Opinion

Taking stock every few years

Family Searcher
by Nina Brawn

    I like to re-evaluate what I am doing with my genealogy every few years. We all grow and change as we age, and sometimes the reasons we started doing things a certain way no longer apply. I always tell beginning genealogists to consider not only who they want to find, but why they want to find them.

    Some people may simply want to fill in that famous Pedigree Chart with the names of a few generations of grandparents. Others may have started trying to solve the mystery of some illness which appears to be genetic. Whatever the reason you started, chances are your search has grown beyond your original goals. Sometimes this means that your original record-keeping process may no longer work for you.
    You may want to take stock, whether you are a beginner or an old hand at family history. One of the best places to start establishing good habits is to start with yourself.
    Have you yet written down all your personal history? Do you have your own birth certificate? Have you studied it to see what you can learn from it to help in researching other relatives? Have you recorded the names of all the schools you attended and where they were located? Have you written to see if your transcripts are available? Do the same for religious records, and clubs or organizations. Have you recorded the addresses of the houses you lived in? Do you have old photos and/or current photos of them? (Try Google Earth for a street view of your childhood home.) If the house no longer exists, perhaps your historical society or a former neighbor may have a photo. Have you written down the names of your best friends at each of your old addresses in case they have memories to share for future generations? List all the jobs you have held. Do you have photos of any of those businesses or any of your former co-workers. Are the names of any of them likely to be helpful or of interest later in trying to get information? What forms have you filled out that have vital information? Selective Service? Income Tax? Social Security?
    I know, by now you are probably saying: “I don’t care about any of that.” There are three reasons you should. 1. Someday you will be gone. Your great-grandchildren will want to know this stuff (Don’t you wish you had it for your great-grandparent?) 2. It helps you consider how and where you might get some elusive answers for your ancestors. 3 The last reason it may be helpful is that in collecting this data on yourself, you may get some new ideas about organizing similar information for your other relatives.
    Organizing is really important, not only do you need the information, but you need to keep track of your sources. If you aren’t organized then surely you will lose something. You need to find your own personal balance between being organized enough without being so organized that you don’t have time for the fun stuff!
    Nina G. Brawn has lived in the Dover-Foxcroft area for over 50 years and currently lives there with her husband Fred. Nina was the last of 10 children, has three children of her own and nine grandchildren. She can be reached online at ninagbrawn@gmail.com.

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