The Summer 2008 Genea-Blogger Group Games will begin with Opening Ceremonies here at AnceStories this afternoon, Pacific Daylight Time. I plan to participate and medal in all five categories. Each description and the corresponding qualifications are listed below, with my goal in bold red font.
1. Go Back and Cite Your Sources!
Create proper citations of sources for as many events possible using either Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace by Elizabeth Shown Mills or How to Cite Sources by John Wiley.
Qualifications for "Go Back and Cite Your Sources!":
10 Citations - Bronze Medal
20 Citations - Silver Medal
30 Citations - Gold Medal
40 Citations - Diamond Medal
50 Citations - Platinum Medal
My goal is to earn a platinum medal in this category, using Evidence Explained. This will be linked to entering data (Category 3).
2. Back Up Your Data!
Backup data to choice of formats (flash drives, CDs, DVDs, online) or storing hard copies properly (safety deposit box, safe, etc.).
A. Prepare a comprehensive backup plan for your digital research files and a security plan for your hard copies and photos
B. Secure your hard copies and photos in waterproof containers
C. Backup all your data using a flash drive, an external drive, CDs, DVDs, or an online resource
D. Have all your hard copies and photos scanned and secure them either in a fire-proof safe or offsite in a safety-deposit box/secure environment
E. All your data is backed up digitally and secured physically and you can recover from any disaster while losing only one month or less worth of research
Qualifications for "Back Up Your Data!":
Complete Task A - Bronze Medal
Complete Task B - Silver Medal
Complete Task C - Gold Medal
Complete Task D - Diamond Medal
Complete Task E - Platinum Medal
My goal is to earn a gold medal by achieving tasks A, C, and E. Due to the amount of genealogical records, photos, and items I've inherited in the last year (three large boxes), it is impossible for me to have everything secured in waterproof containers or stored in a safety deposit box, at this point. I will make an effort to place more items in my safety deposit box, however.
3. Organize Your Research!
So you have plenty of research - that's okay if you can find what you need when you need it, right? Take time to review your collection of documents and photos, both hard copy and digital, and work to organize those items for easy access.
A. Organize at least 20 hard files or ancestral items (books, fabrics, inherited items) into file folders, boxes, envelopes, containers, etc.; archival-quality where appropriate.
B. Organize at least 20 digital files into folders, label, add metadata, add descriptions, add tags, etc.
C. Organize at least 20 photos into photo albums, scrapbooks, collages, protective holders, boxes, etc.
D. Organize at least 20 digital photos into folders, label, add metadata, add descriptions, add tags, etc.
E. Create at least 20 data entries in your database, or scan 20 photos, or scan 20 documents.
F. Create a master list of your files and notify your family members of where it is stored.
Qualifications for "Organize Your Research!":
Complete any one task - Bronze Medal
Complete any two tasks - Silver Medal
Complete any three tasks - Gold Medal
Complete any four tasks - Diamond Medal
Complete five or more tasks - Platinum Medal
I will attempt to achieve a platinum medal by completing at least the minimum of each of the six tasks. My focus will be on my husband's family lines, although I will probably do some work on my own as well.
4. Write, Write, Write!
Do you find birth dates, death dates and all the data boring if there's no narrative behind it? Don't you find the stories about ancestors more attractive than cut and dried census data? It takes time to be able to write about your family history and the more you write and the more often you write, the easier it is to bring your family to life for others to see.
A. Write a summary of what your blog is about and post it on your blog – you may not have done this since you started the blog and it is a great way to have new readers learn more about your site.
B. Participate in a genealogy or family history related blog carnival.
C. Prepare several posts in draft mode (if possible with your blog platform) and pre-publish.
D. Write a brief biographical sketch on one of your ancestors.
E. Sign up to host a future carnival.
Qualifications for "Write, Write, Write!":
Complete any one task - Bronze Medal
Complete any two tasks - Silver Medal
Complete any three tasks - Gold Medal
Complete any four tasks - Diamond Medal
Complete all 5 tasks - Platinum Medal
I've done Task A before these Games began, so I don't feel I qualify for it now, and I don't feel prepared to host a carnival at this time (Task E; I know carnival hosting requires a lot of work, and I'm short on time right now). That leaves me with Tasks B through D, to earn a gold medal.
5. Reach Out & Perform Genealogical Acts of Kindness!
A. Comment on a new (to you) genea-blog.
B. Join another genea-blogger’s blog network on Facebook Blog Networks.
C. Invite other genealogists to join Facebook.
D. Assist another researcher with a research request or lookup. See AnceStories' "Random Acts of Kindness Week" posts for ideas for this item and Item E.
E. Participate in an indexing project.
F. Join a genealogical, historical, heritage or lineage society.
Qualifications for "Reach Out & Perform Genealogical Acts of Kindness!":
Complete any one task - Bronze Medal
Complete any two tasks - Silver Medal
Complete any three tasks - Gold Medal
Complete any four tasks - Diamond Medal
Complete five or more tasks - Platinum Medal
This will be the easiest event for me to medal in, so I'm going for platinum!
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