Have you ever thrown up your hands and thought, “Help! I don’t have enough time to research”? You’re not alone.
Genealogy does take time, often a lot. Still, you can make meaningful progress in short bursts. If you missed the original checklist of 15 Genealogy Tasks to Do in 15 Minutes, this list offers 15 more practical activities you can complete in a quarter hour or less.
15 MORE Quick Genealogy Tasks To Do In 15 Minutes
1. Check for new DNA matches on the services you use.
2. Send a brief, well-written contact message to a DNA match asking if they can share family information.
3. Perform a genealogy random act of kindness, such as helping someone with a lookup or sharing a resource.
4. Look on “lost photo” sites like DeadFred and Family Old Photos for possible images of your relatives.
5. Join a conversation in a Facebook genealogy group — set a timer to keep your session focused.
6. Search for new Facebook groups focused on surnames or locations relevant to your research.
7. Create a consistent file-naming template to organize documents and images.
8. Draft a timeline template you can reuse for each ancestor to track events and sources.
9. Write a short, clear summary of an ancestor’s life using the facts you already have.
10. Read a helpful blog post that teaches a new skill or method.
11. Build a location research guide listing archives, libraries, online resources, and local repositories for a place you’re researching.
12. Start analyzing a document: transcribe a portion, note clues, and plan next steps. You don’t need to finish it in one sitting.
13. Watch a short YouTube video on a topic that’s new to you to expand your skills and ideas.
14. Upload your raw Ancestry DNA results to MyHeritage or FamilyTreeDNA to find additional matches (small fees may apply).
15. Download and save blank census forms or other quick-reference templates so they’re ready the next time you research.
16. Bonus! Block future research times in your calendar so short sessions become a habit.
Got 15 minutes? Ready, set… research. And don’t forget to set your timer!
Grab your FREE printable checklist here:
If you want more genealogy tips, check these popular posts:
- 7 Places To Start Finding An Ancestor’s Death Date
- How to Determine Your Ancestor’s Birth Date (Even If No Birth Record Is Found)
- How To Research Your Ancestors in a Location You Cannot Visit
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