Field Notes: Challenges ~ To Do or Not To Do?

Challenges.

Love them?

Hate them?

In our genealogy/family history world there seem to be quite a number of challenges, and I'm not speaking of those challenging ancestors either, no I'm talking about the daily, weekly, monthly, challenges that seem to be constantly on my radar. There's the Family History Writing challenge, the 52 Ancestors challenge, the A to Z blogging challenge, the Do-Over, Fearless Females, oh the list goes on and maddeningly on!

I jumped in with both feet this year. I was going to do them all!

The Fates would have it differently ......

First, on Day 3 of the FH Writing Challenge I had emergency detached retina surgery. Had to do the whole face down 24/7 thing (on a massage table - so not fun!) and when I surfaced I could not even use my 'good' eye for almost a week. No reading, no writing, even watching the television was too much of a strain.

Scrap that challenge.

I've since learned to function moderately well with one eye (12 weeks in an eye patch is a whole other level of challenge!) I can type, read, walk - no driving (no depth perception!) Perfect opportunity to hunker down in the Cave and pound out some genealogy!

I went into the Fearless Females challenge with my hopes high. Plan in place, I set aside my normal blogging schedule for the month to focus on the challenge. Well, wait. I set aside SOME of my normal blogging schedule, replacing part of it with the Fearless Females. Should be easy, right?

Bwahahaha!

Not so fast. As the month dragged on it got increasingly hard to produce. Quite the 'challenge'! And guess what I discovered? I don't like challenges! I'm very much a creature of routine, new things often throw me off course for a while. I have a good, solid blog and research plan that's doable - even when life throws a little something my way.  It took two years of fits and starts to get to this settled point, and here I went driving the whole thing off course.

My steady plan went out the window as I struggled to meet this (self enforced) challenge and my well organized schedule was/is shot to H-E-double-hockeysticks.

I hope I learned my lesson.

Do I feel like I failed? Maybe a little. I'm not one to say I'm going to do something and then back out - a rule I've inflicted upon myself that really only hurts me, as I force myself to do something I no longer find desirable.

So, starting today I have made a (new) promise to myself. No more challenges. Writing challenges anyway, or maybe I should say organized writing challenges. I'm still up for a challenge or two of my own creation (um, hello! Brick wall anyone?) But for me, the challenge I levied upon myself when I committed to my research and blog is more than an adequate test and will happily occupy me for some time to come.

On my own terms.

Onward ..............

©2017 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

The 2017 Fearless Females Blog Writing Challenge

2017 FEARLESS FEMALES BLOGGING CHALLENGE

Lisa Alzo on her The Accidental Genealogist blog has run a "Fearless Female" blog writing challenge every March since 2010. From her blog:

"In March 2010, I launched a series of 31 blogging prompts for celebrating and honoring the "fearless females" in our family trees. Many bloggers participated and I was asked if I planned on running them again. I'm happy to say that this series is still going strong and is back for another year.

The theme for National Women's History Month 2017 is “Honoring Trailblazing Women in Labor and Business” so it is a perfect time to start writing about those hardworking and trailblazing female ancestors who have informed, influenced, or inspired you!

While I won't be posting individual prompts each day, I will be sharing some of my own favorite posts I wrote for the series. Also, watch this blog for other ideas, prompts, and tips to learn about your female ancestors, as well as special coupons for discounts on books, courses, or other products related to researching your female lines."

I wanted to participate last year but life got in the way, so this year I will try again! I plan to do a weekly mash-up of the prior week's prompts. This should be fun!! Watch this space for the next 4 weeks, let's see how this shakes out.

THE PROMPTS

(you can find links for some of the prompt suggestions over at Lisa's blog)

 March 1 — Do you have a favorite female ancestor? One you are drawn to or want to learn more about? Write down some key facts you have already learned or what you would like to learn and outline your goals and potential sources you plan to check.

March 2 — Post a photo of one of your female ancestors. Who is in the photo? When was it taken? Why did you select this photo?

March 3 — Do you share a first name with one of your female ancestors? Perhaps you were named for your great-grandmother, or your name follows a particular naming pattern. If not, then list the most unique or unusual female first name you’ve come across in your family tree.

March 4 — Do you have marriage records for your grandparents or great-grandparents? Write a post about where they were married and when. Any family stories about the wedding day? Post a photo too if you have one.

