Genealogy Training – Volunteering, Attending, Reading, Conferences, & Videos — oh my.
I was recently asked about what I do for Genealogical Training. How do I keep up with things genealogical? Of course, learning is an ongoing process, but the key to learning, in my opinion, it to provide an environment for learning. I do that in several ways.
First of all, I volunteer at my local historical society and museum. There, I regularly answer questions from individuals who have questions regarding their genealogical searches. I have only been in Maine about a year and a half, so my volunteer work helps me really learn about the place where I am living and the ancestors of this place. I am also learning about the genealogical records available here. Not only does it help me help others but it also helps me understand what types of records are available at a historical society in general. I am amazed at the kinds and types of materials that are possible. There are resources that I would never have thought of. By volunteering, I have the knowledge to ask other societies for specific types of materials or searches and hone in on specific possibilities.
Next, I attend my local chapter of the Maine Genealogical Society. Every month they host a speaker who talks about various genealogical topics and I attend. Not only does it give an hour of education it has the side benefit of meeting and conversing with individuals who actually care about my genealogical successes and brick walls as I care about theirs. Just those conversations can be motivating and inspiring. I even gave one of the talks last summer regarding “Social Media and Genealogy.” There is nothing that teaches you more than preparing to give a talk.
Next, I am particularly interested in genetic genealogy. There is a new Genealogical DIG (DNA Interest Group) here in Maine, which I am now attending. I also volunteered to help with a website for them. Not only do I learn about genetic genealogy through the meetings, I learn even more as I help with the content of the website. And again, being able to chat with individuals with a similar interest in genetic genealogy can sometimes be inspiring.
Next, I read. I subscribe to several magazines and the other societies I belong to send magazines focused upon their society. I also subscribe to several blogs of individuals that I know their writings will usually be interesting. Another thing I did was create a daily magazine at Paper.li. I am still using the free version and have the system create a Genealogical Daily. I check it every day. You can modify your paper to ignore some types of content and I’ve adjusted mine to eliminate some of the more flagrant sales pitches. Sure, it sometimes duplicates items I’ve already seen through my few blog subscriptions but I can quickly bypass the. I think it is a great resource. If you are interested in seeing what I’ve done, see it at
https://paper.li/DT_Genea/1445328221. Feel free to subscribe or favorite it. If I see enough users I might try to curate the postings.
Next, I plan to attend three, day-long genealogical focused seminars or conferences this year. All are sponsored by my state Genealogical Society.
1. 2016 Maine Genealogical Society Spring Workshop – April 23, 2016. The keynote speaker is well-known genetic genealogist Blaine Bettinger
2. 2016 Southern Maine Genealogy Conference – May 21, 2016. The keynote Speaker is
D. Joshua Taylor of “Genealogy Roadshow” fame.
3. 2016 Maine Genealogical Society and Annual Meeting – September 17, 2016. The keynote Speaker is Judy Russell, JD, CG, CGL
I think between the workshop, conference and meeting, I’ll pick up many new things.
Finally, I watch a one hour video every week. I tend to miss watching a video on weeks that I’m attending a conference but I watch one most every week. My favorites are usually RootsTech videos. They never have a bad video.
My plans include about ninety hours of semi-formal training, (50 hours of videos, at least 15 hours at conferences, and 24 hours of presentation at society chapter and DIG meetings. Add another 100+ hours of volunteer service at the Historical Society and Museum supporting genealogical activities and I figure I’ll be learning all year.
How many can you check off?
þ Volunteer at local historical or genealogical society.
þ Attend your local genealogical society’s chapter meetings.
þ Attend your local genealogical DIG meetings.
þ Attend local genealogical conferences.
þ Subscribe to and read genealogical magazines.
þ Subscribe and read genealogical blogs.
þ Watch genealogical educational videos.
RootsTech 2015 Video Archive (Note: RootsTech 2016 is in just a few weeks. Typically, these videos are unavailable when the new RootsTech takes place. There may be a couple weeks between when the video archive for 2015 is not available and the 2016 archive becomes available.
Great to get to know you through your interview. Good job on the blog!
Enjoyed reading your interview and am glad to find your blog!