I had barely completed the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, heaving an enormous sigh of relief, when I learned that it was happening again in 2015. No, I thought, I really don’t have another year in me. But, everyone was so encouraging that I thought, why not? What do I have to lose? So, this year I may not make an ancestor every week, but I will give an effort in the spirit of the challenge. Write, so that others can learn what research techniques have worked for me and others where I’ve failed; write, so that my child, my nieces, and my cousins can see just a snippet of their own past; write, so that I will stay motivated to continue…my search for the past.
So, I didn’t finish all 52 posts for 2015, but I did all 52 in 2014. I did manage 45 posts before I became bogged down by the themes that weren’t especially interesting to me. I have decided to move on. My intention is to continue this blog as “52 Ancestors Redux”. It is time to revisit the ancestors for whom I have new information. Maybe along the way, I’ll complete those last seven posts.
I’m very interested and intrigued… How does the whole 52 ancestors in 52 weeks work, exactly? And cudos to you for taking on the challenge. It seems a very daunting one.
Hi. There has been a formal challenge for the last two years, set forth by genealogist Amy Johnson Crow. Sadly, she is no longer doing this for 2016, although, for my part, I had a difficult time sustaining a second year. I did not complete the challenge, but I do intend to finish my last 7 posts – just not in the 52-week time frame. Once I have struggled through my last posts, I plan to revisit and update many of the old ones. There is so much new information and I would like to improve my citations as well.
You certainly could start your own personal challenge, but it was nice to have the support of a group. I thought it would be fun to create a Facebook group for 52 Ancestors, but I think we would want Amy’s permission. After all, It was her idea in the first place. Good luck with your new blog!