2018 Goal - Keyword - Prioritize

In 2014, I created two mindmaps using two different web-based programs to map out the goal for the year using Focus as a keyword.

This year, I decided to learn another mindmap program. This one is Mindmup but I have added the app to Google Drive. The version I am using is free. You can use it online as well. I have downloaded the image.

I took Prioritize as the keyword. 

© 2018 Janet Iles

Goal for 2014 - Focus

I read in an article recently to set one goal so I chose the word - Focus for the theme this year.

Today, I created two mindmaps. On Wednesday, November 20, Thomas MacEntee presented a Legacy Family Tree Webinar about mindmaps. 

I had previously been introduced to a mindmap site on Facebook by a FB friend to text2mindmap. [Someone alerted me since that the site may have spam, so I have removed the link. 2025-06] 

Thomas mentioned several programs that are available. Today, I tried coggle.it. Both are free to use. Both of these are useful for basic planning but they don't lend themselves to a lot of detail.

This was created in text2mindmap - it is a screen shot.

This was created in coggle.it

Click on pictures to enlarge.

As you see that I am involved with many things. In the bottom image, genealogy and history related stem from the left side.

I realize that I missed some things in each mindmap. I also forgot to add learning to the mindmap under the genealogy section. I have signed up already to attend several webinars.

With the theme of focus for this year, I will try different methods to see which one suits me best so that I will focus on the task at hand.

© 2014 Janet Iles

Goals (Genealogy) 2012 - how did I do? What are my goals for 2013?

Here was what I wrote for my goals for 2012 with my comments.
My main goal for this year will be organizational in nature: my office, desk, files, books, etc. so that I can be very productive in pleasant surroundings.


Well I was partially successful in this regard. The new shelving is fairly well organized but it could use some sprucing up. The filing cabinet was purchased. I purchased a three-drawer (used) lateral filing cabinet. I like the ability to have hanging files. I did some preliminary work on this but it still needs some better organization and likely purging of some materials. My challenge is that some material is in binders, some in files and some still needing to be filed.  

I purchased  six two-drawer plastic organizers. I use these to divide the different paper supplies. Each drawer is labelled so that it is easy to find special papers when they are needed.


I still would like to update my family history that was put aside last year.
I was unsuccessful -- I did not do this. I didn't even work on it. I did some research while in Salt Lake City but that still needs to be reviewed and incorporated into what I have.

I also look forward to helping others with their genealogical research. I always learn something new with each project.
I am very pleased that I worked on more projects for clients this year - some small and some much larger. Each was interesting and as always, I learned something new with each one.

2013
The list does not change. What I need to do next is to take these three goals and refine them by breaking them down and adding more specific details and putting in some deadlines for each portion.

© 2013 Janet Iles

2012 - what are my goals?

I am glad to see that I am not the only one who is late in posting their goals for 2012.

I was successful last year in publishing In Grateful Remembrance: Honouring the Men from Knox, who Paid the Supreme Sacrifice. Sales haven't been great but my main goal was to honour these men but of course, I would be very happy to sell some more. Finishing the book took the first eight months of the year.

I had several speaking engagements that I really enjoyed and I did some client work that included some challenges.

During the last four months of 2011, my focus was the sale of my house and purchase of a brand new home. I have been moved in now for two weeks but oh the boxes that are beckoning to be unpacked. The majority of what remains to be organized relates to genealogy. The new shelving units need to be anchored to the wall before I can fill them and I need new filing cabinets.

My main goal for this year will be organizational in nature: my office, desk, files, books, etc. so that I can be very productive in pleasant surroundings.

I still would like to update my family history that was put aside last year.

I also look forward to helping others with their genealogical research. I always learn something new with each project.
© 2011 Janet Iles

2011 Goals - How have I done so far?

Over at Turning of the Generations, Michelle Goodrum has done a nine-month update on her resolutions for 2011, so that reminded me to check to see how I was doing.