March 5 — How did they meet? You’ve documented marriages, now, go back a bit. Do you know the story of how your parents met? Your grandparents?

March 6 — Describe an heirloom you may have inherited from a female ancestor (wedding ring or other jewelry, china, clothing, etc.) If you don’t have any, then write about a specific object you remember from your mother or grandmother, or aunt (a scarf, a hat, cooking utensil, furniture, etc.)

March 7 — Share a favorite recipe from your mother or grandmother’s kitchen. Why is this dish your favorite? If you don’t have one that’s been passed down, describe a favorite holiday or other meal you shared with your family.

March 8 — Did one of your female ancestors leave a diary, journal, or collection of letters? Share an entry or excerpt.

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March 9 — Take a family document (baptismal certificate, passenger list, naturalization petition, etc.) and write a brief narrative using the information.

March 10 — What role did religion play in your family? How did your female ancestors practice their faith? If they did not, why didn’t they? Did you have any female ancestors who served their churches in some capacity?

March 11 — Did you have any female ancestors who died young or from tragic or unexpected circumstances? Describe and how did this affect the family?

March 12 — Working girl: Did your mother or grandmother work outside the home? What did she do? Describe her occupation.

March 13 — Moment of Strength: share a story where a female ancestor showed courage or strength in a difficult situation.

March 14 — Newsmakers? Did you have a female ancestor who made the news? Why? Was she famous or notorious? Did she appear in the social column?

March 15 — Write a six-word memoir tribute to one of your female ancestors.

March 16 — If you could have lunch with any female family member (living or dead) or any famous female who would it be and why? Where would you go? What would you eat?

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March 17 — Social Butterfly? What social organizations or groups did your mother or grandmother belong to? Sewing circle, church group, fraternal benefit society or lodge? Describe her role in the group.

March 18 — Shining star: Did you have a female ancestor who had a special talent? Artist, singer, actress, athlete, seamstress, or other? Describe.

March 19 — Have you discovered a surprising fact about one of your female ancestors? What was it and how did you learn it? How did you feel when you found out?

March 20 — Is there a female ancestor who is your brick wall? Why? List possible sources for finding more information.

March 21 — Describe a tender moment one of your female ancestors shared with you or another family member.

March 22 — If a famous director wanted to make a movie about one of your female ancestors who would it be? What actress would you cast in the role and why?

March 23 — Create a timeline for a female ancestor using your favorite software program or an online timeline generator such as OurTimelines. Post an image of it or link to it.

March 24 — Do you share any physical resemblance or personality trait with one of your female ancestors? Who? What is it?

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March 25 — Tell how a female ancestor interacted with her children. Was she loving or supportive? A disciplinarian? A bit of both?

March 26 — What education did your mother receive? Your grandmothers? Great-grandmothers? Note any advanced degrees or special achievements.

March 27 — Do you know the immigration story of one or more female ancestors? Do you have any passenger lists, passports, or other documentation? Interesting family stories?

March 28 — Do you remember your mother’s best friend? Your grandmother’s? How and where did they meet? How long were they friends? What activities did they share?

March 29 — Create a free Fold3 Memorial Page or a Genealogy Trading Card at Big Huge Labs for a female ancestor. Some of you may have created your own card back in September 2009 following Sheri Fenley’s post over at The Educated Genealogist. This time, the card is for your female ancestor. Tell us about who you've selected and why and then post a link to what you've created.

March 30 — Did you receive any advice or words of wisdom from your mother or another female ancestor?


March 31 — Pick one female ancestor and write a mini-profile (500 words or less).

2017 Fearless Females Blog Writing Challenge

My Third Blogiversary!

September 5th marks the third anniversary of this here blog. The first post? Well, you can read it here. Samuel Faulkner started it all. I had been toying with the idea for quite some time. I loved the idea of a blog, but wasn't sure if it made sense. Blogging about my ancestors. MY ancestors. I was looking for something more than just a Family Tree - which I had made private years ago - to share my research, my grandmother's research, family photos, etc.

I considered a website.

Seemed like a lot of work for this very tech-UNsavvy gal.

Blog it was.

Google made it uber easy.

So, I stuck my toe in the vast blog sea.

Now, three years later, I've had one heck of a  bumpy ride. Fell off the wagon, got sidetracked. Made promises to myself that went broken. Lost track of what I initially set out to do. Felt defeated. Lost my purpose, found it again. Questioned my competence and the point of it all. Compared myself to the current darlings of genealogy - only to fall defeatingly short (in my opinion).

