tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8989121904965444460.post5627826574922871786..comments2024-01-08T18:33:19.296-06:00Comments on Leaves for Trees: Have you thought of quitting the blog scene?Heather Kuhn Roelkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07247311735034470203noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8989121904965444460.post-20462257804354956082013-09-09T18:24:58.569-05:002013-09-09T18:24:58.569-05:00Please don't quit. It's not just the resea...Please don't quit. It's not just the research or tips you provide, I just look forward to reading what you've found or a memory you've shared. Had you not started the blog, I'd have never found another Dudgeon cousin. Keep up the good work.Donna Hansonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04384599062774371857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8989121904965444460.post-68714557222120341072013-08-26T13:15:07.898-05:002013-08-26T13:15:07.898-05:00Great thought, Sally. The "need to know"...Great thought, Sally. The "need to know" is great fuel!Heather Kuhn Roelkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07247311735034470203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8989121904965444460.post-45020224569281753892013-08-26T13:14:26.134-05:002013-08-26T13:14:26.134-05:00John, I do remember your post about genealogy know...John, I do remember your post about genealogy knowledge making for a more grounded child. That is reason enough to continue! Thank you for the comments. Heather Kuhn Roelkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07247311735034470203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8989121904965444460.post-8452153719799545192013-08-26T13:12:56.057-05:002013-08-26T13:12:56.057-05:00Thank you for your comments and for reading Joe!Thank you for your comments and for reading Joe!Heather Kuhn Roelkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07247311735034470203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8989121904965444460.post-26335639889505187212013-08-26T13:12:04.636-05:002013-08-26T13:12:04.636-05:00Thank you for the comment, Elizabeth. I concur, I ...Thank you for the comment, Elizabeth. I concur, I just need to change my mindset and not feel guilty when I can't post very often. I also like to write posts when I have time and post them in the future when I know I'll be busy. That seems to help!Heather Kuhn Roelkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07247311735034470203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8989121904965444460.post-47498773806200205792013-08-26T13:01:11.870-05:002013-08-26T13:01:11.870-05:00Thank you, Jana for your comments and the mention ...Thank you, Jana for your comments and the mention on your fab finds!Heather Kuhn Roelkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07247311735034470203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8989121904965444460.post-54169549857626137102013-08-23T12:19:21.739-05:002013-08-23T12:19:21.739-05:00Heather,
I want you to know that your blog post i...Heather,<br /><br />I want you to know that your blog post is listed in today's Fab Finds post at http://janasgenealogyandfamilyhistory.blogspot.com/2013/08/follow-friday-fab-finds-for-august-23.html<br /><br />Have a wonderful weekend!Jana Iverson Lasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07687969613629975601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8989121904965444460.post-69634575682780242102013-08-23T12:19:01.849-05:002013-08-23T12:19:01.849-05:00Awesome blog post!
