Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and ate turkey only as long as you wanted to. One of my family memories growing up was all the creative ways my mother could find to transform the Thanksgiving meal into amazing leftovers.

As you are preparing to head to the next feast, think about your family history goals for next year. We have talked a lot about doing research with a plan, that follows your purpose for doing research in the first place. This is a good time to reflect on what you have accomplished and celebrate all you have done. And make plans for what you would like to tackle next.

Take a moment to think about this last year.

1. What are 3 things you did differently to work on your family history in 2025?
2. What are 3 new sites you visited to do research?
3. What were 3 things you wanted to learn about your family history in 2025 and did you learn them? What were you hoping to learn that you still are looking for?
4. What were 3 things you learned in 2025 about how to do family history.

Now, take a moment to think about what comes next.

1. What 3 things are you wanting to discover about your family history in 2026? What are your research plans for each?
2. Of the new sites you visited in 2025, which will you continue to go to for your new research? What are 3 new sites that you will explore in 2026 as you continue your work.
3. Have you made any plans as to how you will share your learning? What are your plans, and have you started to implement them? If not, why not?
4. What help do you need to move forward in your work?

Here are some ideas to get you started. This is my spot for shameless class plugs.

Classes:           January: a) City Directories b) New Strategies for Addressing those Brickwalls

February: a) Essential Shortcuts Every Genealogist Needs b) Virtual Tour of the Midwest Continental Library

March: a) Naming Patterns b) Dutch Records

April: a) What is WikiTree and How to Use It b) Exploring the Community: Researching Beyond Your Ancestor

Here is another idea. Use affirmations! What do I mean? Don’t think, “I do family history and hope to find information.” Rather, “I am a family historian and today I will …” You don’t have to believe you are a pro. I used to tell people I as a photography “want-a-be” or I dabble in family history. I don’t have to believe I am a professional photographer or a professional genealogist. It is about your mindset!

You are a family historian!

Heidi Geise, education@hqrl.com