Research Goals for 2021

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Happy New Year!  

I have never been happier to start a new year and leave an old one in the dust. I am hoping, as I am sure we all are, that the pandemic becomes controllable or better yet, non existent and we can go back to our lives and of course our genealogy!  

I have a few personal goals for 2021 but I have far more genealogy goals. Here are a few of mine.  

Education- 

I was surprised and happy about how much education I was able to experience in 2020. I would like to keep that going.  While my enthusiasm for the webinar is waning, for now it is the most convenient way to learn. I am working on being more selective- signing up for those I am really interested in and looking for them in different places. I joined APG this year and their catalog of programs is certainly helping me level up.  

Helping me to level up this year, I have signed up for a study group!  I am excited to participate, as I have not been in a study group since college and I certainly have not experienced an online study group. This group will focus on Mastering Genealogical Proof by Dr. Thomas Jones. While I have read this book before I am looking forward to the group experience and receiving feedback on this assignments.  I am hoping this will be good preparation for the ProGen Study Group, which has been a long time goal for me.

I have been approved to attend the National Genealogy Society conference this year in Richmond, VA because of my genealogy work at the library. I have given up hope that is will be in-person, but I am excited to attend virtually. I am equally excited for Roots Tech. I have never attended in person and doubt I ever will, as I wasn't too fond of crowds before COVID entered our daily lives. I am grateful for the opportunity to participate from the comfort of my couch.  

Research-

There is never a shortage of ideas for research in my brain. I am still in limbo with my Jacob Rose project and imagine I will be until the NARA Archive reopens and I can finally obtain his Civil War pension. I am equally interested in the life of his wife, Emmeline Secor. I have a death certificate for an Emmeline Secor, who died under mysterious circumstances, and a goal is to prove this Emmeline is my Emmeline.  

Another set of third great grandparents are equally mysterious. George Cassidy, New York City soda maker has long been a brick wall.  I would love to someday get this line across the pond or to at least find his probate, which I have evidence his daughter (my second great grandmother) contested.  In past blog posts have tried to unravel the mystery of his wife Martha who on some documents is called Bathsheba. I am going to give this research question the Research Like a Pro treatment, complete with research report.  

I have many other research questions and ideas that I would love to try to tackle.  The trick is to give them each their due and not to rush or work on multiple projects at a time.  

Trips- 

I am almost afraid to write this. Will travel be safe this year? Who knows? I do know that when I can travel to NY I will be heading to Calvary Cemetery (Queens, NY) to find the grave of George Cassidy. I know there are many living people I should visit in NY, but will need to get in line. I have been searching for him for a long time and I can't wait to visit him now that he has been located.  

What are the projects or goals you are hoping to work on this year? 


   


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