After more than a decade of writing Organize Your Family History, I’m writing today with mixed emotions to let you know that I’m retiring the blog and my Orderly Roots Guides.
When I started this journey in 2012, I had no idea how many amazing genealogists I’d meet or how much joy I would find in sharing my passion and curiosity about genealogy organizing. (And I never dreamed I’d get over a million page views!) The best part has been the community of readers. Over the years, we’ve celebrated breakthroughs, broken down brick walls, and built a supportive community together. I’ve even had a chance to meet some of you in person at genealogy conferences. And I’m deeply grateful for every comment, story, and connection.
As my own genealogy research has slowed, so has my blog posting. I believe it’s time to step back, leave the archive available for all, and close the chapter on creating new content.
Here’s what I want you to know:
- The blog will remain online as a free resource—please continue to use and share it!
- The Orderly Roots Guides will be available for just another week. As a thank you and a final opportunity for anyone who wants ro read them, I’m offering them at a 50 percent discount through January 4.
- After January 4, the guides will be retired and no longer available for purchase.
As a thank you for all your support, I’m offering a special farewell sale on the Orderly Roots Guides—available now through January 4. This is your last chance to get them before they’re retired. Click here to learn more about the individual guides and the bundle. Use the coupon code GOODBYE to get 50% off the contents of your cart.
Thank you for making this journey so rewarding. Your support, enthusiasm, and stories have meant the world to me. If you’d like to share how the blog or guides have helped you, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
Thank you for all your contributions. I loved the monthly challenges and will miss you, but enjoy your retirement.
Thank you, Linda! I enjoyed meeting you at RootsTech all those years ago!
Janine, We will definitely miss you! I have followed your blog for quite a while and learned a lot, and enjoyed meeting you in person! Best of luck with retirement!
I enjoyed meeting you too, Roberta! Thanks for your kind wishes.
This makes me so sad but I understand wanting to retire as I go into my 26th year. Hope you enjoy every minute of every day! I will always be grateful for the tips I learned from your blog!
Thank you so much for your heartwarming message. ❤️
Happy Retirement. Will miss your posts, but they have been very helpful over the years.
I’m so glad my posts have been helpful to you, Lisa!
Have a wonderful retirement. Your blog has helped me during a beginner’s difficult time of “what in the world do I do with all that paperwork!!!” Thank you for sharing your wisdom and experience.
Thank you, Deborah! It makes me happy to know that the blog helped you get past some of the overwhelm!
Sorry to see you leave. I really enjoyed your blog and will really miss your 30 day challenges. Your challenges always gave me an excuse not to do house chores. Wishing you the best of luck.
Thanks, Jerry. I really appreciate your support over the years and I’m glad the 30 day challenges were helpful. You can still have your own personal challenges!
You will be missed. Enjoyed every post. You inspired me many times over.
Thank you, Cassie. What a kind comment! ❤️
Aw, I’m sorry to see you close the blog but totally understand. I have picked up so much information from you through the years. Wishing you a happy retirement!
Thank you, Nita! I’m so glad the blog has been helpful for you.
I’m so sorry to see your excellent work here come to an end…just as I’m looking for ways to organize the overwhelming results I get from FamilySearch’s full-text search. You’ve contributed so much to all of us who need ways of keeping our record-keeping under control and usable. Thank you, Janine, and enjoy your other projects!
Thanks so much, Marian. I know you’ll figure out how to deal with those results! I appreciate your kind words.
Thank you!
Thank you for reading the blog, Pearl!
Thank you for all your encouraging words over the years. Inspirational and encouraging to all of us who have been fans and followers. Best wishes with what comes next!
Helen
Thank you so much, Helen!!
Thanks, Janine, for your tips and challenges over the years. I appreciate all you did to help us get organized. Your 30 Day challenge a few years back got me out of burn out and helped me rediscover the joy of research. Enjoy your new adventure!
Thanks so much for your kind words, Mary! I’m so glad to know that the 30-day challenge helped you rediscover the joy of research. That warms my heart.