Inspiring Blogs 300September has been and gone, and so has October, and as I didn’t get to do a September Inspiring Genealogy Blogs post, I’m combining it with the October one.

I don’t know about you, but I learn a lot and get inspired from reading. And that’s why I choose to do these posts.

In this post I have a bumper lot of reading I for you. In them wee cover everthing from cleaning out a family members house, to hoarding, to why blog, to needing to be cautious with DNA testing, preserving home movies, online courses, conferences and timelines just to mention a few.

I know that I’ve mentioned before (each time) that I find that reading blog posts helps me keep up with the latest news, products as well as what’s happening in general in the world of genealogy. And if you happen to already follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and to some extent Google+, you already know that I like to share with you the interesting things I read.

Do Young Folks Have Enough Time For Genealogy?
Lee Drew poses an interesting question … “Do young folks have time for genealogy?” It’s a different question to one we’re used to which tends to be “How to get young folks interested in genealogy”, or “What will attract the younger generation to genealogy?”. It is true, life IS busy, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down at all. For more on this interesting question read the full article …

Sorting Saturday: Cleaning Mom’s House
As I read this post that Wendy wrote on her All My Branches Genealogy blog, I found myself nodding along to it. For anyone that has been involved in cleaning out a relative’s house after they died, not to mention one that has lived in the same place for 50+ years, you’ll totally get what Wendy writes. For the full article …

Using Time Lines as a Family History Writing Tool
Diane writes about a using timelines as a tool to help with research. She gives a number of examples, and then shows us how she uses it to her advantage. Read the full article …

With Genetic Testing I Gave My Parents the Gift of Divorce
With DNA testing being all the rage these days, take a moment to read this article as you may want to think twice before ordering that kit. And are you really ready for what results might be found? Read the full article …

Getting Started to YouTube Your Family History
There is no doubt that technology is changing at a rapid rate, and unfortunately those old audio cassettes and VHS videos for most aren’t even playable anymore. In this post FamilySearch talks about converting your old family movies and making a private YouTube channel, one that you share with your family. Definitely something to think about. Read the full article …

A Beginners Guide to Newspaper Research for Genealogy
Kenneth Marks is an expert on researching newspapers. If you don’t believe me, check out his blog. For successful searching of newspapers you need to know the techniques on HOW to search. So take a moment to read this post he’s written, as you may just learn a new tip or two which will help you. Read the full article …

Postems on FreeBMD
Judy Webster wrote this post on Postems on FreeBMD, and in it she describes a strategy that has worked brilliantly for her. If anyone in your family tree was born, married or died in England or Wales from 1837 onwards, try it! Read the full article …

How to Use Pinterest for Genealogy
As the world of genealogy and also social media evolves, to ways to use them together changes to. And in this post Genealogy Girl Talks discusses using Pinterest for genealogy. She says “I started using Pinterest for my family’s genealogy and I love it! It’s a great way to organize the family photographs and documents found around the internet. Plus, as an added bonus, the link to the document and family photo is provided and you can easily share with family! There’s no need to save old family photos to your computer (and forgetting the source).” So if you’re interested to read more about why she uses Pinterest, read the full article …

Blogging Your Family History
You’ve all heard of a blog, and if you’re reading this you’re reading a blog. But do you know WHY people blog? Do you know how it can help you with your family history? And do you know how to get started making one? All these and more are answered in this post. Read the full article …

Confessions of a Genealogy Hoarder
Valerie makes a confession. She is a genealogy hoarder (though she’s far from being alone). For those of you who can understand all about genealogy hoarding, or those who want to learn to avoid it, be sure to read this post. Read the full article …

My Three Rs of Genealogy Research
You’ve all heard of the three Rs … reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmetic, which are all useful for everyone. But have you heard of the three Rs of genealogy? No? Well take a read of Pauleen’s post here, and they are very valid Rs indeed for every researcher. Read the full article …

5 Step to Proving Your Family History
The Armchair Genealogist, Lynn reminds us that “as family historians we often see ourselves as detectives, uncovering the past for future generations. However, as the family history detective it’s important for you to provide a strong case for your research, to be able to provide proof of your theories and back up that proof with quality evidence.” Read her 5 steps that you should do with your research. Read the full article …

