I do a lot of thinking when I am working in my gardens. One day I was thinking that gardening is like genealogy. You grow and gather when gardening. You grow and gather in family history.
I started researching my ancestors with very little knowledge of what I was doing. I would jump from one web page to another and just grab all the information on my family that I could. I didn't save where I got the information from. I didn't evaluate the information, I just gathered it!
I wasn't happy researching this way. I would look at my research and think, "Now, where did I get this from?" It led to a lot of frustration and confusion because I could not go back and find the information I had gathered so carelessly. Was this Jonathan, Sr. or Jonathan, Jr.? Who knew?
I decided a do over was needed. I decided I needed to get serious about my research and do a good job with it. If I was going to spend hours and hours of researching I wanted to be proud of my work. I researched genealogy software and decided on Roots Magic. I checked how-to books out of the library, I read online how-to articles, I attended workshops, I joined my local genealogical society and I started watching webinars. I started growing as a researcher.
The more knowledge I gained the more I grew as a researcher. I learned about how to conduct solid research, how to analyze sources, information and evidence. I learned about the Genealogical Proof Standard, I even printed a "Does It Meet the GPS?" card and placed it on my desk. I started a blog! I learned a lot about genealogy.
There has been discussion in the past about who can call themselves a genealogist and I don't want to get into that controversy, but Merriam-Webster defines a genealogist as a person who traces or studies the descent of persons or families. I believe this definition should be taken a step further and add "using sound research practices."
I am proud to say I am a genealogist. I didn't become one overnight. It has taken years to get to the point I am at. I am no longer a gatherer. I save the record and the source for everything! No more wondering where I got that document. I have grown as a researcher over the past ten years. Does that mean that I no longer continue to grow. No, but now I am growing as a genealogist.
I still read books and articles, attend workshops, and watch webinars. I am still a member of my local society and three others. I am President of my local society. I have taken the knowledge I have obtained and have spoken to societies. I am on the board of the Michigan Genealogical Council. I am continuing to grow, the difference is that I am doing it as a genealogist. How about you? What type of family history researcher are you?
9 comments:
I think I am a little of both - a genealogists and a gatherer. I'm still all over the place, but believe I am improving all the time. Let's say I'm striving, and as I continue to do that I'll get better. I'm a good researcher, but am working to become a better writer. Very good article.
Great post Brenda! I was a gatherer too .... ashamedly. I too have seen the error of my ways in the frustration of having to redo so much of my early gathering. I too took the time to learn, study and grow. While not certified, I do consider myself a genealogist as defined by Merriam-Webster. And I continue to learn and grow - and to always Cite My Sources!! :)
Thank you Grant. I think the more one writes the better he/she becomes. Blogging has made me a better researcher and writer and vice versa.
Ancestor Archaeology, I think everyone begins as a gatherer, the excitement of finding things is more fun than recording everything.
Hi Brenda, maybe it's not an "either/or". Rare is the gardener who starts by analyzing horticulture books, taking courses at their local extension service, or joining a Master Gardener class. Often a love of gardening starts with planting some flowers (or veggies) and experimenting - facing problems and wanting to know how to be more successful - falling in love with gardening/by gardening often comes first. Becoming a genealogist (like becoming a Master Gardener) might be a process of growing in knowledge over time.
That is true, I didn't look at it that way. The analogy to gardening is an excellent one. I have had to prune a couple of branches off my family tree as I have gotten better at researching.
I like the gardening analogy. I've ripped out beds and started over in my garden and I have done the same with my genealogy. I have favorite sections of the garden that I spend a lot of time working on and others beds are sadly neglected and it is the same with my genealogy lines.
I wholeheartedly agree with Anonymous above.
I am 10 years into my family history journey... I begin research into each family by gathering the information and recording the place I got said information all together. Sometimes I am able to include additional tidbits of information that enhances the story of a person's life. Other times it is all I can do to get a birth/baptism/marriage/death/burial. Sometimes it's difficult to get any further than that.
I have evolved over time; I am also continuing to evolve.
I love your garden analogy. I've been working on my family tree for nearly 40 years now (*sigh*) and now I'm pruning and weeding. I've gathered and grown. At this point I am now working on preserving and sharing the bounty. That's why I started blogging, too.
Charley, I do the same thing with my tree, and garden!
Beth, I hope you continue to evolve for many more years.
Heather, sharing the bounty is important in gardening and genealogy. Anyone need any cherry tomatoes? We have tons this year!
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