Genealogolutions - 2014 Resolutions for Genealogy - KISS

OK, so we have a new year upon us and of course it is time for all good kids like us to write down a list of things that we resolve to do during the year, or change about our behavior. 

First, I will report on my 2013 list which is below. In summary, my results weren't totally diddly squat.

Here is my handy dandy list from 2013:

• I resolved to not waste any time complaining about how some people in the genealogy world criticize and are condescending to new family history researchers or hobbyists, no matter how much it ticks me off. PROGRESS:  Not too bad. I have recently stopped reading any articles from folks who complain. It's healthier. And I have stopped following and reading the folks whose articles are boring as hell and don't help anyone but their own egos.
  

• I resolved to spend a heck of a lot more time on Google+, not because it is better for researching and finding cousins (yet), but because it has much more potential to connect with like minded researchers than Facebook. PROGRESS: I have done so and made many new connections, but most genies have stayed on Facebook. I don't see that changing much in 2014.

• I resolved to spend less time following my Twitter stream because most of the time it is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. So 98% of the reading will be of those favorites of mine and the rest will just get a very quick scan. And I will continue to bitch at people for spamming the same link  over 20 times a day or for 30 days in a row. PROGRESS: Pretty good actually, and my Twitter activity has actually increased, although spammers still bug me. And I have a habit of tweeting the same link about ten times over 2 or 3 days after I have written an article. Oops.

• I resolved to spend more time adding sources and citations to my database for those newly discovered "facts" and "proofs" that need to be documented properly. PROGRESS: Total fail. Didn't spend too much time on my own ancestor research this past year.
  

• I resolved to continue blogging my Family History findings so my relatives, whether they care or not, at least have something to read about their ancestors, or feel guilty about for not reading. PROGRESS: Not as much as in the past but marginally successful.
  

• I resolved to ignore my own advice. Even though I wrote a post about stopping begging the cousins for photos, documents and artifacts, I will probably beg and bug them anyway. PROGRESS: Total success! Didn't beg at all last year. And didn't get sh%&$t from them either.

• I resolved to finish two books from blogs for my 90 year old relatives who do not know how to use the Internet. PROGRESS: Total fail. Fortunately they haven't kicked the bucket so there is still hope for me.
  

• I resolved to finish my "Letters from Germany" series that has been so enlightening about the day to day lives of my Braunhart ancestors. PROGRESS: Not finished, but almost!
  

• I resolved to continue to write blog posts for The Ancestor Hunt with an edge to them, because stuffy blog posts about genealogy bore the hell out of me. PROGRESS: Successful, although my edginess has waned (maybe).
  

________________________________________________________________________________________________

So my 2014 list is much simpler on purpose:

• Finish two books from blogs for my older relatives
• Continue writing helpful articles on this site
• Even though it wasn't on my 2013 list, I did start a YouTube channel and published over 60 tutorial videos. More of the same in 2014
• Get back to researching my own family history.

In summary, 2014 is going to be a Keep It Simple Stupid year for me.

What is your main goal for this year?

At any rate Happy New Year to all my readers and for those who subscribed this past year (and there were many) I thank you. 

---

___________________________________

Please Share!