27 January 2013

Sentimental Sunday - Organizing. Re-Evaluating. Sharing.

This would NOT be my blog if I didn't get sentimental on Sunday, right? I just don't know what it is about this day, but I always wake up with a bit of a melancholy edge, anticipating missing out on what used to be a 'family' day. And as I've been doing pretty often lately, I had a bit of an 'AHa!' moment while perusing Social Media this morning. 

I am with my family when I'm working on my genealogy. 



I know many of you, especially anyone just starting out, do family history research because you want to find out about your roots and pass that information on to your children. I started because my Mom was asking if I could 'find out' whether or not we could be in the Daughters of the American Revolution (we are, now) and it took off from there. But every once in a while, I think, 'why the heck am I doing this if no one cares?' What?! Yes, I too have doubts as to whether all the work I put into my research will be meaningful. And it won't, if it's not organized and available for others. 



So, once again, I'm going to create a 'goal' for this year (23andme will soon be returning my parent's DNA tests at which point we will prove, categorically, I have the 'procrastination' gene).  First on the list: Organization. Yes, that's right, the Archivist rails against organizing at home. It's challenging. And frustrating. It does not come naturally to me to be well organized. It's a skill I've learned through a variety of detail oriented jobs I've had since I started working. From Accounts Payable clerk to diesel technician to Stock Broker, every single job I've had has required a very high level of attention to detail. So at home, not so much. Well, guess what? It's time to apply my knowledge on the home front to show that it CAN be done. I will have my office space AND my basement cleared and organized by the end of February.

Then comes: Re-evaluation. Having a clear and organized office space and family Archives will allow me to re-evaluate the materials that I have. The most critical aspect of any well run Archives is 'intellectual control'. That means knowing what you have. And while I have neatly labeled folders in boxes, I don't have a Finding Aid created. Wouldn't it be cool to have a Finding Aid available here for researchers to look at? How's THAT for cousin bait?!! Someone doing a Google search for a surname in my tree may very well find me because I've updated my Finding Aid. What a concept! 

At the same time, the re-evaluation truly happens in looking at each document I have and pulling every piece of family history evidence that document contains. What a mind boggling task!! But, I know this task will be made so much easier by using Evidentia, a new software specifically designed for storing information found in the resources you use for your family history. It is NOT a genealogical database, but rather a database that keeps every SINGLE piece of evidence you locate on a given document, photo, coin, in a conversation; wherever you find a shred of evidence about someone in your tree you can save it now so it'll be there for you to review later. Re-evaluation!

Jane Garret(t) Powelson (1824 - 1916)
And the final piece: Sharing. Yep, it's great that I have all this evidence, especially the primary stuff (original documents). But it doesn't do any good if I'm the only one seeing it, right? So, having had the time and tools to gather and effectively analyze evidence for my family history, I'm setting the goal of having at least one line in my family tree ready to take with me when I go to the Allen County Public Library in August to attend FGS's Annual Conference. The ACPL will bind two copies, one for its shelves and one for me. This way, I'll have at least a tiny part of my research truly available for others who may be seeking information on someone in my line. 

I am with my family when I'm working on my genealogy. 



11 comments:

  1. Happy Sunday, Laura! This is a very useful post, with some ideas I hadn't thought about in quite this way. First, I'm totally with you on the "Sharing" piece and my destination is the ACPL too, in August if I can make it (will explain complications later). When you say "at least one line in my family tree," what documents do you mean? An Ahnentafel chart? Other documents?

    What is a Finding Aid? I was going to label each of my archive boxes, but you probably mean more than that. I'm intrigued.

    What a beautiful picture of Jane Garrett Powelson!

    Did I tell you I'm being sworn in to the DAR on February 10th?

    Thanks for this post!

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    1. Mariann, as always you leave such great comments! I really do hope that you can make it to ACPL in August for FGS. If not, we'll just have to figure out a time that works for us both to meet there...it's not like I can't use the time there. ;-) As to my intent: ACPL will take genealogical material in a wide variety of forms. The material does not have to be put together formally, it can just be information that you've gathered. However, I'm hoping that I will be able to provide a complete, sourced and cited genealogy along with copies of all the documents and photographs I have which can be used (those that are not under copyright). I'd also like to be able to include a narrative about the line; I'm not certain I'll be able to finish this for August, but if not it will follow shortly and join the genealogy.

