October 20, 2012

And Now We Are Two: My Blogiversary



Today marks the second anniversary of the day I mustered up my courage and pressed the “Publish” button on my new blog for the first time. Does time fly, or what? In retrospect, I needn’t have worried. I’m not sure anyone saw that first post except me.

After I got a couple more posts under my belt, I gathered my courage again and announced my blog to Geneabloggers, which I envisioned as the Great All-Seeing Oz. I hadn’t yet met the real Thomas MacEntee, the hard-working yet fun-loving face behind the curtain. In fact, I hadn’t yet met a single genealogy blogger in person. I was thrilled whenever a new icon popped up in my gallery of “Followers” (confession: I still am). And I was even more thrilled when I began to get comments from readers. Somehow, out of the vast arena of cyberspace, people were actually seeing what I wrote, and taking the time to read it and respond. Amazing!

Now, over 160 posts later, I can honestly say I’m glad I took the plunge and started writing A Sense of Family. This blog has somehow become part of who I am and what I do. It makes me happy when something I’ve written connects with my family and friends. And it’s incredibly satisfying when someone lets me know they’ve learned something from what I’ve written. I’ve also met a lot of wonderful people through blogging, many of whom I now count as good friends. And there are many others who I hope to meet in the future when our paths eventually cross. In the meantime, we get to know one another through our blogs, and through casual interactions on Facebook and Twitter. It’s a great community, and one I’m glad to be part of.

Two years of blogging certainly doesn’t make me an expert on anything, but I would like to offer a bit of encouragement to any newer geneabloggers out there. And that’s simply to keep writing and keep connecting with people. Write what you’re passionate about, and your passion will draw others in. Go to genealogical seminars and conferences and introduce yourself to people. Learn, and share about what you learn. Read other blogs and leave comments when something connects with you. In short, reach out, and don’t get discouraged over numbers or stats. Heck, my stats aren’t going to impress anyone. But that’s not why I blog. I blog because I like to share—my stories, my experiences, my thoughts, my discoveries, and my journey into genealogy. It’s all about the journey.

I hope you’ll travel along with me as I head into another year. Thank you, sweet readers!

--Shelley

Related Posts:
Celebrating a Year of Firsts: My Blogiversary

34 comments:

  1. Happy blogiversary, Shelley! Here's hoping there are many more for you!

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  2. I saw Linda's tweet about your blogiversary and had to "come on over." I so agree with the sentiments of this post. The geneabloggers community has been a real blessing to many of us. Congratulations!

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    1. Yes, it really has been a blessing, Kathy. I'm so glad I got to meet you at NGS. I'm not sure we would have gotten to know each other if it wasn't for our blogs. Makes life much richer!

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  3. Wow! Time does fly. It is hard to believe it's been two years already. You are one of the bloggers I count among my friends and I look forward to all of your posts. Happy blogiversary!

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    1. Right back at you, Michelle. Our paths will have to cross sometime, right? Thanks for your support and friendship!

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    2. I'm banking on it that our paths will cross-soon. Maybe in 2013? I'm angling for FGS conference in Ft. Wayne and maybe even GRIP. We'll see...these things all depend on family!

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    3. Oh, I so hope you can come to FGS in Ft. Wayne, because I'll be there for sure. Fingers crossed!

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  4. Happy 2nd blogiversary to you, I just had my 3rd last week, so I still know the feeling about how quickly the time flies. Hopefully in this coming year you'll meetup with a few bloggers. Congratulations.

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    1. Thanks, Barbara, and congrats on your three years. It does goes fast. One of my dreams is to make a New England research trip and meet up with some bloggers when I do. Maybe 2013???

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    1. Much appreciated, Debbie, and thanks for reading!

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  6. Woohoo, Shelley, Congrats from one of your fans downunder who happens to be reading this in Madrid. Isn:t the internet grand!

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    1. Wow, Jill, that goes under the heading "What a small world!" Awesome.

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  7. Shelley, congratulations on two years! I totally relate to what you said about starting out...I think we all can :)

    Best wishes for many more years of blogging, meeting fellow bloggers, and sharing your research. I certainly have enjoyed reading along as you write.

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    1. Jacqi, thanks for your kind words and all the thoughtful comments you've written. I really appreciate it, and hope we can meet in person someday!

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  8. Happy 2nd Blogiversary Shelley! Like Jacqi, I too can relate to how you felt as you started blogging.

    But I have found, as I'm sure you have, that the genealogy blogging community is so very welcoming. And that is awesome to us newer (6 months for me) genealogy bloggers out here.

    Congratulations again!

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    1. Thanks so much for your warm wishes, Jana! I really enjoy your blog, too, and find it hard to believe you've only been at it for 6 months--it's already become a staple of mine. It truly is a wonderful and supportive community, isn't it?

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  9. Woo-hoo! Congratulations!! Confetti!! Balloons!! Blow out that calendar. I absolutely understand your feelings as I started only this year blogging, and struggle to figure out what I'm doing and why. It's a huge treat to read comments or to see that people have +'d my blog on G+. The genealogy community is very encouraging and positive in so many ways. Happy 2nd Blogiversary - and many more!

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    1. What fun, Celia--I'll have to put you in charge of the party! I know what you mean about struggling to find a focus. I feel like mine is constantly evolving, too, so don't feel like you're alone in that. Thanks for reading and commenting, it means a lot to me!

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  10. Ooooh! I feel a song coming on -

    HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY TO YOU, HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY TO YOU, HAPPY 2nd BLOGOVERSARY DEAR SHEEEELLLLLEYYYYY, HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY TO YOUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!

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    1. Sheri dahling, thank you from the bottom of my heart. It just wouldn't be a true blogiversary without you!

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  11. Shelley - I so enjoy your blog and your writing! It was a delight to meet you in person at the OGS Conference! You make the genea-universe a better place!

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    1. Aww, Dorene, thanks for your sweet words! I was delighted to meet you too, even if just for a brief time. Hope we can connect again soon.

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  12. Congratulations on two years, Shelley. It seems like no time, and yet it seems like you've always been here. Best wishes for many more wonderful years!

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    1. I know just what you mean, Nancy. Thanks for the well wishes, and keep on blogging yourself--I'm so often inspired by what you write :)

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  13. Shelley, you have written such a friendly, comforting, and encouraging posts. I appreciate knowing how you felt when starting your blog, announcing it, getting comments, and connecting with people. I totally agree that this is a great community, and I'm also glad to be even just beginning to be a part of it. You write sincerely about what matters to you, and your blog is a pleasure to read. Congratulations!

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    1. Mariann, I'm glad you feel that way, because that's exactly how I want to be--a positive and friendly voice. So it makes me very happy to hear it. Thanks, and best wishes to you!

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  14. Congrats on two successful years, Shelley!

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  15. Happy Blogiversary. I felt the same way starting out. It feels good seeing familiar names and faces popping up in the comments, doesn't it?

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    1. Yes, it does, Wendy. And it's neat to see new ones, too. I really feel like I have the best readers in the world. Thanks for your warm wishes!

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  16. Happy blogiversary ... thank you for your blog!

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