Genealogy Do-Over - My Year In Review

This year I took part in the Genealogy Do-Over.
I have decided to review all my Genealogy Do-Over posts for the year, to reflect on what I have learned and what I still have to learn, as well as the tasks I still have to complete. 

In January 2018 the Genealogy Do-Over topics were: Setting Previous Research Aside and Preparing To Research.

What have I learned?

• I put aside my previous genealogy research. I placed all my genealogy files on my computer into a folder and labelled it 'Genealogy Hold'. I did the same for all my genealogy related notes in Evernote. I created a Notebook and labelled it 'Genealogy Hold'

What do I still have to learn and do?

• I still need to learn to resist the lure of any 'bright and shiny objects' (BSOs). I have noticed that I can still be distracted by new resources or sudden ideas, especially when I am feeling a little tired of analysing documents.

In February 2018 the Genealogy Do-Over topics were: Establishing Base Practices and Guidelines and Setting Research Goals. 

The Base Practices and Guidelines that I decided on in February were as follows:

• Plan my research 
• Follow a research process 
• Work from the known to the unknown
• Learn about the history and geography of the areas where my ancestors lived
• Slow down. One objective at a time, one person at a time, one family at a time.
• Keep a research log
• Record Sources, cite correctly, give credit
• Try to see the original document (or images of the original document) 
• Record every detail from every record
• Track everything - what found and what not found, correspondence etc.
• Analyse sources, resolve any conflicts
• Be consistent in the way I record my data.
• Backup my data
• Share my research
• Keep learning

What have I learned?

• I planned my own genealogy research process workflow (using examples from other genealogy researchers) with steps for preparing, planning, researching, analysing, resolving, concluding, saving and sharing. 
• I believe I have so far kept to the Base Practices and Guidelines that I wrote on my blog here in February, though in some aspects I still need more experience and practice (see below).

What do I still have to learn and do?

• I need some more experience in planning and tracking my research, though I have made plans for how I will conduct these aspects of the research process. So far my Genealogy Do-Over has consisted mainly of going through documents I have already acquired (that were saved to my Genealogy Hold folder) so I have not yet had to plan new research.
• I also need more experience in learning about the history and geography of the areas where my ancestors lived. I hope to create Location Guides for particular places where my ancestors lived, to help me to understand the geography and history and the available resources for the areas.

In March 2018 the Genealogy Do-Over topics were: Conducting Self-Interview and Conducting Family Interviews.

What have I learned?

• I started with myself and my own immediate family and wrote down my own recollections of events in my life and the lives of my family members.

In April 2018 the Genealogy Do-Over topics were: Tracking Research and Conducting Research.

What have I learned?

• In April I decided to use Evernote for my research log. At the time I was unsure whether that would work for me. I have since decided to use an Excel spreadsheet for my research log. 

In May 2018 the Genealogy Do-Over topics were: Citing Sources and Building a Research Toolbox.

What have I learned?

• I learned to add a source citation for each source I consult and record it on my research log. When I finally add the data gleaned from that source to Family Historian I know now where to find the source citation. 
• I created a Research Toolbox using bookmarks saved in Evernote (for less frequently used genealogy resources) in combination with bookmarks saved in Google Chrome (for frequently used genealogy resources). 

In June 2018 the Genealogy Do-Over topics were: Evaluating Evidence and Reviewing Online Education Options. 

What have I learned?

• I have continued to use Evidentia to aid in the task of evaluating evidence from the genealogy source documents I consult.

What do I still have to learn and do?

• I need to take up opportunities for online genealogy education. 

In July 2018 the Genealogy Do-Over topics were: Reviewing Genealogy Database Software and Digitizing Photos and Documents.

What have I learned?

• I have continued to use Family Historian was my main genealogy database software.

What do I still have to learn?

• While I have learned a lot about Family Historian through using the software, there is still a huge amount I can learn from reading the articles on the FHUG Knowledge Base (Family Historian Users Group Knowledge Base).

In August 2018 the Genealogy Do-Over topics were: Conducting Collateral Research and Reviewing Offline Education Options. 

What have I learned?

• I have learned more about the usefulness of collateral research (research on ancestor's siblings, in-laws etc.)

What do I still have to learn and do?

• I need to put the concepts of collateral research into practice. As I progress with my Genealogy Do-Over I can add information found in collateral research to Wikitree, as I feel that is the best way to share this type of research with others so it can benefit other researchers. 
• I need to make an inventory of my genealogy books and journals. 

In September 2018 the Genealogy Do-Over topics were: Conducting Cluster Research and Organizing Research Materials - Documents and Photos. 

What have I learned?

• I have learned more about the usefulness of cluster research (research on ancestor's extended family, associates, neighbours etc.)
• I have learned about the importance of correctly organising and storing physical research materials such as documents and photos.

What do I still have to learn and do?

• I need to put the concepts of cluster research into practice. Similarly to collateral research, as I progress with my Genealogy Do-Over I can add information found in cluster research to Wikitree, where it can benefit other researchers. 
• I still need to purchase some archival quality photo albums for storing family photographs.
• I need to sort through the folders of my Mum's handwritten family history research, scan or photograph items and assign them to either the 'keep' pile (for certificates and photographs etc.) or to the 'recycle' pile (for scraps of paper with research notes that can be discarded once scanned or photographed)

In October 2018 the Genealogy Do-Over topics were: Reviewing DNA Testing Options and Organizing Research Materials - Digital. 

What have I learned?

• I reviewed the tools I am using for interpreting my DNA test results.
• I decided on naming conventions for my genealogy digital files. 
• I decided on conventions for my use of metadata in my genealogy digital files.
• I decided on my folder organisation for my genealogy digital files.

What do I still have to learn and do?

• Explore using DNA Painter to illustrate the DNA segments I have confirmed from shared segments with known relatives.

In November 2018 the Genealogy Do-Over topics were: Reviewing Social Media Options, Building a Research Network and Reviewing Research Travel Options. 

What have I learned?

• I learned about genealogy options on social media, the usefulness of building a research network and about travelling for genealogy research.
• I have since visited a cemetery where many of my ancestors are buried. I had been to this cemetery before, but this trip, with my mother and aunt, was specifically to photograph the memorials for my ancestors and relatives.

In December 2018 the Genealogy Do-Over topics were: Sharing Research and Securing Research Data. 

What have I learned?

• I have learned the importance of sharing my research and keeping my research data secure. 

What do I still have to learn and do?

• Finally compile the history of the family of William and Mary (Dunne) Fullerton. I will aim to have this printed before October 2020.
• Share my research on this blog, on Wikitree and on the Facebook groups I created for descendants of various of my ancestors. 
• create a backup plan for my emails and for my Evernote notes
• create a plan to 'future proof' my data
• create inventories of all my genealogy related items both physical and digital
• estate planning - discuss with my family what will happen to my genealogy research when I have left this life.

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The full list of Genealogy Do-Over topics for 2018 is on Thomas MacEntee's Abundant Genealogy web site.

© 2018. Australian Genealogy Journeys. This post was originally posted at https://ausgenjourneys.blogspot.com/2018/12/genealogy-do-over-my-year-in-review.html
Genealogy Do-Over is © Thomas MacEntee.