Welcome to Jillealogy!

Happy New Year 2014 -- Today's is the worldwide launch of Jillealogy! Welcome! I realize that there might not be very many hits the first few months but I am hoping that will change over time. I have been researching and teaching family history since 1996 as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I truly consider this my passion. I love learning the stories of my ancestors and see their struggles and accomplishments. It is because of what they learned, I want to apply that to my life. I also wanted to create a 'hub' of sorts for those I teach on a weekly basis and in my classes. I wanted to have a place where they and you can refer back to read and learn the principles I have taught.

I am a techie at heart and love to try new software, websites, mobile devices and Google search techniques. I don't pretend to be a professional writer or genealogist, maybe call me an family history enthusiast, as I just post what I have learned over the years and my research techniques on family history. There are many professionals out there that are trained in the field of genealogy and are exceptional. I have the up-most respect for those that teach and research professionally. But I wanted to share what I have learned as an enthusiast, wife and mom, what I love over the years having to do with family history. I feel it is important to share all that I have learned, my mistakes and my ah-ha moments.

15-minute family history, RootsMagic, FamilySearch Family Tree, photo editing, organizing and Google search techniques are just some of the topics I will cover. This is a process as I learn something new, I will share. If I find anything 'genealogy' that is in the news, I will pass it on too.

I'm a busy mom of two who works full-time and happily married. I want to teach techniques that you can squeeze in a small amount of time and the least expensive. That is what I have learned with much more to learn each day.

I hope you will join me here and on my Jillealogy Facebook page. I also have an account with Instagram, Twitter and eventually on Google+. Let's join together in this journey to learn our family history and share what we have found with each other. This blog (along with my Facebook and other social media sites) will develop over time and will become a great resource for research for the beginner and for those seeking more advanced techniques.

“Each member of this Church has the personal responsibility to be an eternal architect of this [family history] bridge for his or her own family. If I want my children and grandchildren to know those who still live in my memory, then I must build a bridge between them. I alone am the link to the generations that stand on either side of me. The work of gathering and sharing eternal family keepsakes is a personal responsibility. It cannot be passed off or given to another. When a life is not documented within a generation or two, it is lost to memory. This is tragic because knowledge of ancestors shapes and instills values that give meaning and direction to lives.” Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Church News, April 10, 1999

Enjoy,

Jill A. Holmes