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.
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You wrote: “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.”
ReplyDeleteGood! I know how hard it is to stay on track, but if we *always* do that, we lose some of the best parts! (see my comment two posts below)