After researching so many hours and writing down different facts here and there, I just needed to clear my head and take a fresh look at what I had found. So I put aside the research for a few days and concentrated more on the writing. This helped give me an idea of missing pieces and to refocus on the main ideas of my project. I like Suzanne's way of explaining genealogy research of "following the rabbit trail." I often feel like that is what I'm doing, chasing one line of facts to another line and pretty soon, I am clear off of my original subject, but on to more fascinating parts. Many times it has been tough leaving these rabbit trails and forcing myself to get back on task. The library part of the research has been the hardest place to stay on task. I find it too easy to wander there between looking online for tidbits and just looking through different books. On my next trip to the Decatur library, I am taking a detailed list of what to look for so I can stay with what I am looking for. This should help me be more efficient especially with having limited time there.
I feel that I have gathered almost enough research to complete the project for now. Obviously, this type of project leaves loose ends that will be for another project or continuation of this one. I was very pleased that I received a card from one cousin with pictures and a couple of stories enclosed in the card. I still feel that I need to interview a couple more people, but I want to finish some more of the writing before doing that so I know what exactly I need from the interviews.
I liked the section in chapter three in "Fieldworking" on artifacts and their uses. I would like to read that again for reference to what I want to include in my project. I have several artifacts that I would like to use, but I think the best way to use those artifacts is enclosing the pictures of them in my project. I also want to dedicate a small section referencing these particular artifacts and their significance to my project.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Discoveries about research
I spent four hours on Wednesday at the library. I couldn't believe how time got away from me. I was tired of looking on the internet at genealogy sources and wanted to try something different. I decided to wander around the genealogy section just looking at what was available. I decided to look in the county section and was amazed at the different sources available there. Some sources obviously didn't yield much, just presenting references to other sources that weren't immediately available. However, I did find different books that had information or at least gave me ideas of where to look next for information. I found biographies of the county to be a good source of information if a relative could be located. I found several distant relatives that weren't directly related, but the biography included their ancestors which were the same as mine so that was a good reference. Also I found sources such as a county pictorial history book that actually contained several pictures of my grandparents when they were very young. I found high school records that contained information and a cemetery book that listed deaths until a certain year. I have found that dates are exceedingly important. If I don't have close to accurate dates, I waste a lot of time looking in periods where there will be no information.
One of the main problems I found with researching this way was the time involved because most of these books had poor indexes or a lack of indexes so it was a matter of going through the whole book to see if any references were made to relatives. As long as I had an approx. year to go by, I could reference the right books which helped speed things along. Another problem with using books was anything I wanted a copy of, I had to use the copy machine. That wasn't hard, just more time-consuming and I will have to scan what I copied if I want to use it in my project.
This process did give me some more ideas on other sources though instead of just looking at traditional sources online. Plus it also gave me some unusual tidbits that I found very useful.
One thing I have noticed about researching genealogy that I would like to know if others face this same problem is how easily I become sidetracked on one aspect of research and losing what time I have for the research. For example, I want to research my great grandmother so I look at her parents, but then I get caught up on looking at them and their parents and before I realize it, I know more about them than my original intended subject. To help myself focus and stay on track, I'm trying to put that earlier research into a future project to pursue when my original project is completed.
One of the main problems I found with researching this way was the time involved because most of these books had poor indexes or a lack of indexes so it was a matter of going through the whole book to see if any references were made to relatives. As long as I had an approx. year to go by, I could reference the right books which helped speed things along. Another problem with using books was anything I wanted a copy of, I had to use the copy machine. That wasn't hard, just more time-consuming and I will have to scan what I copied if I want to use it in my project.
This process did give me some more ideas on other sources though instead of just looking at traditional sources online. Plus it also gave me some unusual tidbits that I found very useful.
One thing I have noticed about researching genealogy that I would like to know if others face this same problem is how easily I become sidetracked on one aspect of research and losing what time I have for the research. For example, I want to research my great grandmother so I look at her parents, but then I get caught up on looking at them and their parents and before I realize it, I know more about them than my original intended subject. To help myself focus and stay on track, I'm trying to put that earlier research into a future project to pursue when my original project is completed.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Research thoughts and excerpts
I have included an excerpt from my research journal because it is relevant to the thoughts on gender and researching family history. I have noticed just from these few phone calls how I am referred back to the women in the family for the information confirming my initial thoughts that the women take care of the family history. Beth said the only reason she doesn’t have the books is because she moved to Florida and didn’t have room to store them. She did send me some pictures so that is a big help. The men when I talked with them didn’t know much of anything and didn’t seem too interested in helping me find out anything either. At least I made a little progress, but I feel like I am taking baby steps in finding out information. I am still finding that no matter who I try to find information on, there are more questions that are raised. How I wish I started this years ago when some of the people were alive that would have been of more help.
I found the same thing when I called my uncle on the other great-grandmother's side. He was of no help except for referring me to his sister. He had put together a video of earlier years of the family so I thought for sure that he was interested in the genealogy, but apparently not so much. I think the response of male cousins has only reinforced the idea of women taking care of the family history for the most part in families.
