where2look4ancestors

Category: Organizing

  • How Changing My Editorial Calendar Changed My Life

    I started this blog while looking for cousins who share my love of family history. It’s been really fun connecting with kindred spirits and meeting extended family. Love love love collaborating with cousins who are equally inspired. But family history is only one of my interests. There’s also photography, old newspapers, graving, exploring technology, travel and so…

  • A Surplus of Surnames

    I’ve been climbing my family tree since the days of writing letters and reading microfiche. And while I’m still interested in dead people, in 2015 I focused less on the ones related to me [1] and more on those buried in various Midwest cemeteries [2]. Which means my ancestors have been gathering dust. Well not…

  • Fun with Genealogy Files Part 4

    In Fun with Genealogy Files Part 3, I shared my obsessive need desire to create virtual place holders. Ones that match the paper file place holders I made for each of my direct line ancestors. You’ll be pleased to know that I have been plodding along, methodically moving documents into their respective…

  • Fun with Genealogy Files Part 2

    I recently told you I had taken the first step in an enormous and overwhelming home office reorganization project. My goal is to have all my genealogy files organized before the end of 2015. As I mentioned in Fun with Genealogy Files Part 1, space is of the essence. Smaller spaces work best when…

  • Fun with Genealogy Files Part 1

    Mr. W2L4A and I downsized earlier this year. Our smaller home came equipped with a smaller space for storing genealogy records. Okay. This is the perfect opportunity to tackle overflowing files I’ve been meaning to get to for years. And make liberal use of cloud storage. And arrange my genealogy files…

  • A Second Look at December

    Organizing one’s family history research is practically a full time job, isn’t it? I already have a full time job, so I have to get (and stay!) organized to make the most of the tiny windows of time I have available to actually do research. December first I began scanning records…

  • A Second Look at November

    Feeling overwhelmed by the number of tasks on your genealogy to-do list? Oh my gosh, me too! Last month I decided to let my ancestors guide me through what should be done next to tell their stories. I started by printing a monthly calendar from Family Tree Maker. Each day lists an event…

  • My Favorite Four-Letter Word

    You may have a different favorite four-letter word. And mine may surprise you, but here goes. My favorite four-letter word is … D-O-N-E. I love that word! I love the BOOM of it – DONE! As in “that project is”, c’mon, say it with me – DONE! In genealogy, it’s…

  • My Family History Month 2013 To-Do List

    Here’s a rainy day project idea. Peruse the surnames of your direct line ancestors and jot down a question or two you’d like answered for each name on your list. My list is below: Françoise ADAM (my French 6th great-grandmother): when/where was she born? when/where did she marry Jean Schmitt? Magnus…

  • Resolutions Revised

    Are New Year’s Resolutions a waste of time? It seems like many of those set get left among the confetti and streamers. I’ve made resolutions on and off over the years. I like working toward goals, so each new calendar brings an opportunity to reflect on what I’ve accomplished and what is left to…