Employment versus Productivity

     I would love to have a job related to genealogy( obviously!), and strangely struggle, as many others do, with just finding work anywhere these days.  Does that qualify myself and others like me as failures - NO! So long as we spend our time being productive with something - leaning new skills, networking with others, and exploring the world for its boundless raemaining opportunities - Yes!  We the unemployed still matter.

Death is Exciting for Researchers

    Many people are fairly leary about death - even just talking about it gives them the jitters.  But those folks certainly aren't avid genealogists!  The die- hard researchers can sometimes be found exchanging pictures of headstones during late night get-togethers at Village Inn, Denny's, or other open haunts. ;-)
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     Death isn't meant to be feared so much as it is life's greatest mystery; the biggest curtain we just aren't allowed to see behind until it is our turn - next in line please - he's really a nice fellow,  death.  He's never in a hurry, calm and collected, and has the experience of the ages we could each learn a great deal from.  So try not to cringe every time you drive by a cemetery.  Our car broke down a while back in a busy intersection during morning rush hour traffic and I told my wife after I hurriedly pushed it into the cemetery entrance - "better the car than us - shall we just leave her here for the next round of burials?"
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     After losing both parents and one grandparent in 6 months and our last grandparent 13 months later you would think I had had enough of death for a while, but then working in a combination cemetery/funeral home and a wartime military casualty office I now actually have a great relationship with death...afterall, he is responsible for each and every death certificate, grave marker, and probate record you have found as well as the ones you are still looking for. :)

February already? - A Blog for Forms and Research Ideas

Yesterday I posted general descriptions on facebook for "the Basic 6 of Genedocs" covered more thoroughly each January and February in the members E-Magazine so I am adding general info here as well:

1. Ancestor Outline List (AOL)- combining roman numerals for Generations, regular ahnentafel numbering for individual ancestors, and check boxes for when you complete each generation, each person, etc.  The outline's first page can cover 5 gens.

2. Folder Cover Sheet (FOL) - when you pull a relatives file out of a drawer or box you really want to know what is in it with one look (as well as what still needs to be found and added)  The Folder Cover Sheet does just that with categories and descriptive source document reminders.  TABS are also available for file folders that are actually organized with three divider tabs for life areas such as BMD, EDU, EMP, MIL SVC, etc.

3. Improved File Labels (LAB) - every filing system I had seen prior to creating this one was based on names and /or numbers for ancestors/relatives.  They didn't work as effectively as they did for lawyers, doctors, and other businesses that shuffle paperwork so often daily that it appeared to be just business.  My family left a great personal legacy allowing me to upgrade to this at-a-glance file recognition system using standard address labels and my  31,000 words in just a moment or two techniques.  Members enjoy this feature very much and it can be converted to computer filing in a flash.

4. Improved Research Log (LOG) -  an effective and practical log can be  challenging to find in the mass of average ones available on-line and in books these days.  In 2004 I began using this template even to my surpise with great ease.  It identifies fundamentals right of the bat in the header who's being researched, when, and by whom?  It continues with a grid of key pertinent life areas and source note reminders forming an excellent template including a handy "other" block when items don't fit into the FOL TAB areas of BMD, EDU, EMP, MIL, SVC, etc

5. Genedocs Hybrid Chart (PED+) - The new standard for genealogical charting in this millennium. Some people love pedigree charts, while others cling desperately to their family group sheet records.  In 2007 I simply couldn't effectively research anymore without both.  This template has evolved wonderfully to include nearly 8 versions since 2008 and offers all kinds of researchers a new platform with which to chart the most needed and desired family data in the most effective manner; it includes ancestry in manageable bites, its design revolves around family member portraits as adult and child when available, full data on up to 11 siblings per ancestor, critical source information, and fully customizable compiler comments researchers have yearned for over the past several decades.  With all of this in one astounding innovative new template you may wonder why I even bothered with the next form...

6. Improved Family Group Sheet (FGS+) - Although the Hybrid Form does everything I wanted it to and some days even more, I too cling to my group sheets, but they were redesigned in 2001 prior to my first family reunion and remain ever so effective to this day.  They are clearly photographic based but contain another element that even the genedocs Hybrid Chart simply can't accomodate yet; they can keep a family of up to 26 members all on one sheet of paper when most group sheets still split children from parents by cramming too much data in with grandparents data and tiny boxes full of text in font sizes most of us can't even read now let alone when we get much older!
This template is key to Genedocs and researchers in that it forms not only a database, but also in doing so, a "photobase." - New term coined today by Genedocs 12:10 pm :-)   People everywhere love a photobase for their family whether they even know about it or not yet!   Just found a neat photo site Pbase.com...cool!