Are there new products you’d like to try out, but don’t seem to have the time? Have you discovered new websites into which you’d really like to delve, but haven’t gotten around to it? I have!
This year, I decided to make a separate resolution list to cover various websites and software programs that I already own, but have made little progress in gaining much of any proficiency.
My second list, below, is somewhat linked to #2 in my 2016 Genealogy Resolutions that posted a couple of days ago, but it goes further than just choosing a new software program.
Somewhere along the way while I was discovering and, for lack of a better word, hoarding my new technology treasures, I started keeping a list so I could remember what I had. Currently, I have a baker’s dozen of items on it. A few of my treasures are simply websites or programs that I need to remember to use/review so they stay fresh in my mind. The others are software programs that will take some practice to retain information.
I am definitely a “list” kind of person and I do well keeping to defined schedules, so here is my plan for 2016.
Websites and programs in blue font indicate the first time they are on the calendar. Green font indicates live links to the website.
January – First week update Pinterest and History Lines. Browse MyHeritage for new contacts. Try building a new tree in Family Historian 6. Attend the Pima County Genealogy Society RootsMagic 7 users group.
February – First week update Pinterest and History Lines. Use Evernote at RootsTech and in the Family History Library. I’ve used Evernote before, but so much time passes in between that I forget what I’ve learned. Continue with Family Historian 6 and try out Scrivener. Scrivener is a great product for story boarding and organizing one’s thoughts when preparing to write. The nice thing about the 30 day trial version is that it isn’t 30 calendar days, it is 30 different days of usage so if I start something on Monday, but can’t get back to it until Thursday, Thursday would only be Day 2. Attend the Pima County Genealogy Society RootsMagic users group.
March – First week update Pinterest and History Lines. Continue with Family Historian 6. Try out Ancestral Quest 14 software program. Attend the Pima County Genealogy Society RootsMagic users group.
April – First week update Pinterest and History Lines. Continue with Family Historian 6 and Ancestral Quest 14. Attend the Pima County Genealogy Society RootsMagic users group.
I purposely have not introduced any new items in May or June. However, I am retired and, if I keep to this schedule, I might find that I am ahead of myself. If so, I will move up the new items as time allows.
May – First week update Pinterest and History Lines. Continue with Family Historian 6 and Ancestral Quest 14. Attend the Pima County Genealogy Society RootsMagic 7 users group.
June – First week update Pinterest and History Lines. Continue with Family Historian 6 and Ancestral Quest 14. Attend the Pima County Genealogy Society RootsMagic 7 users group.
July – First week update Pinterest and History Lines. Continue with Family Historian 6 and Ancestral Quest. Attend the Pima County Genealogy Society RootsMagic 7 users group. Try out Heredis 2015.
August – First week update Pinterest and History Lines. Continue with Family Historian 6, Ancestral Quest 14 and Heredis 2015. Attend the Pima County Genealogy Society RootsMagic 7 users group.
September – First week update Pinterest and History Lines. Continue with Family Historian 6, Ancestral Quest 14 and Heredis 2015. Attend the Pima County Genealogy Society RootsMagic 7 users group. Try out GenDetective.
October – First week update Pinterest and History Lines. Continue with Family Historian 6, Ancestral Quest 14, Heredis 2015 and GenDetective. Attend the Pima County Genealogy Society RootsMagic 7 users group. Try out Evidentia.
November – First week update Pinterest and History Lines. Continue with Family Historian 6, Ancestral Quest 14, Heredis 2015, GenDetective and Evidentia. Attend the Pima County Genealogy Society RootsMagic 7 users group. Try out Legacy 8.
December – By now, I should be well used to updating Pinterest and History Lines. I will also have had extended time to try out GenDetective and Evidentia. Continue with Family Historian 6, Ancestral Quest 14, Heredis 2015, RootsMagic 7 and Legacy 8. Attend the Pima County Genealogy Society RootsMagic users group.
By the time New Year’s Eve rolls around, I should easily have made my decision as to which genealogy software program will become my new #1.
If you are a regular user of any of these many programs, please leave a comment letting me know what you like best about each one. Thank you!