Goal 1: Complete the book on the Soldiers from Knox United (then Presbyterian) in the First World War. Most of the research is done, I think. I may find out differently when I go to work on writing about each one. I have started the writing on about four or five. There are 23 men involved with two being siblings

Done! Copies are now available through Unibook.com. In the next couple of days, In Grateful Remembrance will also be available locally at several venues. Two boxes arrived today with fifty copies of the book. I will update this posting with the information. This project took over five years, working on and off but I worked very hard on it this year so that it would be finished.

Goal 2: To update the family history that I did for first for my brother and sister and then updated it again for my four Iles nephews. This is not a full blown history but it focuses on the main people in my parents' lines. My parents are the focus in the book. The first two versions were done for 3 ring binders done on my computer and printed out on my ink-jet printer. This time it will be for all my nieces, nephews and my siblings.

Well, I haven't started on this project yet. It may a gift for 2012 as I need to focus on client research. I am also involved with several organizations that also require my attention. I also need to make choices for my new house and in a few months, I will be packing up. The genealogy binders and files are heavy so I will need many small boxes. I have great plans for my new office (genea-work space).© 2011 Janet Iles

Goal set during the 101 Carnival of Genealogy - Revisted mid-year

At the beginning of the year during the Carnival of Genealogy, we were asked what were our goals for the year. I only set two. One was for the first nine months and the other for the last three months. Here is the first goal.

Goal 1: Complete the book on the Soldiers from Knox United (then Presbyterian) in the First World War. Most of the research is done, I think. I may find out differently when I go to work on writing about each one. I have started the writing on about four or five. There are 23 men involved with two being siblings.


Plan: To focus on one a week, finishing research and writing. That will take me to the end of June.

To decide how I am going to publish it and distribute it. It is not meant to be for a large distribution but I wanted the information about them in writing so that it is preserved for future generations.

Publish by September 14, 2011 (92 years after the organ was dedicated in memory of these men).

So, how am I doing. I am doing really well. I am almost finished all the writing. I have finished all but one man. I have included some church history. My sister has done copy editing of what I have given her. I do keep looking at it to make sure I am happy with everything.

At the end of last week, I downloaded a software (free version) that reads back what you have written. It is good to hear what you have read out loud. It is called to Natural Reader. I had done a search on the Internet to see what is available that I could try. [Warning that when you go to the site it will have a voice explaining that software.] Have you tried any? How are you using them?

I found it good to hear someone read it as I did another run through of what I had written. I went through about one half of the introductions to the soldiers. I will likely go through the last half today or tomorrow.

What I have left to do this week:
1. Finish writing about the one soldier - Alexander McKay Gunn - I wrote about him when I discussed Elizabeth Shown Mills - FAN club methodology. In it I talked about information that I learned about other people in the documents. In Alexander's obituary, it says that his parents died when he was young. Now, I had found the death of his mother when Alexander was only two weeks old. What happened to his father and why did he end up with his aunts? Where was his older sister, Bessie?

I found a marriage for a John Gunn to a Margaret Ireland 7 December 1887. [1] I thought it was likely Alexander's father but I wasn't a 100% sure.  I also found a John Gunn with wife Margaret in the 1891 census. In the household, there are the following people: John, 45; Margaret, 34; Betsy, 9; Christena, 2; John 7/12 and Betsy, 84. [2]

It is Bessie's obituary that made me realize that the above must be the correct family. I found her obituary in volume 1 of the "Surname Collection" prepared by the Bruce Grey Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society and put on microfiche. The date written on it is 20 April 56. It mentions her brother, Alexander McKay Gunn, being killed in action in 1917. It mentions a brother Wesley Gunn of Sault Ste. Marie, a sister, Christina, Mrs. George Harbottle of Sault Ste. Marie and another brother who predeceased her, John Gunn of Richard's Landing.[3]

Having found Bessie's obituary, I feel that I can add the information about her father's second family. [I have now finished Alexander Gunn's section with information that I have presented here.]

