How can I spend so much time on family history? It’s easy. It’s sooo easy. When I’m not gardening, or maintaining the kitchen and our food supply; when I’m not cleaning, flinging, and keeping our house in order; when I’m not working out to get fit or working at my paying job; when I’m not mending, beading, or needlecrafting while enjoying a Western with my honey—I’m deeply engrossed in the family history, my most favorite hobby.
I’m in the process of writing my third family history book. I write from the facts I have already collected and in doing so, I develop more questions. Then I conduct further research to get the new questions answered.
While writing, I am studying to receive my certification in genealogy. I have a manual of standards and I take online classes in methodology while looking forward to my FamilyTree magazine. I learn professional practices which I put to use in my personal research and in the various other projects I have adopted.
Findings for my own genealogy are documented and uploaded to Rootsweb’s online database. I also maintain a family history website featuring the surnames and individuals I am currently researching. I post to this blog with fascinating tidbits for my immediate family members and other interested cousins.
My website has been hit by researchers googling for the people about whom I have written. Three previously unknown cousins have come forward to introduce themselves to me after discovering my website. Other researchers have found my Rootsweb submission and have contacted me for the purpose of collaboration.
On occasion I have found it necessary to spend some time on a case study. I have published the results of these studies on the internet as well, and one of my articles has been printed in a genealogical society newsletter.
For the past several years, I have taught a family history class during Sunday school. The students and I have covered numerous topics while I share with them the things I have learned in my own trial and error and success.
I recently joined a group of volunteers who help researchers from out of town locate local facts. So far I have had four satisfied “clients.”
Knowing the value of oral history has prompted me to begin recording and transcribing the personal story of Fred Ferguson, a long-time Colorado resident, while still working on the transcription of my own parents’ stories.
Having an interest in the town of Fountain led me to the ongoing project of publishing the research of one of the town’s early residents.
Currently, I belong to the Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America and am waiting to hear from the newsletter editor how I may get involved as a volunteer. Meanwhile, I’ve got the gears turning in my head as to how I will transcribe and photograph a local cemetery plot that is so tucked out of the way, its existence is doubtful well known.
In this season of my life I am allowed to spend a lot of time on what I love.
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