There are two activities that are necessary for family history researchers to perform that are to say the least - tedious. And most researchers do not like to do them. Why - because they take a lot of time to accomplish. And depending on your point of view - they aren't much fun.
First organizing your research - if you are a planner type of personality, then organizing is no big deal. But if you are like me, a more right brained - intuitive researcher then organizing isn't as important (and fun) to conducting the research. But that doesn't help me deal with the piles of documents photos and other papers that are strewn throughout my office. The moral of the story is that organizing one's research is much like organizing anything else - and depends on the personality of the researcher.
Now - Scanning. Scanning of documents, photos and other artifacts at least gives one more of a sense of accomplishment. Yet it is a very slow and boring exercise. And most people put it off until a rainy Sunday when there is nothing else to do. But it is like going to the dentist - if you don't do it - you might be sorry. What if you dropped a cup of coffee on that pile, or heaven forbid there was a fire in your house. Not a good thing for lots of reasons - but for the life of your documents and photos - fatal.
I try and do my scanning tasks in groups that least for about 2 hours - that is all the patience that I have for focusing on this - and the sense of accomplishment that I get after completing those couple of hours makes it fun for me.
So my suggestion is to break up your scanning "chores" into one or two hour blocks. You will get the "work" done and you will have more fun doing it.
First organizing your research - if you are a planner type of personality, then organizing is no big deal. But if you are like me, a more right brained - intuitive researcher then organizing isn't as important (and fun) to conducting the research. But that doesn't help me deal with the piles of documents photos and other papers that are strewn throughout my office. The moral of the story is that organizing one's research is much like organizing anything else - and depends on the personality of the researcher.
Now - Scanning. Scanning of documents, photos and other artifacts at least gives one more of a sense of accomplishment. Yet it is a very slow and boring exercise. And most people put it off until a rainy Sunday when there is nothing else to do. But it is like going to the dentist - if you don't do it - you might be sorry. What if you dropped a cup of coffee on that pile, or heaven forbid there was a fire in your house. Not a good thing for lots of reasons - but for the life of your documents and photos - fatal.
I try and do my scanning tasks in groups that least for about 2 hours - that is all the patience that I have for focusing on this - and the sense of accomplishment that I get after completing those couple of hours makes it fun for me.
So my suggestion is to break up your scanning "chores" into one or two hour blocks. You will get the "work" done and you will have more fun doing it.
SUNDAY SCANDAY
Speaking of rainy Sundays, one or two hour scanning projects, and making scanning more fun,
Caroline Pointer 4YourFamilyStory and I have decided to start & facilitate a scanning group on Facebook for beginner and intermediate hobbyists and we've called it Sunday ScanDay. We'll be 'meeting' virtually every Sunday at 3pm CT [4pm ET / 2pm MT / 1PM PT] starting 25 Nov 2012 for just 1 hour in order to scan documents, photos, etc. A kind of weekly scanning support group, if you will. Then again it might just end up being a scanning party.
Because scanning tends to be a boring task, it ends up pushed down on the to-do list, and many times, it never gets done. So working together virtually might just end up being FUN.
Each week you're welcome to share via upload your favorite photo, document, or heirloom that you've scanned with the group in the group's private photo album, or let everyone know with a shoutout just how many items you scanned that week.
When we're not scanning on Sundays, feel free to ask questions about scanning at any time. Again, there are no 'stupid' questions in this group. It's a scanning support group and is labeled as a Safe Zone. We are all working together to get our 'stuff' scanned and to have fun while doing it.
It's always easier to do something with others supporting you and doing it with you. While you don't have to "show up: every Sunday, at least you know we'll be here when you can join us.
Once-a-week for 1 hour with other folks who are scanning. Sounds like a plan to me.
Professionals, please note: This group is intended to serve beginner and intermediate hobbyists. If you are a genealogy professional, this group is not intended to serve you. Thank you for your understanding.
Come join us in the Sunday ScanDay Facebook Group today! The first scanning party will be Sunday, 25 November 2012 at 3pm CT, but join us in the group today.
Caroline Pointer 4YourFamilyStory and I have decided to start & facilitate a scanning group on Facebook for beginner and intermediate hobbyists and we've called it Sunday ScanDay. We'll be 'meeting' virtually every Sunday at 3pm CT [4pm ET / 2pm MT / 1PM PT] starting 25 Nov 2012 for just 1 hour in order to scan documents, photos, etc. A kind of weekly scanning support group, if you will. Then again it might just end up being a scanning party.
Because scanning tends to be a boring task, it ends up pushed down on the to-do list, and many times, it never gets done. So working together virtually might just end up being FUN.
Each week you're welcome to share via upload your favorite photo, document, or heirloom that you've scanned with the group in the group's private photo album, or let everyone know with a shoutout just how many items you scanned that week.
When we're not scanning on Sundays, feel free to ask questions about scanning at any time. Again, there are no 'stupid' questions in this group. It's a scanning support group and is labeled as a Safe Zone. We are all working together to get our 'stuff' scanned and to have fun while doing it.
It's always easier to do something with others supporting you and doing it with you. While you don't have to "show up: every Sunday, at least you know we'll be here when you can join us.
Once-a-week for 1 hour with other folks who are scanning. Sounds like a plan to me.
Professionals, please note: This group is intended to serve beginner and intermediate hobbyists. If you are a genealogy professional, this group is not intended to serve you. Thank you for your understanding.
Come join us in the Sunday ScanDay Facebook Group today! The first scanning party will be Sunday, 25 November 2012 at 3pm CT, but join us in the group today.
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