Organize Your Family History

Stay focused and happy while exploring your roots

Report in: How’d the January 30 x 30 challenge go?

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For those of you who participated in this month’s 30 x 30 challenge, in which you committed to doing 30 minutes of genealogy-related activity for 30 days in a row, how’d it go?

I actually missed a day, for the first time since August 1. I typically research first thing in the morning but on Saturday I had to be up and out of the house to get to the Apple store when it opened (my phone had died) and then the rest of the day went by in a blur and I forgot to research. So that speaks to the power of daily routine. I’m definitely best off if I can research in the morning and I try to plan the time I wake up around it. (That Saturday I couldn’t get myself to get up earlier, because I’d had a late night the night before.)

So that’s my true confession. How did the rest of you do? Even if you weren’t able to do 30 days in a row, was the effort at least beneficial? I’d love to hear!

A simple tip for accessing Family Search documents

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Last weekend I went to the St. Louis County Library’s genealogy room to access some documents I’d found on Family Search that were only available for viewing from the Family History Library or an affiliate library. I had stored links to these documents in Evernote until I had a few lookups to do.

When I got there and logged on to the library’s wifi, I was disappointed to get the same message I’d received at home (pictured above). I consulted with the librarian, who was able to access the first document on her computer. She didn’t know why I couldn’t access it on mine, but suggested I use the library’s computers. I did that, but I would have much preferred being on my own laptop, since the documents I was trying to access were hyperlinked on my computer. (I didn’t think of accessing my Evernote account on the library’s computer.) I also would have much preferred to download the documents directly to my computer, rather than onto a flash drive. And I didn’t enjoy fumbling around with Windows when I’m used to a Mac.

When I got home, I realized I’d not properly captured the source information. So back I went to the library three days later.

I had the same problem accessing the documents and I asked a different librarian for help. He made a brilliant suggestion:

Try another browser.

I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of it. I like to use Safari on my Mac, but Safari sometimes doesn’t play well with others. When I tried to access the document on Chrome, there it was.

So if you’re in a library where you should be able to access a Family Search document and can’t, just try another browser.

Edited to add: According to some comments I received on Facebook, this browsing-switching phenomenon as it relates to Family Search might be specific to the St. Louis County Library. So your mileage may vary.

How far on the branches do you go?

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Five years ago, I blogged about my quandary over whether to research my collateral lines, rather than focusing on my direct-line ancestors. That I even hesitated to explore collateral lines amazes me because the benefits are now obvious. These collateral lines provide valuable clues. They help verify that the person I’m researching is my person. My family tree is very obviously not complete without them.

Two years ago, I blogged that was rededicating myself to the task of adding siblings; that is, I going back to the censuses or other information I’d downloaded previously and filling in the blanks.

Now I have a new quandary on the other side of the spectrum: Should I limit my research when it comes to the collateral lines? In 2017 and so far in 2018 I’ve focused my research on my Adams line, barely even looking at the other three lines. In doing so, I’ve been able to really explore the collateral lines without feeling any pressure to return to my direct-line ancestors. It’s been really rewarding and fun.

This has added a little complexity in terms of organizing, but nothing I can’t handle. A year ago, I simply had a Collateral subfolder in my Surnames folder with all the source documents I’d downloaded for collateral relatives mixed together–I didn’t have enough to merit subfolders. But when the number of documents started to grow, I created subfolders for the surnames and the individuals, like I do with my direct-line ancestors, except that they fall under the Collateral folder. So the path looks like this:

Genealogy/Surnames/Collateral/[Surname]/[Name of Ancestor (YOB-YOD)]/Document name

I just checked. I have 419 documents in the Collateral folder.

I’m going to the library this afternoon, where I can access certain documents on Family Search that I can’t access at home, because the library is affiliated with the Family History Library. As I was creating the list of look ups in Evernote I realized that they’re for ancestors that are a bit far afield:

  • A marriage document for my 2nd great grandfather’s stepdaughter
  • A marriage document for my great grandfather’s half-brother’s wife’s parents

So I’m wondering whether I should ratchet things back closer to my direct-line ancestors or just continue happily exploring the folks who cross my path.

I thought I’d turn to you and ask. Do you limit who you research, or do you research anyone who is somehow related to you?

Photo by Anders Sandberg via Flickr. Used under Creative Commons License.

