7 Reasons To Stop Your Genealogy Research and Write

Are you busy trying to finish a genealogy project? Even though you’re knee-deep in information about your ancestors, you may want to take a breather and write about what you’ve found. It may seem counterintuitive, but pushing the pause button could be beneficial to your genealogy research.

In this blog post, I’ll give you seven reasons to stop the research process and write.

I am guilty of pushing myself to find out more about an ancestor. When I finally get to the end of a genealogy research session, I can’t remember what I did at the beginning. That’s why writing is a key step in the research process.

Here are 7 compelling reasons why you should stop your genealogy research and write:

Documenting for Future Generations

Putting your genealogy research into writing creates a physical record of your family’s history. Without this documentation, all your discoveries might get lost. Writing it down makes sure that all the effort you’ve put into uncovering your family’s story will be saved and shared with future generations.

Organizing Information

Writing down your research helps you organize it clearly and logically. You can sort it chronologically, by family lines, or in any other helpful method. This organized approach makes it easier for others to understand and follow your discoveries.

I wrote a blog post about the steps you should take to do good quality, organized research. You can read that here.

Analyzing

As you write about your family history, you might notice patterns or discrepancies you missed before. Writing helps link your findings to previous research, making it easier to analyze and understand how everything fits together.

I think analyzing and correlating the information you find is underrated and underachieved. Many of us gloss over records just hunting for the information we want to find and skipping over so much. For more on document analysis and why it’s so important, check out my blog post here.

Sharing

A written document is easily shareable with family members, relatives, or other researchers interested in your family’s history. Whether it’s printed, digital, or online, sharing your documented research lets others enjoy and add to the family story.

Here are 7 ways to share your research:

1. Printed Books or Booklets: Create physical copies of your family history book or booklet to distribute among family members and relatives. Printed books provide a tangible keepsake that can be passed down through generations.
2. Digital Documents: Share your research as digital documents, such as PDFs or Word files, by way of email or file-sharing platforms. This allows family and friends to easily access and read the information on their computers or mobile devices.
3. Online Family Trees: Use online genealogy sites like Ancestry.com, MyHeritage, or FamilySearch to create and share your family tree online. You can invite family members to view and contribute to the tree. Let others help in the research!
4. Family Reunions: Take advantage of family gatherings, such as reunions or special occasions, to share your research with relatives in person. You can present your findings through presentations, photo displays, or storytelling sessions. Who doesn’t love listening to stories from the past!
5. Social Media: Share snippets of your research on social media like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Post interesting stories, historical photos, or milestones from your family’s past. This might encourage other family members to get involved in the family’s history.
6. Genealogy Societies or Groups: Join local or online genealogy societies and groups to connect with like-minded people who share an interest in family history. You can share your research findings during meetings, conferences, or through online discussion boards. Local societies are always looking for good speakers.
7. Personalized Gifts: Turn your genealogy research into personalized gifts for family members, such as custom-made family history books, framed family trees, or photo albums filled with ancestral photos and stories.

Preserving Memories

Genealogy isn’t only about dates and names; it’s about the stories and experiences that make up a family’s history. Writing about your research lets you capture these stories and connections, preserving them for future generations.

Reflecting

Documenting your genealogy allows you to think about what you’ve found and make conclusions. It’s a chance to understand how historical events, migrations, or cultural influences have shaped your family’s identity.

Sometimes the only way to make connections is to write. The writing process allows your brain to slow down a bit and put pieces of your family’s puzzle together. You’ll be amazed at how much further you’ll get in your research if you write.

Preventing Data Loss

Although digital records are convenient, they can be vulnerable to data loss. Having a written document serves as a backup, making sure that your research survives regardless of technology.

I don’t think I would take the time to keep things like census records, but I would want to keep vital records and original records stored in a safe place in my home.

My Favorite Reason

Out of all these reasons, #3 Analyzing has helped me the most. Many times, the answer to my research question only comes after I write about it. Writing makes new connections in your brain and helps guide your research.

Writing is also the last step of the Genealogical Proof Standard, which you can read about in a previous blog post here. You want to put together a clear and well-documented conclusion. This includes all the evidence you’ve collected, plus deal with any conflicting information, and create a strong argument supporting your findings.

Finally

Each of these reasons emphasizes the importance of documenting your genealogy research. It’s not just about creating a record; it’s about preserving and sharing your family’s rich history and ensuring it lasts for generations to come. Take the time to slow down and write. You’ll be happy you did!

Genealogy tip: I’m a big believer in the “write-as-you-go” method. When I find a record that pertains to my ancestor, I analyze it and write down my findings. You can do this in Word or whatever is most comfortable for you. I don’t move on to anything else until I have finished with this step.

I can help write your family’s history. Schedule a 30-minute no-obligation call here.