My life has been a bit hectic and genealogy research has dropped to the bottom of the priority list. My antidote to that? A new 30 x 30 challenge!
Who wants to join me? In the 30 x 30 challenge, I commit to doing 30 minutes of genealogy research (or genealogy organizing) every day for 30 days. This challenge will start on Sunday, July 1 and end on Monday, July 30.
Whenever I make this commitment, my research goes to the top of my priority list (which usually means I do it first thing in the morning) and my genealogy productivity and enjoyment skyrockets.
Please comment below if you’d like to join me in the challenge. Mid-month I’ll post a progress report. Here’s to a July full of fun genealogy research!
Maz says
I too have put all things genealogy on hold. So Janine I’m ready for a challenge. Let’s see how we go
Louise kingston says
Count me in!
Barb says
I would love to join everyone. My genealogy has been on hold also.
Carol Kuse says
I’m for it.
Jerry Hereford says
Great timing. Since June was a little hectic for me, I was thinking of starting the 30 minute thing. Count me in.
Julie Ryder-Bird says
Hello Janine, yes please, I’m in. It’s funny how life keeps taking over with other things.
Melva Shrum says
This is the perfect way to kick start my genealogy again. I put it up for several months now. Count me in.
Jo Ann Murray says
I’m ready to do the 30×30
Janine Adams says
I’m so glad to have so many people joining in! Please let me know how it’s going or if you have any challenges keeping up with it.
David Fernley says
I’m in too. I’ve got a mound of archiving to do!
Trisha Wagner says
I’m in. I even have my timer set by my genealogy information. Can’t wait for Sunday.
Maree says
I am in for it even if I need to do extra on somedays so when I don’t have time I will be cover 🙂
judy ann says
I’m ready to try it !!!!!
David Peter says
I am ready! Count me in!
Wilma Sullivan Bittinger says
I’ve never joined in before, thinking I’m so far behind it’s no use. But realizing I must start somewhere, I’m IN! July 1st is my son’s 50th birthday too! How did THAT happen? Obviously I’m not getting any younger either so let’s go!
bettysmallen says
I have a family reunion at the end of July. What a good time for this
Crystal says
I’m in the process of a Genealogy-Redo so this challenge will work great with reentering all my documents. And a way we go………
Janine Adams says
I’m so glad that the timing of this particular challenge seems good for so many people! I’m excited.
Nancy Crenshaw says
I would like to commit! I need organization big time!
savannahzmomma1 says
I’m in! My project is going to be 30 minutes of communication each morning. Either updating my cousins correspondence spreadsheet or actual emails. But just try to get my arms around these many cousins.
damfree says
I’m in. I usually do something every day, but I am going to commit to 30 minutes of organizing paper/digital files.
Stephanie Harer says
I’m in!
Glenn Dixon says
Well ok then – let’s do this!
Rebecca Corson says
Let’s do it. You will motivate me to finally get my records where they should be, in folders or binders and not in a pile.
mzbdywyze13 says
I’m in. Looking forward to it.
Ron Kawalilak says
I’m in. My desk is a mess and it’s the right time to do something about that.
Faye Quesinberry says
I’m in, this will be my first genealogy challenge.
Alma Darling says
I’ve just returned from GRIP where I studied Family Archiving with the fabulous Denise May Levenick. Not only is she an outstanding family historian, she is a gifted and giving teacher. She shared her philosophy and her practical skills and I now have the confidence to turn the mountain of stuff into a collection. I’m in for the July 30×30.
Janine Adams says
That’s fantastic, Alma! I love Denise and think she is so talented. Sounds like the timing of the July 30 x 30 is perfect for you!
Margaret says
Yes please!
Virginia says
I’d like to join in.
Patty says
Just in time. I’m in,
Patty says
Just in time! I’m in and happy to be.
Rebecca Corson says
July 1, watched a training genealogy video and organized some of my past research into piles by family groups. Now I can get started and work my way back.
savannahzmomma1 says
July 1: Created a checklist of “Communication To Dos that I could do” and am starting on updating my profile on all the sites I’m on to help DNA Cousins collaborate with me. I have a ton of activities. The hard part is avoiding doing research instead of this. (I have DNA cousin overwhelm.)
Virginia Cohen says
I would like to join in.
Janine Adams says
I’m so glad to have so much participation! And I’m so glad the challenge has me researching first thing. It’s great to be back in the saddle!
Bev says
Sounds good! I’m going to give it my best.
Rebecca Corson says
Watched another genealogy video from a conference I had attended. Since I could not attend all and many were going on simultaneously and it was information I knew I could use, this has been great. Also spent another ½ hour of entering information in my do-over. This is helping me so much
Janine Adams says
I’m so glad, Rebecca!
Janine Adams says
I’m so glad, Rebecca! You know, taking the time to watch videos from conferences after the fact is something I have trouble doing. You’re inspiring me!
Melva Shrum says
I’m just changing from researching one family line to another. I’m using this time to look at my old research to be sure it is filed in the system I’m now using. Spent most of yesterday and today updating tags and setting up table of contents in Evernote.
Janine Adams says
I love hearing what you all are working on! That sounds like such a good use of time, Melva.
savannahzmomma1 says
July 2nd I updated my common profile, which I’ve begun copying and modifying where needed on each of the DNA/Online Genealogy sites I belong to! The checklist idea is proving fabulous as it helps me stay focused! This 30×30 is going to be a success, I can just feel it!
Janine Adams says
So glad to hear it!!
Maree says
Ok I confess I don’t think a month is long enough. I started by deciding to go through my folders and sorting them into family trees instead of all the family just put into their own folder, which is what I had. This has involved me organising a lot more than I realised and I have only got to the first folder. 🙂
Janine Adams says
That sounds like an interesting project, Maree. If a month isn’t enough, you can always keep going right? Spending 30 minutes a day on it for 30 days will certainly give you a great start!
Melva Shrum says
I like the 30-Minutes bc I don’t feel overwhelmed. I have a built in stopping point and know that I’ll pick it back up tomorrow. … a lot less pressure to finish a project in one day.
Carrolyn Miller says
i am ready for the challenge. I need to put some time into getting organized.
Rebecca says
I’m in! However, (including today) I’ve only done 30 minutes a day for three separate days out of the past ten. I would like to get into doing it every day though. I’ve been following your blog since April or May (by going over to this blog periodically – I love your 30×30 idea!) but now I’ve subscribed to it! I’ve been trying to do 30 minutes a day every day since the May challenge but so far I haven’t had much luck. Does it count if you do extra as cover for days you didn’t do? Or does the cover not count and you need to try to do 30 minutes a day and if you miss a day, so be it?
Janine Adams says
Rebecca, welcome to the challenge! There are no real rules. For me, I often will miss a day or two during a 30 x 30 challenge, but I feel okay about it because I’ve inevitably gone longer than 30 minutes on other days. So do what works for you. All I know is that the challenge keeps the research top of mind and allows me to prioritize it so I get the research done in the morning. Let us know how you do!