Ever wondered if you should start a genealogy blog? Are you unsure if you want to take that leap yet? “To forget one’s ancestors is to be a brook without a source, a tree without a root.” ~ Chinese Proverb
I have been researching my family tree for 25+ years and I wholeheartedly believe that those who research their family tree should also blog about their research. Here are my top 10 reasons why I believe that you should start a genealogy blog.
- It can be rewarding for, you, the researcher. I find great reward in knowing that I am helping my family members understand how and where our family came from. One day I showed my dad the 1920 Census records that showed my grandparents with my Great-grandmother and one of my aunts in a company-owned housing in Ventura County, CA. My grandfather and his family were living in the housing owned by the American Beet and Sugar Company. My dad said to me, “I remember Simons Brickyard, but I don’t remember the American Beet and Sugar Company?” I told my dad that it was before he was born, so he wouldn’t remember living there. He then questions why he didn’t hear any stories of it. I responded with the possibility that since this was the first time the whole family was living in America, it might not have been that special to them. They may not have known many people. Whereas10 years later, when they lived in Simons Brickyard #3, they knew a lot of people there, celebrated events, births and deaths, and even a few of my aunts met their husbands there. So it would seem logical that Simons Brickyard #3 wold stand out more in the stories told to my father. His acknowledgment and agreement with my theory was really rewarding and it sparked a genealogy interest in my father as well!
- It can help you become a better writer. You know the saying, practice, practice, PRACTICE! Well, as you blog more you learn to write better. After blogging for a little over 6 years, my writing has definitely improved.
- Blogging can help you stay organized. I look at my blogging about my family history research as my research log. It helps me to stay organized and keeps my research focus on a particular family member really sharp.
- Can help bust a brick wall. Although this hasn’t happened for me yet, I do believe that when the right reader reads my blog posts, they will have the key I need to breakdown my brick wall. Why do I believe that? Well, as I blog about mine and my husband’s individual ancestors, it brings our family stories to the readers. Some of these readers may know of a resource or facility that might have the answers I am looking for and may be so kind as to impart that knowledge unto me.
- It’s an easy way to share your family history with other family members. I have several family members who follow MyGenealogyObsession blog just to keep in touch with me and my family research. They have told me that they love keeping in touch with my research this way and sometimes they find out new tidbits about our family that they never knew.
- You put your family history out there for posterity. Some folks do their family research to create a book for the family. This is another way to save your family history.
- It can be easy to do. If you have the right resources, I will be posting mine soon, you will find that it was easier than you expected. And if you come to a bump in the road of your genealogy blogging journey, you can always count on me for some help.
- You can inspire others to search for their family history. Other people besides your family members can be reading your blog. What you write, may actually inspire those other readers to start their search for their family history. I am an eternal optimist and I will always believe this.
- You will make new friends. This is a for sure thing. Once you start blogging and sharing your family history, you will find that you will meet new friends online who share the same interest as you. The chance is even doubled when you join groups like GeneaBloggers or join Facebook groups.
- Cousin Bait! This is the most popular reason why genealogist blog about their family history. I know from personal experience that my blog gets read by people who find a name or two that they recognize as ancestors and have contacted me about it. I have met several cousins on my dad’s side of the family that way and a few of my husband’s family too. It does work.
So there you have it, my top 10 reasons why I believe you should blog about your family tree.
Do you have reasons why you want to blog your genealogy that are not on my list? Please comment and let me know what they are. I would love to hear of more reasons!
