| We make mistakes. We all make mistakes, but | | | | before their wealth of experience is gone? |
| there is one mistake that haunts many family | | | | The Easy Fix |
| historians. Unfortunately, when it comes to family | | | | The solution is quite easy: Act Now. |
| history, many people don't even realize they're | | | | If you wait too much longer, the Family History |
| making the mistake. Before we get into the | | | | information you'd like to collect may be lost |
| mistake (and the fix), let's address: what is family | | | | forever. Follow the steps below to start acting |
| history precisely? | | | | now: |
| Difference between Family History and Genealogy | | | | |
| The terms get tossed about interchangeably; | | | | 1. Set a time to meet with your oldest living |
| however, the two terms describe different | | | | relative. |
| approaches, processes, and motivations. | | | | 2. Explain that you value their experience and |
| Genealogy focuses research around dated facts. | | | | want to help pass on what they have learned and |
| Genealogy is the study of dates, events, birth | | | | experienced in life. |
| certificates, and other facts used in an effort to | | | | 3. Use a video camera, voice recorder, or paper |
| identify and create pedigree or family tree charts | | | | and pen to record what you discuss. |
| and databases. Family History, on the other hand, | | | | 4. Ask questions to get the ball rolling. Asking, "tell |
| relates to the stories, the emotions, the passions, | | | | me about your life," just doesn't seem to |
| and the lives of the people behind the dates, | | | | generate the same in depth material. Below are |
| events, and so forth. Family History breathes life | | | | some helpful hints. |
| in to the cold hard dates and facts, or it should... | | | | Questions to ask your Relative |
| The Big Mistake | | | | - What are some of the lessons you've learned |
| This brings us to the #1 Mistake. The #1 Mistake | | | | about work (or money, relationships, school, etc.)? |
| is failing to act now. In other words, it's that | | | | - What were some of the scariest moments of |
| slinky, slippery beast called Procrastination. Just as | | | | your life? |
| we all make mistakes, we all tend to | | | | - What do you take satisfaction in having done in |
| procrastinate. But why mark procrastination as | | | | your life? |
| the #1 Mistake that costs family historians so | | | | - Tell me about your spouse. |
| dearly? | | | | - Tell me about your parents. |
| The Constraint | | | | - Tell me about your grandparents. |
| Your Family History has a time limit. As the | | | | - Who or what has had a profound influence on |
| computer and technological word advances it | | | | your life? |
| becomes easier and easier to research Genealogy | | | | - What are some of the most enjoyable things |
| (the dates, events, and census records). Family | | | | you've done? |
| History, however, captures the stories, feelings, | | | | - What advice do you have for the coming |
| and experiences of your family members, and | | | | generation? |
| unfortunately, the older generation doesn't stick | | | | These questions and others you create will |
| around forever. The window of opportunity to | | | | breathe life into your Family History research and |
| document Family History closes a little bit further | | | | if started early will help you overcome the #1 |
| each day. | | | | Mistake that most fall for. |
| If your grandparents, or even great grandparents, | | | | So get out that pen, paper, or voice recorder, |
| are living, how much of their lives and story have | | | | and set that appointment! |
| been recorded? How much time do you have left | | | | |