Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

It can be easy to get stuck in a genealogical rut.

Consider working on an entire new family–in a location that is different and with people who are members of a different ethnic group or social class. The location should really be different–three counties away in the same state usually isn’t different–unless one area is urban and one is rural. Consider changing up your time period as well.

In trying to “figure out” my DNA matches, I’ve been forced to do more mid-to-late 20th century research than I usually do. That’s good. Doing it has allowed me to go back to my other time periods and locations with renewed interest.

And I made a few discoveries in the process.