2. Write about the church organ's history and its connection to this project.
3. Find more photographs if I can.
4. Finish putting it together.
5. Indexing
6. Have it proofread
7. Finish getting it ready for printing.
Although, there is still work to be done, I am on track with my planned schedule.

[1] John Gunn – Margaret Ireland Ontario marriage registration 004137 (7 December 1887); digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 12 April 2011), citing microfilm MS 932 reel 56, Archives of Ontario, Toronto.

[2] 1891 Census of Canada, Ontario, North Grey (district 68), Keppel (sub-district A), division 2, p. 25, family 2, John Gunn household; digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 10 June 2011), citing microfilm, T-6338, Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa.

[3] “Mrs. Leslie Penner Dies in Hospital,” [Owen Sound Sun-Times, 20 April 1956] in Bruce Grey Branch Ontario Genealogical Society, “Surname Collection” [microfiche]

Note: I have no connection to the software company that created Natural Reader.

© 2011 Janet Iles

Goal set during the 101 Carnival of Genealogy - Revisted

For the 101st Carnival of Genalogy, I set two goals. The first is what I have been working on and as today is May 1, I thought this would be a good point to assess my progress.


Goal 1: Complete the book on the Soldiers from Knox United (then Presbyterian) in the First World War. Most of the research is done, I think. I may find out differently when I go to work on writing about each one. I have started the writing on about four or five. There are 23 men involved with two being siblings.



Plan: To focus on one a week, finishing research and writing. That will take me to the end of June.


To decide how I am going to publish it and distribute it. It is not meant to be for a large distribution but I wanted the information about them in writing so that it is preserved for future generations.


Publish by September 14, 2011 (92 years after the organ was dedicated in memory of these men).

Status:
At the first of the year, I kept to one a week. Some soldiers required more work. It was all dependent on how much I had already done on them. I am ahead of schedule at this point. I am working on the brothers now. I should finish them up in the next day or two if I remain focussed.

I need to read each one carefully again and check the source citations. I will also prepare a list of anything I need to check on at the library or online or do I need check elsewhere.

 I have several emails to write. I have found some private family trees online at Ancestry and I want to find out if they have any photos of the soldier. I have contacted one who had a public tree and I have permission to use the photo. I found also a photo on Find-a-Grave and I have been in contact with the person who posted it. Now, I not only have a copy of the photo of the soldier but also the first cross on the grave and the monument that was placed on his grave later and a copy of one of the documents concerning him.

My sister is going to edit what I have written so she will get the material on the soldiers next week. I still have several more chapters to write.  I need to get the information off to get Cataloguing in Publication for the book but I need to make a couple more decisions first. I also have to check concerning my ISBN. When I published my first book in 2007, I thought I requested a block of 10 but I only received one.  I just see that there is a new system in place here in Canada so I will check this out too.

What I need to do soon is to decide where it will be printed and in what format. Should I go with  6 x 9 or 8 x 10?

Then of course, the book needs to be indexed.

I still have lots to do but I am pleased that things are moving along and I should reach my goal.

I hope that you are doing well on your goals.


© 2011 Janet Iles

Carnival of Genealogy 101 - My Genealogy Research/Writing Plan for 2011

The topic for the 101st edition of the Carnival of Genealogy is: My genealogy research/writing plan for 2011. Figure out what you think you can accomplish in 2011 and write it up on your blog. Then share it with us in the COG!

It is good to set goals and prepare a plan to help focus oneself. Now, we don't always achieve our goals or follow our plan but if we don't think about what we what to do, we can get scattered and accomplish little. Well that sounds good but I am not always the greatest planner and I am not always good at keeping focused but let's see if I can do it for the coming year.

Goal 1: Complete the book on the Soldiers from Knox United (then Presbyterian) in the First World War. Most of the research is done, I think. I may find out differently when I go to work on writing about each one. I have started the writing on about four or five. There are 23 men involved with two being siblings.
Plan: To focus on one a week, finishing research and writing. That will take me to the end of June.
To decide how I am going to publish it and distribute it. It is not meant to be for a large distribution but I wanted the information about them in writing so that it is preserved for future generations.

