30 April 2012

Goal Assessment 2012

It is time again to assess how I am doing on my 2012 goals.  My research has gone in a couple of different directions.  I have been corresponding with three Fredrick cousins, so my research has been on that line of my family.  Education seems to be the easiest to complete.  There are always webinars available.  I have had to start limiting the ones I attend, or that is all I would do.  I was successful in completing my organizational goals so that is good.  Here are my goals and how I am progressing.
Research
  • Research, record, and source vital record information for my mother's 11 brothers and sisters.
    • I haven't done anything new in March or April. 
  • Research Vinera Eglantine Powers parentage.
    • No new progress has been made.  I need to verify a couple of things before I confirm and post the information.
Plus, I went to Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana for a day of research.  I met up with other Midwestern Geneabloggers and had a great time.

Education
  • View two webinars per month.
    1. Irish-American Catholic Genealogy by Michael Brophy. This webinar covered everything you need to know about Irish American Catholic Genealogy.  From lost records, to available records, to cemeteries, church records, newspapers, fraternal organizations and more.
    2. The 1940 Census by Thomas MacEntee  Thomas gave a great webinar on the 1940 Census.  He explained what is new in the 1940 Census, how to acquire the enumeration district using Steve Morse.org and more.
    3. Using a Blog as Your Online Research Log by Drew Smith.  This was an informative webinar on blogging.  It wasn't what I thought it was going to be, but it was a refresher for me on the use of blogger.
    4. Top 20 Lessons Genealogists Need to Know by Barry Ewell  This very informative webinar came with great handouts.  Barry covered everything from verify your data, to cite your sources, think like a historian, organize your data, to technological helps. 
    5. Making the Most of the Canadian Census by Kathryn Lake Hogan  Kathryn does an excellent job presenting Canadian information.  I was sorry I had to miss her webinar on Canadian Ports.  The Census webinar presented where to find the records and the schedules that are available for Canadian census research and more.
    6. Obituaries:  Clues to Look For by Tom Kemp.  Ok, Mr. Kemp, you did such a good job you cost me money!  After viewing this webinar I signed up for a Genealogy Bank subscription.  I haven't found any obituaries yet, but I have found other articles I will be sharing soon.
    7. Researching Your Scottish Ancestors by Marie Dougan.  I loved this webinar!  Marie did an excellent job with this webinar.  Starting with the differences between, British Isles, United Kingdom and Great Britain and going on to resources for Scotland research, gave me lots of places to go and continue my Scottish research.  This is a must see webinar if you have Scottish ancestors.  But, hurry as it is only free through today. (April 30th)
    8. Reverse Genealogy:  Finding the Living by Megan Smolenyak  If you have ever wanted to find living relatives than this webinar is for you.  I couldn't believe that it was Megan Smolenyak's first webinar. 
  • Read research wiki's or courses twice a month.
    • Sections, Ranges, Townships by Bobbi King.  I should have watched this course last year when I was using the Bureau of Land Management records.  Ms. King gives an excellent presentation on Metes and Bounds and the Rectangular Survey system.  I remember learning this in junior high, but didn't retain a lot of it.  Ms. King walks you through the reading of legal land descriptions.
    • U.S. Courthouse Research by Christine Rose.  This was a fun course to view.  It includes an interactive visit to a courthouse with helpful tips on researching in a courthouse.  A handout was included with this research course.
And, I attended a genealogy class at Helen Warner Branch of Willard Library on "Finding Military Records".

Do you have any suggestions for research wiki's or courses?  Please share your ideas in the comment section.

Organization
  • Finish the Glover surname file labels, using Family Roots Organizer System.
    • I am done!!  Of course, I had to buy another file cabinet for all my red folders.
  • Add information received from a Glover researcher to my Roots Magic software.
    • Completed!  Whew!!

2 comments:

  1. I'm impressed with your education elements, Brenda. I've got to start paying more attention to the webinars available. I have done several of the FamilySearch courses. They've all been well done.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Susan, I like webinars because I can multi task while I am watching them. Which family search courses did you like the best?

    ReplyDelete