Monday, December 29, 2014

Genealogy Do-Over: Week 1

Week 1 begins in a few days! I carved out some time to put some plans to paper. I may add/edit through week 1 as I review my progress.

Week 1 – 2-8 January 2015
  • Setting Previous Research Aside
    • Use records ordered/purchased as needed.
    • Otherwise do not refer to old research notes.
  • Preparing to Research
    • Cleaned my desk!
    • Created a new master family tree file in RootsMagic 7.
    • Learn more about the features in RM 7, especially creating citations.
    • Prepare my research binder - to keep me organized and in one place.
    • Prepare my resource binder, to include lists, tools, maps, etc. (I created this many years ago and will review for updates).
    • Review book - Crash Course in Family History by Paul Larsen. I ordered and received this book a week or two before Thomas announced GenDoOver!
    • Evernote - learn to use it (finally).
    • Personal genealogy library - review the books I have and create a Library Thing catalog. (Wow... I'd forgotten about some of the great books/resources I have). 
    • Research log - reviewed and updated.
    • Create new digital genealogy folders (when I transfer my old computer contents to my new computer this week).
    • Re-sort my paper files. Purge as needed. (Why did I think it was a good idea to merge them?) Maternal: Howard/Smith & Snell/Holmes. Paternal: Stafford/Benton & Sawyer/Crumpler.
  • Establishing Base Practices and Guidelines
    • Consistency: 
      • File naming (digital).
      • Document naming (digital).
      • Research methodology of each person (research log/resource checklist).
      • Scan & File as I go... do NOT allow a holding bin.
    • Collect, analyze and enter data in RootsMagic.
    • Record negative search results.
    • Cite my sources (properly).
    • Create to-do list for follow-up research.
    • No branch hopping! Stay focused.
    • BLOG (and share).
George Washington Stafford Photo
George Washington Stafford
Paternal Great Grandfather ~ Brick Wall 

2 comments:

  1. I am going to do things similar to the way you are. I do not have RM 7 yet, but will be getting it and as I transfer my data I will be doing it little by little.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looks like a great plan for week 1! A research log is a big one on my list as well. (I've never actually had one.)

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate your comments.