One of the most important aspects of genealogy is not just finding records on your own, it is collaborating with others. There will always be people who know more about a topic than you. There are people who are well versed in certain areas of the world and even different parts of different countries. There are people who know family stories that you do not know.
When I first started the journey of finding my ancestors I depended greatly on older relatives to tell me stories. I started having family reunions to meet the extended family and to get even more stories. From these stories, most I had never heard, I found new areas to look for records and from those areas I learned of things even my older relatives didn’t know.
Collaboration is a key to successful genealogical work
DNA Matching is a Great Collaboration Tool
One of the newest collaboration tools you can utilize is DNA matching to find your relatives. Working with my husband's newly found 3rd cousin, we have been able to tear down multiple brick walls. The work he had done and the throwing out of ideas between him and my husband has been so helpful. I have also utilized DNA relatives to find hidden gems in my family. Some of those gems, I am sure some people would have been happy to have kept hidden forever.
Genealogical societies can help immensely
Finally, I suggest joining some genealogical societies. We are currently working with a society in England where both my husband and I had relatives. These people have access to records we cannot see unless we are there. They are so willing to help and in some cases have gone above and beyond in the finding of information. What a wonderful tool so very seldom utilized.
Genealogists Work Together
Genealogy is not just about finding records, it is about working with others to get the most information from the most sources. Actually collaborating with relatives is the best in my opinion. My husband recorded my aunt telling stories about her youth and adult life that I never knew. But now, an added bonus, we have her voice recorded for a long time to come. Collaboration is so helpful, and I know I am grateful for the stories and records that will be passed down to my children’s children all because other people helped me along the way.
