September 14, 2011

99 Genealogy Things


Different variations of this list seem to be making the rounds right now, and I thought it might be fun to give it a try. I understand it originated with Becky on her Kinexxions blog. I got this version from Tonia on Tonia’s Roots, who got it from Valerie on Family Cherished. See how it gets around?

The list can be annotated as follows:
Things you have already done or found: bold face type
Things you would like to do or find: italicize (color optional)
Things you haven’t done/found, don’t care to, or don’t apply: plain type

1.    Belong to a genealogical society.
2.     Joined a group on Genealogy Wise.
3.     Transcribed records.
4.     Uploaded headstone pictures to Find-A-Grave or a similar site.
5.     Documented ancestors for four generations (self through great-grandparents).
6.      Joined Facebook.
7.      Cleaned up a run-down cemetery.
8.      Joined the Genea-Bloggers Group.
9.      Attended a genealogy conference.
10.   Lectured at a genealogy conference.
11.   Spoke on a genealogy topic at a local genealogy society.
12.   Joined the National Genealogical Society.
13.   Contributed to a genealogy society publication.
14.   Served on the board or as an officer of a genealogy society.
15.   Got lost on the way to a cemetery.
16.   Talked to dead ancestors. But it may come to that!
17.   Researched outside the state in which I live.
18.   Knocked on the door of an ancestral home and visited with the current occupants.
19.   Cold called a distant relative. 
20.   Posted messages on a surname message board.
21.   Uploaded a gedcom file to the internet.
22.   Googled my name (and those of ancestors)
23.   Performed a random act of genealogical kindness.
24.   Researched a non-related family, just for the fun of it.
25.   Have been paid to do genealogical research. Just starting.
26.   Earn a living (majority of income) from genealogical research.
27.   Wrote a letter (or email) to a previously unknown relative.
28.   Contributed to one of the genealogy carnivals.
29.   Responded to messages on a message board.
30.   Was injured while on a genealogy excursion.
31.   Participated in a genealogy meme. Like this one!
32.   Created family history gift items. 
33.   Performed a record lookup for someone else.
34.   Took a genealogy seminar cruise.
35.   Am convinced that a relative must have arrived here from outer space.
36.   Found a disturbing family secret. Not disturbing to me, but it must have been for them—otherwise, why the secret?
37.   Told others about a disturbing family secret.
38.   Combined genealogy with crafts (family picture quilt, scrapbooking).
39.   Think genealogy is a passion and/or obsession, not a hobby.
40.   Assisted finding next of kin for a deceased person.
41.   Taught someone else how to find their roots.
42.   Lost valuable genealogy data due to a computer crash or hard drive failure. Fortunately, I was backed up.
43.   Been overwhelmed by available genealogy technology.
44.   Know a cousin of the 4th degree or higher
45.   Disproved a family myth through research.
46.   Got a family member to let you copy photos.
47.   Used a digital camera to “copy” photos or records.
48.   Translated a record from a foreign language.
49.   Found an immigrant ancestor’s passenger arrival record.
50.   Looked at census records on microfilm, not on the computer.
51.   Used microfiche.
52.   Visited the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. 
53.   Used Google+ for genealogy. Ok, I know I should get on there
54.   Visited a church or place of worship of one of your ancestors.
55.   Taught a class in genealogy.
56.   Traced ancestors back to the 18th Century.
57.   Traced ancestors back to the 17th Century.
58.   Traced ancestors back to the 16th Century. 
59.   Can name all of your great-great-grandparents.
60.   Know how to determine a soundex code without the help of a computer. 
61.   Have found many relevant and unexpected articles on internet to “put flesh on the bones”. 
62.   Own a copy of Evidence Explained by Elizabeth Shown Mills.do I get a bonus for having both the 2007 and 2009 editions?
63.   Helped someone find an ancestor using records you had never used for your own research
64.   Visited the main National Archives building in Washington, DC.
65.   Have an ancestor who came to America as an indentured servant.
66.   Have an ancestor who fought in the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 or Civil War.
67.   Taken a photograph of an ancestor’s tombstone.
68.    Can “read” a church record in Latin. No, but I raised a son who can…does that count?
69.   Have an ancestor who changed his/her name, just enough to be confusing.  At least not that I know of.
70.   Joined a Rootsweb mailing list.
71.   Created a family website.
72.   Have a genealogy blog.
73.   Was overwhelmed by the amount of family information received from someone. Sounds like a nice problem to have.
74.   Have broken through at least one brick wall.
75.   Done genealogy research at a court house.
76.   Borrowed microfilm from the Family History Library through a local Family History Center.
77.    Found an ancestor in an online newspaper archive
78.    Have visited a NARA branch.
79.    Have an ancestor who served in WWI or WWII.
80.    Use maps in my genealogy research.
81.    Have a blacksheep ancestor. But I wouldn’t mind one.
82.    Found a bigamist amongst my ancestors.
83.    Attended a genealogical institute.
84.    Taken online genealogy (and local history) courses.
85.    Consistently document and cite my sources. 
86.    Visited a foreign country in search of ancestors.
87.    Can locate any document in my research files within a few minutes. Pretty much, I think. 
88.    Have an ancestor who was married four times.
89.    Made a rubbing of an ancestor’s gravestone. 
90.    Followed genealogists on Twitter. (find me @senseoffamily)
91.   Published a family history book.
92.   Learned of a death of a fairly close family relative through research.
93.   Offended a family member with my research.  Hope not!
94.   Reunited someone with precious family photos or artifacts.
95.   Have a paid subscription to a genealogy database.
96.   Submitted articles for FamilySearch Wiki.
97.   Organized a family reunion.
98.   Used Archives in countries where my ancestors originated. 
99.   Converted someone new to the love of all things genealogy.

Ok, that was fun! Guess I’ve got plenty to keep me busy on my “want to do” list. How about you? Care to play along?


Graphic by Tonia Kendrick
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