I can understand your feelings...Awesome blog post!<br /><br />I can understand your feelings about blogging. It can be difficult sometimes to feel motivated to blog. But, thankfully for me, I know that my mom, my brothers and at least one sister-in-law enjoy reading my blog posts. And I've had positive feedback from some cousins as well. And that makes me feel so good!<br /><br />I've also found that writing about my ancestors has helped me to learn more about them, which I may not have done otherwise.<br /><br />I'm also hopeful that sometime in the future my children will read and appreciate what I've written about their ancestors.<br /><br />Of course, there's the cousin-bait angle to blog writing as well. I'm also hopeful that someday a distant cousin will stumble upon my blog and contact me.<br /><br />So yes, all in all, I think genealogy blogging is quite helpful and worthwhile.Jana Iverson Lasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07687969613629975601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8989121904965444460.post-89103693738510464262013-08-22T19:46:45.977-05:002013-08-22T19:46:45.977-05:00I haven't thought of quitting blogging as I kn...I haven't thought of quitting blogging as I know I have lots more to share, but I have decided to not feel guilty when I have only four or five posts a month. I know I have a few family members who read and they say they enjoy it. As others have noted, I also find that I refer back to my blogs as a kind of research log.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Obviously this is good food for thought for us geneabloggers.Elizabeth Handlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05529452862369140506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8989121904965444460.post-50187291564177152152013-08-22T08:34:26.224-05:002013-08-22T08:34:26.224-05:00Great piece, Heather. I have been blogging my gene...Great piece, Heather. I have been blogging my genealogy for about a year and have very low readership, but it has allowed me to connect with unknown family and like you, it serves as a great repository for my research. I check your blog often for ideas, so do keep up the good work!Joe Lowryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15504601286813488873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8989121904965444460.post-70164896721165898562013-08-21T22:22:19.950-05:002013-08-21T22:22:19.950-05:00Great thoughts! I've had them, too. Daily life...Great thoughts! I've had them, too. Daily life gives me more than enough to do, but yet I spend time writing posts. But I think it goes back to why some of search our family history: the excitement and 'need to know.' If I post, maybe someday that person with the answer to an elusive brick wall might find me out there!<br /><br />Keep it up :)SallySearcheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12085309109469827084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8989121904965444460.post-57059762420146996102013-08-21T19:55:14.092-05:002013-08-21T19:55:14.092-05:00Heather:
My blog is not even 8 months old yet a...Heather: <br /><br />My blog is not even 8 months old yet and most of my family do not visit the blog regularly (or even at all). Nonetheless, I view the blog as a way to share widely the photos, data and thoughts I have for those who do choose to visit -- and I think I thereby increase the likelihood that the images, connections and stories will be preserved into the future. The blog is also a way to exercise one's writing muscles and, as you noted, make some new friends and acquaintances that share an interest and passion for genealogy (or as a relative once said to me, "You are really into dead people!"). <br /><br />Please do not give up your blog. I check it and others almost daily and have been inspired and motivated by your content and many others. For example, your fairly recent post on your Dad's first car -- the Corvair -- got me to thinking and I am now embarked on a "First Car" series, the second of which will be this week. Your work inspired that!<br /><br />As I mentioned in my post yesterday, blogs are also a way to organize and preserve in book form all the material and stories you collect and write up for your blog postings. Your little ones might be too young to read the blog now, but in a few years they will be ready and interested I am sure. And they could have your blog content in hard-copy book form if you decide to do as Heather Rojo and others do (and I am working on) -- make your blog into books a few times a year using Blurb or other such services. AND remember that your efforts now will pay dividends in the future. In Bruce Feiler's book "The Secret of Happy Families," the number 1 question to measure what happy families have in common and to identify those kids who are best able to handle stress is: Which kids know the most about their family's history? See my post of Feb. 17, 2013 for a reminder. ;-) http://filiopietismprism.blogspot.com/2013/02/genealogists-addiction-vindicated.html<br /><br />A hiatus or vacation from blogging is probably a good idea periodically, but don't leave us permanently. After all, Randy Seaver would have one less "Follow Friday" to offer up to his readers each Sunday! :-) <br /><br />KEEP ON BLOGGING!Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14139639019457759712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8989121904965444460.post-7381778330741403012013-08-21T16:16:23.144-05:002013-08-21T16:16:23.144-05:00Good point, Sharon. It is definitely the little no...Good point, Sharon. It is definitely the little notes of thanks and knowing that we can help others in their research, even in a small way, that makes it worthwhile!Heather Kuhn Roelkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07247311735034470203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8989121904965444460.post-73199667761188410192013-08-21T16:13:47.283-05:002013-08-21T16:13:47.283-05:00I definitely need you to keep blogging, Kathryn! Y...I definitely need you to keep blogging, Kathryn! You provide all kinds of great links for my Friday Favorites. ;) And like I mentioned above, I'm beginning to look at my blog and research as one in the same!Heather Kuhn Roelkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07247311735034470203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8989121904965444460.post-3726007520915382282013-08-21T15:32:01.944-05:002013-08-21T15:32:01.944-05:00zelsersk, I didn't realize you had thought abo...zelsersk, I didn't realize you had thought about doing genealogy as a job someday. I have thought about it, too, but I'm not sure I could make a go of it. Maybe after the kids are both in school! Either way, having a repository of my ideas and thoughts is worth it. Thanks!Heather Kuhn Roelkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07247311735034470203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8989121904965444460.post-65613865455630899242013-08-21T15:25:43.527-05:002013-08-21T15:25:43.527-05:00Mary Ellen, congrats again on your daughter! I kno...Mary Ellen, congrats again on your daughter! I know you are right, I needed to remind myself why I blog and it helped to talk it through with everyone here!Heather Kuhn Roelkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07247311735034470203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8989121904965444460.post-89614914602923251342013-08-21T14:18:55.798-05:002013-08-21T14:18:55.798-05:00What a conversation starter, huh? Since we're ...What a conversation starter, huh? Since we're all in the same boat as family history bloggers, I think we all know why we keep doing what we're doing - but when we get overwhelmed or frustrated, it's nice to remind OURSELVES why we do it! I've had to take a serious step back from blogging since I had my daughter in April, but even with the crazy handful that she is, I still can't stop blogging or researching my family tree - in fact, now that I have someone concrete to pass this info on to, I think it's even more important to keep doing it! Thanks for a great post, Heather!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16234091189020223166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8989121904965444460.post-38608468897649592492013-08-21T11:56:51.879-05:002013-08-21T11:56:51.879-05:00I have thought of quitting. I don't because I...I have thought of quitting. I don't because I do this hobby, in part, to relieve stress from daily life. I too see it as a repository in the form of my genealogy journal/diary. Even if I was the only one reading it, I'd still post. We are thinking the same from quitting to doing genealogy as job someday to...who knows...making it into a book...even if it is just published for the benefit of my children to read someday when they are older. zelserskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11392051499155306765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8989121904965444460.post-41544015171285316422013-08-21T11:55:52.453-05:002013-08-21T11:55:52.453-05:00I've had similar thoughts and lately have been...I've had similar thoughts and lately have been thinking that it's slowing down my research. But then I thought that it's also making me a more thorough researcher. I'm probably the main user of my blog and that's OK. It really helps me keep track of what I've already done and where the holes are. I receive emails every once in a while from someone thanking me for posting the information, so that helps keep me going too. <br /><br />Heather, your comments on some of my military records helped me uncover so much more information on those ancestors. My family doesn't read my blog either, so I know how that goes. I think the time investment is worth it overall, so hope we both can keep on blogging!Kathrynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13983843990930490265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8989121904965444460.post-33565103610276092482013-08-21T06:06:44.788-05:002013-08-21T06:06:44.788-05:00I would like to have more time to blog and researc...I would like to have more time to blog and research. I do it for myself and for family members to read (now and into the future).<br /><br />I received a private message of thanks just yesterday from someone who had read my blog about a little country village where his family had also originated. <br /><br />It is little things like this that make it all worthwhile.Sharonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06636761469099608281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8989121904965444460.post-19361662123559509822013-08-20T21:23:18.936-05:002013-08-20T21:23:18.936-05:00Nancy, thank you for your kind words! You made two...Nancy, thank you for your kind words! You made two great points that I wanted to highlight. First, that the pull between focusing on research and focusing on blogging can often be a struggle. However, I am beginning to look at them as one in the same. My blog is my research log and, as others here have mentioned, it is also a way for me to ensure better and more thorough research. <br /><br />And you also mentioned that while you don't always comment, you always read. I completely