As 2015, draws to a close, it is time to set a plan for my 2016 genealogical goals. Fewer are always better because we know what happens to most New Year’s resolutions!

1. I plan to become a devoted new user of a replacement program for FTM, first and foremost. I have used Family Tree Maker for years, but its quirks have finally gotten to me. During 2015, I began the migration over to RootsMagic and have been pleased with the results, but I am also open to Ancestral Quest, Family Historian, Heredis and Legacy.  My big project for this year is to build one new family tree beginning with my son. This will give me the opportunity to learn how to use many of the features in my new program. I have already created GEDCOMs for my two existing trees.
2. In just a couple more weeks, I will have met my 2015 goal to create one new post daily on this blog. I haven’t missed a day yet, even with the long cruises we’ve taken. My 2016 goal is to continue with daily posts and perhaps even add a second post from time to time.
3. Education is important at every step of our lives. This year, I plan to continue my genealogy-technology education by attending both RootsTech 2016 and Southern California Jamboree. I missed out on Jamboree last year because we ended up on a cruise with friends we hadn’t seen for a couple of years. This year, Jamboree will come first! I would love to also attend NGS or FGS, but I will have to see how the year goes before committing to either of those.
4. Lastly, I am updating my “brick wall” list of difficult ancestors. During 2015, I found new clues to several lines and will pursue these when I get to Salt Lake. They include locating a possible daughter of Thomas Coleman – a Mary A. Coleman born in Calais, Maine married David Moran in Boston, MA on 31 March 1858,  following up on new clues about the origin and family of Elsie Larrison Ketchum Stufflebean, wife of Revolutionary War pensioner John Stufflebean, locating the family of Friedrich Wilhelm Schulte and Anna Greta Molin in Dusseldorf, Germany in the 1850’s and continuing work on finding proof of the parents and ancestry of Isaac Sturgell, my husband’s black sheep 2x great grandfather.

I think all of these goals are attainable. They will keep me busy, but are not overwhelming.

Have you created your 2016 genealogical resolution list yet?