How They Do It: Lisa Louise Cooke

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The latest addition to my How They Do It series of Q&As is with Lisa Louise Cooke, CEO of Genealogy Gems. Lisa is a prolific podcaster (she hosts both the Genealogy Gems podcast and the Family Tree Magazine podcast), author (her books include The Genealogist’s Google Toolbox and Mobile Genealogy), as well as a blogger and speaker. Lisa has an immense amount of genealogy knowledge and when she interviewed me recently for the Family Tree Magazine podcast, I asked her to do a How They Do It interview. I was thrilled when she agreed!

Since it’s a new year, I’ve changed up the questions just a little. Enjoy reading Lisa’s terrific answers!

How They Do It: Lisa Louise Cooke

How They Do It: Lisa Louise Cooke

How long have you been doing genealogy?

I got bit by the genealogy bug when I was 8 years old. I was the only kid in my class spending her allowance on death certificates!

What’s your favorite thing about being a genealogist?

It’s quite a challenge to pick just one favorite aspect of genealogy. But I think it would have to be working the puzzle and piecing together the past. I thrive on the challenge, and particularly enjoy using technology in creative ways to accomplish my goals. A close second is pulling my ancestors back from obscurity. When you consider it only take a generation or two for someone to completely be forgotten, it’s incredibly rewarding to ensure that doesn’t happen.

What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to organizing your genealogy?

It’s changed a lot in the last few years. It used to be paper posed the biggest challenge. But these days it’s definitely photo storage. Not only are we digitizing more of our past photos, we are taking photos of today’s memories at a break-neck rate. Those images are the family history of the future. And while technology offers answers, it’s constantly evolving. So, the method we thought was a good solution just a few years ago may already look outdated. I think most folks never dreamed ten years ago that they would have the mountain of digital images they have today.

What is your favorite technology tool for genealogy?

Land sakes, that’s a hard one for me! Honestly, my favorite tool is the one that is solving today’s challenge. But generally speaking, it’s still Google. And as I say in my book The Genealogist’s Google Toolbox, it’s really a toolbox of tools rather than just one tool, though they do come from one source, Google. On a daily basis, it’s Google search; nearly every day it’s Google Books; and Google Earth follows closely behind. Their power is only limited by your imagination.

These days many folks think “oh, I know how to Google!” But I find in most cases they are just scratching the surface. Like all tech, Google is constantly evolving. So, to really maximize it, you have to stay current and not rely just on what you did even a year ago.

If you were starting out new as a genealogist what would you do differently?

I’m fortunate, in that at a very young age I interviewed my oldest relatives. I also cited my sources. I find that those are the most common regrets genealogists have. For me, if I had the opportunity to do something differently, it would be to have taken more photos with my grandmother, and to have audio recorded the interviews.

How do you keep track of clues or ideas for further research?

I use Evernote to track items I find along the way that I want to set aside (so I don’t get off track) and return to later. But it’s not just how you track them. Success really comes from scheduling dedicated time to return to them. If you know in your heart of hearts you’re never going to do that, you’ll be tempted to jump down the rabbit hole right then and there. But if you regularly schedule “BSO Time” as I call it (Bright Shiny Objects) on your calendar and stick to it, you will trust yourself, and resist the temptations along the way. When it comes to BSOs found in books, I track those in Google Books’ “My Library” feature.

How do you go about sharing your personal research with cousins or other interested parties?

Video. Period. Successfully sharing genealogy is all about telling your ancestor’s stories in a way that speaks to your intended audience: Non-Genealogists! Most people get resistance and eye-rolling to hearing about their genealogy because they want to share the way they like to share, not the way a non-genealogist would be able to appreciate. Plus, video is the perfect tool for sharing online through social media – and that’s where your family is hanging out!

What’s your biggest piece of advice to genealogists in terms of organizing their research?

Do it as you go. And whatever method you choose to use to organize your stuff, do it consistently!

Do you have a dedicated space in your home for doing genealogy research? What’s it like?

Lisa’s office bookshelf

I have a separate office in our home that is devoted to genealogy and all the roles that genealogy plays in my life, personally and professionally with Genealogy Gems. It’s comfy, carpeted (which I need for podcasting), features a bright sunny window, a wall of book shelves and a walk-in closet. Most importantly, it’s decorated with anything and everything that inspires me and makes me happy. I spend too much time in there to not make it a haven.

I love the idea of BSO time: scheduled time where you explore the bright shiny objects you found along the way. What a great way to keep from being distracted. I’m also inspired to use video to share family stories. That’s an excellent idea.

Thank you, Lisa, for sharing your insights!