Publish by September 14, 2011 (92 years after the organ was dedicated in memory of these men).

Goal 2: To update the family history that I did for first for my brother and sister and then updated it again for my four Iles nephews. This is not a full blown history but it focuses on the main people in my parents' lines. My parents are the focus in the book. The first two versions were done for 3 ring binders done on my computer and printed out on my ink-jet printer. This time it will be for all my nieces, nephews and my siblings.

Plan: Add information to my genealogy software that I found while I was at Salt Lake City in August.
Add the appropriate people and information to the "book".
Review what I have and decide if there is further research that I could do to make the information and stories more appealing to non-genealogists.
Look for maps and photos that might be useful.
Decide on how it will be produced. - 10 copies needed.
To accomplish this all before Christmas 2011. 

How well I do on this will be dependent of course on what else is happening in my life. When you work as a freelance researcher, you do not know how much work you will have and when it will occur. I have two talks booked already. I am also President of two organizations. All I can do is my best and try to focus on these two goals.

© 2010 Janet Iles

Review of 2010 goals

As last year ended, I set some goals. So how did I do?


1. I need to get organized and this applies not only to genealogy. So this is really my most important goal for the  year and then once accomplished, I hope I can maintain it through the year. I am really good at getting started but I get so far and then other projects have my attention and organization doesn't happen.


I started to sort the genealogy related materials but there is so much still to be done. In non-genealogy matters, I did a major go through my clothes. Thanks to my sister's help, I gave away bags of clothes and I tossed some that weren't suitable for others to wear.


2. After all the sorting of the family information, before I file the material, I want to make sure that everything is entered in my family database with proper citations.

Not done

3. Get more people involved in the Historical Society project of mapping all the churches in Grey County.

The project is on hold.

4. Write some articles for the Grey County Historian.

I wrote about Influenza in Grey County during the post world war one flu epidemic. I became President of the Society, a year early so I wrote the note from the President for an issue.

5. The soldiers' project is still on the list but what I get done will depend on other projects that will be given a higher profile.


Nothing was done on this during the year.

6. Keep up with the blogging. I enjoy writing so I will have no problem in this area.

This I continued to do.

Not planned but happened.

• I write a short local history article (around 200 words) every 3 months for the "Viva Historica" column in our local newspaper. This a column done by the Society.
• I spent a week in Salt Lake City researching.  

© 2010 Janet Iles

Resolutions for 2010 - Should I set any? (Carnival of Genealogy)

 Should I set any resolutions or goals for 2010? Before, I answer that question, I want to look at 2009.

For 2009 my resolutions were as follows:
I resolve to
1. finish the soldiers' project
2. spend one hour a week on cleaning up citations in my genealogy program
3. continue research on Emily Iles nee Pugh (write a blog article on Emily)
4. post at least two blog articles a week on this blog
5. post at least two blog articles a month on Graveyard Rabbit of Grey County Ontario.

So how did I do in 2009?
1. The soldiers project is not finished. I had put it aside and when I went back to it, I realized I still needed to do the writing up of my research on the majority of the soldiers. We did have a celebration of the soldiers and the organ that was dedicated to their memory with a musical evening at the end of September.
2. I didn't spend much on cleaning up citations and I definitely didn't spend an hour a week on it.
3. I didn't write about Emily Iles nee Pugh but I did write a posting that concerned her mother Hannah
4. Two blog articles a week - except for a couple of months, I averaged more than two postings a week.
5. On Graveyard Rabbit of Grey County on Ontario - in two months, I only did one posting, but in all the others, I exceeded my goal.

