Genealogy Do-Over Week One

The Genealogy Do-Over project this past week included decluttering my old 1970’s Samsonite briefcase of my old family group sheets and notes jotted down over the years.  Since the one of the goals of the project is not to “Squirrel” I tried to keep it just to the Borucki and Budny binder.  I did hit a few of the other binders just to get rid of useless paper.

1970's Template for Family Group Sheets

1970’s Template for Family Group Sheets

The hard cover briefcase has been bulging for some time now, even after a previous purge.  In my review, I found the original newspaper clipping mentioned in #52Ancestors – No. 40 – Harry Trevelyan Saves Winston Churchill in 1899 post.  I spend three hours at the Dearborn Public Library looking a copy of the article on microfilm in July 2014.  What a time waster that was.  I also found Harry’s collection of 1937 Coronation Stamps that my father didn’t sell during his trade show days.

George VI Coronation Stamp of Tower Bridge 1937

George VI Coronation Stamp of Tower Bridge 1937

Because I tend to concentrate on making a perfect template then abandoning it the template due to boredom and dis-interest.  I decided to train myself on using Family Tree Maker 2014 effectively.  I don’t want several different Excel spreadsheets that I have to create and maintain. Most genealogists are raving about Evernote. I have OneNote on my computer that I can use instead.

YouTube is the best tool for most training needs.  I used it to find training programs when I was a trainer in a previous job.  So while getting my 45 minute cardio exercise at the gym this week, I viewed videos to pass the time away. There are a number of individuals that have uploaded Family Tree Maker (FTM) how-to videos.  Ancestry owns FTM and has their own how-to training videos.

Here is a brief list of channels I have been watching.  There are plenty more channels that you can find to assist you in your training needs or learning style.

Cousin Russ
Dear Myrtle
Ancestry’s Crista Cowen

My next goal is to clean up computer files by labeling and organizing documents and photos.  I need to get ready to build my research plan for week two.

 

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