January 1, 2011

Going out on a limb

Ok, I’ll admit I’m a little uneasy with putting my genealogy goals out here for all to see. What if I fall flat on my face and don’t get any of them accomplished? Public goals are so, well, public. And sometimes, even when I set out with all good intentions, real life interferes and things don’t quite go the way I planned. But I guess I’ll risk it. Besides, even though I’m relatively new to blogging, you all seem to be pretty understanding and supportive. If I run into problems or get stuck along the way, maybe you can help me out.

With that in mind, here are my three main Research Goals:

1.      Research my Ballenger ancestors back to at least the early 1800’s, and complete an OGS Settlers & Builders of Ohio application for them.
2.      Find the parents of Carrie Beum, who married John Evans and was the mother of Ruth (b. 1898) and Leatha (b. 1900) Evans. Carrie died when Leatha was five months old, and not only were the connections with her family lost, but records of her seem to be hiding as well.
3.      Research the ancestry of my husband’s grandmother, Annah L. Crites.

And here are my three main Writing Goals:

1.      Write research reports for my own files as I complete segments of research on particular questions or individuals.
2.      Complete writing assignments for remaining lessons in the NGS Home Study Course and ProGen Study Group.
3.      Create a narrative summary or mini-book out of the research I’ve done on the Bishop-Crites family.

That last one will be a real challenge. But it deserves to be a top priority, because I’d like to make something I can share with my father-in-law, who is probably my #1 fan when it comes to genealogy. He’s a World War II vet, and as we all know, that generation isn’t getting any younger. So it’s something I’ll have to figure out. Looks like I’ve got my work cut out for me in 2011! 


Written for the 101st edition Carnival of Genealogy, "Research/Writing Goals for 2011"

8 comments:

  1. Good for you going public with your goals. So what if you don't get them all done. You won't fall flat on your face, I promise.

    Just take baby steps. You'll be surprised how much you accomplish in 2011.

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  2. Thanks, Amy! I really appreciate your confidence and encouragement.

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  3. I echo good for you. If you don't make a goal then you have nothing to shoot at. Better to miss trying than to not try at all.
    Good goals.
    Fran

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  4. I posted mine last year figuring I would post updates each month on my progress to keep me moving forward. I confess, I only posted two updates (I think) until the big end of the year "spectacular". However, just having them out there was enough to keep them in the back of my mind.

    I'm sure that posting your goals will not only keep you thinking about them, but doing them, and then you can look back at(and post about) all your successes next year!

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  5. Shelley,

    Seems like you have a logical plan, and I know you will accomplish most if not all :)

    I always say that if my ancestors knew I'd be looking for them, they would have burned more documents :) :)

    J at Cow Hampshire

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  6. Good luck with your goals! One day at a time, one blog at a time, one word at a time!

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  7. Thanks, Fran and Chris! Janice, what a great saying:) And Carol, that's a good way of looking at it-one at a time really adds up in the end. It does feel good to have some goals identified, and the best part is, I've already made some little strides this week. Thanks for the boost!

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  8. Your goals should be a stretch, and not a sure bet. Robert Browning said,“Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?”

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