But, I kept on keeping on.

Along the way I've met a posse of new friends, not only in the genealogy realm but in the blogging world at large.  And I can honestly say I've found my tribe.

This past year has brought personal challenges beyond anything I've been challenged with so far in this lifetime. My mother's declining health and mental capacity. I've had to step into my designated role as POA. (Both for health and for property - big shoes ...) Most of my summer has consisted of keeping a jillion plates spinning on their wobbly sticks while jumping through flaming hoops on a unicycle. ....Um, at least that's what it felt like.

I've had to waylay my (well underway) plans to relocate to Florida to be near my grandchildren, (who moved away last July, taking most of my heart with them) as my mother's needs are now the primary focus.

Things are beginning to calm down as we all settle into our new roles, and I feel like I can actually breathe again. This past month I've been able to set some great goals for the blog and start a few new projects. I've come to the realization that these are not just MY ancestors and there are others who would like to hear the stories I can tell.

I believe that genealogy is the greatest hobby on earth and I am so happy to be a part of this awesome tribe of like-minded people who 'get me'! Thanks for tuning in, for supporting me, for reading my blog. Here's to another year of going deeper down that rabbit hole!


And I'm seriously considering that website.



©Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

Field Notes: Returning To My "Why"

I started this blog as a way to document my family stories. To share my research and discoveries, my ancestors and their stories. I inherited a big box of research from my grandmother that I wanted to sort and document. Included in the box were old letters, photos, obituaries clipped from newspapers and my grandmother's own 'story'. I thought about the different approaches I could take. I ruled out the online family tree choices, I wanted more control and I wanted to tell a deeper story than trees allow. I pondered a family website but that didn't feel right either. I had blogged in the past and enjoyed the intimacy the platform allows. I did want an intimate connection. I was writing and researching people that had lived real lives, gone through real struggles and hardships. Experienced great joy and sorrow. Many left everything behind to answer the call of adventure, the possibilities of a better, more rewarding life. Others led quite lives, leaving nary a trace, never imagining their normal, day-to-day living would one day be thought upon as anything more than ordinary.

These people were calling to me. To be heard. To be found. To be remembered.

Soon, the glamorous world of genealogy blogging had pulled me away from my original intention. I was following the blogs of some of the big names in the field. I was reading what other's were writing. I joined groups, chat rooms, societies. I followed these darlings of genealogy on social media, subscribed to newsletters, got on everyone's email list. My mornings lapsed into afternoons as I struggled to keep up with the influx of information.

And, as you might imagine, I quit writing. I began to question my "silly little blog" and wondered if it mattered. I wasn't sharing tips, how-to's, 5 step plans or ebooks. And {gasp} I wasn't making money!! Apparently monetizing your blog was what you needed to do! Otherwise, why bother? (My husband would tend to agree with this school of thought.)

I spiraled into Loserville.

I kept myself busy sharing other people's blog posts on my Facebook page. I learned about affiliate marketing. I watched a ton of webinars. I started an email list, worked on some logos, pondered my brand. But I didn't write.

I began to observe that some of the notables I was following, by blog or by email, seemed to be just posting to post. How many times a day do I need to be informed about the newest records on Ancestry? Or My Heritage, or FindMyPast? I already get email updates from the "horse's mouth". It seemed any news, big or otherwise, in the genealogy community was picked up and blogged about. The latest DNA deal? Everybody was blogging about it! FamilySearch to be upgraded and offline for 24 hours? Wildfire.

I started to see the light. And, began to unsubscribe.

I knew I did not want to blog, just to have 'something out there'. Yes, I wanted a big following. (Don't we all want to be loved?) I wanted subscribers and comments on my posts, I eventually wanted to figure out how to earn a living doing this which I love to my core.

I love to research and I love to write. Yet, I was doing neither.

I was frustrated, a little angry, lost and uninspired. Ruminating on what direction I wanted to take, an email appeared that became the catalyst for my return to my 'why'. The author of the email is a blogger I admire. She had been going through a very similar experience. She was frustrated, burned out, and losing sight of her 'why'. As I read her declaration I wept. It resonated so deeply with how I was feeling, it was almost as if she were writing to me, personally.

In that moment I remembered my direction. My course had been corrected. My 'why' once again in sight.  

