Group Management on Genealogy Wise

Forget the fact that the number of groups on Genealogy Wise expands daily, which has been overwhelming for some (side note: Genealogy Wise is working on group categories to make the groups more accessible), what about those of us who are beginning to get overwhelmed by the amount of groups we have joined and created. I currently am a member of 67 groups. Of those 67 groups I created 36 of them. Most of the groups I created are surname groups, which the exception of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the National Institute for Genealogical Studies groups I created. How do I keep up with all of these groups? Simple answer is, I really don't and I do not feel as though I have to which takes away a lot of the pressure.

Social networking sites have been created to network for business and social purposes. Understanding your reasons for being on Genealogy Wise will help you prioritize the time you spend on Genealogy Wise. Whether your free time consists of only an hour a day or all day knowing why you want to be here will help you manage the time you spend on your groups.

For me, recently my time to devote to Genealogy Wise has decreased as I have been accepted to grad school, am doing some side work, and working toward becoming a member of the DAR. With two kids and a house to keep clean on top of that, my free time is limited. However, genealogy is an important part of my identity. Furthering the education of genealogists, learning more myself about genealogy, and meeting people with the genealogy bug is important to my health so to speak, to be a little on the dramatic side. I love genealogy and without at the very least a weekly dose I can get cranky.

Belonging to 67 groups, which I am sure will grow as more groups are created, was at first overwhelming. Especially considering that I created 36 groups. I was overwhelmed until I realized that I did not have to be involved in every group every single day or even check in with every group every single time I sign on. As an administrator of 36 groups I have prioritized which groups I want to work on depending on what surname I am researching at this time. The best part about being an administrator of surname groups is that these groups have been created to provide a place for individuals researching the same surname. At least, this is how I have set up my surname groups. These groups do not need a whole lot of administering.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the amount of groups you belong to, prioritize. Which groups focus on your current genealogy goals? The answer to this question is where your focus should be. The other groups will still be there when your goals have changed. My priority this week could be researching my Watson line, so I might spend some time in that group posting information about my line to try to find information that pertains to this particular line. Next week, the copy of the application I ordered from the DAR might arrive and I could start the research necessary to complete my application, which means I might spend more time in the DAR group. Understanding what genealogy goal I am focused on outside of Genealogy Wise will help me focus my time when I am on Genealogy Wise.

If you have tips on how to prioritize your time with the groups you belong to, please leave a comment to this blog to help others manage their time. You can also go to the forum I have started for this topic at http://www.genealogywise.com/forum/topics/group-management-1 and leave your comments. Thank you.