We had a record number of people say they were up for this month’s 30 x 30 challenge, in which we commit to doing 30 minutes of genealogy research (or organizing or digitizing or whatever project you choose) for 30 days in a row.
We’ve passed the half-way point of the challenge, so I wanted to ask: how’s it going?
I’ve managed to do at least 30 minutes of genealogy research each day. It’s been so enjoyable and I feel very connected to my ancestors. On almost all the days, I’ve researched in the morning, before I left the house. On the weekends, I’ve managed to put in more time. But on weekday mornings, I set a timer and stop after 30 minutes.
I’m using my Evernote research log consistently, so it’s very easy for me to pick up where I left off.
Your turn: Please report in the comments. How’s your challenge going?
I’ve been diligent about my half hour – I decided to start my tree again some time ago with citations.
So with this challenge I’ve been adding all details from every BMD cert I have and also Census details I have so far and now feeling it is such a good and satisfying start. Thanks Janine
That’s fantastic! I know that feeling and I personally consider adding details from primary sources to my family tree software loads of fun. Keep up the great work, Maz. And thanks for commenting!
I’m finding that 30 minutes turns into 2 hours a day! I’m cleaning up my media folder for Family Tree Maker and analyzing the media at the same time. I’m using my Evernote account to write up my daily goal, link to the research log to each person I’ve worked on that day, and writing out next steps, so I know what my plan is for the next day.
That sounds great, Melva! If you have two hours to spend on genealogy, more power to you. (And I’m a little jealous.) Thanks for participating and sharing!
So far so good. I set my timer for 30-40 minutes and I work on my genealogy. This way I get to work on genealogy and still get my chores done. I also have been using Trello to make my list of Genealogy things I want to get done or research during the week. If I come across something interesting, I make a note of it in Evernote. This prevents me from diving down the rabbit hole. Thanks for having the 30 minute challenge.
Terrific, Jerry! I just started using Trello a little and can see how it would be handy for a genealogy to-do list, though I keep mine in Evernote. I’m so glad you’ve found the challenge helpful!
I’m certainly averaging well over 30 minutes a day this July. I have had two days where life conspired, as it does, to keep me away from my genealogy work but I’ve more than made up for that on the following days. I’m interested in the references above to Evernote and Trello to keep track of to-do things that pop up in research.
That’s great that it’s going so well, Ron. I use Evernote for my research log and I have, in my genealogy stack, follow-up notebooks by surname. Pretty simple. I describe it a little in this post: https://organizeyourfamilyhistory.com/keeping-track-of-the-fan-club/ but I think I’ll write a whole blog post about it. As for Trello, I’ve been using it for everyday tasks, but I could see how it might be useful to create boards for each surnames and perhaps lists for individuals. Or lists for types of lookups. Perhaps Jerry will see this and let us know how he’s using Trello.
Including today, I’ve managed to do 30 minutes a day for 10 out of the last 18 days (with several gaps in between days). Due to some technical genealogy software stuff that happened to me a few months ago, right now, I’m re-inputting my genealogy research from my files into Family Tree Maker with their respective sources.
Keep up the great work!!
It is going really well. Having the focus on Communication has been such a good idea. I am really tying things together with my living cousins… and that evernote checklist really helped me structure this “Communication” project. I just got a WONDERFUL email from a long lost 2nd cousin… cut off from us through some split in their family long ago and so glad to be connecting with me. That’s what genealogy is about, healing and truth!
That is absolutely wonderful. I agree: that’s what genealogy is all about! So glad the 30 x 30 challenge is going so well.
More accomplished this month than in a long time. I spent this time sorting and filling my digital files from large surname files into smaller family group files. I do have one difficult area. With all the newspaper sites where I now can clip family news items which I site in detail, how do I organize these news stories and keep a digital file and print a paper copy. Digital seems easy but I need a way to organize all my news stories for each family group to print. Some sort of order or organized grouping. Do you have a suggestion?
I’m so glad the 30 x 30 challenge went so well for you, Patty! With regard to your printing question, are you wanting to print them for your own files or are you wanting to print them for family members? If it’s for yourself, I’d first suggest maybe you reconsider printing. But assuming you want to print anyway, I guess maybe it depends on how you’re storing them. I download them to my hard drive as individual files, stored in the electronic folder of the appropriate ancestor. I guess if I wanted to print, I’d just print the individual files. But I’m guessing I’m not understanding your question. In case it’s helpful, here’s a link to a screencast I did of how I handle newspaper articles I find online. https://organizeyourfamilyhistory.com/processing-newspaper-articles-screencast/
It’s been going well, I’ve “cleaned up” the first few generations of my maternal tree – I’m writing- putting the genealogy and stories into a book (the first was published in 1916 – not by me!! HA!) I’ve scanned a bunch of old photos and uncovered the mystery behind a few of them.
I have a book on how to use Evernote, but think I need a class. I’m still working out of a research journal with paper and pen. I have 3 generations complete (as far as that goes) and 100+ pages written with citations!
I’m going to Ireland to meet 2 DNA cousins and explore the area my grandmother grew up in – Armagh. In the fall I want to keep up the 30 mins – as well as get back to my quilting business. I need a little $ to fund this hobby. I also need to organize all the digital downloads and images and back this all up onto an external drive. Seems like 30 mins a day for life! But it is getting done- thank you for the challenge!
Margaret, it sounds like you had an amazingly productive month! Enjoy planning your trip to Ireland (and, of course, the trip itself)!