In the coming weeks I plan to introduce some new themes. I will be focusing on my ancestor's stories, my grandmother's letters and the photograph collection I have inherited. I will wrap up Finding Faulkner, explore my Mayflower and my Tidewater Virginia families. I will continue to document the 1880 Fraser family tree that hangs in my hallway. There are a great many stories that still need to be told, and once again I feel the call to write them.

As for the email list and the affiliate marketing, I'm still pondering the purpose and necessity of sending seperate email. If you'd like to receive the occasional email from me, please let me know in the comments. I will keep some affiliate links on the blog - if I can make a little money it will aid mightily in maintaining marital harmony. (Just keeping it real!)

Thanks for joining me on this grand adventure. I appreciate each and every one of you!


~Anne

"Genealogy - the greatest hobby on Earth!"

©2016 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

Old Stories, New Eyes; Verifying Family Lore: Tales From The Cave, part one

I had finally committed to catching up with my 52 Ancestors 52 Weeks challenge.

I miraculously had the entire house to myself for a full three days over the Labor Day weekend. No distractions, no obligations. I could hunker down in the Cave, clad in the athletic apparel of the genealogist (pj's and slippers), and power through some major research!

On Saturday I got up at a reasonable time, shuffled into the Cave and laid out a plan. Eight ancestors in three days. Should be doable. I had a good outline on all of them. This time I decided to be a little more methodical. I would concentrate on my maternal side. I would start with my four maternal great grandparents and continue with my four 2nd great grandparents on my maternal grandfather's side. (I had done the four on my maternal grandmother's side previously). Easy peasy.

My grandmother, the Genealogy Queen, had written a family story in the early 1980's. I started my research there using her facts and anecdotes. First up: my grandmother's father. Again, easy peasy. She had already written his story. All I needed to do was double check the facts and lay it down "on paper".

This should be a breeze!

Enter modern technology. What my grandmother did from memory, many hours at the microfiche, and personal correspondence with other relatives to produce her "finished" story was only the tip of that genealogical iceberg! (We knew this, didn't we?)

Nine hours later, bleary eyed and needing a shower, (and well past wine o'clock!), I walked away from the computer to sort out all the new information I had found, and to contemplate the discrepancies I had discovered. So much for eight ancestors in 3 days! I hadn't even finished one!

To clear my head I binge watched Who Do You Think You Are (naturally), poured myself a glass of wine, and found something to heat up. Once I was "all genealogied up", I shuffled back into the Cave for another look. I had to be missing something.

The bones of the story worked with all the proof I could find except for one detail. In my grandmother's recollection, the years of 1916 to 1920 were not lining up with what I was finding. Sure, she would have been 12 to 16 years old - her memory of the sequence of events could be off.

But she's the Genealogy Queen!

She would not have written something without exhaustive proof. Even from her own memory.

To match up her time line I looked at all the records available to me online. I  searched newspapers, scrutinized the census', checked the city directories. What was throwing me off was the dates listed for the construction of the houses her father was said to have built, and the timeline of where the family resided.

The story went that my great grandfather built a new home for his family shortly after 1910. He then built another larger new home right next door after WW1, around 1919, on the site of the family's Victory Garden. Great story!

I wanted to verify this, of course, before I wrote about it as truth. I took another look. Ran it all again. Maybe I was seeing it wrong?

The census did not help, as I could only verify the 1920 address with this story. I looked at the city directories for 1910 and 1911, and the family did in fact move during that time. The 1911 address was different than the 1910 address (which matched the 1910 census) and the 1920 address would, 9 years later, be right next door! Cool. That works.

Next up Google Earth. Where the problem started.  I put in the address and "flew" right to the house. I looked at the 1911 house, still standing, and the 1919/20 house right next door. Zillow helped me along from there. Both houses had some photos included so I got to look inside and poke around a bit. Then I noticed something disturbing. Zillow lists the second house as being built in 1916. What??? No, how could this be? This does not line up.

I checked the description on the 1911 house and it was correct: Year built 1911.

If the second house was built in 1916 and not 1919/20 then what else is off in my grandmother's timeline? And the charming anecdote she told of the Victory Garden that stood where the new house was later constructed. What about that?

I resisted the urge to get in my car and drive to the Polk County Recorder's office right then and there to solve this. Besides, it was a holiday, ... and Saturday night, .....Oh, and well over 300 miles away.

Tired and frustrated, I decided to call it a night.

...to be continued ....