After more than a decade of diving into my family history, I’m embarking on a new journey that I’m calling Roots Research Revamp. If you’ve ever dabbled in genealogy, you know how quickly the research can become a little... chaotic. One thing I’ve learned is that staying organized is crucial, but it’s also one of the most challenging parts of genealogy. And I’ll be honest—I’ve struggled with it.
Over the years, I’ve accumulated many notes, documents, and digital files, but keeping everything in order has been a challenge. That’s why I’ve decided it’s time for a fresh start! My goal for this series is to completely revamp my genealogy process, organize everything, and ensure my research is accurate and sourced correctly.
The Messy Side of Genealogy
If you’re like me, when you first started genealogy, you probably added information to your family tree without constantly stopping to document the source. (I see you, enthusiastic beginner!) Back then, I didn’t fully appreciate the importance of sourcing, and now I look at certain ancestors and wonder, Where on earth did I find that information? The problem is, without proper sources, it’s difficult to know whether my findings are reliable—and that's something I’m determined to fix.
In the past week, I’ve started digging in and realized how much I need this revamp. The plan is to:
Organize all my digital files – No more scattered documents across multiple folders!
Go through my notes and papers. It’s time to organize those stacks of handwritten notes.
Clean up my online family trees – I’ll review my Ancestry and MyHeritage trees to ensure everything is accurate and properly sourced.
Focus on One Ancestor at a Time
My approach to this revamp is simple but effective: one ancestor, one task at a time. I’m dedicating 10 hours a week to working on my paternal 3rd great-grandfather, Winslow Stoner. Even after just a week of focused research, I have a clearer picture of what I know and what needs further digging. It’s incredible how much progress you can make when you intentionally focus on just one person!
Connecting with Family Again
Another part of my Roots Research Revamp is reconnecting with cousins and relatives I’ve lost touch with. I've let those relationships slip in the hustle and bustle of life, and as my research became more unorganized. But now, with a fresh start, I’m excited to rekindle those connections and share new discoveries.
Keeping the Momentum Going
Moving forward, one of my key commitments is handling my research notes when I return from trips. No more adding them to the dreaded “pile” of untouched notes for months! My goal is to organize them within a week of getting home. It’s all part of the revamp—staying on top of everything, one step at a time.
Oh, and I can’t forget to mention the exciting new tool I’ll use: RootsMagic. My son gifted me this software last Christmas, and I’m finally ready to dive in and learn how to use it to store my family history in one easily accessible place.
Sharing My Journey
I’ll be sharing regular updates on my social media channels—Facebook, Instagram Reels, and TikTok—so you can follow along with me as I organize my research and share the stories I uncover. Hopefully, this process will make me feel less overwhelmed and more in control of my genealogy journey.
If you’re also feeling the strain of unorganized research, I invite you to join me on this Roots Research Revamp. Let’s take it one ancestor, one research trip, and one file at a time!
You can follow my journey on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok at @simplelivingene. Let’s get organized together!
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