I’m in dire need of a new 30 x 30 challenge. I was able to prioritize genealogy research during the June 30 x 30 challenge, but in July, without the accountability of the challenge, I think I did genealogy fewer than half the days.
The COVID crisis is escalating here in Missouri and I’m staying in more than ever. So it seems to me that August is the perfect time for a new 30 x 30 challenge. In August, I hope to get rid of my backlog of unprocessed downloaded documents or at least make a huge dent in it. I’m going to try to be really focused on that. And I vow that if I do download new documents, I will process them the same session I download them.
Are you interested in joining me in committing to doing 30 minutes of genealogy research (or organizing or whatever else you want to do) for 30 days? If so, please post a comment!
I’m in! Like you, I had good intentions in June, but they did not pan out as I had hoped. I have also been attempting, in the past week, to deal with my own backlog of documents. (Seems like we have a bit in common,) I will commit to this for August.
I hope we both make great progress on our backlogs in August!
I’m up for it. I desperately need a challenge to keep me focussed.
Excellent! The challenge always helps with my focus and motivation.
30×30, YEAH!
Thanks for the nudge.
Hooray!
Count me in. Maybe a commitment in public will help me get back on track. July’s results were 26 files 4, yes 4 huge spreadsheets and not a single conclusion about the parents of 3rd great grandmother Mary Abigail. Sigh. So in August; back to basics (known to unknown!), start with a family a generation closer (for whom I have a lot of information), and at the very least clean up their dumping ground folder.
Here’s hoping for a breakthrough in August. You deserve it!
I’m in. I have had writer’s block for a number of months. Just this week, it freed up. I hope to write daily.
Let’s hear it for getting past writer’s block! Congrats!
Count me in – I need to do this and I do commit to 30 minutes a day. I have 6-8 large boxes with family documents and photos. I can start going through them for 30 minutes every day. Thanks!
Great! You’ll get through those boxes 30 minutes at a time. I want to make sure you saw my blog post about Stacy Julian’s method for going through these boxes, in case it’s helpful. https://organizeyourfamilyhistory.com/favorite-rootstech-session-do-something-with-that-box/
Hi, newbie here. I have only just found your blog and have spent a lot of time reading all the old posts and was really taken with the 30×30 challenges, so I have decided to try the 30×30 challenge for August.
I have been away from my genealogy for so long with work, travel and moving across the world etc, and I have a lot of information but am not organised, so am doing a re-set, this will be a perfect way for me to sort and organise what I have for at least one (if not two) family lines so that come September I can jump back on the Research Wagon!
Welcome, Missy! I’m glad you found us. Daily effort on your reset should put you in a really great place to start researching come September!
I’m in! I definitely need accountability…sooooo many things to do. This will definitely help me focus and stay on track
Excellent! I think it’s amazing what one can get done in just 30 minutes a day.
Count me in for August 30 x 30. I plan to do some serious searching and complete writing a report.
Welcome to another challenge, Gwen!
I am in! We recently turned one of our guest rooms into my genealogy office and I actually can spread out and get things done! As to backlog – I have been working on mine throughout Covid, and still have at least a thousand documents to process. Too many back-to-back genie research trips. Oh well. One document at a time. Stay safe!
Brightened my day to see another Roberta!
Yes, one document at a time. And how nice that you have a new genealogy office! I bet you’ll make some great discoveries among your backlog.
I agree: maybe a public commitment will get me to finish my summer project of transferring documents from binders to boxes (and in the process, eliminate documents I only need digital copies of). Thanks for the prompt!
You’re welcome! Glad you’re joining us!
I’m in! I have been doing OK this last month – Using my AQ software’s calendar of births really helps give me the focus to keep up. In August, I may try to start thru my old paper files to get more of them digitized.
I am in. I need to commit!
Terrific!
That sounds like a great project for 30 minutes at a time, Kay. Congrats on your success in July!
I’m in as well. I even have some on my phone to move over to my computer!
Yay!
The 30×30 plan appears to offer a reasonable path to my resumption of my genealogical activities. Having amassed a large volume of research findings, I need to organize the materials for inclusion in the family history which I am determined to write. Thanks for the goad to action.
That’s great, Jack! I hope it provides you with just the structure and accountability you need.
I’m in. I really need a challenge to motivate me!
Excellent! I hope it motivates you as much as it motivates me!
