My Hopes for 2022

Welcome 2022!

Zoom! Zoom! Zoom! If you read this before 2021 you would think I was writing about a car race, but that is not the case. I don't know of any genealogist who hasn't had some sort of interaction with Zoom, or another virtual platform, in the past couple of years.

 

Many genealogical societies have been holding virtual meetings for a while now. Some haven't met at all because their area doesn't have internet access capable of holding virtual meetings. I am hoping 2022 allows us to return to in person meetings. I like the camaraderie that is present in a meeting where the attendees share the same interest. 

 

Many genealogists have attended a conference, institute, or seminar virtually. I like the idea of a virtual conference especially in times of a pandemic, but again I want to go in person. I want to meet new people, explore new places and resources, and I want to visit an exhibit hall. I can't do that virtually. I hope to see the return of in person conferences.

 

All this zooming has led me to have a little burnout for virtual meetings and conferences. Is it starting to affect attendance? Maybe. There is so much competition out there that if you are holding a virtual event, it better be an excellent one. There are many excellent ones available. I hope we continue to see quality programs.

 

I know you are saying this is the future of genealogy and to get with the new technology. I do and I will continue to do so, but can't I wish for a return to attending in person? 

I think 2022 will continue to bring challenges to genealogists, but we are going to see some innovative changes to the way genealogy meetings and conferences are delivered. I look forward to seeing what it out there.

 

I plan to take advantage of virtual offerings, but will be selective in what I participate in. I used to watch a lot of webinars whether I had an interest in the subject or not. I felt it made me a well rounded genealogist. You never know when you might need the information provided.  I plan to pivot using my genealogy time to be conducting more research and sharing my research by blogging.

No matter if you like virtual, or in person, or a combination of the two there is a lot of opportunity to become a better genealogist. I hope 2022 will be your best year yet.