MARCH ORGANIZATION CHECKLIST Dear Readers! What wonderful ideas you have been having...and what GREAT PROGRESS you are having in attempting to organize your genealogy and photos! I am really proud of you! I may have to break down and work at things a little harder myself! - :> Well, enough resting on our laurels...here's the plan for this month! GOOD LUCK everyone!!!! WEEK ONE 1. To continue our project, this month we'll be taking the file folders or surname notebooks for letters G through L and verify that EACH document we've collected is listed in NOTES for that person in our genealogy program. The importance of systematic and thorough documentation cannot be overemphasized. As we grow in our experience as researchers, we understand the value of primary records to support a lineage, rather than heresay evidence from old family stories. WEEK TWO 2. This is the month to venture outside the protection of old habits, and join your local genealogy society. Ask around at the public library, and perhaps you can discover its meeting times and dates. You may not have ancestors who lived in your immediate area. You WILL, however, meet many interesting folks with varied talents and experiences who might be able to help you learn better research techniques. On my local genealogy society, I have found friends who are much better than I am with their computers. They are willing to share their talents with others. In the past six years of membership in two local societies, I cannot think of more than two meetings devoted to Florida research. Topics have included tracing immigrant ancestors, reports on research trips overseas, spotlights on what's new at local FHCs, migration patterns, New England research, etc. I attend every meeting, and found a new cousin during the intoductions of new members. Our society maintains a five generation chart collection of members, upstairs in the genealogy section of our library. All I can say is try it! You'll like it! WEEK THREE: 3. When planning your summer vacation, check to see what towns of interest to your ancestors are along the way! Make a point to stop by, even if the focus is not genealogy. You will learn much about the lay of the land. For instance, in a recent trip to Germany a friend noticed a striking similarity between the place of origin on the Neckar River and the Tupelhocken Valley of Pennsylvania where her Palatine immigrant ancestor eventually settled. (Brought tears to her eyes as a matter of fact!) WEEK FOUR: 4. Plan to attend the four-part FHC (Family History Center) overview given in DearMYRTLE's Beginning Genealogy SIG on Tuesdays at 10pm Eastern in the Tree House Conference Room in April 1996. Use this time to pose questions you are running into when using the facilities at your local LDS FHC. Remember that not all volunteers at FHC are as experienced in research as you might be. Some centers are most fortunate to have well-trained, experienced staffers. But whatever your situation, stop by on tuesdays for a fun hour of spirited comments and insights on using a FHC! GFS Barb is also on hand to help you with your beginning research questions!