The Winter 2010 GeneaBlogger Games will begin with Opening Ceremonies at Geneabloggers on Monday. I plan to participate and medal in three of the six categories. Each description and the corresponding qualifications are listed below, with my goal in bold red font. I won't be able to participate as fully as I am during Summer Games, due to my work and personal schedule, but nonetheless, I will be participating as much as I am fully able! My flag is symbolic of my Frisian, Dutch, English, Scots, and French roots and the colors not only represent the colors of the flags of my forefathers, but also my proud American heritage as well!
1. Go Back and Cite Your Sources!
We all know how important our research is – but it is only worth the evidence that supports it! Have you ever looked at an entry in your database and wondered, “Where did that come from?” or “How can that be?” All events can and should be backed up by linking them to sources and evidence using a consistent and clear citation format.
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
I am going to attempt a silver medal for this category, with at least 20 citations.
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.).
* Task A: Prepare a comprehensive backup plan for your digital research files and a security plan for your hard copies and photos.
* Task B: Secure your hard copies and photos in waterproof containers.
* Task C: Backup all your data using a flash drive, an external drive, CDs, DVDs, or an online resource
* Task 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
* Task 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 a gold medal, participating in Task C.
5. 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.
* Task 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. If your blog uses the Blogger platform, consider using the new Pages feature as described in Blogger Announces New Pages Feature.
* Task B: Participate in a genealogy or family history related blog carnival. See the AnceStories post February 2010 Calendar of Events for a list of these carnivals and their submission URLs and deadlines.
* Task C: Prepare several posts in draft mode and pre-publish them.
* Task D: Write a brief biographical sketch on one of your ancestors.
* Task E: Create a page on your blog listing surnames, ahnentafel reports or using some other topic. This will help new visitors to your blog understand your area of research. Again, consider using the new Pages feature as described in Blogger Announces New Pages Feature.
* Task F: Participate in a 52 Weeks To Better Genealogy Challenge.
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 five or more tasks – Platinum Medal
My goal is at least a silver medal, participating in Tasks B, C, and perhaps E and/or F.
1. Go Back and Cite Your Sources!
We all know how important our research is – but it is only worth the evidence that supports it! Have you ever looked at an entry in your database and wondered, “Where did that come from?” or “How can that be?” All events can and should be backed up by linking them to sources and evidence using a consistent and clear citation format.
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
I am going to attempt a silver medal for this category, with at least 20 citations.
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.).
* Task A: Prepare a comprehensive backup plan for your digital research files and a security plan for your hard copies and photos.
* Task B: Secure your hard copies and photos in waterproof containers.
* Task C: Backup all your data using a flash drive, an external drive, CDs, DVDs, or an online resource
* Task 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
* Task 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 a gold medal, participating in Task C.
5. 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.
* Task 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. If your blog uses the Blogger platform, consider using the new Pages feature as described in Blogger Announces New Pages Feature.
* Task B: Participate in a genealogy or family history related blog carnival. See the AnceStories post February 2010 Calendar of Events for a list of these carnivals and their submission URLs and deadlines.
* Task C: Prepare several posts in draft mode and pre-publish them.
* Task D: Write a brief biographical sketch on one of your ancestors.
* Task E: Create a page on your blog listing surnames, ahnentafel reports or using some other topic. This will help new visitors to your blog understand your area of research. Again, consider using the new Pages feature as described in Blogger Announces New Pages Feature.
* Task F: Participate in a 52 Weeks To Better Genealogy Challenge.
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 five or more tasks – Platinum Medal
My goal is at least a silver medal, participating in Tasks B, C, and perhaps E and/or F.
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