a census record Draft a quick letter to a relative Scan or quickly touch up an old photograph Enter data for 3 names into your genealogical software database program Come up with 5 questions to ask in your next oral history interview

16 Use Technology and Apps to Keep on Track Evernote and EverClip (free and $)

17 Use Technology and Apps to Keep on Track Microsoft OneNote ($)

18 Use Technology and Apps to Keep on Track Google Calendar Awesome New Tab Page for Google Chrome (to replace igoogle) NetVibes Protopage

19 Use Technology and Apps to Keep on Track Remember the Milk Clear App for ipad/iphone Trello Workflowy

20 r-your-ancestors-off-your-to-do-list.html

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23 Blogging

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25 Conclusion Genealogy does not have to be overwhelming Careful planning and creativity Fun and challenging research projects All Year Long!

26 Finally Be serious about your research But have FUN doing it!

27 For Further Reading 365 Ways to Discover Your Roots by Lisa A. Alzo, Family Tree Magazine, February Express Genealogy: 50 Family History Tasks You Can Do in 15 Minutes or Less by Lisa A. Alzo, Family Chronicle Magazine, March/April Fitting Genealogy Into Your Busy Life: Ten Tips To Maximize Your Research Time by Lisa A. Alzo, Archives.com, July 31, Road Map to Your Roots by Lisa A. Alzo, Family Tree Magazine, January ROADMAPTOROOTS.pdf