It’s that time again! I need a 30 x 30 challenge so badly because I barely got any genealogy research done in March. I love how a 30 x 30 challenge vaults research to the top of my daily task list.
Who would like to join me in committing to doing at 30 minutes of research a day for 30 days? (You’re welcome to customize the challenge in any way…it’s your challenge.) We’ll start on April 1.
In February’s challenge, I worked on checking the sources in my source documentation list and in the process added significantly to my backlog of documents to be processed. So this month, I’m going to focus on reducing that backlog. And I’m committing to process any new documents during the session I download them (because sometimes you have to do a little clarifying research when you’re busting the backlog). As I have in the past, I’ll keep a spreadsheet of my progress, so I can feel good about it (and, I hope, not feel overwhelmed).
Let me know in the comments if you’d like to join me! I’ll be posting a mid-month and end-of-the-month check in where we can share how it’s going. Here’s to a great month of research!
I’m in! I have been so engrossed in launching my business that I realized I have not been making time for hobbies and pure pleasure. I am going to revisit the Ahnentafel-Numbered 1-31 people in my family tree. I will do #1 on Day 1, #2 on Day 2, and so on. I have some census records to put into my RootsMagic software. When spring and summer are finally here (for real-sies), I want to sit outside with my uncle and share with him what I have learned. So this is a great springboard! Thanks, Janine, for the support.
Christy, I love that you have a strategy for the 30 days as well as a goal and a deadline! I’m glad you’re in for the 30 x 30.
Count me in, too. During my personal March 30×30 I discovered 5 paternal Revolutionary War Patriots. I breezed through two and submitted their Supplemental DAR applications. I’m using April’s 30×30 to finish entering their documents and source citations into RootsMagic 8, since I took shortcuts. The remaining time will be spent researching, documenting and completing applications for the other three. My goal is to complete these in April, while entering the documents and creating source citations in RM8. It’s a lofty, but achievable project, as they’re on established lines in my database.
This 30×30 complements my first half of 2021s monthly 30×30 paternal lineage genealogy Do-Over. It’s exciting building back these branches 7-8 generations, knowing they contain documents and source citations.
That’s fantastic, Cheri. You’re a 30 x 30 powerhouse!
That sounds really great, but do you mind explaining what DAR is? Sorry if this is something commonly known, I have not come across this before in my research, so am wondering if it is something specific to the US (I am not an American, so forgive my ignorance). Thank you.
In case Cheri doesn’t see this, DAR is Daughters of the American Revolution, an organization for people who trace their lineage to patriot ancestors. http://www.dar.org
Thanks for that Janine, I have learned something new today. 🙂
Oops, sorry Missy. I hate acronyms and there I go using one. Thanks Janine for sharing the name and website.
Sure thing. 🙂
Yes, count me in. I have been busy lately trying to get my digital/paper life more streamlined, which of course means I neglected my research. A good time to start…..the beginning of a new month.
Terrific, Faye! Welcome to the challenge!
I am in. I plan to obtain BMD and military data on my wife’s sister and husband. Also, I want start clearing out items on my To Do List that has been hanging around since 2019/2020.
Great, Jerry! It’ll feel great to address that To Do List, I know.
Oh I am definitely in! Not sure what my focus will be just yet, but hey, I’ve got a day!
Excellent, Janet! I hope it’s a great month!
Oh me too! I am going to go back through my research logs, double check the documents I have, for citations, and make a list of those I need, so when my Family History Center finally reopens, I can make a really efficient visit.
That’s a great project, Janet!
I had good intentions for March but got sidetracked. I’m in for April. Not sure what I want to focus on though.
Glad you’re in! Daily research is so beneficial, even if you don’t have a focus for the month.
I’m in – but don’t have a specific goal yet.
Welcome to the challenge!
I will join you this month too! I’ve been working through my mother’s maternal line updating my database. For April, I would like to make sure that I have the maternal line descendants through the 1940 census.
Great, Mary! That’s a terrific goal.
I am in, I hope to work through some of my DNA matches, not sure I will find the answers to my unknown lines, but hopefully I will manage to eliminate a number of the matches to narrow it down a bit. Like you I dint’ get a lot done in March as I had a whole lot going on, but am looking to do a major Spring Reset over April on a few things, including spending time regularly on my Family History.
I like the idea of a Spring Reset, Missy! I urge you to be kind to yourself, though, and don’t take on too much. I think that the 30 x 30 challenge is a gentle way to spend more time on your family history.
Cheers Janine, the Spring Reset is as much about self-care as it is about resetting my home routines and exercise/nutrition. As the UK comes out of lockdown (slowly) it seemed to be the best time to do it as I can get out of the house a little more now.
Wonderful! It sounds like you’re being very kind to yourself. That’s excellent.
I’m in! I want to do 900 minutes total (30 x 30) for the month of April. At the very least, I would like to finish going through/identifying individuals in old home videos this coming month. (I’m on the last CD of them.)
What a project that is, Rebecca! I hope you’re having fun with it. Glad you’re taking part in the challenge.
I’m in. I want to have a family history done on one family before we see the relatives this fall if we can travel safely.
It’s always so helpful to have a deadline, isn’t it Trisha! Glad you’ve joined the challenge–I hope it’s helpful.
I’m joining too! Working on a descendent tree for my 90-year-old mother’s tree. The Nicol Family from Scotland and Canada.
Fantastic. Welcome to the challenge, Sky!
I’m in, too! Thanks to you, I’ve made 30 (+) minutes a day part of my daily routine. This month I’ll be working on some family history for a “cemetery tour” in June. Zenda
Zenda, it makes me happy (and a little jealous) that you have created a 30+ minutes a day routine! That’s fantastic. Glad you’re a part of the challenge.
Count me in! I did start yesterday. My plan is to complete an on-going project of determining the places my paternal grandfather lived.
Fantastic, Gwen. That sounds like a fun project!
Started yesterday with everyone. Working on digital files. After years of backups and 3 computers gone due to old age. I needed to consolidate files. Your 30 X 30’s have kept me going.
Terrific, Patty! That’s the kind of project that’s great to do a little at a time.
I’m a little bit late to the party, but I began yesterday and am very excited to jump in with y’all and commit 30+ minutes for 25 days to genealogy. I plan on beginning in the media area of my computer based tree. There are duplicates and unnamed files that I have been “going to take care of” for far too long. Thank you for this wonderful idea Janine!
That’s terrific, Deb! Welcome to the challenge!