Working Alone or in Groups?

I love genealogy. I love everything related to genealogy. I love traveling for research, attending conferences, old photos, you name it. But, maybe what it really comes down to is that I love associating with other people who also love genealogy. They simply have similar interests, experiences, and I always come away with some new piece of information that will improve my genealogy.

Just recently I read the book, the Journey Takers by Leslie Albrecht. It was recommended by a member of my local society. Lovely use of her genealogy to describe her ancestors in humanizing terms. Not just the data a genealogist collects, but the stories, descriptions, and "what ifs?" of her family. This all lead me to remember to include the stories, memories, newspaper articles, letters, and personal writings of my family into my PAF files on family. I can get so involved in finding the hard data, that I can forget to include those things that will make my ancestors more human. So "Note to self"...tell the story; do not only record the data.

If you read my blog, you will notice that I have a bias. It is that for the best results and rewards of this hobby, that you should find a local genealogy society to join. If they have a few meetings that are open to the public, attend a couple. See what the general atmosphere is going to be. While I love love love doing my own research. And generally speaking it is not a team sport. I have found some collaborators through the Internet over the years. But, it is through my local society, that I have made friends for weekly walks, travel, visiting museums, sharing gas, going out to lunch etc. and yes, talking about genealogy. If you feel that their programs are not relevant, then maybe you can help them develop or implement some programs that will be useful/entertaining to members.

Now I have to get back to seeing who else would like to share gas to this years Gene-A-Rama. And maybe share a room? Could save us both a bundle!

Great Programs.

Since I am the President of my local genealogical society, I have my hand in a number of our programs. Planning and implementing them is always an issue. But, the most important ingredient is having your antennae up and listening and looking for what your membership and the public WANT.  I am a firm believer that a large number of members and non-members who attend our regular monthly meetings, generally want tips to improve their research results. And, I have found that where ever we can actully lead them through a hands-on process they tend to obtain better results.Where ever you decide to hold your monthly meetings, make sure you have wireless capabilites. It will allow for so many more meeting program possibilities.

So, at our last meeting we invited everyone to bring their laptops. If they did not own one, we would sit them alongside someone who had one. Then, our program speaker, who is also a member of our Society and the Director of the Local FHC began. I have a projector, so was able to hook up to her computer, while she got FamilySearch.org up on the screen.Then we showed only one part of what FamilySearch can do for their research. Finding the catalog and looking at what films can be ordered was the focus. There simply are to many items available through the FHL loan to FHC's that any researcher who wants any kind of results, simply cannot ignore this resource. Then, since the ordering and paying for microfilm rental must now be done from the patrons home/computer, we helped the attendees to set up their FREE accounts and showed them how that worked.  Since our Local Barron FHC is only about 5 blocks from our society meeting and research room location and from our county courthouse, we can offer the best research repositories in very close proximity for the county. This is a wonderful advantage to researchers.

Our full meeting room, with at least half of those attending from the BHGS non-member population was an indicator that the subject matter was relevant. It also let us know that since we had so many attendees from the general public, that our use of Facebook, website, and publicity in local media was successful and is being viewed by the public. Great meetings and really good advertising creates interest, attendance, membership and these are all great things for a society.

Our April meeting is our 10th Anniversary and Society Elections. We plan to celebrate. Our May meeting will be planning a genealogical research trip with a session from Tronhiem in America President, Robert Fossum (who is also a member of our Society) on the related issue of planning for attending a Norwegian stevne. June will find members out in one of our county cemeteries, where we continue the project of photographing the tombstones while creating abstracts of those cemeteries as our dedication to preserving local records. Its going to be a GREAT year for our Society.

Whats New for 2012.

I have been elected to the post of the NW District Representative for the Wisconsin State Genealogical Society. This is a position I held for a very short time until health issues made me resign from that commitment. So, now I am back again, promoting what I love, genealogy and their societies. One of the best tools available to  a genealogist is membership in a good genealogical society. Whether it is local (which I highly recommend as at least one of your memberships) or through a subscription to one at a distance. These groups of people simply can offer so much more than one person could find on their own.  So, find your local. Join the State Society. Or if you do not have a local, ask WSGS for some simple steps in getting your own group up and running!