October 21, 2013

And Now We Are Three!



Three years ago, I ventured out into the wide, wide world of cyberspace and posted my first welcome message here at A Sense of Family. It’s been a great three years, and I want to take a moment to reflect and thank everyone who reads and subscribes to this blog for making it so rewarding.

In looking back, I’m struck by three things: how fast time goes, how many more resources for genealogy are online today, and how many wonderful people I’ve come to know through blogging. Since I haven’t figured out a way to slow the speeding days, weeks, and months down, I’ll stick to talking about the other two things here.

In the fall of 2010, most of my searches on the FamilySearch website gave results from the Ancestral File, Pedigree Resource File, and IGI. I couldn’t have imagined the scope of databases under the FamilySearch umbrella today, or the ease of having so many actual record images at my fingertips 24/7. And that’s just one website. Think of all the expansions at Ancestry and Find My Past in three years’ time. And the rise of new companies that serve the genealogical community—Mocavo, for instance. Not to mention the proliferation of smartphone and tablet apps like BillionGraves (I could barely text on my 2010 cell phone). It seems like everyone—from the federal government to state archives to county offices to local genealogical societies—is making an effort to improve access to historical records online. And the ways to learn about genealogy have exploded, too (think webinars and study groups). I know there are some challenges, such as threats to the Social Security Death Index, but the progress is truly phenomenal when you stop to think about it.

Reading blogs is one way I try to keep up with all that change. Bloggers are generous with sharing information and tips. It helps to hear about other people’s experiences as we navigate the ever-changing landscape of 21st century family history research. Every blog has a voice, and behind that voice is a person. In my experience, the people who write genealogy blogs tend to be passionate, helpful, smart, involved, and genuinely nice people. After reading someone’s posts for a period of months or years, you come to know them a little bit, so when you meet for the first time, there’s a quick bond. You know just what to talk about. I’ve met many fellow bloggers at genealogy conferences and institutes who have become good friends, and I treasure those friendships. There are many others I hope to meet someday.

Mostly, I want to say thank you, readers, for taking precious time out of your days to read my posts. Thanks especially to those who reach out to leave a comment here or contact me by email. It makes my day to know I’ve helped or touched someone. It’s also a thrill to hear from a distantly-related cousin who’s just discovered my blog. Connecting with people regardless of the boundaries of time and space is what it’s all about, after all. That’s the magic that keeps me sharing those stories, reviewing those resources, and talking about those tips.

So please join me in raising a toast to being three!
--Shelley



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21 comments:

  1. Congratulations on your 3rd blogiversary, Shelley. It's been a pleasure reading your blog - and spending time with you at G.R.I.P. and various conferences. I look forward to more posts and meetups in the future.

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    1. Thanks, Becky! I look forward to seeing you again, too.

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  2. Here's to you!! I really enjoy your blog, Shelley!

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    1. That means a lot to me, Dorene! Thanks for reading!

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  3. Sending wishes your way from one of your fans downunder. Congratulations on reaching this milestone.

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    1. Jill, you're one of the people I really hope to cross paths with one day. I'm thrilled to know I have a friend in Australia. Thanks for your support!

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  4. Congratulations, Shelley. It's been a pleasure to read your blog. I learn something every time. Here's to many more years of interesting blog posts!

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    1. I really appreciate the kind words, Nancy, especially because I learn something from each of your posts, too. And I always love your comments!

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  5. Congratulations on three years, Shelley! I'm so glad I got the opportunity to meet the person behind the voice of A Sense of Family. You're absolutely right: we knew just what to talk about...for hours! Enjoyed getting to know you over coffee. Looking forward to encores!

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    1. I'm so glad we got the chance to get together, Jacqi. This passion for genealogy has brought the neatest people into my life. Hope we can meet up again. In the meantime, keep up the awesome work on your blog!

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  6. Shelley,
    Thanks for making me aware of this post. I've been doing so many other things lately, and blogging has slipped a little bit (with the exception of the Chapter blog). Congratulations to you on three years. Meeting you and reading your blog has been one of my great pleasures over the last three years.
    A cousin I met through genealogy is in from Florida and we are going to the Kentucky Archives today. You are right about all of the wonderful changes that have happened and are continuing to happen. Our Chapter has a new website going live November 1st. I can't believe all of the local resources we are going to make available for Hamilton Co. Exciting times!

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    1. I can't wait to see the new Hamilton County website, Kathy, because I have ancestors that were in Cincinnati from roughly 1880-1910. They didn't own land and didn't die there, so I could really use some more resources to track them down. I'll be on the lookout for it. Thanks for the kind words.

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  7. Happy third blogiversary! I always enjoy stopping by to read your posts. Hopefully we will get to meet face to face sooner than later.

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    1. Thanks for being such a loyal reader, Michelle. I do hope we get the chance to meet soon.

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  8. You are to be congratulated, Shelley! It's quite a challenge to maintain that momentum. Your blog's consistency and quality is just amazing.

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    1. Thanks so much, Malissa--that means a lot to me. Best wishes to you!

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    1. I really appreciate the good wishes, Linda, especially since you were one of the bloggers who inspired me to get started in the first place!

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  10. Happy 3rd blogiversary Shelley! That's an amazing accomplishment. Congratulations!

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  11. Shelley,

    I want to let you know that your blog post is listed in today's Fab Finds post at http://janasgenealogyandfamilyhistory.blogspot.com/2013/10/follow-friday-fab-finds-for-october-25.html

    Have a great weekend!

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    1. Thanks, Jana! Your Fab Finds are always an inspiration to me, and I'm honored to be included. I hope we'll be able to meet in person sometime, and share stories about our ancestors. I think we may have some from the same area of southeastern Ohio :)

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