Friday, December 30, 2011

2011 Goal is Reviewed and Plans for 2012 Underway

No that is not a typo, I had one goal (singular) for 2011 as posted here, about the search for my Great Grandmother Mary, I followed up on the search in these subsequent posts:

  1. Mary, Mary Makes Me Contrary
  2. Mary AND Her Daughter Make Me Contrary
  3. Resources and Timelines in the Hunt for Martha/Mary
  4. Amherst, Nebraska 1907 Via Google Earth
  5. October is Family History Month
First of all, let me say that knowing myself I am very impressed that I wrote a total of six blog posts around a single topic. That's just not the way I work. :) 

Did I accomplish and finish my goal? Technically no, BUT I'm am thissssssssssss close! The documents I've accumulated in researching Mary this year have the elements I need. I am now at the point of needing to formally construct a research plan (yes Kathleen I WILL do that) in order to prove the relationship. I am doing that a little backwards and after-the-fact, and we all know the "genealogy police" would scold me severely for doing so but c'est la vie it is what it is.

In thinking about my 2012 genealogy research goals, I obviously had to include the completion of my search for Mary/Martha. I did however decide to include two more goals related to genealogy. I think lists of three look developed without being overwhelming.
  1. Create a research plan and prove my relationship to Mary Smith Evingham
  2. Attend one local genealogy society or event each quarter in 2012
  3. Post more comments to other bloggers on their blog itself not on Twitter, Facebook or Google+
I feel comfortable with these goals as well as excited. Being able to complete the story of Mary and move onto another family line will be welcome. As for item number two, my county does not have a genealogy society, they do have a historical society and while I'm a member I don't attend their meetings (it would take another series of 6 blog posts to cover the reasons). Also, two neighboring counties have very active societies and I am looking forward to attending their events.

Finally, I plan to make a concerted effort (I actually started this yesterday) to post my comments on the blog comment section of the post. I have been terribly lazy in only making a short comment here and there when I see the blog post on Twitter, Facebook or Google+. Somewhat in my defense I'm usually reading the blog posts on my phone and it is easier to forward, like and plus something with a quick note. I find it difficult to comment from my phone on many blogs that have word verification requirements. Still, those are excuses not reasons and I hope to increase my comments on the actual blog by 50% in 2012.

The year 2011 has been exciting for genealogy! So many new record sets are now online and we have techo gadgets galore. Blogging continues to be something I have a love-hate relationship with. I do not consider myself a writer but I do love this world-wide communication method. Without Desperately Seeking Surnames, my cousin Betty in North Carolina would never have found me! Hi Betty!! :) Without Desperately Seeking Surnames I would not have all the great genealogy friends I have now, nor would I appreciate what bloggers have to provide to the world of genealogy.

Wishing all my readers a happy and healthy 2012! Cheers!

Jenna

10 comments:

  1. Hi Jenna! Great post! Looking forward to your blogs in 2012!

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  2. Hey there - just wanted you to know that when I read, "thissssssssssss close" I heard Maxwell Smart's voice in my head!! :-) Good luck on your goals - I'm sure you can do it!

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  3. Jenna, I agree with you about posting to the blogs. Sometimes, I get so aggravated trying to comment from my phone, that I just go back to the platform I read it from and leave my comment there. The sad this is that blog readers are missing out on the conversations when we do this. Or, even worse, 20 years from now someone might be researching your Mary and the comments are not here, but on twitter. Forget it, we all need to make sure to comment on the blog itself.

    Good luck with your 2012 goals and have a great New Year!

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  4. I love it! Wonderful goals. I can't wait to hear more about your process and plan with your great-grandmother. And, I love the new look! Beautiful!

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  5. Great post, Jenna! I'm mulling over goals myself, at the moment. Love the new look, too!

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  6. Jenna, I love your pretty new header.

    I, too, have gone the way of three goals - I can't remember too many more!

    Posting comments directly on a blog keeps the discussion in one place and gives the blogger positive reinforcement at the coalface. I love this goal of yours.

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  7. Congrats on being so close to proving Mary. And the new look is fabulous!

    BTW, I responded to your question in my blog comments. If you have more questions, let me know.

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  8. Thanks for the comments. So far fate is working against me with goal #2. Visited my county's historical society website, clicked on upcoming events and it was blank. Went to the next county north, no meeting in January, the February meeting will be when I am at Rootstech and the March meeting is being held when I am in Vegas. Looks like I'm going to have to cross the state line and go to a meeting with the Jayhawkers! :)

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  9. Sounds like you made great progress in 2011, Jenna! As a blogger, I really appreciate your goal #3. It means so much to get comments right on the post itself. Wishing you success with all your goals in the new year!

    And btw, I've also created a research plan after I did most of the research :)

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  10. Those pesky female ancestors... They can be pretty tough! Congrats on your progress, and sticking with the problem. Here's to success in2012!

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