Family History Goals for 2014 - Have You Made Them?

I think it is fitting to discuss goals for the new year. Weight loss goals and paying off debt usually top the list of goals for the year, but have you ever thought of making family history goals? I have made them in the past but never really wrote them down. I just figured I would get to it if I had the time. we have to make the time. Plain and simple.

Just take out a timer and set it for 15 minutes and just brainstorm some ideas you want to cross off your family history list this year. This Sunday afternoon is a great time to stop for 15 minutes and brainstorm. Then each month on a Sunday afternoon (Fast Sunday is perfect for this) to review your goals each month and see how you can incorporate your list in your daily 'to do's'. Just like fitness/weight loss goals, you don't do everything in the first week. (line upon line). You set yourself up for failure if you do that. Break it down in chewable chunks.

I did some brainstorming this morning (15 minutes is all it takes) for my own family history goals and will share some of them with you and added a few more to give you some ideas. Now, it doesn't mean I will get them all done this year, I am brainstorming my 'wish list'. I picked 14 for 2014. And while brainstorming, you might think of a bunch more. Write them all down, even if they seem unattainable.

In no particular order some ideas to help you get the juices flowing:

1. Attending the temple (for LDS members) at least once a month, taking your own family names, when you can, to the temple. (Remember that this is apart of family history too.)
2. Better organize digital files, including photos and documents.
3. Learn new techniques with RootsMagic software (or Ancestral Quest, Legacy Family Tree, Family Tree Maker etc) and become a power user on FamilySearch.
4. Organize paper files using tweaked (my version) methods from Mary E. V. Hill's filing system.
5. Attend more family history conferences (this can include computer classes too).
6. Teach at a family history conference. (I actually have one scheduled in November of this year.)
7. Interview your older relatives.
8. Write in your journal more regularly. Include a 'Day in the life of Me' (these can be fun).
9. Create backups of your computer digital files. Easy to do and very inexpensive.
10. Chose a 3rd party genealogical software, if you haven't already.
11. Start Indexing for FamilySearch. A great way to learn how to read old handwriting and get familiar with different types of documents.
12. Help the children in your family (including nieces, nephews and grandchildren here) with their Duty to God and Personal Progress goals which can include family history. Boy Scouts (merit badge) and school projects have those same projects from time to time.
13. Go through old photos looking for houses and for any addresses on the back of where relatives used to live. Use Google Maps with Street View to see if the house still exists and  how much has it changed.
14. Visit a local family cemetery and take pictures of family tombstones. Visit the Sexton office to see if there is additional information. (Making research goals about specific deceased family members that you need additional information about.)

One note; I will be covering a lot of these topics more in depth in other blog posts throughout the year. So stay tuned for them.

Now take those brainstorming goals and separate them into categories (digital, documents, organize, etc.) or by family surnames. And then divide them into the 4 quarters/seasons of the year. Decide when you are able to do each of your goals based on the time of year. Let's say if you were going to interview relatives and you only see them during the holidays, that would be a good time to put interview in the 4th quarter. Some goals may not need that kind of attention, but it does help a bit.

One more thing to remember, you aren't locked into making new goals just because it is January 1st. You can revisit your goals every quarter and revise or eliminate some of them. We all have lives and sometimes family and other obligations do take priority. But with your family history goals written down, you can pick up where you left off even if you did have to set it aside for a time. Remember that. Progress, not perfection. And I have to remind myself of that DAILY!

What are your goals? Share them in the comments section. You never know that your brainstorming may help someone else.

Enjoy the journey,

Jill