Happy 2012 to you and yours.
2011 was a pretty crazy year, genealogically speaking. New companies sprouted up, while old companies bought each other. Genealogy as an industry is getting a bigger profile and that's causing a lot of interesting things to happen to our once serene little hobby.
Thank goodness for our blogs, where we meet to discuss and analyze those developments. I don't know about you, but my blog is a retreat from regular life. It's my own version of a man cave, or antique car garage or hunting trip. It's my escape and will continue to be so in the future. It's my voice and it's influenced very little by others.
I say this because the popularity of genealogy is increasing at a rapid pace. With that comes lots of opinions and discussion on defining genealogy, what's right, what's wrong, what you should be saying, how you should be saying it. Yada, yada, yada.
Some of that discussion is good. Some of it not so much. Some of it will make you feel inferior to others, even when you shouldn't.
My wish for you in 2012 is that you get much joy from your genealogy experience including your blog. Remember why you started it and stay close to that motivation. Should you run into any negativity, maintain your blog as you see fit and keep your genealogy voice strong.
The field of genealogy is changing before our eyes and we have a front row seat. Enjoy that view, stay positive and have a great 2012.
As ever, Amy, thank you for your thoughtful advice. I could relate to so much of what you say. All the best for 2012.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Amy, thoughtful piece here today.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I'm so glad you could relate. I didn't want to be a downer but I sense a strange wind on the genealogical plain. It feels like 2012 will be about people and business trying to define genealogy and get their own handle on it. When that happens, people sometimes internalize what's being said in a negative way. All genealogy blogs have value and all voices are important. I'd hate for someone to lose the joy they once had in family history due to the critical words of others. This post is my reminder that we are all important in genealogy and I hope that theme carries on through 2012.
ReplyDeleteIt's so great to hear the positive attitude here - if I could express one thing above all others that I would like to guide my research in 2012, it would be to keep the joy in genealogy.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Amy for the thoughtful advice. I will certainly bear that in mind while I progress with my genealogy blog. I'm a "newbie" at genealogy blogging and it helps to know there are good people on my side. Happy New Year to you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind words, Susan. Happy New Year to you, too!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Amy! I think you hit home for many! All blogs do have value and give back "something" to the blogger! There are many levels of individuals who do genealogy. I reiterate what Amy said, "remember why you started your blog!" Avoid the negative, enjoy and have fun with your genealogy, just as you would any other hobby! Thanks Amy, very glad to see this post!
ReplyDeleteHi Amy,
ReplyDeleteI downloaded your e-book, read it from start to finish, did not put it down. Thank you! I became a blogger yesterday and it's all because of you. Not all has gone swimmingly but then I can write about my frustrations. Another topic!
I'm not a professional, I love to help others get started and I get a kick out of solving the mysteries and the histories. I'm an advanced family researcher/historian, nothing fancy, trying to get it right for the next generations and have alot of fun while doing it.
Thank you Amy for your thoughtful insight. I started my blog, not because of my love for genealogy or for my love of writing, those are both there of course, but I started my blog because I like to eat, and because I like to hang out with "the cool kids" as Tami Glatz says.
ReplyDeleteBloggers are some of the MOST Cool Kids. I have never met one I didn't like. But you're right. There are those out there who will be nay sayers. Rise above it and be true to yourself. Thanks again, for who you are and what you write. ~Kim