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Genealogy is a huge word that is the study of one's family.

Robyn's Rules:

-"Sometimes the lies ring with Truth," Princess Merida of DunBroch, Brave, Pixar 2012

Just because it is on a website doesn't mean it is right... show the pictures, the proof and the translation if needed.

-"Everyone has been born, lived somewhere, died, has a body and a job at some point… maybe even owned something or signed/been signed for someone…There is always evidence to find, always more" Robyn, AHSGR Edmonton during “Going Digital, getting your genealogy online.”

-"Dead people will still be dead- you don't need to join them to find them. You need to eat, and bio breaks dear", My husband to me after an 8-hour rabbit hole.

Robyn's guidelines

1. Record as much information about the proof as you can.

a. What is it:

b. Where did you find it:

c. When did you find it:

d. where is your original is:

e. reliability value:

f. who does it apply to:

h. proof of purchase or reproduction cost (for insurance)

2. Data Science is a thing.

a. Take notes/Plan your research

i) Take notes as you go so you can reprove yourself.

ii) Take notes so you can resume where you were rather than restarting. Think Groundhog Day, the movie

iii) Take notes so you can share your work and teamwork

iv) Take notes, so your office/workspace makes sense if life happens

v) Take notes so your significant others can figure out what you are saying and whom you are talking about.

b. Negative proofs are a thing.

c. Finding new good sources are worth cheering

d. Organize your results.

3. Watch the whole response.

i) Body language of the speaker and presenter- it can speak louder than the words written

ii) Respect is a two-way street, and it takes years to build with seconds to drop off

iii) Record the environment and takes notes of the entire situation, not just the direct face in front of you.

iv) Perspective is everything. There is always another view as the victor chooses the narrative.

Step 1-smart goals

Making the plan SMART

Simple
- One question at a time.
- Specific
- Valuable
- Limited
Measurable
- What will you need to find that?
- What do you have?
Achievable
- What timeline do you have
- what budget do you need- will you need subscriptions, additional remote in-person researchers, paid image purchases?
Realistic
- Do the records exist to search in?
- Did the country exist?
- Where the records destroyed at some point or never made?
- Grandma being a dinosaur, is not a valid source.
Time restrained
- Limits and expectations- don't spend decades on that potential other angles that may not be there

Step 2-Plan

Project Manage your collection from the get-go:

Have /Need a conversation

Need to know what you have:

Need to know what you need:

Figure out the software and online storage requirements [I offer a virtual class]
1. What GEDCOM assembler do you want?
2. Where is your back up hard drive locally? (local computer shops sell external hard drives)
3. What Cloud Storage? Check out One Drive Google Drive Mega DropBox
Where can you safely store physical items:
1. Do you need archival materials to protect it?
2. Do you need environmental controls to prevent further loss?
3. Do you need professional restoration/preservation or knowledge?
Do you have a plan for post enjoyment?

Examples include: donate it to AHSGR, give it to a grandkid... or find your apprentice - Darth Genealogy

Step 3-Team Sport

Make your work easy to share and easy to understand- your shorthand notes won't make sense to a great-grandchild after you are gone.
Perspective from anyone in any stage of research can be a great opportunity to learn and see the new points to dive into a rabbit hole. A different angle can change the game- thank you for hearing my angle.