The Power of Groups

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Finding Helpful Groups

We humans naturally put people and things into groups. We group people into generations, such as "The Greatest Generation (those who won WWII)," Baby Boomers, Gen X, Y & Z. In some ways these groupings are useful, such as to companies who want to sell things to each group. But how can we find groups that are helpful for us? 

An important factor about groups is their availability and topic. A group that meets in the morning may not be available to people who are employed from 9 to 5, Monday through Friday. Topics that are too narrow in scope will not attract very many people. Some groups cease meeting in the summer or around holiday time. If you are in such a group, perhaps you should take the opportunity to look for other groups. Check out ConferenceKeeper.org, for instance.

Most of the readers of this blog are interested in genealogy and family history. And some pay dues to one or more genealogy societies, presumably because these groups offer advantages, ranging from social contact with other "genies," useful classes, lectures, study groups, libraries, etc. I personally belong to quite a few, and they have all been helpful through the years. The Washington State Genealogical Society lists 50 in just Washington state! (Valorie)

If you take the opportunity to visit some local historic societies or museums, you may find information that fits your research or that of other friends or family members.  If that should happen, please consider sharing it with others by writing an article for this blog! (MaryLynn)


Study Groups

I first found out about the value of study groups at the University of Washington, where I studied for a year. The anthropology of the Pacific Northwest group got me not just through a challenging class, but also much deeper into the subject matter. The same has been true for the study groups that SKCGS has offered. I also attend the GFO "Q Review," have attended book clubs, which work the same way. Because there is date you will meet, we each strive to get the reading done in time, which enriches each of us. (Valorie) 


Special Interest Groups

There are other useful groups such as those sponsored by Family Tree DNA, for those who share surnames, Y & mt haplogroups, regions, and other special use groups. All are run by volunteers, and many have found endless help there, and by joining and sharing their DNA findings, have helped advance DNA in ways we could only dream about in the past. 

And how about historical societies, lineage societies, museums, and other special interests such as those who write biographies of Civil War vets? Get out there and explore; find new information to bring back and share with our groups! (and our blog)


    

Valorie Zimmerman

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