So what did I accomplish in  2009 as it relates to genealogy and history?
1. I taught a four-week night school course in genealogy.
2. In January, I spoke to the Bruce Grey Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society about blogging for genealogists (available on slideshare.net)
3. In March, I spoke to the  Grey County Historical Society about place names in Grey County
4. The Grey County Historical Society elected me to be their Vice-President in April.
5. In October, I became the co-President of the Markham Berczy Settlers Association
6. I have been in contact with various cousins via email concerning family history.
7. I completed another course in English Genealogical Studies concerning taxes, lists, business and electoral and insurance records.
8. I created the Grey County Historical Society blog and write regular articles for it.
9. In February, the Grey County Historical Society website was launched and it is my responsibility to maintain it.
10. I worked on some very interesting and challenging projects for clients.

So, should I make some resolutions for 2010 as most of the things I accomplished were not on my list.

Instead of resolutions, I am going to set some goals.
1. As I told Genea-Santa in my letter, I need to get organized and this applies not only to genealogy. So this is really my most important goal for the  year and then once accomplished, I hope I can maintain it through the year. I am really good at getting started but I get so far and then other projects have my attention and organization doesn't happen.
2. After all the sorting of the family information, before I file the material, I want to make sure that everything is entered in my family database with proper citations.
3. Get more people involved in the Historical Society project of mapping all the churches in Grey County.
4. Write some articles for the Grey County Historian.
5. The soldiers' project is still on the list but what I get done will depend on other projects that will be given a higher profile.
6. Keep up with the blogging. I enjoy writing so I will have no problem in this area.

That's it.

© 2009 Janet Iles

Productivity - Did our ancestors worry about it?

I have been reading a series of posts over at Carole's Canvas about productivity and how she is planning to think about what she has accomplished during the day and to decide on three things she wants to do the next day. She is planning on blogging on them, not necessarily every day but regularly to help with productivity.

She mentions thinking about this before you go to sleep. Wise plan! As I was waking up this morning, I was thinking about productivity. (Yes I should have thought about it before I went to bed.) I have a number of projects on the go right now. I have several historical society projects and some client work that I must focus on.

One very important one is my soldiers' project. I thought I'd done more on it. Yikes! The deadline of September 14 is only a month away. I thought I'd done all the research as I have two binders of information. I only had written about three or four soldiers and these needed polishing and citation clean up. I had put it aside and had not done much work on it during the past year.

Last night, when I started to write about another one, I realized that I didn't have enough information about Alexander Gunn, son of John Gunn and Joanna McKay. His sister (Mrs. L. Penner) is listed as next of kin on his attestation papers. What happened to his parents? Did he have any other relatives that mourned his death when he was killed?

I do not have an obituary for him. All I have is a photograph from the newspaper, with a few details saying that he was missing in action and that he had worked for the local fire department before enlisting . It was too late by this time to head to the library to do further research in the newspapers.

I did find his parents marriage registration and his mother's death registration and possibly a second marriage for his father on Ancestry.ca. Alexander is living with his aunts Mary and Betsy McKay according to the 1901 census in Sydenham Township and in 1891 at the age of 7, he is listed in the household of William and Isabella Cullen. Alexander is listed as the nephew of William. Mary McKay and Betsey McKay, also in the same household, are listed as sisters-in-law to William.

For Canadian soldiers who died in the First World War, two websites are very helpful for this type of project. - CWGC (Canadian War Graves Commission) and Veterans Affairs site - Canada Remembers- Canadian Virtual War Memorial. It is wise to visit both sides to compare information. On the CWGC site, he is listed as Andrew McKay Gunn with the 44th Bn (Battalion). On the Canadian Virtual War Memorial, he is listed as being with the 25th Bn (Battalion).

Alexander McKay is remembered on the Vimy Ridge Memorial. He is also remembered on two plaques at Knox United Owen Sound.

To get things done, I will set a goal for each day. I will watch what new projects I take on during the next few weeks. I will still make time for myself to enjoy each day.

Did our ancestors worry about productivity? Did they set goals?

© 2009 Janet Iles

Genealogy Successes - one more step

Today, I wanted to end the year 2008 with a productive day.

I started with working on one of my homework assignments for English: Taxes, Lists, Business & Insurance Records. To do the next question, I turned to my family history database in Brothers Keeper. I need to prepare a research plan that would use taxation records in England to solve a question in my family's history but I needed to find possible candidates that would be living in a time period where I could find the available records.

