Free Online Genealogy Course with FutureLearn (Week 2)

[Rishile]

I think my equivalent system of mind-mapping works better.  I use a word-processing document, type in everything I know in chronological order and can then slot in any new items in the relevant places as and when I find them.  I have one page per direct-line ancestor with the same system for each of their children further down the page.  Everything goes into the direct-line ancestors part including birth, marriage and death dates of their spouse and children.  It seems a lot easier than the mind-mapping system shown.

Or am I missing something? 

Rishile

[Ruskie]

Sounds like a nice simple efficient method Rishile. 

I must admit I have not carefully examined the mind map example given (and I probably should), but seeing dates from the 1800s on one side and from the 1940s on the other, and coloured lines leading who knows where, made my eyes glaze over - trying to figure it out looks too much like hard work.

[cati]

I'm afraid that the mind-mapping example reminded me too much of 'Death by Powerpoint"....

[Millmoor]

I don't think mind mapping is my bag either (too much of a reminder of in service training?) but each to their own.

William

[millymcb]

As we thought...mind mapping is a fancy term for writing a list or timeline.  But I can see the benefit of the circular chart as you can see it all at a glance on one page rather than having to scroll down a list.

I sometimes use a table with lots of columns which does the same thing as Rishile's list and helps to keep it on one page rather than spilling over to two pages or more if it gets too long.

I watched the location;/geography video which was quite interesting. And the FAN Family and Neighbour thing was interesting too.  I think it is something we see a lot of on Rootschat where people are solving puzzles - we just don't give it a fancy name

Milly

[groom]

And the FAN Family and Neighbour thing was interesting too.  I think it is something we see a lot of on Rootschat where people are solving puzzles - we just don't give it a fancy name

I think you are right there, Milly. We probably all do a lot of the things suggested but don't call them the proper names.

Did anyone try the Vocaroo exercise, I'm afraid I just skipped that bit? Looking at the comments it doesn't look as if many people have recorded anything, I've only found and listened to 5 or 6.

[millymcb]

Where is the Vacaroo thing? Maybe I didn't reach it yet.
Update:  I just found it...but dont think I will bother

I just downloaded FeeMind to test out this mind mapping thing.  I tried it out on a non genealogy project I am starting - and it is actually quite good.  All the "to do" things that were in my head are now in a circle

I may try it out on one of my brick walls and see what happens... although as I am looking for John Smith from Lancashire I don't hold out much hope

Milly

[Romilly]

All this 'Mind Mapping' takes me back to the 'Spider Diagrams' that I remember using when I started teaching in the 1970's... (And I think they were 'old hat' then:-)

I think that I will stay with my scribbled notes. 

Milly, - 'John Smith in Lancashire' is almost as bad as 'William Wilson in Lancashire'!!

Romilly

[StevieSteve]

I thought it might be interesting if it was tried out on a Rootschat unsolved "cold case" on here but failing that, I'd be interested to hear how soon John Smith gets found