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Good Genealogists Don't Waste Time                  Published Monthly
Lesson 057...                                                                                                            2020 07 02

Defining The Problem...
The time spent researching any family history genealogy can sometimes be enormous.
The more complete a project is, the wider its scope and ultimately its database.

At some point, we each choose a research method from two basic styles: Deep or Wide.
Because time is not an infinite resource, it's not possible to continuously engage in both methods.

At times, we may un-intentionally drift toward one or the other extremes for various reasons.
Ironically, this may be because we feel the work to be very easy and without effort.

The intended use for the overall tree is the ultimate factor for most time or cost decisions.
Intertwined with that, are the authors hopes of fullfilling personal achievements.
Defining a realistic goal will likely come only after many re-considerations!

Rumors, gossip and even reports regarding deeper researches abound, but documentation may not.
Believing or building upon the published works of others may seem easy, but it invites disaster.
There is no "checks and balance" that way, and it will also develop a followers approach.


How Does This Happen?...
Over-eagerness is often the result of enthusiasm combined with the excitement of "new discoveries".
All of us have expierienced that same feeling, no matter how long we've been at this.
The feeling of learning new information can push us to dig for more!

Conversely, after we've spent many hours (Years) learning to navigate records, we may over-extend.
It can become so routine, that we begin to verify the persons that verify the ones of interest.
Such as: finding obituaries that list childrens spouses, then researching their lines.

Photos aren't usually verified as to who says this is the person in the image.
Many hours have been spent copying info from "sources" that cannot be verified.
Photo-backs may state a name, place or info, but not say who or how they're verified.

These and other ways actually come under a common heading of general mis-management.
Because the data found during this might be used later, it's not wasted time.
Time spent in this manor should be considered as misdirected.


What Can We Do To Fix This?...
First, decide which method to persue...
The expected main use of the data will determine using deep or wide methods.

Each of our time is limited, and how we choose to spend it is our own choice.
Deeper research provides understanding of success or hardship, but is of interest to fewer.
Wider reports allow usefullness to more users, but may leave out many of the most important details.

It's important to be flexible in case of impass or critical information.
Spending too much time searching for unavailable information can be wasteful.
Too little or no time spent reporting important facts is being neglectful to that character.

Directional changes can also be whimsical... "I can.... Therefore I will..."
While obviously up to the author, there should at least be some degree of logic to the persuit.
An uncertainty of the internet is that while the information is available today, it may not be tomorrow.

Internet and physical libraries have finite spaces. Filling them is a matter of finances and importance.
This means the information must be valuable to enough people, in order to be worth saving.
As libraries dispose of archived books at sales, so does the internet in other ways.


How Can We Limit Misdirected Time?...
The time spent on other than the main direction of a family tree isn't actually lost if the data is used.
At a minimum, work verifying someone that verifies the main subject is not wasted.
Beyond that may or may not be necessary to the scope of the project.

Manhour justification may stem from feeling that a heredity may readily connect to a known lineage.
A very good use of time spent can be inter-connecting random relatives of similar surnames.
If no surname connection is found, try researching a mother-to-mother lineage.

Be complete when listing your sources, regardless of how credible they may or may not be.
This is part of standard verifications and allows your work to be shown as valid.
It can also serve as a future starting point for new lineage branches.

Open publication of data will insure it gets used, but places it beyond your control.
Data use can vary widely depending on who accesses it, so think carefully before publishing.
Even if you show the data only to close family by internet, it might still be published by any of them.


What Did We Learn From This?...
Both research styles are perfectly valid, and can also live in harmony within the same family tree!
The primary method is always according to the authors time, ability, needs and use.

One or the other will eventually become the main overlay of the research.
Style choice is highly dependant upon the authors needs and use for the research.
Time and ability are both variables that can change course dramatically from day to day.

Alternating methods may appear to be a good mix, but each looses time to the other if not controlled.
This method should not be used whimsically, but rather as a tool to help overcome an impass.
Sometimes by using several family obituaries or censuses we may find grandparents.

Work done toward any progress is never a waste if the data can be used or built upon at some point.
Regardless of who builds on the information, genealogy work eventually integrates all families.
Accuracy, thoroughness and broadbase knowledge are the ultimate longterm goals.

The manhours spent researching over a lifetime would be an enormous waste if left to die with us.
It's important that we plan ahead for the information carry-over with someone we trust.
When that's not an option, it may be necessary to work towards a publication.


The Basic Rules...
First...
Choose your "druthers" and persue them...
Family tree styles are either wide or in depth for specific reasons.

Second...
Recognise the significant achievements, not the fame...
Conversely, find the explanations for disasters...

Third...
Decide beforehand if you'll follow data such as obituary names of relatives.
Usually easy, accurate and current.



As always...
What you'll choose to do with this information is up to you.
It will at least serve as a stepping stone for further knowledge.
You should be applauded for your willingness to educate yourself.

These are only basic guidelines, and can always be adjusted to suit your personal needs or budget.
Hopefully the knowledge gained here will help you to be better positioned as a family historian!

      Happy searches!!

        Massachusetts

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