I also pulled out my binder where I have put Iles research - certificates and print outs of census and parish records. As I leafed through the binder, I wondered if I had entered everything in the database; I hadn't so I added them and the citations. I also looked carefully at who was the informant as that could be another candidate to use for the homework assignment.

Death registration of Richard Iles who died in 16 September 1878 in Brimpsfield, Gloucestershire - informant Hester Large - daughter -- Check the database no I don't have the name of Hester's spouse or when they were married. I went to FreeBMD web site. I found that there was a marriage of Hester Iles to Edmund Large -- marriage June 1/4 1863 Cirencester volume 6a page 590
I made note of this as something to add to my order list.

Death registration of Patience Iles (nee Blandford) who died 13 November 1879, widow of Richard Iles - informant Charlotte Snow daughter -- (I already had her marriage to Joseph Snow from the Parish registers but not the civil registration. A check at FreeBMD resulted in June 1/4 1851 Cirencester volume 11 page 323

Death registration of Louisa Iles (nee Belcher) who died 1 March 1903 in Cheltenham (wife of James Iles) - informant Edward Newman son in law. Which daughter did he marry? A search at FreeBMD found a marriage of Edward Newman to Lydia Iles June 1/4 1889 Winchcomb volume 6a page 745.

Now I am really side-tracked, I decided that I am going after a marriage for William Clifford to Hannah Pugh nee Cowley. Now this one took a little longer but it was worth it. This is not the first time that I tried to find the marriage registration entry for them. I knew that they were likely married between 1861 when Hannah Pugh was found on the census in the workhouse and the 1871 census where she appears as Hannah Clifford.

The most likely result was

Marriages Dec 1865 Pugh Hannah Stow on W 6a 7_1


On the original page of the indexes by quarter by surname where Hannah Pugh appeared, the page number was very faint. A range of pages was suggested 759 to 785. I downloaded the file to see if page enhancement might be useful. It looked like 781. I followed the instructions on how to search page numbers. I checked several and found the one I wanted. -- William Clifford was listed on page 781.

Well, since this is an important event in my search for information relating to Emily Pugh (one of my New Year's Resolutions for 2009), I stopped what I was doing and went to the General Register Office web site to order the certificate. Since I am already registered at this site, the process of entering the appropriate information did not take long. I decided that today, I would only order this one certificate.

I should have the certificate before the middle of January. Once I have this information, I will be able to continue on with the research. Needless to say, this has been a very productive day.

Now I will have to get back to my homework assignment.

Resolutions 2008 - a look back

How did I do in 2008 in reaching my goals that I set out in my resolutions for 2008?

I posted two blog articles personal genealogy research and professional goals. At the mid-point of the year, I reviewed how I was doing.

Learning Goals
I completed one course in English research and I am working on another one. I purchased Legacy this year and I used it to produce a draft genealogy for a client.

During the Genea-bloggers' Group Games, I did some clean up of citations but that will continue. I added information to the history that I prepared last year.

I didn't finish the soliders' project although I did find some more information to include.

I am still working on the filing and sorting of information. I have a large table in the basement that is covered with items that need to be sorted and then filed - either in binders or the appropriate file.

I didn't accomplish everything that I hoped for but I am pleased that I did make some progress.

Resolutions 2009 - How will I do? Check back in 365 days

The 63rd Carnival of Genealogy asks

New Year's Resolutions! What plans do you have for your genealogy research next year? How about for your blogging? No groaning or whining now. Write 'em up and let us know!

Goals have to be clear and specific with a plan of action. They need to be achievable. Last year I proposed a long list of things I wanted to achieve so I will review what I accomplished in a separate blog posting. I am going to make a shorter list this year.


My Genealogy Research for 2009


I resolve to
1. finish the soldiers project
2. spend one hour a week on cleaning up citations in my genealogy program
3. continue research on Emily Iles nee Pugh (write a blog article on Emily)
4. post at least two blog articles a week on this blog
5. post at least two blog articles a month on Graveyard Rabbit of Grey County Ontario.

