31 Days to Better Genealogy – Day 20

I’m taking Amy Crow’s challenge for 31 Days to Better Genealogy and blog Amy’s questions, with my answers; I plan to make one blog post, adding daily. Hopefully by the end of the 31 days, I will learn how to better solve some of my genealogy questions. If you haven’t signed up yet, just click on the link below… never too late to catch up!

31 Days to Better Genealogy by Amy Johnson Crow gives you practical steps to make your research more productive. Whether you are just beginning to climb your family tree or have been doing this for years, you can adapt the tips and methods in 31 Days to Better Genealogy to suit your needs.

Day 20 – Attend a Local Genealogy Society Meeting

Amy says… “Online learning is great, however there are benefits to going to an in-person event. Local genealogy society meetings are a great opportunity for us. Any genealogy society in your area will have something for you.”

And she’s right… Many years ago when I first began researching my family history, I was a transplanted Southerner living in the Yankee land of Connecticut. My first thoughts were, “how am I ever going to research my Georgia roots living in the North?” I joined a local genealogy group and they graciously took me in. I was the youngster of the group, but they quickly took me under their wings, showing me the ropes.

I looked forward to those weekly meetings at the local library, where I learned about pedigree charts, land deeds and plots and where to search. As I had no internet at that time, I turned to the local LDS church library and searched my records on micro-fiche; how tedious was that! I could easily while away my afternoon searching for “dead people” – as my kids called it. I always made sure to beat hubby home – why you ask – so I didn’t feel guilty for spending my afternoon searching for “dead people” rather than cooking or cleaning.

While those weekly genealogy meetings wasn’t a local historical society, they did teach local, as well as world history and I was learning first hand through their teachings. Every week we discussed other people’s brick-wall problems and how to break down those walls. Most there were very knowledgeable, often offering me advice.

My mission now is to take Amy’s advice and attend a local genealogy society meeting – who knows I might just become hooked! Having the internet at my finger-tips often keeps me home; maybe I need to venture out more and talk to “live” people. On Amy’s recommendation, I will be attending one or two. I’m sure there is much to learn and everyone there will share my interest of – genealogy – family history – and preserving the past!

 

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