Two months ago, I bought Thomas W. Jones book, Mastering Genealogical Proof and decided to do an independent study of it. I wanted to join one of the groups that was studying it, but I couldn't commit to attending every session due to other commitments.
I completed the first six of eight chapters the first two weeks I had the book. I committed myself to studying it. I didn't blog or research. Then, life got in the way. Summer came and the gardens beckoned, house projects needed to be done, and then family vacation time came.
I miss not studying it. I am enjoying the study of this book. I even graded my assignments. My lowest score was 88% and my highest was 96%. (It is the teacher in me). What I like best about the book is the challenge it has presented me. There were a couple of times I had to lay the book aside and come back to it later because I needed a break. It is an intense study of the Genealogical Proof Standard.
The concepts taught in Dr. Jones' book will enable me to become a better genealogist. I look at my research with a new eye now. I find I analyze records and sources more deeply. I cite my sources better. I enjoyed Chapter 4, the one on sources citations. Even though I use Roots Magic software and don't have to create my own sources unless I want to, it helped to write my own and learn the parts that are relevant to an accurate and complete citation. I plan to go back through my software and take a second look at my sources.
I have two more chapters to go and then I plan to re-read the whole book. I would like to complete this by the end of July. If you haven't read this, I highly recommend it. It is one of the best genealogy resources I have found to date. Have you read Mastering Genealogical Proof? What do you think? Are you as impressed as I am?
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