Step 5: Join an Online Genealogy Forum

Welcome back to this installment of the 22 Steps in Researching Your Family Tree!

Why do genealogists love road trips?
They get to see all the “roots” along the way!

First, here are the ‘Answers to Quiz’ for Step 4…

1. Answer: B
2. Answer: C
3. Answer: A
4. Answer: D
5. Answer: B
6. Answer: A
7. Answer: D
8. Answer: D
9. Answer: A
10. Answer: A

As we carry on, online genealogy forums can be incredibly useful resources for family historians for several reasons. Here are a few benefits of using online genealogy forums:

1. Connect with other researchers: Genealogy forums are a great way to connect with other people who are interested in researching their family histories. By participating in the forum, you can find others who are working on similar lines of research or have expertise in the areas you’re interested in.
2. Share information: Genealogy forums offer a platform for researchers to share their knowledge, tips, and experiences. By sharing your own research, you can help others who are just starting out or struggling with a particular research problem.
3. Get help with your research: If you’re stuck on a particular research problem or have hit a brick wall, genealogy forums can be a great place to get help. By posting a query or asking for advice, you can tap into the knowledge and experience of other researchers and get fresh perspectives on your research.
4. Access a variety of resources: Genealogy forums often have resources and tools available to members, including databases, archives, and research guides. By participating in the forum, you can gain access to these resources and use them to enhance your own research.
5. Build a community: Genealogy research can be a solitary pursuit, but by joining a genealogy forum, you can build connections with other researchers and build a sense of community around your shared interests. This can be especially helpful if you don’t have family members who are interested in your research or if you’re researching a family line that is relatively unknown.

Using online genealogy forums can be an incredibly helpful way to enhance your research, connect with other researchers, and build a sense of community around your shared interests.

Genealogy forums can be a great resource for family historians, offering opportunities to connect with other researchers, share information, and get advice. Here are a few popular genealogy forums to consider joining:

1. Genealogy.com Forum: https://www.genealogy.com/forum/ This forum, hosted by Ancestry.com, covers a wide range of topics related to family history research. Members can post queries, share research tips, and participate in discussions with other genealogy enthusiasts.
2. RootsWeb Genealogy Forum: https://www.rootsweb.com/community/ RootsWeb is a popular genealogy website that offers a variety of resources for family historians, including a genealogy forum. The forum is organized by location and surname, making it easy to connect with other researchers who are interested in the same families or regions.
3. Genealogy Forum on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/Genealogy/ Reddit is a social news and discussion website that includes a genealogy forum. This forum has over 150,000 members and covers a wide range of topics related to family history research, including DNA testing, brick wall problems, and research strategies.

There are plenty of Online Genealogy Forums on the Internet and here is a great link to check out others from this article from FeedSpot.com – Top 25 Genealogy Forums, Discussions and Message Boards.

Check out these resources and see if any of them would be a great tool for you to implement in your strategy for researching your family tree.

Abraham’s Story

Abraham had always been fascinated by his family’s history. He loved listening to stories about his ancestors and learning about their lives and struggles. However, as he began to delve deeper into his family’s past, he quickly realized that genealogy research could be a daunting and frustrating task. He needed help.

One day, while searching for resources online, Abraham stumbled upon a genealogy forum. He was hesitant at first, but eventually decided to join and see what it was all about. As he began to explore the forum, he was amazed by the wealth of information and resources available to him.

Abraham quickly discovered that the forum was populated by a friendly and supportive community of family historians, all of whom were eager to share their knowledge and expertise. He posted a query about one of his ancestors and was surprised by the number of responses he received. Members of the forum offered suggestions, tips, and even some new leads for Abraham to follow up on.

Over the next few weeks, Abraham became an active participant in the forum, sharing his own research tips and helping others with their own queries. He also found that the forum was a great place to connect with other researchers who shared his interests and passions.

Through the forum, Abraham was able to connect with other family historians from around the world, each with their own unique stories and perspectives. He learned about new research techniques, discovered new resources, and even made some new friends.