It is amazing how many phone calls I have had to make just to glean a little information. It is exciting though to find bits and pieces of what I need. This whole process of researching and putting together the project reminds me of a jigsaw puzzle. First you try to put together the edges to help make the puzzle easier to put together and to get an idea of how the picture should look. Then you start filling in the pieces and put together the obvious pieces first. Research helps fill in those missing pieces and just like a puzzle, the obscure pieces often are the last to see or the hardest to research because it is not always apparent what is missing.
The draft is hard to write because there is so much information and finding the right direction to go with the writing is hard too. I like chapter eight's idea of just writing the first draft to write and then I can have something to go back and revise.
I found the same thing when I called my uncle on the other great-grandmother's side. He was of no help except for referring me to his sister. He had put together a video of earlier years of the family so I thought for sure that he was interested in the genealogy, but apparently not so much. I think the response of male cousins has only reinforced the idea of women taking care of the family history for the most part in families.
It is amazing how many phone calls I have had to make just to glean a little information. It is exciting though to find bits and pieces of what I need. This whole process of researching and putting together the project reminds me of a jigsaw puzzle. First you try to put together the edges to help make the puzzle easier to put together and to get an idea of how the picture should look. Then you start filling in the pieces and put together the obvious pieces first. Research helps fill in those missing pieces and just like a puzzle, the obscure pieces often are the last to see or the hardest to research because it is not always apparent what is missing.
The draft is hard to write because there is so much information and finding the right direction to go with the writing is hard too. I like chapter eight's idea of just writing the first draft to write and then I can have something to go back and revise.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Chapter 8 and other notes
There are some items in chapter 8 that I found useful in putting together this project. I know that it is time to start writing though I have already been writing with this blog and the family journal. It is hard to organize thoughts with so much information so I think sometimes that is why it is hard to start writing the first draft. When I need to write something like a draft, I too put off writing by doing other tasks, anything, but sit down and write. When I finally do sit down to write, I cannot have distractions because I like to write large chunks and keep my thoughts flowing. I agree with the statement in chapter 8 that "we learn more about what we know as we draft." I think that would help me in this project. After going to the library last week, I felt frustrated in not knowing what direction to go next so I didn't do any research on the project over the weekend.
When I start the draft, I think it will help me put down what I do know and help me to see what is missing and what I need to further research to fill in the gaps.
In class someone mentioned voice and what voice to use in the project. Suzanne replied that it depends on the audience and the purpose of the project. I too am struggling with what voice to use in my writing. I know my audience, but there again, maybe starting the draft will help me clarify how I'm going to write. I will look at some of the examples in the textbook to see how some of the essays use their voice. The activity in Box 32 might also help in sorting out this question of how to write the voices in my draft.
I also like the three questions in chapter 8 that is part of thickening the draft on page 432. I think these three questions of "what's going on here?"; "where's the culture?"; and "what's the story?" will help me in rendering my draft. I also think that page 448 offers some more helpful questions in putting together the data into text.
My goal this week is to start writing the draft. I have more information on one person than I do the other, but I think that is okay to start with. It is more important to start writing with what I do have.
When I start the draft, I think it will help me put down what I do know and help me to see what is missing and what I need to further research to fill in the gaps.
In class someone mentioned voice and what voice to use in the project. Suzanne replied that it depends on the audience and the purpose of the project. I too am struggling with what voice to use in my writing. I know my audience, but there again, maybe starting the draft will help me clarify how I'm going to write. I will look at some of the examples in the textbook to see how some of the essays use their voice. The activity in Box 32 might also help in sorting out this question of how to write the voices in my draft.
I also like the three questions in chapter 8 that is part of thickening the draft on page 432. I think these three questions of "what's going on here?"; "where's the culture?"; and "what's the story?" will help me in rendering my draft. I also think that page 448 offers some more helpful questions in putting together the data into text.
My goal this week is to start writing the draft. I have more information on one person than I do the other, but I think that is okay to start with. It is more important to start writing with what I do have.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Gender issues and research
Why am I writing my project to the women in my family? A good question that deserves some thought and reflection.
In my family, the women have typically been the ones to preserve the family stories and dig into past history and genealogy. I know of three women in the family who have actively pursued genealogy research. I do have a second cousin (male) on mom's side that has done some compiling of family history, but I don't know how much, but at least one male has shown interest. I have five brothers and not a one of them is interested in the past history of this family. My two uncles on my mom's side weren't not inclined to tell any stories, but I will say that my grandfather loved to tell stories. Even so, it was my grandmother who told the most stories and talked about family members. My grandfather talked more about his own stories. Even on my dad's side of the family, anything that we wanted to know about past family members, we asked my grandmother. My grandfather didn't have the answers.
Traditions and gatherings within the family for the most part have been put together by the women. As the oldest sibling of nine, I am usually the one responsible for family gatherings now. I guess I also feel the sense of responsibility to keep the family stories alive and passed down. When we held family reunions on my maternal grandmother's side, each family took a turn to organize it and it was a joint affair between siblings so I can't say only the women put that together.
