User:Luccagenes/Sandbox/ResearchWikiPage4

Help Central: Beginning (step by step)
This page provides access to the Research Wiki knowledge base. It is designed to teach those just starting out in the area of genealogy as well as those wanting to learn the best practices for continuing their research.

This page is currently for evaluation purposes ONLY.

The MISSING step:
As described in Phase 1 on the main page ( made a copy below, https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/User:Luccagenes/Sandbox/ResearchWikiMainPage ) there is a missing step (in the wrong order) in the current articles (in my personal opinion but it probably does not reflect the objective of this wiki).

What about the masses of people who are really "just beginning" versus those "beginning" to record data at FamilySearch. The first step in the initial article currently is: open a free account. I would disagree in that the first step is a decision as to whether or not the person is going to do genealogy at all. If I was new to genealogy I would be scared off by this current approach as it already assumes that the person has decided to commit a significant effort to this undertaking. Then there is the issue of "burn out" wherein a previously committed person won't even discuss the subject. Of the six "cousins" I was collecting data with (15 years ago) only one continued to this day; I burned out after the first five years while others made it for 10 to 12 years.

The first thing one needs to know is: What is genealogy and how it can include anything from asking questions, all the way up to the "world tree" (this is especially true for the younger generation). In order to "preserve" history the first step is to convince the person that if they do nothing else, at least they should ask questions and record information from the previous generation (before it is too late!). After that explain the varying levels of involvement that the person can choose if they find they like doing genealogy (but at least they have preserved some information that others may find useful). Take baby steps from the very beginning (the decision to commit). Explain that this type of endevour could result in a hobby, a passion, a career, a vocation, or a legacy. Enough said for now.

 

Moved a copy of the section of the other page here:

Phase 1: How far do I want to go?

"Research methods" covers topics such as, how to get started in genealogy from collecting family info, getting organized, decisions about using genealogy software, checking on-line sources, and how to collect information in the field.

1 Making the commitment (Why do it? Do I really want to do this? Do I have the time?)


 * 1.1 What is genealogy (from a personal legacy to the "world tree").
 * 1.2 What levels of involvement do I have? (You decide how far to go and when, take baby steps)
 * 1.21 Preserving information and memories. (Just ask questions before its too late)
 * 1.22 Collecting/storing documents and photos for yourself (or for future generations).
 * 1.23 Organizing what you have (on a computer or just for safekeeping).
 * 1.24 Searching for more (what information is missing?).

2. If I am going to do this where do I start? Are you just starting to get organized


 * Are you just starting to collect info, trying to get organized, or trying to involve others?
 * list proven methodologies that are available.
 * How do I keep myself (and others) from "burning out"?

3. Expanding your project into new locations?

Where to start looking


 * What resources are available?

4. Are you comfortable with your expertise?


 * Groups and Certification
 * Is this a hobby,
 * a family project,
 * a passion
 * a career,
 * your legacy
 * documenting your expertise (Research Wiki)

Step by step (baby steps)
The revision of the Home page has a nice step by step approach. Just trying to figure out if Help Central could provide similar approach (have to find advantage).

From my user page: "The learning process for someone new to genealogy should be approached using baby steps so they don’t get overwhelmed and discouraged or they just start collecting tons of data with no plan of what to do with it (me 20 years ago and still today). They should be taught how to set goals and milestones and how to enjoy their accomplishments."

After all, genealogy can either become a hobby, a passion, a career, or a legacy; help them to decide how involved they really want to get.

Learn the best practices
Note to self: Have to thoroughly go through the Home page to see how it "flows" in relation to a step by step approach. See if it is easy to get side tracked and lost.

Document not only where to look for resources but how to get it done (step by step). Short of holding their hands, provide a logical approach that will take them to the desired result. What should they do when they inevitably hit the brick wall, show them how to side-step the walls and find a new path.

On a personal note, my research hit the wall and I walked away for ten years before restarting again. When restarting I was told by my siblings that I was crazy to be working on very distant relatives that no one cared about, it turned out to be the break through I was looking for. One of the distant descendants on the other side of the country told me of a website that eventually lead to my great grandmother's entire family back to the 1600s. The point is that beginners have to be shown how to get around the brick walls before they get discouraged and quit.

Pulling it all together
This is where articles could provide insight on what to do with the data once you have it. How to share it with your family in an interesting way to peek their interest (after all it is a rather dry subject which no one outside the family is really interested in; as can be seen from my personal note above). Provide step by step proven approaches to get others excited about their ancestry.

Examples of different ways of displaying the information, starting a family project by assigning objectives, or even getting the little ones interested and asking questions of grandpa could all be useful and could be described in general articles that anyone (not just beginners) might find useful.

Note: I am beginning to feel that this has stepped beyond the scope and purpose of this wiki but like I've said before, I'm just using these pages to throw ideas up in the air to see where they land.

A general note
Make this wiki the "must go to check it out" place by providing something others don't have; not just another of a dozen wikis out there. What meta tags are used to draw people in?

There may be someplace that offers this kind of advise (I don't know where it is) and I'm sure there are hundreds of books that describe these kinds of things but it would be nice if there was one place that everyone knew they could go to find the answers to their questions or to find the answers to the questions they didn't even know to ask. Just a personal thought.

By the way, is there a location where requests for desired articles can be posted?

Notes for editors
Return to Top of Page