Just the Facts

For anyone with a long-term intensive genealogy agenda: If you determine you will be doing years of research, you may want to invest in computer software such as Roots Magic, Legacy Family Tree, or Family Tree Maker. These can help you organize your facts, timelines, relationships, sources, and media and are private. Online there are free genealogy software web-based platforms (not private) for DNA integration, record searching, and collaborative tree building.

Prepare a protection and recovery program for your research in case of computer crash or theft, fire, flood, etc.

Execute a genealogical codicil to your Last Will and Testament instructing your executor(s) not to discard your family genealogy research (Family Bibles, books, files, digital data, etc.) for a set time period to actively find a family member or institution to preserve and continue your work.

Join your local genealogy society and take advantage of their special interest groups, workshops, and other educational opportunities. In addition to your local genealogy society, consider joining a genealogy society located in the geographical location where your ancestors lived. Broaden your horizons further and seek out others who are researching your surnames in the same time periods and locations.