January 2016 Go-Over Organizational Plans

I have decided to participate in the Go-Over rather than the Do-Over as I would like to develop a solid plan for organizing my data.

Just three days ago, I proclaimed that I was a fairly good researcher and that I needed help with tracking research and source citation. True. Still true. However, I also stated that I was certain other faults were waiting to be discovered and discovered they were. The Do-Over Workbook has been helpful in my journey of self discovery.

As of 4 January 2016 this is what I must do to become better organized…

      Find a quiet place to work and dedicate a segment of the day solely to genealogy. This time will be morning to mid-day. I PROMISE NOT TO RESEARCH IN THE HOURS BETWEEN 10 P.M. AND MIDNIGHT.    

      I will organize myself prior to researching by setting a research goal and planning my research. I will create research logs and to do lists. I will organize my computer files.

     “Bright Shiny Objects” will not distract me. Those BSOs are deadly! For eight years I have been diagnosing myself with Attention Deficit Disorder. The longer I have been at genealogy the more difficult it has been for me to stay on task. I have switched from one ancestor to the next. One tree to the next. I blamed it on ADD and have come to realize that I have been afflicted with The Bright Shiny Object Syndrome. 

Better get to work.

Linda

The "P" Word

I need to get the P Word out of my life and I am not talking about the word, "Please." I am talking about "Procrastination!" How else can I get the workplace in my mind organized?

Getting to the Task!

Linda

Think Genealogy

The new year has begun and already we are on day 2. I shudder to think how quickly this year will fly by! Winter here in Chicagoland can be a long, torturous event and the perfect time to renew my genealogical research efforts. Despite the predication of an El Nino winter, we already have experienced ice storms and snow storms. Time to cuddle up to my computer and think genealogy.

I like Thomas MacEntee. He is a great guy who has a great genealogy philosophy of sharing. The first and only time I heard him lecture he spoke of sharing the love, the love of genealogy. I began blogging shortly thereafter.

Thomas has been "sharing the love" with his Genealogy Do-Over program. He has structured this Do-Over through the course of a year allowing for researchers to grow at their own rate in their own time frame. He is also offering up a Genealogy Go-Over for those who can't bear to start over from the beginning.

Though I consider myself a fairly good researcher, I do have one major fault that I know of. Though I am certain more are just waiting to surface. My known fault lies in tracking my research and source citation. I worked on source citation in 2015 and have made strides, but still need to improve my research discipline.

Did I tell you that Discipline is my key word for 2016? Rather than making a resolution, I chose a word; like a sound bite. I may be on to something with this discipline idea!

Participating in the Genealogy Do-Over or Go-Over (I haven't decided on my path) is perfect. I have packed up and moved twice in two years. My records have been boxed, unboxed and boxed up again. My treasured boxes of genealogy material are currently stored at my brother's home patiently waiting to be retrieved. They need to come home.

Thomas MacEntee asks us to create our workspace. Get organized. I do need to find my workspace in our newest residence. I lost my workspace two years ago and haven't really found "my place" due to all the moving around. I am eager to find my spot. So is my husband. I think we may have to arm wrestle for spots! My first Do-Over task has been determined. I will set up my workspace today!

Please join in the fun. You can learn more about The Genealogy Do-Over at Thomas MacEntee's website:  Geneabloggers.com

Happy New Year!

Linda

Merry Christmas One And All

Christmas Day is winding down and time for reflection. Family is a good thing. Family offers support and love. No strings attached; just pure unconditional love.

I presented my first genealogy book as a gift this Christmas. My family was kind. They were quiet and contemplative. I think they were surprised. I hope they enjoy reading my book as much as I enjoyed its creation. I know, for sure, it has been read by at least one person!

Dick Dollen: The Memoir of an Unknown Uncle.

My brother, Dick, reading about his namesake.

Merry Christmas!

Linda

A Christmas Guest

Christmas is a magical time. So why not wish for a special Christmas guest. If I could invite one ancestor to Christmas dinner, this year I would choose my 3^rd great grandmother, Elizabeth Paul, of Curry Mallet, England.

Elizabeth or Betsey was born in 1807 to John Paul and Sarah Mead in Curry Mallet. She married Henry Strong of Saint Decuman’s Parish on 9 May 1829 in Beercrocrombe.

Elizabeth and Henry Strong had three daughters: Sarah Caroline, Emma and Fanny. Following the 1840 death of her husband, Henry, Betsey supported her family by working as a rag sorter. 

At 45 years of age, Elizabeth led her three daughters and mother, Sarah Paul, age 76 to Bristol, England. Together the five women boarded the Shannon and set sail for New York along with 106 other passengers and 12 infants. Elizabeth, Sarah Caroline, Emma and Fanny were officially received into the United States on 12 June 1849. Elizabeth’s mother died aboard ship. What motivated such an adventuresome trip?

The women settled in Skaneateles, New York where Elizabeth married John Willmont.  She lived in Skaneateles for eleven years. Elizabeth Paul Strong Willmont died 23 April 1860. My cousin and I visited her grave at the Lakeview Cemetery in downtown Skaneateles.  I doubt Elizabeth ever considered the idea of great, great, great granddaughters searching for her or visiting her grave. Would she be pleased?

I would love to have Elizabeth sit at my dining table surrounded by seven of her great, great, great granddaughters and serve her Christmas dinner. Conversation would be peppered with unending questions from curious granddaughters. I would particularly watch her reaction when dessert was served. Would she recognize the plum pudding?