I have played with everyone's research logs. Some I like, some I find difficult, and some have great features I wish were all incorporated into one. In the many (many, many) years I have worked with my family history, I have never tracked anything. The Do-Over is forcing my hand.
I am aware of the "Real" genealogists who complain about us "Family History" researchers. It seems to be us against them when it comes to research procedures. I have always just smiled at the attitudes and continued on my merry way, finding sources but not citing them. All of a sudden, it changed.
I can honestly say I have known all along that my research was sloppy. I know there are holes in my research because I couldn't afford to purchase the records I needed. The Do-Over has made it really clear that my careless research has hindered my research and I have already found two proof points I missed. I will be ordering documents as I can afford them.
Then, I actually had to cite a source. What a drag! If you are like me, you have lots of original documents, letters, photos, and certificates. I look at the sheer amount of work I need to do to catch up and want to quit.
Citing sources is a chore and a new process for me. However, I will adjust because I just learned has satisfying it is to have the information verified and documented.
Does that make me a "Real" genealogist? No way. I am still a "Family Historian" who will now use the research processes used by the genealogists while continuing to go my merry way, finding out about my family.
Ann,
ReplyDeleteI decided years ago, that I was going to CITE SOMETHING and not worry if I cited it perfectly. I decided that if I had all the information about a source recorded, it didn't matter if I had a period or a semi colon out of place. As long as my reader could find my source, that was all I cared. It was very freeing. Evidence and Evidence Explained were written to help us write better sources, not to beat us over the head with. Most of us only need a few basic templates. Book, Deed, Will, Marriage, Birth, Tombstone.... Find templates for those that you like and work from there. It gets easier as you proceed. Once you get a good template you need for a birth certificate, you can use it over and over again.