It’s almost half way through the month and since I ordinarily post on Tuesdays and Fridays, I thought I’d do the mid-month check in for the 30 x 30 challenge a little early.
How’s it going? For those of you participating in the challenge, have you been able to get in 30 minutes a day?
My challenge is going very well. Except for last Saturday, when I forgot (it was a particularly busy day), I have researched each day. It hasn’t been 30 minutes every day but I did have one session that was nearly three hours so I’ve averaged 38 minutes per session. Yesterday I got through the last document in my backlog of unprocessed files. I started out with 20 in my backlog and was whittling it down until Day 8 when I added 16 files. (Yikes!) So I’m glad to have it down to zero. Now I get to do some new research. This feels great.
In case you’re interested, here’s a screenshot of the Surnames Backlog spreadsheet I created a while back that helps me focus on getting rid of the backlog during a 30 x 30 challenge. I also add the amount of time I researched so I have a nice record. (You can click on the image to see a larger version.)
How about you? Please leave a comment and let everyone know how your 30 x 30 is going!
I’m excited with my August challenge. I’ve researched (or engaged in genealogy education) everyday with an average of 2.0 hours per day. I do have to admit that I spent 7 hours one day working on adding sources and updating my Legacy Family Tree — this is an unusual happening as I had a “found” day. Thanks again for offering the 30×30 challenge — these DO remind me to “do genealogy” each and every day. Enjoy your weekend.
That’s fantastic, Gwen! And inspirational! I’m so glad you find the 30 x 30 helpful.
My 30 minutes of genealogy each day goal is coming along pretty well. I’ve missed a day here and there but have been able to do more than 30 minutes other days. I’m planning a trip through PA next month and am interested in finding a christening record of an ancestor. I’m doing some locality research and communication to hopefully find some places in that area to visit that might have it. Thanks for encouraging us and keeping us accountable!
Zenda
It’s so much fun to plan a research trip! I hope you find that record in Pennsylvania. And I’m very glad your 30 x 30 is coming along well, Zenda!
My search for maternal lineage Revolutionary War Patriots looks promising. My next step is to build my DAR Supplemental Application for one of them. That always exposes document holes in my research. Earlier this month I received some documents for another application so I’ve modified my 30×30 to process these new items. The ultimate goal is quality productivity.
Good luck with the project, Cheri!
So far I have made the goal. It has been an interesting two weeks. My wife’s niece gave us about 40 to 60 pictures of my wife’s family. I will be scanning the pictures. Also, going through some of my deceased parent’s paperwork, I came across a cemetery document where my dad purchased a cemetery plot in 1941 (before I was born). I know my mom I had stated that she had a miscarriage. I do not know if the two events are related. I plan to contact the cemetery to see who is buried in the plot. I am still documenting data so I can give a genealogy file to my wife’s nephew.
That’s quite an intriguing find, Jerry! Glad to hear your first half of the challenge has gone well.
I’ve done the equivalent of four days of genealogy research this month. I’ve also been applying your 30×30 to genealogy coursework for months now; for me, not only does that include coursework but it also includes typing up lecture notes from genealogy lectures and/or conferences I attended. For that though, I’ve done the equivalent of 10 days of that so far. I’m hoping to see if I can catch up in both of those endeavors so we’ll see. *Fingers crossed*
Wow, Rebecca, it sounds like you’ve had a productive month! I’m so glad that the 30 x 30 concept is so helpful for you.
A bit late to the check in. I am not doing too badly, getting a little done each day, but not quite 30mins on most days. I am making some progress towards identification of an unknown gt gt grandparent, if only by eliminating who it is not!
Daily effort can be so beneficial, Missy! 30 minutes is just an arbitrary number anyway. 🙂 Congrats on your progress!