Let the Games Begin (Playgroup Not Required)!

Call me crazy, but I've decided to participate in the Facebook Genea-Blogger Group Games.

Crazy because I've got a busy toddler to care for, a household to run, too many volunteer projects in progress... and I'm barely keeping my head above water! But since my husband and I have been discussing the possibility of me pursuing certification as a genealogist - something I've wanted to do for about a decade - this event seems like good practice.

It will be an extra-busy couple of weeks, but I'm going to give it a go!

These are the categories in which I plan to participate:

1. Go Back and Cite Your Sources! We all know how important our research is - but it is only worth the evidence that supports it! Have you ever looked at an entry in your database and wondered, "Where did that come from?" or "How can that be?" All events can and should be backed up by linking them to sources and evidence using a consistent and clear citation format.

I'm usually pretty good about doing this because I've wasted a lot of time in the not-so-distant past wondering "where did I get that information?" I try to always make a note whenever I add something new. However, I did get GEDCOMS from other family members that were annotated in the "old" PAF-way, and I need to go back and bring them up-to-date. Plus, I have several documents in a PILE on my desk that I've refused to file until I get a chance to properly enter them in my database. This is as good a time as any, I suppose.

2. Back Up Your Data! Backup data to choice of formats (flash drives, CDs, DVDs, online) or storing hard copies properly (safety deposit box, safe, etc.).

A. Prepare a comprehensive backup plan for your digital research files and a security plan for your hard copies and photos

B. Secure your hard copies and photos in waterproof containers

C. Backup all your data using a flash drive, an external drive, CDs, DVDs, or an online resource

D. Have all your hard copies and photos scanned and secure them either in a fire-proof safe or offsite in a safety-deposit box/secure environment

E. All your data is backed up digitally and secured physically and you can recover from any disaster while losing only one month or less worth of research

I bought a box of gold CD's on which I had planned to back up my digital photographs. This worked well until I got to the batch of photos taken with our 10.1 MP Canon 40D DSLR Camera. The CD's filled up much too quickly, so I do need to order a box or two of gold DVDs. They're not cheap, but I think our family photos are worth it.

I also still have TONS of photos to scan (mine, and others I've collected), none of which are being properly stored. Shame on me, I know.

I am pretty good about backing up, though. I have 2 external drives, one of which I use for backing up all my new data at least once a week. I have an account at Mozy, but have not had the 2-3 weeks to let my computer run (and possibly burn itself up) while backing up. But... as I've seen from watching my husband's computers fail time after time... you can never back up TOO MUCH.

3. Organize Your Research! So you have plenty of research - that's okay if you can find what you need when you need it, right? Take time to review your collection of documents and photos, both hard copy and digital, and work to organize those items for easy access.

A. Organize at least 20 hard files or ancestral items (books, fabrics, inherited items) into file folders, boxes, envelopes, containers, etc.; archival-quality where appropriate.

B. Organize at least 20 digital files into folders, label, add metadata, add descriptions, add tags, etc.

C. Organize at least 20 photos into photo albums, scrapbooks, collages, protective holders, boxes, etc.

D. Organize at least 20 digital photos into folders, label, add metadata, add descriptions, add tags, etc.

E. Create at least 20 data entries in your database, or scan 20 photos, or scan 20 documents.

F. Create a master list of your files and notify your family members of where it is stored.

Again, I'm reasonably well-organized, research-wise... except for my photos. Since we got the Canon, the software that automatically downloads our photos does a nice job organizing, so I've gone to that system will my other cameras. Past downloads are still a mess, though. And don't even get me started on the hard copies. All I can say is: I'll try.

4. Write, Write, Write! Do you find birth dates, death dates and all the data boring if there's no narrative behind it? Don't you find the stories about ancestors more attractive than cut and dried census data? It takes time to be able to write about your family history and the more you write and the more often you write, the easier it is to bring your family to life for others to see.

A. Write a summary of what your blog is about and post it on your blog – you may not have done this since you started the blog and it is a great way to have new readers learn more about your site.

B. Participate in a genealogy or family history related blog carnival. See the AnceStories post "August Is..." for a list of these carnivals and their submission URLs and deadlines.

C. Prepare several posts in draft mode (if possible with your blog platform) and pre-publish.

D. Write a brief biographical sketch on one of your ancestors.

E. Sign up to host a future carnival.

I've been meaning to update my blog for a long time, so now I have a good reason to git 'er done. I do plan to participate in one or two carnivals, but I'm not sure about hosting one - I have enough trouble finding time just to participate. And pre-posting... we'll see.

5. Reach Out & Perform Genealogical Acts of Kindness!

A. Comment on a new (to you) genea-blog.

B. Join another genea-blogger’s blog network on Facebook Blog Networks.

C. Invite other genealogists to join Facebook.

D. Assist another researcher with a research request or lookup. See AnceStories "Random Acts of Kindness Week" posts for ideas for this item and Item E.

E. Participate in an indexing project.

F. Join a genealogical, historical,heritage or lineage society.

This will probably be the easiest category for me because I've already got a few irons in the fire. I'm a "dormant" member of a DAR indexing project, so this will be a good excuse to "reactivate." I'm also working on applications for a couple of lineage societies, as well as a local historical society and a genealogical society. And I've got a couple of "Random Acts" in the works. So I'm hoping to be inspired - and make the time - to get these projects going!

Now... if there was only a category for Toddler Wrangling... I'd be a shoo-in!

Copyright © 2008 by Elizabeth O'Neal

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Thanks to footnoteMaven for the lovely 2008 Games graphic.

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