I have not made a long list this year. Why? Because I think I will be busy with other related projects. I will be adding another web site as volunteer web master and chief writer of the blog for the Grey County Historical Society. I have two presentations coming up. In January - blogging for genealogists for the Bruce Grey Branch Ontario Genealogical Society and in March the place names of Grey County for the Grey County Historical Society. I have been asked to teach a family history course at night school at the end of April. In addition to my personal research, I will have client work to do.

Genea-blogger Group Games

During the next couple of weeks, some of the genea-bloggers who are part of the Genea-bloggers group on Facebook are participating in some small games of our own.

We are not competing against each other but we are challenging ourselves to do some of the activities. The challenges that have been chosen are ones that are already on the list of goals of many genealogists. During the next two weeks, it may not be realistic for many of us to achieve everything but there is something that might capture the interest of participants.

There are five categories from which to choose to enter. In each, the organizers have placed several events.

1. Go Back and Cite Your Sources!

2. Back Up Your Data!

3. Organize Your Research!

4. Write, Write, Write!

5. Reach Out & Perform Genealogical Acts of Kindness!

So here are my event categories as determined by my goals for 2008 and are realistic for me to work on during the next two weeks. (I will be watching the Olympic games on the TV and cheering on participants from my country and routing for all participants to do their best so I will not be at my computer as often. I am also taking some holidays during this time.)

1. Go Back and Cite Your Sources!

3. Organize Your Research!

4. Write, Write, Write

In each event category, my goal is to complete at least two of the challenges.

All the best to all who have taken up this challenge.

2008 = Goals Revisited

At the beginning of the year, I posted some of my goals for 2008. As the year is half over, I thought I'd check to see how I have done. Originally, I planned to look at them at the three month point, as suggested by Andrea J. Stenberg at Baby Boomer Entrepreneur. Andrea has reflected on her accomplishments at the mid-way point. I had already begun this process when she posted her recent article.

So, how have I done? Everything we accomplish in life, of course, is not set out through goals that we have thoughtfully considered.

Learning goals - Learning never stops. I wanted to get back to taking genealogy courses so I took an English Research course -- English: Education, Health and Contemporary Records from the National Institute for Genealogical Studies. It has been given me suggestions of more resources that can be helpful in rounding out family histories. I hope to take at least one more course this year.

Client work - With every client, I find there is always something more to learn. Research led me to looking at 1840 American census records. I had not previously looked at them.

Personal research - I haven't done much new in this area. Some of my blog articles will provide stories and photos that I will add to my family history.

So, what have I accomplished? I have provided workshops for the library reference staff concerning genealogical and local history questions. I have provided training to the research group of the local historical society.

My project on First World War soldiers has been put to the side for the time being, but I want to work on it during the last half of the year.

I still need to do some work on reviewing my goals for the next quarter and looking at what I can do to accomplish them.

One goal that I did not state at the beginning of the year was to get more active. I have been pleased that since mid-January, I have been walking regularly, mostly inside at our local arena. It is a great location to do it year round. Most days, I have a walking partner and we walk for about an hour, three to five times a week. Taking in to consideration time needed for travel, it does take up a good part of the afternoon, but nevertheless, walking will continue on my list of things that I will do for the next half of the year, because of the health benefits.

Have you looked at the goals -- genealogy or otherwise that you set at the begining of the year? How have you done? Are you going to change them?

More Goals for 2008

Research Goals as a professional researcher

To produce quality research for my clients.

To assist my clients with creating a family history that will be cherished by them and their family.

In order to reach my goals that I have outlined in recent postings, I must constantly improve my skills as a researcher.

Learning Goals

There are four courses left for me to complete my second Professional Learning Certificate in Genealogical Studies through the National Institute for Genealogical Studies - English research. I want to get back at them after having taken a break. More methodology and Canadian courses are being offered in the near future that look appealing and helpful, these may bump the English courses aside.

