Here are the medals I won in the GeneaBlogger games this time around.
| Go Back and Cite Your Sources | Organize Your Research |
| Expand Your Knowledge | Write, Write, Write |
Here’s the final tally.
| Task | Status |
| Task 1A – 50 source citations | Complete |
| Task 3A – Organize at least 20 hard files or ancestral items (books, fabrics, inherited items) into file folders, boxes, envelopes, containers, etc.; archival-quality where appropriate. | Complete |
| Task 3B – Organize at least 20 digital files into folders, label, add metadata, add descriptions, add tags, etc. | |
| Task 3C – Organize at least 20 photos into photo albums, scrapbooks, collages, protective holders, boxes, etc. | Complete |
| Task 3E – Create at least 20 data entries in your database, or scan 20 photos, or scan 20 documents. | Complete |
| Task 4A – Use Google Maps to map out an ancestral location. Create a map that you can then embed into a blog post. | Complete |
| Task 4B – Create a timeline related to one of your lines of research, a specific ancestor or location. Get creative using a free application such as TimeToast. Post your timeline on your blog. | Complete |
| Task 4C – Create a memorial page for an ancestor using either Footnote’s Create A Page feature or their Facebook application I Remember. | Complete |
| Task 4D – Visit tutorial and learning pages of popular websites such as Ancestry.com or FamilySearch’s excellent articles repository. | Complete |
| Task 4E – Create a surname visualization using Wordle, Word It Out or a similar application. Post the graphic to your blog. | Complete |
| Task 5A – Write a summary of what your blog is about and post it on your blog – you may not have done this since you started the blog and it is a great way to have new readers learn more about your site. | Complete |
| Task 5C – Prepare several posts in draft mode and pre-publish them. | Complete |
| Task 5D – Write a brief biographical sketch on one of your ancestors. | |
| Task 5E – Create a page on your blog listing surnames, ahnentafel reports or using some other topic. This will help new visitors to your blog understand your area of research. | Complete |
| Task 5F – Participate in a 52 Weeks To Better Genealogy Challenge. | Complete |
Unfortunately, I did not complete two of the tasks I set out to do. But, I think I did pretty good, and I got A LOT done!
Here’s my status for the final days:
I finally opened the boxes of photo sleeves I purchased at the beginning of December (yes I’ve had them for over two months). I purchased several varieties of sleeves that fit into a standard binder. The brand I selected is Print File, which I purchased from Adorama. They are supposedly archival quality, although it does not specify what exactly that means (the packaging states no PVC). I filled up one three-inch binder, well over 20 photos, so task 3C is complete.
I submitted information to the Footnote page created (via SSDI) for my maternal grandparents. I also created the Facebook “I Remember” page for each. Awhile back, I created pages for my dad and his parents. You can visit the Footnote pages for Harold Miller, Marie (Rottman) Miller, Joseph Cahill, John Cahill and Joan (McMahon) Cahill.
Here’s my status for days 7 to 11:
Task 1A – 50 source citations. I spent most of yesterday going back and fixing citations, and I’m sure I did well over 50. This is an ongoing process but I hope to have everything up-to-date by the end of June.
Task 3E – Create at least 20 data entries in your database, or scan 20 photos, or scan 20 documents. I was originally going to scan 20 photos, but I haven’t gotten that far yet. Instead, as I was updating sources yesterday, I also found I was missing some census information for some people and took care of that last night. I did get some record copies over the weekend that need to be scanned, so that will likely be done by the end of the week. Do I get browning points for that ;)
Task 4B – Create a timeline related to one of your lines of research, a specific ancestor or location. Get creative using a free application such as TimeToast. Post your timeline on your blog. I really struggled with this. I purchaced Genelines a while back, but never really used it. I figured this would be a good time to do so, but I was having some problems. I got it figured out yesterday, but wanted to fix some data in Legacy and then run a new timeline. Unfortunately, when I went back today to do it, for some reason it’s not pulling all the events. Frustrated, I simply created a chronology report from Legacy, which personally, is easier to read and decipher. You can read more in my post Working With Timelines.
