There are many genealogists that enjoy being a part of a genealogy group. It’s nice to be in a room full of people who all love the same hobby that you do. It can be a very rewarding experience to learn from, and work with, other genealogists. However, not everyone is going to find that they like being part of a group. How can you tell? Here are some reasons why you might not want to join a genealogy group.
There are many good reasons why people join genealogy groups. It is a good way to make friends with other genealogists. Genealogy groups are a great place to learn more about different research methods, types of genealogy software, and more. One good thing about genealogy is that you can do it entirely by yourself, and do not necessarily need a whole group of people to help you do your research. This means that if you don’t want to join a genealogy group, you do not have to.
Think back to when you were in school. When your teacher assigned a project or report that required students to work in groups, how did that make you feel? If you tend to resist working in a group because you experience social anxiety, or because it makes you uncomfortable, this is a good reason not to join a genealogy group. Why take an activity that you enjoy, and turn it into something that you find stressful? There is nothing wrong with wanting to work by yourself.
Some genealogy groups are designed to include people who have specific ancestry. For example, a particular genealogy group might be for genealogists who can trace their family tree to people who lived in a certain town, country, or part of the world. Some groups are for genealogists whose ancestors served in certain wars, or who were slaves. If the genealogy group wants all members to fit certain criteria, and you don’t match, this is a good reason not to join a genealogy group.
One of the aspects of genealogy that people find so satisfying is being able to solve mysteries. Finding something that verifies the date that you suspected your ancestors got married can be exciting. Accidentally discovering an ancestor whom you never knew existed can be thrilling! If you are the kind of person who doesn’t like it when people help you solve a puzzle, then you might not want to join a genealogy group.
Ultimately, the decision to join, or not to join, a genealogy group depends on you. There are many good reasons why people decide to join genealogy groups, and some very valid reasons why other people choose not to join them. It is nice that genealogy is a hobby that is flexible enough to be done both in a group and by oneself.
Image by Tim Morgan on Flickr