Genealogists’ Guide to Researching at Home During COVID-19
The current stress related to the Coronavirus outbreak is a serious matter. Health officials urge us to stay at home. For positive mental health we need to keep occupied, preferably with something that provides a sense of happiness and accomplishment. Genealogy research is one way to accomplish both scenarios. For most people, working on family history can be a very fulfilling experience.
Perhaps you are a beginner who has thought about starting to work on your family history but never acted on your impulse. There are a number of online tutorials, websites, and YouTube video links that can help you begin the process. Some of these are listed below:
Google or YouTube Tutorials – Note: If you type “Beginning Genealogy” in the search field, it will bring up numerous videos and links.
Perhaps you’ve done research but put the follow-up on the back burner. Now is the perfect time to get started again. Here are some tips:
1. Begin sorting through those papers, notes, and email that have been piling up. Develop a plan for organizing the items you’ve collected.
2. Watch a genealogy webinar. YouTube is an excellent source to locate these programs.
3. If you have a favorite ancestor, begin writing a biographical sketch of the person, or at least make notes describing what you remember about that individual.
4. Begin to re-establish contact with relatives, neighbors, and others who have family information.
5. Explore the electronic resources available through your local and/or regional genealogy library.
6. If you feel your research skills are a bit rusty, follow some of the strategies suggested previously for beginners.
I have compiled multiple study guides on this topic If you would like to receive electronic copies, feel free to contact me at the email address listed below.