Genealogy - personal research - looking back to 2007 and ahead to 2008

Genealogy Goals 2008

2007 - Successes

First, the success in 2007 was finding the passenger listing for my grandparents Iles - first the outbound from England list and then the inbound list to Canada with the information from the first. At the Ontario Genealogical Society conference, attendees had free access to some databases. One was Ancestors on board http://www.ancestorsonboard.com/ Searches are free but to view the records normally costs a fee. This is connected to Find my past http://www.findmypast.com/ Currently in the database are passenger records from 1890 to 1939. You can imagine my excitement when I found my grandfather with his wife and child, his mother and siblings. Once I knew the ship that they had sailed on and the dates, I was able to visit the Library and Archives website and find the record from the Canadian side. I believe that his father, George, came earlier but I still haven't found him on any list. The 1911 Canadian census gives an earlier date for his arrival. Interestingly, my grandparents are shown being born in Ontario, so no year of entry was given in the census. (Makes you wonder who provided the information?)

I spent little time in personal family research this past year. Instead, I completed a history book Churches of Grey Presbytery of the United Church of Canada: Historical Highlights and have worked on a research project concerning soldiers. I will talk more about that in another post.

Goals for 2008

I will divide my research goals into 3 sections. In this posting I will talk only about my personal family research goals. In the other two, I will cover in separate blog postings 1) non-family but my own projects and 2) professional research goals and learning goals relating to genealogy.

Personal Genealogical Research Goals 2008

While putting together a mini-family history for my nephews for Christmas, I discovered a few tasks that need to be done. I put the history together very quickly based on a mini-history I had done in December 2000 but had not been updated since. It was very gratifying putting something together for them. I hope that they enjoy reading the stories that I have included.

Before doing any more new research, some tasks that need to be done are as follows.

1. Enter into my genealogical software, findings from previous research that have not been entered.

2. Re-write the notes field for key members of the family so that they are more readable

3. Clean up citations in the genealogical software

4. Review and analyze the research that I have completed and develop research plans for the next phase of research.

5. Follow up on leads that I have recently discovered and develop research plans for the research.

6. As new information is gained, update the text to the mini-family history so I can produce future editions. Make any corrections to the text that are discovered.

#4 is very important -- analysis of the information

I have two individuals, on my paternal side, who I am really interested in knowing more about -- Emily Pugh and Josiah Dudley. Emily Pugh was born in a workhouse in Gloucestershire, England. Josiah Dudley may also have been born in a workhouse in Warwickshire, England.

I also want to do some scrap-booking.

"Music of Opportunity and the Sound of Potential"

Shirley at Echoes from the Sound posted this YouTube video. I would like to share it also.


It will make you think. I particular like the quote, "Patrick Huges plays so that we can hear the music of opportunity and the sound of potential." What are your dreams? What are your opportunities? What is your potential?

PowerPoint Presentations - Getting the Message Across

The other day when I was talking about goal setting in relation to my upcoming talk for the Grey County Historical Society, I mentioned that as part of my learning in preparation for that day, I was going to be seeking out ideas about creating effective PowerPoint presentations. Although, I could just talk about the history of Knox and its predecessors, I want to show photographs and maps to illustrate what I am talking about. I will use the PowerPoint presentation with projection equipment.

I did some searches of web sites to see what I could find. I have read several books but wanted to see if there was any new information out there. I found Cliff Atkinson's web site sociable media. He has a blog but there are several webinars available. I have watched three of them. Instead of using bullets and lots of text, he talks of creating a storyboard first to get the presentation organized. Each slide has a sentence and a graphic. The speaker provides the detail, about one minute per slide. The webinars introduced me to the Notes view where you type your notes and the slide information is above. He advocates very clean slides with no extra material to ensure learning.

His book, Beyond Bullet Points sounds like one I would like to read.

I have prepared a list of what needs to be done before my presentation with the deadlines that I want to meet. I will keep in mind the points that I learned from the webinars when I am working on my presentation.