Question of the Week: Do you set weekly genealogical goals?

+22 votes
1.0k views

Do you set weekly goals for your genealogical research? 

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in The Tree House by Eowyn Walker G2G Astronaut (2.5m points)

34 Answers

+12 votes
Not really. Every time I set a specific goal something in real life comes up and I can not get it completed or as much done as I would like so I go with the flow which is much less stressful.

I do have one long range one though and that is to clear all my Find A Grave suggestions from my personal suggestion list before the end of 2024.  I can take that one slow so I do not have to stress about it.
by Paula Franklin G2G6 Pilot (110k points)
+11 votes
I have goals but the only goal I have that is weekly is to check out the question of the week and respond to it if I can. My other goals are daily, to check what other genealogists are doing on topics that I follow, and to work on long-standing mysteries documented in the Ceruti Family Mysteries page, aka "The Bahamas Triangle."

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:Ceruti_Family_Mysteries

If you have any ideas on an approach to solve any of these mysteries, I would be happy to know what it is.
by Marion Ceruti G2G6 Pilot (363k points)
+14 votes
I am soooo unorganized. No goals! Just go on a whim.
by Patrick Holland G2G6 Mach 5 (58.3k points)
+14 votes
No, it is to try to do 50 profiles a day but does not happen, at least about approx 30 anyway.  I know some people do heaps a day, well done as I do not have that sort of time, God Bless
by Dianne Fullerton G2G6 Mach 1 (12.6k points)
I know what you mean, Dianne, about having the time to make lots of contributions to WikiTree. 50 profiles a day require considerable work, even during Connect-a-thons. Some genealogists sport multiple 1000 club badges on their profile and lots of them too. It is amazing to me how they do it, but I salute them.
+16 votes
No. I start to work on someone, get sidetracked finding a family member, fall down the rabbit hole of collateral lines and next thing I know I'm trying to add a category to every profile in a unit or military company.

Hi, I have ADHD and I let it run wild in my genealogy research.
by Michelle Reed G2G6 Mach 1 (19.4k points)
+12 votes
Multiple times a month research & search for Hadley Norton Sutton’s family tree.  1808 Ontario, Cattaraugus, Chattaqua, NY & Dodge & Jackson WI.  Sisters more than likely are married to the Courter family as well.  DNA’s have not linked us to this generation.  25+ years research.  Wiki shows us Sutton connections thru other marriage surnames - grateful. But still this missing piece.  Also research other Suttons with Norton…. Not giving up!!  Read Wiki Log weekly.
by DJ Sutton G2G3 (3.3k points)
+13 votes
Not really, as I can get sidetracked or hit a brick wall easily.  I work on several people simultaneously but don’t set any particular numbers to attain on a regular basis.
by L. Chapple G2G6 (8.5k points)
+11 votes
No, not even monthly or yearly goals. It is something that I should start doing.
by Maggie Church G2G5 (5.6k points)
+11 votes
A weekly Goal - broken into Daily Goals.  Usually by a theme e.g.- people who served in WW1, the group who had their birthday that fortnight I review them to look for amendments or additions, adopt a new profile and spend time on that - links me to others. Where possible completing profiles of contacts I have been in touch with who have died.
by Val Goss G2G1 (1.7k points)
+11 votes
Not really. I try to do a little bit every day. All depends on how much free time I have. Mom and her Judy Do's come first.
by Judith Fry G2G6 Mach 8 (84.0k points)
+10 votes
What a wonderful question.  It's nice to learn how others handle their own research.

I don't really set goals for daily, weekly, or monthly.  But I do have project goals in which I keep notes on what I've done and what I want to work on.  I have so many interests in just genealogy that I had to break them down in projects.  I have projects based on a single surname, a single family line, and even some projects based on outside interests (like Star Trek actors and if I'm related to them).  I also have my Mayflower connections that I work on and my best friend's line.

I use OneNote to keep up with my sources and a list of facts extracted from each to help me write a summary of each person.  I even have WikiTree projects listed so I know which profiles I need to work on.  I just recently got everything set up so I can just click to find the project I want to work on.  I also keep a log of what I do so I know where I left off.

So I do have goals, just not a deadline for them.
by Cynthia Perkins G2G5 (5.5k points)
+10 votes
I try hard to get 25 contributions per week, in order to make the club 100.  The only month I missed last year was the month my Mom passed away. Some weeks it is hard to do if you get bogged down with research or actually have to work!

Currently, I'm working on getting my great grandparents tied into the tree and write bios for profiles I added over the past 3 years, doing a better job of writing, adding footnotes of newspaper clippings, maps etc...
by Doyle Keith G2G2 (2.6k points)
edited by Doyle Keith
+9 votes
As a senior living in a remote area of Rural Kansas, you have a strong interest in completing your family tree before passing it on to the next generation. Despite your efforts, you have not found a family member who shares the same enthusiasm for this project as you do.

I strive to ensure that I dedicate at least an hour or two daily to entering a complete name into my records. Often, I manage to add a full entry along with the essential details I have gathered for individuals in their respective fields. Occasionally, I become so engrossed that what was intended as a quick task evolves into a whole afternoon of work.

In 2013, I initiated my genealogical journey on MyHeritage without a structured plan in place. The initial phase was marked by a steep learning curve, and it required considerable time and effort to enhance my proficiency. To truly uncover the intricate details of one’s family history, it is imperative to establish a well-defined and strategic plan of action. Without a dedicated commitment of approximately 10-12 hours per week, the family tree may encounter challenges in thriving and expanding.

The complexity of my family tree, which includes multiple marriages, divorces, and a few questionable incidents, has made determining accurate lineage a challenging task. I’m thrilled to have discovered Wiki Tree, which has given me the confidence to continue expanding my family tree on MyHeritage, which already contains over 4,000 relatives. Before uploading my GedCom file, I want to ensure that I have the correct lineage for my various family branches to avoid any errors or inaccuracies. Wiki Tree has been an invaluable resource in helping me establish and confirm important connections within my family tree.
by Elsie Libby G2G1 (1.3k points)
+5 votes
I don't have goals based on a time period, but more on a task. Currently, I am trying to organized the materials I have before I move back to meaty stuff. I use Family Tree Maker, and I have created new categories for my images & currently giving them an organized name. Right now I am on "Photo-single" where the category is images with a single person, so I am renaming them with LAST, First Middle Last(married) Byear-Dyear. I'm kinda OCD on this stuff, but have worked for months organizing and I feel like I am getting really into control. Thanks for the question!
by Kimberly Betts G2G1 (1.2k points)

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