When I first expressed an interest in creating a blog,
several people asked, "Jim, why do you want to add to an already crowded
blogosphere?”
Great question—aren’t there enough blogs already? What can I possibly say that hasn't already been
said?
If I write a blog, will anyone read
it?
The answer to the first question is: There may be enough
blogs but there can never be enough blogs that address a truly important
subject. To the second question, I would
say: Family research is an area in which new ideas and techniques are
constantly emerging and new information continues to be made available. With advances in technology come advances in
research methods, and therefore, a need to stay abreast of those changes. And to the last question, I would respond
with the following thoughts:
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| Family History Library |
So, I took it upon
myself to be their spokesperson. When I
heard them express an idea or concern, I would encourage them to speak up and
let their voices be heard and in turn, I would lend my voice, energy, and
support to their ideas. That is what I
see as one of the primary purposes of this blog. There is no such thing as a stupid question
or comment. Any and all ideas and
suggestions are welcome. Of course it
goes without saying that all communication should be respectful in nature; constructive
criticism is always the most helpful form of instruction.
With this blog, I plan to disseminate updates that I receive
or information I discover in the course of my research and consultant work for
Ancestry.com, FamilySearch, and Legacy Tree.
Some of this information will include news items of interest to
genealogists and some will consist of my own personal observations concerning
the research process. But above all, my
hope is that this blog will become a forum for ongoing discussion among readers—especially
those who normally find themselves part of “the silent majority.”
This blog is
being written for all levels of researchers, from beginners to experts. It's intended for anyone who is in the
genealogy business or interested in uncovering their own family roots. Please
send suggestions for topics you would like to explore, and areas in which I can
magnify your thoughts and ideas. As an
added incentive, because I work in the Family History Library in Salt Lake City,
I will provide a free lookup to the first 10 people who contact me with an idea
or suggestion. With your help, this blog
will give a loud and clear voice to family history enthusiasts and increase and
enhance our collective research experiences.
