Earlier today, I was entering my PayPal transactions into my financial software and I saw that I had purchased a document from Sassy Jane Genealogy last month that I had not read and don’t even remember purchasing. So I looked in my Mac’s Finder to see what I’d downloaded from that website and saw that it was a pdf called Ten Skills Every Genealogist Needs. That sounds fantastic! I can’t wait to read it.
I knew there were doubtless other forgotten documents on my hard drive, so I created a notebook in Evernote called Downloaded items to read/watch NOW and put it in my genealogy stack. Then I went on a hunt for other unread or underutilized resources hanging around on my computer. I bought them with the best of intentions and then moved on to the next shiny object.
I found digital copies of Family Tree Magazine. At least one webinar I haven’t watched. A research guide to Kentucky research. Another Sassy Jane Genealogy guide. And I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface!
In these next couple of low-key weeks, I’m going to try to actually read or watch these valuable resources. And I vow to do a better job of keeping track of what I buy/download. Evernote should be my friend with this.
How about you? Do you have any learning resources you’ve downloaded but forgotten about? Happy hunting!
Can I ask what financial software you use? I used to use Money, but still haven’t found the best replacement for it.
I use Quickbooks. Genealogy expenses are business expenses for me and I use Quickbooks for my business. My husband uses Quicken, but he’s not thrilled with the required triennial updates. I’ve heard good things about You Need A Budget, but that may not meet your needs. I hope that’s a little bit helpful!
I did have a lot of these articles, posts and journals to read. About a month ago, I started gathering them up. Iuse OneNote and started a tab I named TO READ! Like Evernote, it goes across platforms and now I have reading material when I am sitting at the doctor’s office, or any place where I can steal a few minutes.
Yes! I didn’t even think about how putting these resources in Evernote makes me able to read them when I’m out and about. Thanks, Maria.
I probably have some myself. Thanks for reminding me to look!
You bet. Thanks for commenting, Nancy!
YES! the other day I took inventory because some were downloaded to Kindle, others to Goodreads or iBooks.
We’re on the same wavelength, Melva! Thanks for commenting. And happy reading!
Janine, could you tell me the name of the Kentucky research guide that you found? I began research on Kentucky ancestors in 2017, and I would appreciate the name of this research guide.
Sure thing. It’s the NGS Research Guide to Kentucky. https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/research_in_the_states
I hope those Sassy Jane Guides become a resource instead of a burden. But don’t we all know that feeling of OVERWHELM with all the great resources available to genealogists these days?
Not a burden at all. An opportunity!! And you’re absolutely right that there are so many great resources for genealogists that it feel overwhelming. Thanks so much for your comment!
Glad I’m not the only one. I’ve got a lot of catching up to do!!
I hope the challenge helps you to catch up, Teresa!
Hello Jane, OMG, I had emailed this post to myself to remind me to action it. Today I received a message from iCloud that I had no storage left. So I checked and it was all used up by documents, unread, unentered, not checked, all genealogy related! I have promptly put them all on a dedicated USB and will spend time each day sorting, reading, verifying the source, entering into Reunion etc. Thank you, I would never have checked and found all this wonderful information if it hadn’t been for your post. ❤️
Excellent, Julie. Enjoy your newfound treasures!