I do feel that research and genealogy are gender dictated. Of course, that doesn't mean just women work on genealogy, but I think the majority are women. My idea is framed for several reasons. First of course, is the example of my family with most of the family history being passed down or gathered by the women. My second thought on this is that typically women have been the nurturers of the family so they are tuned into family and how it all ties together. I also think that not everyone is tuned into digging into the past history of families. Some people just have the interest to begin with especially if a person is already interested in history.
In my family, the women have typically been the ones to preserve the family stories and dig into past history and genealogy. I know of three women in the family who have actively pursued genealogy research. I do have a second cousin (male) on mom's side that has done some compiling of family history, but I don't know how much, but at least one male has shown interest. I have five brothers and not a one of them is interested in the past history of this family. My two uncles on my mom's side weren't not inclined to tell any stories, but I will say that my grandfather loved to tell stories. Even so, it was my grandmother who told the most stories and talked about family members. My grandfather talked more about his own stories. Even on my dad's side of the family, anything that we wanted to know about past family members, we asked my grandmother. My grandfather didn't have the answers.
Traditions and gatherings within the family for the most part have been put together by the women. As the oldest sibling of nine, I am usually the one responsible for family gatherings now. I guess I also feel the sense of responsibility to keep the family stories alive and passed down. When we held family reunions on my maternal grandmother's side, each family took a turn to organize it and it was a joint affair between siblings so I can't say only the women put that together.
I do feel that research and genealogy are gender dictated. Of course, that doesn't mean just women work on genealogy, but I think the majority are women. My idea is framed for several reasons. First of course, is the example of my family with most of the family history being passed down or gathered by the women. My second thought on this is that typically women have been the nurturers of the family so they are tuned into family and how it all ties together. I also think that not everyone is tuned into digging into the past history of families. Some people just have the interest to begin with especially if a person is already interested in history.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
chapter 5 and other thoughts
The reading of the Hess' "Digital Remembrance" was interesting. It gives some thoughtful insight to having a web site dedicated as a memorial. Normally when thinking about a memorial, it is something tangible or physical, but Hess talks about something that is tangible, but not necessarily physical. One problem though with a memorial web site would be the accessibility for some people especially older people. They might not have access to a computer or know how to find the web site. However, Hess has a great idea that could be used as a way to put up family history and have younger generations want to view and add to the history of the family. A web site would be a great way to involve them. They are so computer oriented that they would be more likely to look at that and also give their input more than if it was presented in other forms.
Chapter 5 provides some helpful information especially in being prepared for interviews and even in putting together family histories. It is definitely best to be prepared with questions to ask and use open ended questions. I think it is more important to be prepared for the unexpected. You never really know how an interview is going to turn out. Try not to start the interview with preconceived ideas because I think it colors the interview. Try starting with a blank slate and really listen. I don't really feel comfortable with taping a family member. It feels more like an interrogation instead of an interview or a visit. I know that it would be a better way to capture all the information given, but I would rather just write furiously to do my best with what is talked about. Sometimes when taped, a person becomes self conscious and won't talk freely. It helps to have someone else with you too at the interview of a family member because you can ask how that person perceived the interview and pick up another perception.
I like the example in chapter 5 of Donna who obtained different variants of a family story from the different family members. I think that is a great idea and I would like to use that on a couple of family stories. What a great way to show that each person has a different perception based on their position in the family and how they remember the past too. I think gathering family stories is a very important part of a family's history. Many of these are oral and haven't been written down, but they should so they can be preserved.
I am finding in my research that I can find statistics, but there is very little else about the people personally. I will have to rely on the people that I can talk to about family stories and their knowledge of family members to put together much of my family project. Interviewing will be crucial to this project and so will the stories.
Chapter 5 provides some helpful information especially in being prepared for interviews and even in putting together family histories. It is definitely best to be prepared with questions to ask and use open ended questions. I think it is more important to be prepared for the unexpected. You never really know how an interview is going to turn out. Try not to start the interview with preconceived ideas because I think it colors the interview. Try starting with a blank slate and really listen. I don't really feel comfortable with taping a family member. It feels more like an interrogation instead of an interview or a visit. I know that it would be a better way to capture all the information given, but I would rather just write furiously to do my best with what is talked about. Sometimes when taped, a person becomes self conscious and won't talk freely. It helps to have someone else with you too at the interview of a family member because you can ask how that person perceived the interview and pick up another perception.
I like the example in chapter 5 of Donna who obtained different variants of a family story from the different family members. I think that is a great idea and I would like to use that on a couple of family stories. What a great way to show that each person has a different perception based on their position in the family and how they remember the past too. I think gathering family stories is a very important part of a family's history. Many of these are oral and haven't been written down, but they should so they can be preserved.
I am finding in my research that I can find statistics, but there is very little else about the people personally. I will have to rely on the people that I can talk to about family stories and their knowledge of family members to put together much of my family project. Interviewing will be crucial to this project and so will the stories.
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