I’ve got four more tasks to complete to fulfill my goals. I’m hoping I can get it done by the end of the week, but I’m not sure. I have five reels of deed indexes to go through before the films get returned to FHL, so that’s taking priority. Speaking of which, I’m off to go do that right now.
Here’s the status for days 5 and 6.
Category: Expand Your Knowledge
Task A - Use Google Maps to map out an ancestral location. Create a map that you can then embed into a blog post. This was done in conjunction with 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy Challenge #7.
Category: Organize Your Research
Task A - Organize at least 20 hard files or ancestral items (books, fabrics, inherited items) into file folders, boxes, envelopes, containers, etc.; archival-quality where appropriate. As I mentioned in my “opening ceremonies” post, I actually started this a few days ago, converting to the FamilyRoots Organizer system (developed by Mary E. V. Hill). My new batch of folders arrived today so I got to work. I still have a large stack of papers to file, but I made progress!
Category: Write, Write, Write
Task C - Prepare several posts in draft mode and pre-publish them. I pre-published the rest of my Saturday in the Attic posts for February and my Wordless Wednesday posts for March.
So let the games begin!!!
My Flag
I’m using the same flag I created last year. My flag represents the American, German, and Irish heritage of my family.
My Events
Go Back and Cite Your Sources – I will be going for Platinum again, which requires 50 citations. After the last games, I’ve been pretty good about sourcing information. However, with the update of Legacy, which included SourceWriter, I still have many sources that need to be updated to follow the correct citation format. I’ve been working on updating them periodically, so this event gives me motivation to do at least another 50 within the next two weeks.
Organize Your Research – Going for Diamond again. I will be completing Task A (organize 20 hard files), Task C (organize 20 photos), and Tasks E and B (scan 20 photos and organize them). I actually started Task A a few days ago, converting to the FamilyRoots Organizer system (developed by Mary E. V. Hill). I’m maybe about halfway done, but ran out of folders. It will be finished once I get new folders. I’ve been procrastinating on Task C, so this event gives me the motivation to get a move on…I have all the materials to organize my photos, just haven’t sat down to do it. Tasks B and E will be done together…I always have plenty of photos to scan…not sure that will ever end!!
Expand Your Knowledge – I’m going to try for Platinum. Some of these I already do, but there are always more ancestors to work with, so I’m pretty sure I can do Tasks A, B, and C. Task D has been on my to-do list for awhile, as there are many sources out there that offer help and guidance. As for Task E, I already created a Wordle, but I think I want to create an individual one for each of my grandparents’ lines. Plus, I may try the Word It Out application this time around.
Write, Write, Write – I’m going for Platinum. Last time, I completed Task A, but my blog has grown so much since then, it’s time to do it again, and create a separate page for it (now an available option for Blogger). Task C is no problem, as I pre-publish my Tombstone Tuesday, Wordless Wednesday, and Orphan Photo posts. I haven’t decided who to write a biographical sketch of for Task D, but I will get it done. I’m excited to complete Task E, since the new feature on Blogger lets us create static pages. Currently, I have a link pointing to a post with a list of names, but I want to create a separate page with more information. I hope to participate in Task F. In fact, that reminds me, I didn’t do Challenge 6 yet!
Here's my final tally for the Genea-Blogger Group Games!
Go Back & Cite Your Sources
50+ citations
Organize Your Research
Task A (organize hard files)
Task B (organize digital files)
Task C (organize hard-copy photos)
Task D (organize digital photos)
Task E (data/entry or scan photos/files)
Write, Write, Write
Task A (summary of blog)
Task B (participate in carnival)
Task D (biographical sketch)
Whew! That was a lot of hard work. But I got a lot of things checked off my to-do list, so it was well worth it.
Final results for all participants will be posted on August 25 @ Destination: Austin Family.
Congratulations to everyone who participated!
Originally posted @ my LiveJournal blog on 22 August 2008.
Julie
What I Did
Updated Tally
Medal Progress
What's Next
Originally posted @ my LiveJournal blog on 22 August 2008.
Julie
What I Did
Updated Tally (no changes)
Medal Progress (no changes)
What's Next
Originally posted @ my LiveJournal blog on 8 August 2008.
