2020--What's in Your New Year?

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It is the time of year when we think about setting goals for the New Year. How many timeshave we resolved to lose weight, go to the gym regularly, call Mom every week, or any number of other things.  I always have a goal of reading 50 books a year.  Some years I do better than others.  This year looks like it will be about 31 or 32.  Not too bad, but I could do better. 

I listed 19 things that I wanted to accomplish in 2019, and I must admit that I did not do very well.  As I reflect on this performance, or lack of same, I have resolved to take a different approach in 2020.  After setting my overall goals for 2020, I am going to break them into monthly goals and do a monthly review, so that I do not get so hopelessly behind that I just give up.

I’m particularly thinking about my genealogy goals for 2020.  Many of you know that I want to become a Certified Genealogist. Before the end of 2020, I will “go on the clock”.  What that means is that I will have one year from the day I submit my application to submit my completed portfolio. I will complete the ProGen Study Group in June. As that study progresses, I will identify areas where I need to do more independent study before preparing my portfolio.

I have already realized that I need more knowledge of Pacific Northwest repositories.  Therefore, each month I will be visiting at least one that I have not previously visited. Some of those are the Fiske Library, the new Nordic Heritage Museum, Heritage Quest Library and the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma.

My genealogical writing skills need improvement. I will complete a Chapter of Tom Jones’ Mastering the Art of Genealogical Documentation and the associated exercise each month. To study professional genealogy writing, I will study one national genealogy journal every month.

Elizabeth Shown Mills says that every genealogist should read Val Greenwood’s The Researchers Guide to American Genealogy from cover to cover, and then read it again. By the first of 2020 I will probably be on Chapter 17. I will study one chapter every week. 
My DNA knowledge is weak. I will focus on the DNA track of classes and lectures at the NGS Conference in Salt Lake City in May 2020.

Of course, the SKCGS DNA Seminar June 6, is right at the top of my list!

There are several week-long institutes for genealogical education held each year. I plan to attend the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh again this year. By February, I will have to decide between a writing class or a DNA class.
 
Service to the Genealogical Community: I have about 17 months left to serve as SKCGS President. In addition to attendance at General Meetings and Special Interest Groups, I plan to reinstate the Annual All-Day Planning Retreat in July or August. I will prepare and present a General Meeting Program in 2020. I will complete at least one blog post for SKCGS each month.

My personal genealogy has suffered the past year. By the end of 2020, all the facts in my tree will be sourced. I will begin with the family that I plan to use for the Kinship Determination Project in my BCG Portfolio. I do not know how many sources are missing, so it is difficult to set a monthly goal for this project. I will know more when I get into it. 

I am going to implement a more structured method of backing up my family history files on a monthly basis. 

Crista Cowan, The Barefoot Genealogist, gets credit for the next idea. Genealogy Routines.  Number One: I will write a Research Plan for every individual I research. It is my goal to identify the parents of my 2nd great grandmother, Almira Tyler who was born in Maine in 1814, and married Richard Howell in Meigs County Ohio, on 11 Oct 1836. I will not work on this project without my Research Plan in front of me, and I will document every source I consult. Second: When I prepare my weekly Work Plan each Saturday, specific times will be scheduled for ProGen study and personal genealogy. 

There you have it. I have committed publicly to my Genealogy Goals for 2020. Who will join me?

The Board of Directors will meet Tuesday, January 7, at 7:00 pm at the Valley Regional Fire Department, 1101 D St. NE, Auburn. We will be planning educational activities from January through June 2020. All members are invited and encouraged to attend, although only Board members may vote.

Do you think social media is just for cat videos and not-so-close friends posting pictures of their children? Maybe not. Join us at our January General Meeting on the 18th to learn from Marilyn Schunke how to use social media to advance your genealogy goals. Gather at 9:30 am in the second floor Assembly Hall at Wesley Lea Hill, 32049 109th Pl SE, Auburn.

Special Interest Groups:  FamilyTree Maker, Saturday, January 4, 10:15 – 11:45 am at the Auburn Library. Contact Winona Laird vice-president@skcgs.org for more information.

DNA Group, Monday, January 13. 1:00 – 3:00 pm at WAPI, 28815 Pacific Hwy. S. Suite 7A, Federal Way.  Come prepared to share the DNA project you have completed since the November meeting.
 
Technology User Group, Monday, January 20, 1:00 – 3:00 pm at WAPI.  Where have we been and where are we going?  Roundtable review of topics--past and future. Bring your ideas and/or problems to help plan a successful 2020.

Research Group, Friday, January 24, 1:00 – 3:00 pm, Kent Family History Center, 12817 SE 256th St., Kent.  RSVP to Winona Laird vice-president@skcgs.org. There are a limited number of computer terminals available, so it is first come, first served. 
  
I am looking forward to seeing all of you in January.  It seems like it has been a long time!


Barbara Mattoon
SKCGS President






Tags:  Goals, Val Greenwood, Tom Jones,  Marilyn Schunke,  Social Media,  DNA,  TUG,  Research Group

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