What Does It Take To Be A Successful Genealogist?
We wanted to find out what traits and personal qualities are important to have success in genealogy, so we posed this question to a few reputable genealogists who would know best. Whether you’re just starting out or already have some experience in genealogical research, here are some qualities worth thinking about to help bring out your inner genealogist…
What the Experts Say:
Megan Smolenyak (@megansmolenyak)
“Above all, curiosity! That and persistence. There’s almost always a way around those inevitable brick walls if you’re stubborn enough! Also doesn’t hurt if you’re of a puzzle-solving mindset. The real fun begins once you get past name-collecting mode.”
Miriam Midkiff (@Kidmiff)
“It is important to learn about the various genealogy resources, be they vital records, court records, or deeds. Learn why these resources are helpful and what can be gleaned from them genealogically, by reading up on them, taking classes, or attending genealogical society meetings. Learn where to access these resources, too. Are they microfilmed? Are they online? Do you have to visit a courthouse, archive, library, or other repository to access them? Remember that not all resources are online, and many never will be! Cite your sources so when conflicting information comes up, you can determine which is more likely to be accurate by analyzing the source of that information. Finally, understand the social, religious, and political history of the times and locations in which your ancestors lived. I recommend reading Joy Hakim’s “The History of U.S.” as a great start to understanding American history.”
Leland Meitzler (@lemetizler)
“I believe that it’s important that anyone involved in exploring family history have the ability to analyze data, extract even the smallest of clues and locate additional data – leading to interesting and useful family history. These are usually learned traits, but I’ve met folks who just seemed to have it in their genes…
It’s good to have a “never give up” attitude, but it’s also important to know when to back off, and let the problem rest for a bit. A brick wall today may be successfully dealt with by letting time go by, allowing additional resources to surface. This has certainly been the case as the Internet has grown.”
Randy Seaver (@RJSeaver)
* A general knowledge of world history, and a specialized knowledge of the events and key persons that created national and local history in the times and places that our ancestors lived. Governmental units, migration paths, legal issues, settlement patterns, social folkways and norms, etc. are all part of this history challenge.
* Experience in learning and using research techniques to perform genealogy and family history research in both traditional (libraries, archives, courthouses, cemeteries, etc.) and online (websites, databases, CDROMs, software, etc.) resources, plus the knowledge of how different record types (e.g., family papers, vital records, military, census, land, probate, newspaper, cemetery, directories, and many others) can be used.
* Conduct of a reasonably extensive search for all records pertaining to a person and his/her extended family and associates using cluster genealogy techniques.
* The personal discipline to cite record sources consistently in appropriate citation formats, for all records obtained.
* The critical thinking ability to analyze research needs, to determine where records might be found, to use the found genealogy records correctly, and to draw objective conclusions about relationships, names, places, and dates.
* An organizational system that provides ready access to all gathered research material – books, periodicals, papers, documents, images, etc.
* A network of like-minded researchers that can provide advice, encouragement and constructive criticism on seemingly unsolvable research problems. This may be an online study group, a genealogy society small group, or an extensive mail correspondence.
* Sharing research knowledge and techniques with other interested parties through books, magazine articles, blogs, websites, society meetings, presentations, etc.
* This knowledge and experience is not gained overnight, or even in a year or two. Most people learn these habits and skills over many years and gradually become more effective and successful. There is no substitute for hard work and studying in genealogy research!
………….
What other traits or characteristics would you add?
Tags: advice, genealogist, Genealogy, genoom, resources
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Not a trait or characteristic, but an understanding and obliging spouse is essential for the obsessed genealogist!
February 23rd, 2010 at 5:48 pm
Deductive Reasoning and Logic. The ability to shed assumptions and look at a record and be able to see what part of the record may be an error, either scribal or informational.
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Wow – what a great list of traits! The only thing I would add onto this list is patience. As genealogists we want to know all the answers right away. We are so desperate to find all of the clues and put the puzzle together quickly so that we can move on to the next ancestral puzzle. But patience is required in having to wait for that record to come in the mail, to having to wait for that awesome new conference coming up, in having to wait until your budget more clearly allows it, to having to wait for the next census to legally be available. Most of us genealogists are perfectionists, busy bodies, and impatient (not to say that these traits are bad – because I have them too).
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:30 pm
I have to agree with Elyse, you must have patience. In this fast pace world we live in, with immediate information at our finger tips, genealogy does not follow suit. I guess that’s what makes it so appealing. The mystery, the detective work makes it very intriguing but patience is key. I would also add you must be genuinely interested in the story and the history of your ancestors. Just chasing down the facts won’t keep you focused for long.
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:55 pm
I would have to agree with Lynn, genuine curiosity is important, otherwise you will lose interest in your research.
February 23rd, 2010 at 8:10 pm
1. Self-Discipline. Must be a self starter and able to often work alone.
2. Common sense – if it looks too good to be true . . .
3. Logical mind – able to make a whole pie from the pieces.
4. You must love a mystery – life is filled with them.
5. Generosity – family history is all about giving.
6. Tenacity – like a dog shaking a bone, never give up.
7. Be smart enough to know you don’t know everything.
February 24th, 2010 at 8:12 am
Well this site asked very knowledgeable genealogist and the commentators were spot-on with confirmations and add ons. This article inspired me to write a blog. For now……… I will add actual space, lots of time and the means to support your study.
February 24th, 2010 at 11:06 am
Thanks everyone for your great commentary!
Some people might have doubts that they don’t “naturally” posses some of these personal characteristics — what would you say to that? can any of these traits be learned?
February 24th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Above all, passion and enthusiasm are necessary for stick-to-it discipline. You have to love what you are doing and to understand WHY you are spending all this time. Without passion and enthusiasm, family history research becomes mechanical – a job or project. With the passion to do what it takes, and the enthusiasm to keep going, it becomes a labor of loe instead of a mechanical exercise.
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February 25th, 2010 at 6:26 am
Great observations and comments! I agree with footnoteMaven that “You must love a mystery.” I’m surprised that no one mentioned that you have to know how to spell geneol… geniol…. genyol…. “family historian!”
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March 8th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
Don’t just use the one resource – try lots of online genealogy resources as well as goverment archives and the like.
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Couldn’t agree more with Megan Smolenyak: Curiosity and persistence!
That’s what keeps me up all night when doing genealogy research.
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