Distractions and Genealogy

Photo by Chris Barbalis on Unsplash

How have you been doing with your goals in genealogy for 2023? Not quite hitting the mark? Me either. I have been distracted by new research opportunities and excellent zoom classes. While I could feel bad about this, I will focus on the positive. I’ve found new family information, learned a ton of new things and now have the opportunity to buckle down and refocus on my goals. Let’s look at some distractions that actually help you become a better genealogist.

Have you ever started gathering your genealogy research to start writing about a particular family and then realized that you don’t have a vital document or didn’t write down a source? Inevitably for me I then wander down a path to finding that data and possibly more. Is it a bad thing? Sometimes because we know that researching family history is never truly complete. If we are using the distraction to avoid writing or with mindless wandering, then we probably need be more aware. On the other hand, by reviewing your data (which I know I’ve mentioned in several blogs) we may discover information that we didn’t process, new hints for brick walls or new online data to search.
 
Writing is a solitary occupation and sometimes we are not in the right frame of mind to focus. If that is the case, organizing your data, updating your sources, and looking for those stray facts might be the best use of your time. If you use these distractions all of the time to avoid writing, then that is another topic.
 
Here are some good distractions the next time you are stuck in writing your family history.

1. Take a genealogy class. I have been enjoying classes from an Ontario society. They are chockfull of information about the area where my ancestors lived, available on zoom and often for a minimal fee.
2. Revisit the data that you have on a particular ancestor. Read it again and note where you are missing information. Check genealogy databases. Perhaps that information is online now.
3. Look at others family trees. Do NOT randomly copy their information. Even with sources they might have the relationships wrong or have copied from someone else. You should still do the due diligence of finding supporting information for those relationships and dates. However, you can look at the data to help you decide where you will research next.
4. Genealogy Magazines and newsletters. We all need inspiration at various times in our genealogy research. What better way to be inspired than to read articles and thoughts from fellow genealogists?
5. Visit your local library and historical society. Now that most are open during normal business hours, take the time to visit in person, look at books, microfilm, and records that you can only find there.
6. Give yourself a break. Even if your passion is family history, sometimes we need a break. Do something completely different—another hobby, time with family, see a movie or read a good book.

 
Distractions are sometimes good for us as we navigate our family history stories. Take some time this week to purposely be distracted. Happy Exploring!