Yes, it's me. I'm back. The last few months have been a blur. I've missed two postings. I am apologetic and not without remorse. We have had an illness that led to the loss of my sons beloved wife. You've heard that " life gets in the way". Well, I have learned the truth of that. Papers, bills, documents and other obligations have been piling high. Perhaps I will get a handle on it all, perhaps not. For now, I am most satisfied to give a quick update and status report.
My progress in the "Genealogy Do-Over" has not been steady. In fact, I am on the third repeat of the "Do Over". I now have a file for every family member, a check list I use to record what I have on each individual and what I am needing to look for, and a waterproof box in which I can store the files.
Starting with myself and progressing thru my grandparents, I have re-examined each of these seven individuals and entered their data into a second genealogy program. I am using Legacy now. No, I have not given up my trees on Ancestry. My intent is to simply have a back-up in a different program. Eventually, I hope to be able to use my Legacy tree to go back and correct errors and fill in blank spots on the Ancestry tree.
My work on "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" has also suffered. The last post to that project was completed for Fathers Day when I wrote about my dad. The next post that I complete will probably be in memory of my sweet daughter in law when I feel ready to write it. While not an ancestor, to generations yet to come, she will be and she deserves to be remembered.
I would feel somewhat remiss if I did not post a quick warning to those seeking help from professional genealogists across the sea. My relationship with my chosen researcher in Poland has soured. Sadly, I did not get an estimate from him nor a contract. While he did obtain and send me some welcome documentation, the real "meat" of the research has never been completed. Since I paid him in increments to which he was in agreement, I did not pay him the full fee. I have since learned that his fee was very much " out of line" with other professionals. I have had no communication from him unless I write and ask him specifically for progress updates. He has told me that the documentation that he was requesting from the Warsaw archives is slow to come. It has been six months. I do not think that anything more will come and I am out a significant amount of money. Just be careful. Deal only with reputable researchers who can provide references.
Until November, be safe, healthy and happy.
Given the circumstances, I think you have done a good amount of work.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kristin. It is a very painful time.
ReplyDeleteSending hugs.
ReplyDeleteI know of a reputable American researcher who takes trips to Poland nearly annually, including research for clients. I'll send you his name and contact info privately if you like. 😊
Thank you, Pat. I would be most interested in learning more.
ReplyDeleteVery Sweet. Life does seem to take us on a curve. Would love to hear about your Daughter in Law.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences on your family's loss. Does sound like a challenging summer. Glad to see you back.
ReplyDeleteSorry to head of your recent tragedy. My condolences. I, too, had a very hard time with Polish researchers (18 months and over $100 to get one record). I finally decided to head there myself.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences to you and your family. You've had a lot going on. Completely understandable why you've been away from writing. When the time is right for you, I know you will write a beautiful tribute to your daughter in law.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about the loss of your daughter-in-law. She is family in every sense of the word and you are right. She deserves to be memorialized whenever you are ready. I blog a lot about people who do not fit the narrow definition of ancestor. We should all feel free to go where our writing and emotions take us.
ReplyDeleteI, too, had an awful experience with a professional genealogist in Poland. I'm sorry to hear about yours.
Best wishes to you and your family and I hope sunnier days are in your future.
I feel a need to update on my Polish researcher. It is now December and I have received additional information and documents from him. While I still believe his price to be rather high, in retrospect, he did a lot of work and I got a lot of information. Lesson learned....get a contract, be specific with time and money, pay in increments. I think he was learning as he went also as his work got better and better. Perhaps I was one of his first clients. I am grateful for what he did. It took a very long time but answered many questions for me.
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