Mentoring the Next Gen

What are you doing to mentor the next generation of aspiring genealogists?

Do we just think this will happen? Who mentored you?

My family didn’t talk about their family much. Few stories; closed lips. I never thought there was a secret (and there wasn’t), but it just wasn’t something you talk about. Perhaps it was because my mother broke the chain of Ostfriesen marriages to marry a Scandinavian, my Dad. He told mother, “No foreign food.” I didn’t have pizza until I made it myself from a Chef Boyyardee box! She did make Swedish Rye Bread but I think she got the recipe from a friend.

I was contacted by a ProGen student requesting an interview. She said she had seven questions–we got to 3 +1! the conversation was wide-ranging, but it got me thinking about how we can encourage the next generation of genealogists. We each can do it and should, but each of us will do this unique to our personal situation.

Although this was not one of the questions, it got me thinking of all the ways I have mentored others and how others have mentored me. Here are some ideas.

Volunteer at your local genealogical society. Genealogy seems to be rather isolating, so reverse that and meet like-minded individuals in your own community. Desk volunteers at our society and at the library help session have the opportunity to raise their own level of knowledge by helping someone with a question outside the helpers usual locations of research. Recently, a patron came in when I was at the desk and wanted to know more about his Irish CW soldier. I know very little about researching Ireland but a goodly amount about the CW. We don’t have to know everything–we just have to want to help and meet the person where they are at in their journey.

Take in-person courses–not just online ones. The experience is definitely different and usually better. Yes, it’s easier to stay at home and listen to a webinar, but if it was offered as a hybrid and you are in the locale, go there and be part of the audience. Attend in-person workshops or institutes; attend conferences. We got out of the habit of personal attendance during COVID. Don’t be a COVID-trained recluse!

Set a goal to meet a (new) genealogist every month—call them up, ask to treat them for coffee or lunch. Bring a genealogical problem with you. One-on-one dialog may yield more than you think. A lunch break with a fellow genealogist led me on a two-year path to writing my book Journeys of the Forgotten: The Orphans of Hamilton County, Iowa. Who knows where your next conversation will take you?

Write a or call far-away cousin that you haven’t corresponded with for a while. Ask about their memories of your common ancestor. They may share some of the same memories but they will also have different ones.

If someone reaches out to you, make sure you reach back with an idea to communicate more.

All these expand your personal FAN Club–yes, you have one and you need to develop it. Some of these folks may be older than you and some will be younger. Remember, that younger does not mean they are not experts in their fields. Respect the knowledge they bring to the table; you are not there to be a “fixer” but rather a “listener.”

This blog has reminded me to call my older cousin and get her to talk about our grandfather. Gotta go!

Happy hunting!

Jill

What I have done since my last post: The first in a series of books about my paternal family is off to the printer (Lulu.com) for a draft. Cannot wait to see it! I am already working on my maternal family book which I hope to have to the printer by the end of this year. I have some fun presentations coming up and I have to work on those.

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