When do you stop being a beginning genealogist?
Many genealogy educators and websites share a list of mistakes to avoid as you begin doing genealogy.
While I made a list myself, a viewer sent in this email.
Since I want to protect their privacy, we’ll just call her, “Lacking Confidence.”
“I think that I am completely opposite the norm in regards to thinking that I am better
at something than I am. I lack confidence overall. I generally feel grossly inadequate regardless of
what I am trying to do. Anytime I dare to have a bit of confidence in my ability to do something,
an event will happen to remind me that I shouldn't have been so confident.”
Uh, oh!
Can you relate to these sentiments?
Howdy! Welcome to Family History Fanatics. If you are new here, my name is Devon Noel Lee,
and I love helping people find meaning and connections through their family
trees. It’s not always easy or quick, but it’s always worth the effort.
Since I was a teenager trying to win a beauty pageant title,
I struggled with anxiety and imposter syndrome. What’s funny, is when I stopped focusing on the
imposter syndrome and enjoyed the journey, I won two titles!
Thus, I invite you to stop focusing on the imposter syndrome and enjoy the genealogy journey.
But first, let’s finish Lacking Confidence’s email.
“I've been working on family history for over 40 years now and still feel so very
much like a beginner in many ways, especially when I look back through my main family tree.
It was the first one that I started and there was so much that I didn't
know about genealogy standards (and still don't).
But, feeling like a beginner keeps me wanting to learn more. It has given me
an insatiable desire to read, watch, and learn all that I can, about genealogy.”
It's very good news that feeling like a beginner encourages “Lacking Confidence”
to want to learn more. I’m honored to be part of her and your educational journey.
However, let’s balance the need to build confidence with the quest for more knowledge.
What is a Beginning Genealogist?
A beginner is someone who •Is curious about their family history.
•Unaware of what a pedigree chart or group sheet is.
•Unfamiliar with what genealogical evidence is.
•Ignorant of where to find out more about their ancestors.
If that applies to you, welcome. Be sure to check out the playlist
for beginners to help you learn how to climb your family tree.
It will be linked in the description of this video.
If you know what forms help you build your tree, the importance of gathering evidence,
and have some idea of where to find documents about your ancestors,
congratulations, you are no longer a beginner!
You are well on the road to being a good, if not great, genealogist.
My genea-buddy Randy Seaver has a great post called "Top
Ten Characteristics of a Good Genealogist."
I invite anyone trying to be a better genealogist than they were yesterday to review this list.
Now, I want to call your attention to one skill that is always improving.
"Practices genealogical standards - knows Genealogical Proof Standard principles,
cites sources, analyzes process and results,
critically evaluates evidence, and reaches sound conclusions."
Good genealogists are aware of the genealogy proof
standard fundamentals and strive to apply them in their research goals.
Notice Randy didn't say they ALWAYS or perfectly apply the genealogy standards. That implies that
good genealogists are fallible. Thus, they practice so they get stronger.
Good genealogists will make mistakes.
They do not feel imposter syndrome and think they know less than they ought.
Instead, they reevaluate their mistakes, learn from them and move on.
We're always pruning our family trees and keeping a strong tree going.
Therefore, I want to grant you permission to hold true viewpoints simultaneously.
1. You will make mistakes.
2. You are STILL a good genealogist.
That said, I turned to Family History Fanatics fans and asked you to help
define the difference between a beginning genealogist and an intermediate genealogist.
I love this comparison that Elke shares:
•Beginners enter everyone into a family tree.
•They learn how to gather, investigate and use sources online.
•They start using consistent names & place formats.
• And they learn to add facts to the family tree with proper source credits.
An intermediate genealogist
•Attempts to clean mistakes
•They're comfortable with genealogy websites
•They're consistent with their sources and crediting documents
• They begin off-line research
• And they always improve their research skills
Another viewer, Auntie Gen, shared several ideas, but I especially loved when she said:
"Intermediate is when you take the next step to dive deeper into your research. You start looking
at sources that are not "basic," or you look at the "basic" sources deeper with a different eye.
Many other fans weighed in on this topic,
and I invite anyone who lacks confidence or feels discouraged to review these comments.
There will be a link to the comments in the description box.
Once again, if you’re new to genealogy research,
I’m glad you watched this video and hope that I can help you overcome the learning curve.
Be sure to watch the numerous videos on this channel and leave any questions you have.
This is a loving and supportive community,
and I read each new question posted to the research videos.
If you’ve researched for a while. I hope you’ll set aside imposter syndrome
and keep building your family tree with more self-compassion.
You are doing great work, even if you make a mistake now and again.
What do you think of this video?
Was it helpful or do you still have questions? Whatever you answer, can you do me a favor?
Like this video and leave a comment. Your feedback is important to keep Family History
Fanatics on YouTube. Thanks!
Now back to learning the next valuable genealogy research tip.