Reasons to Stop Saying "21st Century Genealogist"

Readers who follow me on Facebook over at the Technology for Genealogy group know that I am a big fan of Richard Byrne and his blog Free Technology for Teachers. As a genealogy educator, I find that much of what he shares at his site is applicable to the family history community as much as it applies to grade school teachers.

His recent post "21 Reasons to Stop Saying '21st Century Teacher'" made me consider whether or not the term "21st Century Genealogist" is overused. While I won't actually list 21 reasons, I think that several bullet points do have merit and apply to us as genealogists:

• We live in the 21st Century. If you're researching genealogy today, you're a 21st Century Genealogist.

• We live in the 21st Century. Even if you're using older methods (many are and always will be valid methods) you're still a 21st Century Genealogist.

• No one worth impressing is impressed by "21st Century Genealogist."

• A century is a long time.

• Good genealogists have always consulted with other genealogists. Social media didn't invent professional learning networks, personal learning networks, or professional learning groups.

• Good genealogists have always been life-long learners looking to bring tools into their research. Google didn't invent that.

• Writing or saying "21st Century Genealogist" is meaningful if you're trying to help someone win at Buzzword Bingo.

As many of us use different tech tools in searching our ancestors and we work to share them with others in the genealogy community, perhaps we need to avoid terms and labels that can be divisive such as "21st Century Genealogist."

I remember when I got started in genealogy: Yes, there were those "Blue Meanies" who could easily have been road blocks to my progress in finding my ancestors.  But I simply ran them over, turned them into "speed bumps" and sought out those giving, helpful souls who shared their wisdom and shared it freely. Those who did it best were those who avoided marginalizing terminology.

So, my fellow genealogists, what good stuff did you find today? And can you share it?

© 2013, copyright Thomas MacEntee

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Marriage Equality: What Would My Ancestors Think?

It isn't uncommon that a United States Supreme Court decision impacts our daily lives as citizens of this country. The Court was created to sort out the conflicts of law and to align practices and procedures with our Constitution and its intent as our Founders envisioned.

But it isn't every day that the course of my life hangs on the decision of those who sit on that bench and who can determine whether or not I have the same rights as others. My partner of close to 13 years and I would like the benefits and protections of marriage which are offered to others.  That's all - plain and simple.

What I want in terms of marriage doesn't take anything away from anyone else. What I want doesn't demean anyone's marriage or make marriage a travesty. What I desire in having the right to marry doesn't really impact the rights of others. It doesn't mean you'll pay more for a car, a house or a latte. It really has little to do with you; but everything to do with me.

All I desire are the same protections that any committed, loving couple would received on a state and federal level. I want the same benefits in terms of taxes and inheritance. I want the same protections when it comes to health care and property rights. I want the same legal recognition of my relationship with another person.

And I wonder what my ancestors would make of all this. Would their thinking have evolved to a point where they could understand marriage equality? Perhaps they even knew of a same sex couple, even if they didn't understand their "lifestyle" or "choice." Of course I'd like to think that they'd understand any or all of the issues involved, but I've not deluded myself in such thinking. Many of my ancestors thought that enslaving others was permissible and that treating women as property was acceptable.

What I do know is this: my ancestors did evolve from such beliefs held by previous generations and were forced - sometimes even by court decisions - to recognize that the universe bends towards justice.

And so we live in a country where equality is not just a lofty goal set out in a 225 year old piece of paper, but a reality we all deserve to see in our own lifetime.

© 2013, copyright Thomas MacEntee

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I'm Off On A Certified Adventure

I've decided to fulfill one of my long professional and personal goals of becoming a Certified Genealogist^SM by completing the Preliminary Application and mailing it in to the Board for Certification of Genealogists.

This is a big step for me as it has been a struggle for me lately to make a commitment to this important endeavor. I wanted to make sure that I was doing it for all the right reasons and that I could set aside enough time to pursue certification so that it is more than just a burden or another task on my project list.

Now I wait to receive my materials and to "go on the clock" as they say. For those of you not familiar with BCG or its programs, please look at their site and, more importantly, consider purchasing their Standards Manual.  Even if you never go for your CG or think that certification is for you, this book is one of the "must haves" in my library.  I purchased it when I was in the Boston University online program for a Certificate in Genealogical Research and I couldn't imagine pursuing any research without putting the standards into practice.

So off I go. Please understand that as part of the process I won't be able to discuss much in terms of my work or the materials I'm submitting.  Just know that I am looking forward to not just obtaining certification, but enjoying the adventure along the way.

Certified Genealogist and CG are proprietary service marks of the Board for Certification of Genealogists^® used by the Board to identify its program of genealogical competency evaluation and used under license by the Board’s associates.

© 2013, copyright Thomas MacEntee

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