A new year and time to set goals for my genealogical work. In my Last Post, I reported how l I did with 2020 goals. Some goals were met and others were not. I have a mixture of broad and specific goals. Broad goals enable me to follow leads as they pop up. Specific goals lead me in a certain direction. For 2021, I make some goals more specific than in previous years.
One of my goals last year was to purchase voice recognition software. Prices of these programs seem high. I went back to Genealogy Do- over Facebook page and looked at comments about the various programs. One suggestion was to use the Microsoft 365 voice recognition app. So I’m trying it for the first time with this post. I will keep you informed.
2021 Genealogy Goals for Susan Posten Ellerbee
Posten-Richards family (dad’s family)
- Revise at least 4 chapters of Posten family history book. Explore publication options. (One chapter done in 2018; one chapter rewritten in 2020). *Priority item for 2021
- Follow-up on at least one BSO generated from previous searches.
- Review and clean paper & digital files for at least 2 direct ancestors and their siblings.
Tucker-Maurer family (mom’s family):
- Complete descendant list for Smetts-Maurer family as requested by cousin.
- Review and clean paper & digital files for at least 2 direct ancestors and their siblings.
- Follow-up on at least one BSO generated from previous searches.
Ellerbee-Simmons/ Johnson-Reed (husband’s family)
- Scan original documents in paper files. Place originals in archival sleeves and appropriate notebook.
- Review and clean paper & digital files for at least 2 direct ancestors and their siblings in each family group.
- Create family group records with citations as addendums to scrapbooks given 2019 & 2020 for at least 4 family groups.
- Continue to trace descendants of slaves owned by Ellerbee & Johnson ancestors. Use templates and directions from the Beyond Kin project.
- Follow-up on at least two BSOs generated from previous searches (one from each family group).
Genealogy Blog:
- Post on regular basis, optimally every 2 weeks.
- Post at least 2 stories about each family—Posten-Richards (dad), Tucker-Maurer (mom), Ellerbee-Simmons (father-in-law), Johnson-Reed (mother-in-law).
- Limit each post to about 1500 words or less.
- Purchase or download software to post GEDCOM family tree. Post at least 2 family trees to blog. (continued from 2019).
- Continue to address Genealogical Proof Standard in reports.
General items:
- Continue to place To-Do/ BSO items and questions for each family on color-coded file cards.
- Send for at least 4 BMD certificates.
- Submit article begun in 2020 to a local genealogical society for publication in their newsletter. Specific family/ person TBA.
- Add to Research Toolbox: books “Dating Vintage Photographs”.
- Enroll in at least one genealogy-related webinar or online class, topic to be determined.
BUDGET:
I forgot to mention genealogy budget in my last post. So, here is my budget and actual spending for 2020 and proposed budget for 2021.
REFLECTION
My 2020 goals were mostly general. However, general goals allow me to go where a search leads me. I could say “ identify siblings of great grandfather, Daniel S. Posten” but instead I choose to leave my annual goals more generic. I have been using yellow pads more this past year. When I sit down to work, I write a specific objective such as “ find Daniel Posten family in 1870 census.” Then, I make notes about which towns I searched. These yellow sheets are effective research logs for me.
I do create a digital research summary log of my findings. I sometimes forget to look beyond the first page. I looked at other formats and decided to stick with what I have been using.
I probably use different methods to organize and document my work than you. Each person uses mechanisms that work for them. However, we all desire similar outcomes – to identify our ancestors, to find out about their lives and to share our findings with others.
Posting Family Roots 