Leslie is an international speaker, teacher, and award-winning author of 14 books. Her books have been translated into at least ten languages including Ukrainian, Polish, Slovak, German, French, Chinese, and Korean.
Leslie Leyland Fields
https://www.leslieleylandfields.com/
During her session I realized that a lot of what was being covered including the reasons listed in the zoom chat by participants, are obstacles which relate to genealogy research too. Obstacles listed in the chat include fear, lack of time, how to begin, perfection, lack of discipline, so much material, pressuring myself, interruptions, etc.
I have met many people interested in Ukrainian Canadian genealogy through the Ukraine SIG at the Alberta Genealogical Society and at the display tables which I had at 3 events this last summer. From my own obstacles and what I have heard from others on theirs, I find common themes.
 |
| https://storables.com, Computer Data Storage |
After this session I did a google search and found 3 excellent articles on obstacles in writing and reviewed them for cross overs to genealogy research and especially how they relate to my own life. I found some good tips and leads to some new apps.
Leslie mentioned the question, “who will care? and told us that “we store in our minds the stories that matter to us.” What are the stories that you remember of your own lives and what are the stories that you remember of your ancestors, cousins, neighbours etc.?
I realize that writing is a different skill set than researching but there are overlaps with the obstacles. Let’s start first with a couple of real good articles on obstacles involving writing.
Top 11 Toughest Writing Challenges and How To Overcome Them
https://becomeawritertoday.com/writing-challenges/
10 Obstacles to Writing a Book and How to Conquer Them
https://thewritepractice.com/writing-a-book-obstacles/
21 of the Biggest Challenges Writers Face and Their Solutions
https://writingtipsoasis.com/biggest-challenges-writers-face/
I printed off these articles and circled, underlined, and highlighted some of the material. Some of the articles don’t print off nicely so I had to copy and paste the information into Word in order to print it off in an easy format to read. I am old school on this!
I find that it is a good idea to reflect on what is holding me back, what is interfering and how I can do things better, to be more effective, and efficient. This is called, “reframing” which can be a powerful tool when we feel stuck or held back.
1. Identify the obstacles.
2. Question your assumptions.
3. Shift perspective.
4. Set clear goals.
5. Break it down.
6. Seek support.
7. Celebrate progress.
 |
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash |
When I did the 1993 Kalynchuk Family History book, I initially reviewed family history books done by others. I created a table of contents (an outline) from this exercise and also photocopied some examples to refer to. This is what got me started.
There are numerous resources available to assist one with writing your family history.
9 Tips for Getting Started on Writing Your Family History
Editors of Family Tree Magazine
https://familytreemagazine.com/storytelling/tips-getting-started-writing-family-history/
The Non-Writers Writing Guide to Write Your Family History
https://www.creativefamilyhistorian.com/writing/family-history-non-writers-writing-guide/
How to Write Your Family History
https://www.thoughtco.com/steps-to-writing-your-family-history-1422877
Write Your Family History with Devon Noel Lee
https://www.youtube.com/@WriteYourFamilyHistory
.jpg) |
Photo by Yura Fresh on Unsplash |
One tip that I got from one of the above articles (Top 11...) is if I write in Calibri and edit in a different font, the change tricks my brain into thinking that I am reading a different piece of writing. I also know that I have trouble with grammar and am always writing on sticky notes and small pieces of paper. One thing that excites me is to discover new apps that can make my life easier.
18 Best Grammar Checker Tools: Ranked and Rated
https://becomeawritertoday.com/best-grammar-checker/
Scrivener – a book writing software
Scrivener is a word-processing program and outliner designed for writers. The free trial runs for 30 days of use.
https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview
ColorNote – a notepad app.
This is available on the Google Play for my android mobile device.
https://www.colornote.com/
And to finish this article, I google searched on “obstacles in genealogy” and found the following. Lately it is the indirect evidence which is giving me some new leads on my family research. And I find that using timelines, really helps when I am checking out dates. I am also expanding which relatives I am researching on as I find that siblings, cousins, and extended family members have treasures of information and pictures!
Common Obstacles Found in Genealogy Records and How to Overcome Them
Legacy Tree Genealogists
https://www.legacytree.com/blog/overcoming-obstacles-genealogy-records
4 Ways to Solve Genealogy Problems
By the Family Tree Editors
https://familytreemagazine.com/research/4-tips-for-solving-genealogy-problems/
5 Common Genealogy Errors (and How to Avoid Them)
By Andrew Koch, at the Family Tree Magazine
https://familytreemagazine.com/research/5-common-genealogy-errors/
13 tips to try when your family tree leaves you stumped
Find My Past UK Blog
https://www.findmypast.co.uk/blog/help/family-history-brick-walls
Ten Common Genealogical Problems – and How to Solve Them
https://www.findmypast.co.uk/blog/help/family-history-brick-walls
Ten Common Genealogical Problems – and How to Solve Them
Tracing Ancestors in the UK
https://tracingancestors-uk.com/resources/ten-common-genealogical-problems-and-how-to-solve-them
https://tracingancestors-uk.com/resources/ten-common-genealogical-problems-and-how-to-solve-them