When you make your New Year’s Resolutions, they are usually pertaining to:
- Health – You’re going to eat better and exercise more
- Finances – You’re going to save money and cut back on frivolous spending
- Charity – You’re going to volunteer your time to give back to the community
- Spirituality – You’re going to worship more, curse less, make amends with family members, and patch up misunderstandings
At RecordClick, we believe that genealogy research commands its own set of New Year’s Resolutions.
After all, genealogy is considered many things: a profession, a hobby, a gift, a curiosity, an obsession, a therapy. But more than all of that, it is a discipline, and that’s where some 2014 Resolutions can help you become a better more holistic and efficient family history / Genealogy researcher.
With all of the genealogical services that RecordClick offers, we don’t expect you to bump up your genealogy research skills all by your lonesome. That’s why throughout 2013, our professional genealogists have shared valuable information, skills, and research tips with you.
So, for the start of New Year 2014, I am delivering the top 10 Genealogy Resolutions on a silver platter to help you become a better genealogist and family history researcher. These aren’t just empty Resolutions; each one is based on an article written in 2013 by RecordClick’s professional genealogists. All you have to do is key in the subject you are searching in the upper-right-hand corner “Search this Site” box, and the blogs on that topic will appear. Or scroll through the blog “Categories” on the right-hand-side of the page.
Today is the first day of your genealogical researcher life.
Let’s Start the Countdown:
No. 10 – Get your files together in one location and focus on one question you want to answer about regarding your ancestor search. Start with that question, find the answer, and then move to your next question. Start reaching out to family members and pick their brains for dates, names, and locations to help you with your genealogy research. Make lasting relationships along the way.
No. 9 – Scour your house and bank deposit box for family artifacts and heirlooms, such as Bibles, scrapbooks, journals and diaries, old address books, photo albums, which may be of help to you in the future.
No. 8 – Research probates, wills, death certificates, and land deeds, school records, vital records, ship records, newspapers, passports, and other court records for valuable information and history about your family.
No. 7 – Research church records and visit cemeteries or research online websites for burial locations and headstones for family members. Take pictures or transcribe the information for future use.
No. 6 – Visit your local genealogy library frequently, and consider joining a lineage society and attending workshops and conferences. Subscribe to online genealogy newsletters. Read the RecordClick blog religiously.
No. 5 – Research military records, muster roles, and pensions either through libraries or online databases
No. 4 – Check the U.S. census, and use it frequently. Remember though, the census is only as good as the census taker, so back up your information.
No. 3 – Compile a medical family history. Get a genetic genealogy DNA test.
No. 2 – Create a Legacy Book. Don’t hesitate to have a professional genealogist at RecordClick help you put it together.
No. 1 – Contact RecordClick today for a free consultation. Make a genealogical research plan of attack for 2014, and solve the ancestor search mysteries that have been troubling you.
RecordClick wishes you Happy Ancestor Search in 2014!
Photo credit Nancy Siddons-Daniels