Julie
Been pretty busy with some other things the last few days, but I did manage to accomplish some genealogy-related tasks.
What I Did
Updated Tally
Medal Progress
What's Next
Originally posted @ my LiveJournal blog on 17 August 2008.
Julie
I've spent the last few days organizing all of my photos...whew!
What I Did
Updated Tally
Medal Progress
What's Next
Originally posted @ my LiveJournal blog on 13 August 2008.
Julie
Okay, so I got a little off-track today, but I still got a lot done. In my last posted I said my next tasks were to work on organizing hard-copy photos. Instead, I organized a batch of hard-copy files I came across.
What I Did
Updated Tally
What's Next
Check out other participant's progress by visiting their blog. A listing can be found at AnceStories: The Stories of My Ancestors
Originally posted @ my LiveJournal blog on 10 August 2008.
Julie
I have completed organizing the files and photos I had already stored on my computer! In my earlier post I mentioned that I started on a folder that contained 183 files/photos. I got through about half, making sure to save some for the official competition. All of them are now organized!
What I Did
Tally
What's Next
That's all for now...back to work.
Check out other participant's progress by visiting their blog. A listing can be found at AnceStories: The Stories of My Ancestors.
Originally posted @ my LiveJournal blog on 9 August 2008.
Julie
Just a quick post before the Games officially begin.
I was very anxious last night so I got started on one of the tasks of organizing digital files/photos. There were 183 files in the folder and I got through about half of them, making sure to leave plenty for the actual competition. I plan to finish this today (5 minutes & counting).
I have a memorial service to attend out-of-town later today, so depending on when we get back, I may start to tackle something else later tonight.
Good luck to everyone participating!
It's just about time, so let the Games begin!
Originally posted @ my LiveJournal blog on 9 August 2008.
Julie
I've decided to go ahead and compete in the Genea-Blogger Group Games, albeit at the last minute (hey, better late than never). It's funny that this came when it did since I have either been in the middle of doing some of these or on the verge of getting started. I figure the Games will hold me accountable and keep me on track. So, without further ado, off to the Opening Ceremonies I go!
My Flag 
My Events
Go Back and Cite Your Sources!
As you can see from an earlier post, I'm in the middle of doing this. I should have no problem doing 50+ in two weeks since I probably did well over that in about a week. I've been pretty good about sourcing the people in my tree, in general, but not to a granular level, which is what I've been working on. Additionally, I upgraded Legacy and have been revamping sources with the new features available. It's a challenge and a bit of a pain, but I'm ready and willing!
Organize Your Research!
I am a highly organized person, but I'm taking this as an opportunity to complete some long-overdue tasks. I'd like to take all of the digital images I have and add descriptions, owner/source, and tags for searching. I also plan to organize my hard-copy photos; I spent quite a bit of time yesterday looking for "my favorite photo" for the 4th Edition of I Smile For the Camera and don't want to have to do that again. I also plan to resume scanning photos. Whew! This one's gonna be a toughie, but for me, a fun one!
Write, Write, Write!
I am a writer by trade, but I tire of writing only for work. This is the reason I just recently started my blog...I wanted to take my two passions (genealogy and writing) and do something fun! This competition will be helpful to get me focused on what I've set out to do--write about my ancestors. I plan to write a biographical sketch (or two, or three) for starters. I participated in my first carnival just yesterday (I Smile for the Camera). Too bad I didn't wait until tomorrow--could have checked it off this list...oh well. I'll look around for other carnivals to participate in during the Games, but it may just be the one task for this event.
Originally posted @ my LiveJournal blog on 8 August 2008.
Julie
Julie is a genealogist who specializes in writing, editing, and graphic design. If you are looking for someone to help organize your family data into a book or prepare a research article for publication, Julie can help. Other services include the development of educational materials such as books/booklets, articles, and online courses. See "About Julie" for additional information.
Using Historical Newspapers for Genealogy Research
Lineage Societies and Genealogy
Researching County Histories
US City Directories
Join me at the FGS 2013 Conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana, August 21-24.
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