If you’ve seen my About page, you know I have a math degree and a meteorology degree. My skills as a meteorologist come in handy just about every day as a truck driver. I look at the weather from a different perspective than a hobbyist knowing what to pay attention to and what it means. We have taken shelter at rest areas and truck stops waiting for nasty weather to pass so we don’t have to drive through it.
As a TV meteorologist, my job involved extracting data from computer models and making sense of it. Analyzing and connecting that data was crucial for accurate forecasts. I then used that information to create computer graphics that told a weather story for the viewers at home. In TV, delivering a clear and concise story matters.
Now, compare meteorology and genealogy and you’ll see many similarities…
When I do genealogy work, I gather data from records and documents and analyze it to make sense of everything. Whether I’m uncovering an ancestor’s parents or a DNA match, accurate analysis and correlation of the data are crucial. I then use that information to tell a story, whether it’s for clients, my family, or just for my own research.
To be effective and efficient, I follow the Genealogical Proof Standard or the GPS. The Board for Certification of Genealogists sets these standards (https://bcgcertification.org/). If you’d like a copy for yourself, they are on sale at the BCG website.
In simple terms, to follow the GPS is to…
- Conduct reasonably exhaustive research
- Construct complete and accurate source citations
- Analyze and correlate all information
- Resolve conflicts
- Write up your findings
I’m not sure why meteorology appealed to me as a profession. I guess I liked the science and the process. Plus being on television was pretty cool! I think it’s that same process that also makes me love genealogy. There is so much satisfaction in putting a puzzle together and finding the answer to your research question. What a great feeling!
Genealogy tip: Whether you are a hobby genealogist or a professional, you can not go wrong following the GPS.
If putting together your family history is puzzling, let me help you. To begin, click the button below.