      A Finding Aid is exactly what it implies: an aid to locate material in an Archives. Not so long ago, most Archives did not have computers, and so they relied on paper finding aids in order to locate material for researchers. At it's most basic level, it's a listing of the file labels for each box, with a notation for where the box is located. I did a really nice one that you can find on the AHA.org website...they only have it as a .pdf file so I don't think I can post a link here. I'll send the file via one of our social media sites. :-)

      A friend told me I look like Jane, and when I thought about, I can see the resemblance. She's my 2nd great grandmother, who I know nearly nothing about!

      And, NO,you didn't tell me!! Congratulations and welcome!!

      Whew!! Did I mention I love your comments?

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  2. I enjoyed your post Laura and like Mariann I'd love to know what documents or files will be bound for ACPL? I would like to work toward that goal of having some of my research on a library shelf for a future descendant.
    Maybe you could discuss this in a future blog post! I'd love to read it.
    Good luck on your goals!

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    1. Cindy, thanks so much for reading and commenting. The Allen County Public Library with take anything that's not under copyright and bind it for you! So, it can be nothing more than handwritten notes or an entire compiled genealogy complete with photos and stories; whatever you have they will happily duplicate for you! Here's a link to their 'Donate' page...in the middle there's a "Share Your Research" section. And, I'll write more about it later, as you suggested! Thanks!!

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  3. Laura, everything about your blog--from its title to your melancholy tone in today's opening paragraphs--inspires me to keep you in my heart, even though we've never met.

    This past week in particular, you were in my thoughts. I just returned from being with an aunt during a medical emergency; like you, she can say she is the "last leaf on this branch."

    Right after returning home, I got to enjoy a marathon 5 hour long coffee meeting with another friend, unmarried and with no children; she bubbled over with enthusiasm over her recent discoveries after returning from a month-long research journey abroad...only to ask, "But who will care about these family history details after I'm gone?"

    For women like these, I just have to have the faith that somehow, someone will eventually show up who will really care. Someone who will value your discoveries as much as you do. I know there are stories like that out there--where that certain someone, maybe a generation or two removed...maybe even a distant cousin...showed up out of the blue, and connected like lost soul mates over the documentation that's already been accrued. One of those magic moments when you knew they knew.

    In the meantime, no matter what happens, I agree with you: yes, you are spending time with your family. And you will, someday, pass their stories along to someone else who cares as much as you do.

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    1. Oh my, Jacqi. First, your aunt is very, very lucky to have you! And your friend is equally blessed that you share in her enthusiasm; send her the link to my blog or social media sites...I'd love to connect with her!!

      On the brighter side, as I was standing at the Allen County Public Library in the Family History section, every time I pulled a book from the shelf and found a little tidbit about someone from MY family, I just kept thinking, 'THIS is why I do it.' We have no way of knowing who will need the information we're collecting or when they'll need it. So, I'd rather put the research together and have it gather dust on a shelf than have some poor researcher be looking for some bit of family history that I took with me when I died. And, as I've mentioned before, that primary stuff, those letters, certificates, photos, etc., that original material is our cultural heritage and we as genealogists and research have an obligation to ensure its long life.

      Lastly, I am genuinely grateful for your heartfelt support. Truly. Your comment came at *just* the right time. Thank you! :-)

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  4. Great goals, Laura! I must have a look at Evidentia and see how I could make use of it :-)

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    1. Thanks! I'm really hoping to be able to get things organized so I can focus on the analysis part of my research. I'll be posting more later about Evidentia; and next Monday we'll be doing the second part of the workshop webinar over at DearMYRTLE. Join us!

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  5. ORGANIZATION. RE-EVALUATION. SHARING. --- these are excellent words indeed to focus your goals and efforts this year and beyond.

    I see great minds think alike Laura for I also was feeling reflective this past Sunday and posted on my blog 3 words to focus my goals and efforts with my genealogy this year -- FIRST. PROOF. PUBLISH. I believe the goals we have set for ourselves are definitely do-able and attainable for this year!

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    1. Liv, I read your post (http://claimingkin.com/my-3-words-for-2013/)...it's terrific! Honestly, as I'm thinking about it, you're absolutely right...the meaning of our words is very similar. If there's anything that I can do to support you in your goals, let me know. We can do this!!

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  6. Laura,
    Do you have any idea how much you look like Jane? I can't believe the resemblance. I'd like to talk to you about what kind of format you have to have to submit something to the ACPL.

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment on my blog!