What would your reaction be if someone challenged you to put aside 20+ years of family history research and start all over again? Mine was shock and refusal, coupled with the looming question – why?

Yet, over 2,000 people have risen to the challenge in the first-ever “Genealogy Do-Over,” pioneered by professional genealogist, Thomas MacEntee of High-Definition Genealogy. As Thomas explained, “Since I started my initial research, much has changed in the areas of genealogy research methodology and education. I now realize the need to collect facts and track them properly, including the use of source citations. I now understand the process of analyzing evidence and proving facts to reach a conclusion. In essence, I know a lot more about the ‘process’ of genealogical research and I want to put it to use.”[i]

After mulling over this concept, I took a closer look at the research documented in my RootsMagic database, my FamilySearch Family Tree and my Ancestry.com tree. As I review the work I have done over the years — especially at the beginning — I am finding dates and places without sources, poorly documented research, broken links to websites that no longer exist, and other problems that would make it almost impossible for someone to prove or disprove my research.

Thus, I became a “believer” and decided to undertake a modified version of the Do-Over. Due to the nature of my family history, most of the information on my pedigree lines has come from family members or foreign records – sources that are not found online or easily duplicated. So instead of putting aside what I have already gathered, I am carefully scrutinizing every person’s record to ensure that it has the most current information available, properly sourced facts, digitized documents and photos uploaded to both FamilySearch FamilyTree and my Ancestry.com tree (a smart way to both preserve and share). It is taking a very l-o-n-g time to do this; however, the purpose is accuracy, not speed.

Through today’s collaborative media, people worldwide are sharing tips, new tools and resources as they support and cheer each other along. The “Genealogy Do-Over” website and its companion Facebook page have that is needed to understand the concept, get started, and keep moving.

Below is an outline of the topics that are “discussed” on the website and the Facebook page. This is a comprehensive review of all aspects of research: from citations to DNA to research trips. Follow along, even if you are not actively participating, as there is much to discover as each week unfolds!

My purpose in undergoing this Do-Over is to ensure that my family history research will be usable and available to my descendants for many generations. If this work is not preserved, it will disappear. I want my descendants to know their ancestors and to treasure the heritage that helped make them who they are.

Genealogy Do-Over Topics[i]

Week 1 – 2-8 January 2015

  • Setting Previous Research Aside
  • Preparing to Research
  • Establishing Base Practices and Guidelines

Week 2 – 9-15 January 2015

  • Setting Research Goals
  • Conducting Self Interview
  • Conducting Family Interviews

Week 3 – 16-22 January 2015

  • Tracking Research
  • Conducting Research

Week 4 – 23-29 January 2015

  • Managing Projects and Tasks
  • Tracking Searches

Week 5 – 30 January-5 February 2015

  • Building a Research Toolbox
  • Citing Sources

Week 6 – 6-12 February 2015

  • Evaluating Evidence
  • Reviewing Online Education Options

Week 7 – 13-19 February 2015

  • Reviewing Genealogy Database Software
  • Digitizing Photos and Documents

Week 8 – 20-26 February 2015

  • Conducting Collateral Research
  • Reviewing Offline Education Options

Week 9 – 27 February-5 March 2015

  • Conducting Cluster Research
  • Organizing Research Materials – Documents and Photos

Week 10 – 6-12 March 2015

  • Reviewing DNA Testing Options
  • Organizing Research Materials – Digital

Week 11 – 13-19 March 2015

  • Reviewing Social Media Options
  • Building a Research Network

Week 12 – 20-26 March 2015

  • Sharing Research
  • Reviewing Research Travel Options

Week 13 – 27 March-3 April 2015

  • Securing Research Data
  • Reviewing the Journey

 

Carol Kostakos Petranek is a Co-Director of the Washington DC Family History Center, a FamilySearch Volunteer Coordinator, and a Citizen Archivist at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

[i] ©2014, copyright Thomas MacEntee. All rights reserved.

 

[i] https://www.geneabloggers.com/announcing-genealogy-doover/