Genealogy??? Family History???
Mary of the Roots & Stuff blog asks the question “Are Genealogy and Family History the same thing? Mostly but not always.” Mary writes that Tony Proctor addressed this in a recent blog post titled The Lineage Trap on his Parallax View blog.  He points out that for most people family history is as important as mere lineage. This is one that’ll get you thinking. Read the full article …

Online Classes Really Do Work
There are plenty of ways that you can increase your genealogical knowledge, and online courses is just one of them. Lee Drew is a fan of them, and teaches other about them – even the free ones. But others query the value of a free online class … well, have a read and see for yourself. Read the full article …

What if Genealogy Books Were Banned?
In this post that NGS wrote in September they mentioned that Banned Book Week was coming up. “Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Held during the last week of September, it highlights the value of free and open access to information.” The question was then asked “What if genealogy books were banned?” … Read the full article …

How to Find the Father of an Illegitimate Child
I don’t there would be many researchers out there that doesn’t have an illegitimate child or two in their family somewhere. Frustratingly sometimes that can cause a brickwall. Yvette Hoitink has some fabulous advice for all who are wanting break down that brickwall, and find the father of an illegitimate child. Read the full article …

5 Reasons Why You Should Take a Genealogy Research Break
Have you ever got a bit jaded with your research? You find that you’re progressing and are losing enthusiasm? Kenneth Marks has done in the past. And he writes about the need to take a break from research. Read the full article …

One of the most powerful genealogical sentences I’ve read in a long time: “his real family isn’t his biological one”
Maria has shared this story written by Julia Belluz, and the impact that this one sentence has had on the family. Read the full article …

The Objects of Your Affections
Do you have an item, that although it takes up room and collects dust, you keep purely because it reminds you of a family member past? Natalie does. Or at least she did until her partner decided to give it away. It’s quite a story, and you can read the article here …

Gender & the Great War: The Myth of the ‘Superfluous Woman’
I found Suzie Grogan’s guest post on Emma Jolly’s ‘Genealogic’ blog, in this post Suzie’s discusses the myth of the ‘superflous woman’ which followed the Great War of 1914-18. By that she’s referring to the “army of spinsters left on the shelf following the deaths of more than 700,000 of the nation’s finest in the four years of fighting” … and the press referred to “the ‘millions’ for whom marriage had become an impossibility. Surely there were not enough men to go round?” It’s a war related topic that I actually hadn’t thought of before. Read the full article …

Connections at Conferences
This post was one I found though social media, and I’m glad that I did. Cari and I think along the same lines when it . She says “Genealogical conferences … are as much about reuniting with far-flung friends and making connections with new ones as they are about the wonderful educational opportunities. Over the years, I have made so many great friends by attending conferences and every time I attend, I make even more! So if you need any MORE reason to attend any upcoming genie events, be sure to read the full article …

Always Cite Your Sources and What does that Mean Anyway?
This post is of Ancestry’s Advanced Tips that they do from time to time. For anyone who has been researching for any length of time you certainly have heard about citing your sources, and hopefully you are doing it. Though no doubt when you started you were like everyone else, and just busy getting all the information you could without noting where it came from. Ancestry gives you two very good reasons on WHY you should cite your sources. Read the full article …

A Guide to Finding Your Missing Ancestors
Some may know Myko Clelland as the Dapper Historian, others may know him from findmypast as he’s part of their team. Here he gives readers a great guide to find your missing ancestors. And let’s face it, everyone of us has missing ancestors, so everyone should have a read of this. Read the full article …

Get out and go to Genealogy Conference, Events, Lectures or Whatever!
Donny is genealogist. In his own words he’s “mainly been a heads down do-it-yourself sort of genealogical researcher.” He’d looked at attending events in the past, but hadn’t actually taken the plunge until recently and attended an Irish themed event held in Boston where John Grenham spoke. Now he’s a convert to the value of attending talks by knowledgable speakers, as using his tips he’s discovered so much about his great grandfather. He finishes by saying “Would I have come to these discoveries if I didn’t attend Mr. Grenhams presentation? I am not sure, but I do know that I discovered family information sooner which allow me to spend more time on tracing Patrick’s sibling’s lines. So get out and to go some Genealogy conference, events, lectures, or whatever!.” Wise words I say! Read the full article …

Happy reading! 🙂