But perhaps most importantly, Abraham found a sense of community and support that he had never experienced before. Genealogy research can be a lonely and frustrating pursuit, but with the help of the forum, Abraham felt like he was part of something bigger.

As he continued to participate in the forum, Abraham made progress in his own research, and eventually uncovered new information about his ancestors that he never would have found on his own. He was grateful for the support of the forum, and felt like he had gained a new family in the process.

In the end, Abraham realized that joining an online genealogy forum was one of the best decisions he had ever made. He had gained new knowledge, new friends, and a renewed sense of purpose in his research. He knew that there were still many challenges ahead, but with the support of the forum, he felt more confident and excited than ever before.

The Pro’s & Con’s

Joining a genealogy forum can offer many benefits to family historians, including the opportunity to connect with other researchers, share information, and get advice. Here are some of the pros and cons of using online genealogy forums:

Pros:

1. Connect with other researchers: Genealogy forums allow you to connect with other people who share your passion for family history research. You can ask for advice, share tips and tricks, and collaborate on projects.
2. Share information: Genealogy forums are a great place to share information about your research. You can post queries about specific ancestors, share your family tree, and exchange information with others who may be researching the same families or regions.
3. Get advice: If you’re stuck on a particular research problem or have hit a brick wall, genealogy forums can be a great source of advice. Other researchers may have encountered similar challenges and can offer suggestions or tips to help you overcome them.
4. Access to resources: Genealogy forums often provide access to a wide range of resources, including databases, archives, and other research tools. By participating in forums, you can discover new resources and learn how to use them effectively.

Cons:

1. Accuracy of information: One of the risks of using genealogy forums is that the information provided by other researchers may not always be accurate. It’s important to verify any information you find on a forum with other sources before including it in your own research.
2. Time-consuming: Participating in genealogy forums can be time-consuming, especially if you get involved in discussions or projects. It’s important to set boundaries and prioritize your time to avoid getting overwhelmed.
3. Privacy concerns: Genealogy forums are public spaces, and any information you share can be viewed by anyone. It’s important to be mindful of privacy concerns and avoid sharing sensitive information, such as social security numbers or other personal identifiers.

Tips for Using Genealogy Forums:

1. Be specific: When posting a query or asking for help, be as specific as possible about the person or family you are researching. Include their names, dates of birth and death, and any locations you know.
2. Be respectful: Remember to be courteous and respectful in all your interactions with other forum members. Everyone is there to learn and share information, so be patient and kind.
3. Be proactive: Don’t just post queries and wait for responses. Participate in discussions, offer your own research tips, and be generous in sharing your own knowledge and expertise.

In conclusion, joining an online genealogy forum can be a fantastic resource for family historians. By participating in the forum, you can connect with other researchers, share information, get help with your research, be mindful of privacy concerns, and access a variety of resources. Remember to be specific when posting queries, be respectful and courteous to other members, and be proactive in your use of the forum. With these tips in mind, you can make the most of this valuable resource and take your family history research to the next level!

As you continue on your genealogy journey, the next step is Step 6 to obtain or locate copies of birth certificates or baptism records, marriage records, death or burial records, and obituary notices. These records can provide valuable information about your ancestors, including their names, dates of birth and death, parents’ names, and other vital details. In the next step, we will explore strategies for obtaining these records and using them to further your research.

See you in the next blog series post…

Additional Reading

Breaking through Genealogy Research Barriers: Effective Strategies to Overcome Brick Walls

Joining an Online Genealogy Forum

NOTE:

In closing this blog post, I hope that this blog series has been beneficial to you in learning more about genealogy and how to trace your family history. If you have any questions, comments, or feedback on the series or would like to suggest any improvements, please don’t hesitate to send me a message or email. I value your input and appreciate your support in helping me to create more helpful and informative content for aspiring genealogists. Thank you for following along on this journey, and I wish you the best of luck in your own genealogical research.