With the increase of information available on the internet, it seems that the popularity of genealogical societies is decreasing. Many people wonder if it is still worth their time and investment to join a genealogical society. There are many reasons that you may want to consider joining a genealogical society to enhance your genealogical research. These benefits can go a long way toward furthering your research and enhancing your project. Here are just a few of the reasons why you should consider joining a genealogical society.

Member Only Resources

Many genealogical societies provide resources that are solely available to their members. A substantial number of genealogical societies offer free access to paid websites, among many other resources. Other societies contain extensive libraries that are exclusively available to their members. When you join a genealogical society, it is likely that you will have more access to resources that will help to improve your genealogy project and help you to meet your genealogy goals.

Networking

Genealogical societies provide you with access to an array of valuable contacts. These connections can substantially help you to improve your project. The connections that you form when you join a genealogical company can provide you with knowledge and skills that will further your project. The skills that other members of the genealogical society can provide can substantially improve your research project. These societies help to ensure that you can make all of the contacts that you need to successfully and effectively complete a genealogical project. Your new connections can aid in your research. They can also help to provide a fresh perspective on your project and help you organize your findings. This may also help to provide you with guidance when you set goals for your genealogy project.

Make New Connections

When you join a genealogical society, you gain the opportunity to make new connections and friends. These societies put you into direct contact with individuals that have at least one interest that is in line with your own. Joining a genealogical society can allow you to make new friends and develop new relationships. You will no longer be alone in your research processes if you join a genealogical society. This is just one of the many benefits that a membership with a genealogical society can provide.

Conferences and Workshops

Genealogical societies often host quarterly conferences or various workshops. These events can provide you with excellent skills and research techniques to effectively undertake your genealogy project, which often help to make your processes much more effective. Regularly visiting conferences and workshops can help to reignite your motivation to work on your genealogy project, in addition to providing you with valuable information to aid in the project. These conferences are often held exclusively for members, so joining a genealogical society can provide a multitude of benefits when the society hosts these conferences.

Journals and Publications

A genealogical society often invests in producing journals and publications to help aid in your research. This can also provide you with motivation to continue with your research, as they will likely allow you to submit your research for publication. Reading these journals and publications can help provide you with data that is applicable to your own research project. They may also provide useful tips to help ensure that you can complete your research project as efficiently as possible. Many journals and publications will be held in the genealogical society’s library, which may be available only to members of that society. When you join a genealogical society, you will receive access to many valuable resources.

Develop New Research Skills

Genealogical societies often contain many experienced members that will have advanced research skills. They will be able to provide you with effective guidance that will help improve the research skills that you have. Learning new techniques and methods in which you can complete your research can help to provide you with more advanced research skills. These skills can go a long way toward helping you past dead ends in your research. They may also provide you with new ideas regarding how you can approach your specific project or a new project. There are many mistakes that are commonly made by beginning genealogists. Joining a genealogical society can help you to avoid these mistakes and begin your genealogy project on a strong basis.

Improve your Communication and Teamwork Capabilities

Collaboration can substantially help to improve a research project. When you join a genealogical society, it is possible that you will be able to engage in group research projects with other members of the society. This will help to improve your communication skills, as well as help you to learn how to function better in part of a team. It may additionally provide you with the opportunity to develop valuable leadership skills. These various skills can provide multiple benefits in many other facets of your life, outside of your genealogy research.

How to Find a Genealogical Society

There are multiple resources available to help you find a genealogical society that will meet your needs. The Federation of Genealogical Society allows you to search for genealogical societies that are located in your area or specialize in the specific field that you wish. D’addezio.com provides similar resources. Google can also be a valuable tool in helping you to obtain information regarding the ideal genealogical society for you to join. Do your research when you intend to join a genealogical society.

Here at Heritage Consulting, we are passionate about providing you with the information and tools that you need to undertake a genealogy research project. Our expert team is capable of providing you with advice and guidance to improve your research skills and enhance your project. Though there are many benefits that you can obtain when you join a genealogical society, there are even more benefits to hiring a professional genealogist to aid in your project. From a consultation to research services, we are capable of providing many services to further your research and improve your project.