Your Not Alone!

Believe it or not, there are a lot of Family Historians out there.  I know sometimes researching your family can seem like a solitary task, with long hours spent staring at a computer screen with no one around, but there are many others who are doing the same thing.  They also need like minded friends with whom they share ideas, compare notes, and give and get new ideas. 

Go to a Meeting

Fortunately there is an answer, Genealogy Societies.  These societies can be a large group or just a hand full of like minded people that gather regularly to talk about their passion, learning more about their family’s history.  They can center around location, ethnic groups, or historical events, and there is probably one near you!

These societies are in every state in the U.S.  I did a count of the ones in my home state, and there are 121 genealogical societies in Texas.  With Texas having 254 counties, that roughly means that if there is not a society in your county, there is probably one in the county next to yours.

When you walk into one of these meetings, you will find other people who love to talk about family history.  You may get some new ideas, learn about a new tool or web site, or maybe meet a relative.  You will almost certainly make some friends!  Many people who join lineage societies find that they develop lifelong relationships.

Go to a Meeting — Without Leaving the House

While the COVID pandemic was trying for all of us, one good that came from it was connecting with each other virtually.  If you are not able to travel to a genealogy meeting, the good news is that now many of them are now meeting online or conducting hybrid meetings, where they meet in person and connect that meeting via the internet.  In many of these meetings, the host will start the virtual meeting early so that participants can chat with each other virtually.  To find these virtual meetings, just look for larger societies near you or near a place you are researching, or just search for one on Google.  Virtual meetings can be a great way to renew friendships, even if they live on the other side of the country!

So get out of the house, shed your bunny slippers, and meet some new friends!  If traveling is not an option, find a group online and show your new friends your bunny slippers.  Maybe you will start a trend!  At the very least you will be better for the experience.