Hi, Janine, I’m in for your 30 x 30 Challenge tool These days it seems it’s hard to focus for long, although I’ve been doing pretty well with my re-scanning. (Olden days scans.) Yes, I do always seem to have a backlog of finds lately and have been picking away at it but your Challenge should get rid of much of it, I hope, and – best! – get me back in the groove of processing as I go.
Getting back into the groove of processing as we go is so important! But remember, we don’t have to wait until the backlog is finished to start processing as we go. That’s my big challenge this month. Glad you’re joining the challenge!
I’m in! Just the structure I need. I’ve been floating in and out during these house-bound months, and not concentrating well. I’ve committed to working on The Beyond Kin Project, documenting information I’ve gathered on the people enslaved by my ancestors. I’m a little overwhelmed at the prospect, and hopefully your challenge will help me stay on track. Also, I need to do at least two blog posts this month–I’ve been slipping…
Glad you’re in! I’ve been dipping my toe in The Beyond Kin Project and also feeling overwhelmed, so I can relate. I hope this month is helpful for you! And I encourage you to make one of your two blog posts this month about your Beyond Kin efforts. I’m sure I’d benefit from reading it (as would others). The Beyond Kin Project is so important and I plan to turn my attention to it once my backlog is gone. And I’ll blog about it when I do.
I plan to blog about Beyond Kin as soon as I feel like I’ve got more of a grasp! I’ll be interested to read your thoughts on it when you get there too.
I will definitely blog about it when I get back to it and understand the procedure more. There’s so much to say, isn’t there? I will look forward to reading your post.
Yes, I am in
Excellent!
I’m in. Looking forward to giving myself permission to do this (something I enjoy). I just need to stick to 30 minutes so other priorities aren’t neglected.
Oh good, Tami! A timer is really helpful in helping me step away from the genealogy to get other stuff done. Enjoy your 30 x 30!
I am in. I always look forward to this challenge. I need to keep chipping away on transcribing and inputting the 1870 and 1880 census. Also, this month I want to complete the documentation for one of my ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War.
Glad you’re joining the challenge, Jerry!
I’m in. I still need to clean up citations in my software program. I can make a dent in that this month, especially since tomorrow I will finish my project scraping all the calcification off the tiles in our pool. 🙂
Congrats on finishing your tile project, Linda! That makes cleaning up source citations look attractive by comparison.
I think this is a perfect time to commit to a 30X30 challenge! I hope to get my backlog processed for the one line that I have been working on and their stories written up along with a scrapbook page for each person so I can have blog post material ready and feel like I have accomplished something. I have to keep telling myself that there is not an end to this project, the goal is to stay organized as you move forward. Easier said than done. LOL
Welcome to the challenge, Bobbie! You’re right–this is not about crossing a finish line, is it? If you can stay organized as you move forward, it’s a lot more enjoyable in my experience.
A little late to the 30 x 30 Challenge, but I’m in. Now, where to start. Hmm.
Great, Norma! I’ll do a mid-month check post where you and everyone else can tell us how it’s going.
I’m in, too. I ditched my Ancestry tree a few months ago. It was really a mess. I recreated it and sourced it (full disclosure, I have some ancestors with a source that says “Speculative” since I’m still working on those).
I have that tree linked to RootsMagic so I can work outside of Ancestry, but I really prefer the way Reunion looks and works. So, I loaded my tree into Reunion. The sources don’t transfer well via GEDCOM, though.
I am now updating Reunion with the sources. I’ve completed the update for 48 out of 733 people. In 30 days, I hope to update about 100 people.
That sounds like a rewarding project that lends itself to 30 minutes a day, Joan! I really like Reunion, but it doesn’t import and export sources well via GEDCOM.
I know you’ll love feeling really confident about your tree!
Count me in and I have a day off from work today and plan to dedicate it to genealogy! Thanks, Janine, for the motivation!
I somehow missed your comment yesterday, Linda. I hope you had a good day researching. Welcome to the challenge!
I’m in need to stay focused
I hope the challenge helps, Billy!
I’m in! The piles of files are calling my name.
Always a good idea to listen when the piles call your name!
I’m in. Haven’t done any research in two years. Need the kick in the pants to restart.
Excellent! Daily research will be a great way to get back into the swing of it. Welcome to the challenge!