agree! I read so many blogs, but I don't always comment. And it is a good reminder that we have friends that are out there reading whether we hear from them or not. I certainly would be sad to see any of my blogging friends quit, as I love the concepts, ideas and reading they bring to me on a daily basis!Heather Kuhn Roelkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07247311735034470203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8989121904965444460.post-66653269348542607192013-08-20T21:18:03.629-05:002013-08-20T21:18:03.629-05:00Jacqi, we are on the same page. Your idea about th...Jacqi, we are on the same page. Your idea about the searchable aspect of blogging is dead on. I've had responses from blog posts that are years old...and sometimes that is the best kind of response because it shows the old posts still have value. You are right, we are not just posting for our readers now. Such a great point!Heather Kuhn Roelkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07247311735034470203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8989121904965444460.post-80556347069898549582013-08-20T21:11:33.447-05:002013-08-20T21:11:33.447-05:00So many good points from everyone! Thank you, Lind...So many good points from everyone! Thank you, Linda, for your thoughts. I also love to hear when my blog is helpful, especially if it helps someone break down a brick wall or connect them with a cousin.Heather Kuhn Roelkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07247311735034470203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8989121904965444460.post-2106200182510116272013-08-20T20:14:44.457-05:002013-08-20T20:14:44.457-05:00So many have already chimed in, Heather, but I'...So many have already chimed in, Heather, but I'll add a few thoughts, too. Though you may think that few read your blog, as you can see by the response, many do! We would miss you if you quit blogging.<br /><br />At the beginning of my blogging experience I wondered if I could keep up the research AND also blog about it. It seemed to divide my time and attention. And I guess it still does, in some ways. It seems that I go through times when I spend more time researching and less time blogging, then less time researching and more blogging, and then neither of both. And, of course, it's most important to decide our purpose in blogging. Probably one of the best reasons is for ourselves (because, let's face it, with thousands of genealogy blogs, unless we're Randy Seaver, we probably won't have hundreds of readers who respond to our posts). When we do it for ourselves, we can decide whether to put pressure on ourselves to blog every day or lessen the pressure to blog when we have something to say, or share, or that we want to remember.<br /><br />I'm glad you won't be leaving the blogging community, Heather! Even though I don't often comment, I always read.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12136584654825212359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8989121904965444460.post-35607551822101431522013-08-20T19:48:35.076-05:002013-08-20T19:48:35.076-05:00Heather, I'm so with you on some of the feelin...Heather, I'm so with you on some of the feelings I think are common to bloggers. It <i>does</i> sometimes feel lonely pursuing this solitary hobby. I've likened blogging to hollering into an empty room, or shouting into a tin can with no one on the other end of the line. Our minds can play mean tricks on us, and in the blogger's mind, the trick is that no one is "listening."<br /><br />You've had quite a bit on your plate, lately, with such a monumental, cross-country move, and it is quite understandable for you to look at this project of yours within that bigger picture. I'm sure you are taking it all in stride, but it would be understandable if you yielded to the temptation to beat yourself up over "not blogging enough."<br /><br />I've blogged for all the reasons you've mentioned (as well as those others have brought up in the comments). And I can relate to some of the down side: not many in my family read what I'm writing, either--and hey, it's <i>their</i> family, too, for crying out loud! The dips in page views can sometimes get quite discouraging.<br /><br />I'd like to bring up one more reason for blogging genealogy. This is one item that keeps me going (and I've blogged about it before): that what we post on our blogs is <b>searchable</b> online, and will remain online as long as this technology is still accessible. As we pile up our posts, whether diligently done on a regular basis, or on an as-needed basis, they build an archives of our memories and findings regarding our family's ancestors.<br /><br />Who else would tell their story, if we didn't?<br /><br />Thankfully, Google, Bing and all the other search engines become our partners in bringing these stories to light for those seeking more details on these specific people, places and eras. It has been so heartening, in the rare moments in which it happens, to have someone I don't know contact me now about a post I might have made two years ago.<br /><br />It helps me have faith that, two years from now--or maybe even twenty--someone else will stumble across something I've posted and find it helpful.<br /><br />We are not just blogging for our readers <i>now</i>. We are taking our place in the stream of searchable data. As long as the technology allows, the stories we post will continue to be found, long after we post them.<br /><br /><i>That's</i> the reason I keep blogging.Jacqi Stevenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03471698670217119444noreply@blogger.com