This is the 1000th post I’ve published on this blog. It all started almost eight years ago when my cousin Judy Ruzicka, a Brotman second cousin, suggested that instead of emailing my research discoveries to all the Brotman cousins, I create a blog where people could subscribe and see my research. I had at that time read and followed a few blogs, but had never thought about creating one. Judy did the initial setup on WordPress, and I started to publish. Haltingly at first. Posting one census record or death record and adding a few words.
This was my first post. No commentary or analysis, just an image.
And then it grew. I started realizing that I could tell stories about the relatives I was researching. I could put together narratives, and when I started doing that, I could see where I had holes in my research or where I needed more sources. And suddenly I found that I had more than my Brotman cousins reading along. I had other bloggers reading as well. And I started reading their blogs, and that gave me ideas for my own research and my own writing.
From there I discovered I could share my blog on Facebook and connect with more researchers and learn even more about family history research. The blog became a bigger and bigger part of my life. I at one point was posting three or four times a week and writing posts that were sometimes 3000 words. But I then learned that sometimes too much is too much. People didn’t want to read that much in one day or that often. So I cut my publishing schedule to twice a week and my post lengths to about 1000 words.
Then the best part started to happen. Cousins started to find me through my blog. Someone would Google their grandfather’s name or their great-grandmother’s name and find them mentioned on my blog. They would contact me, and I would learn more about that part of my family—often leading to photographs, letters, documents, and memoirs and memories. The blog itself became a way of advancing my research. Today I have connected with well over 200 living cousins, many because they found my blog.
So as I post Number 1000, I wanted to stop and recognize and thank all those who have supported this endeavor by reading, commenting, sharing, and finding my blog. From Judy Ruzicka, who started it all, to all the family members, friends, and fellow genealogy and other bloggers who read the blog—whether periodically or regularly—thank you for giving me this platform to share and expand my family history project.
Now—on to post 1001! I will be taking a break to spend some time with my kids, but I’ll be back in a couple of weeks.
Mazel tov! 1000 is an amazing accomplishment.
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Thanks, Ava!
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Congratulations, Amy. Enjoy your time off with your family.
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Thanks, Cathy!
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Congratulations on your 1000th post, Amy! That was an excellent idea to switch from sending emails to writing a blog for your family research.
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Thank you, Peter!
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Very exciting ~ congratulations! Enjoy your family 🙂
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Thank you, Sharon!
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Hi Amy, well done for reaching your milestone and a special thank you once again for your help with my Selinger’s six years ago. I hadn’t a clue how to go about this task and then I found you online, the rest
is history. 😊 Your commitment in paying homage to your ancestor’s is inspiring and I admire your drive and dedication. Enjoy your holiday.
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Thank you, Shirley! Meeting you and Ron was a highlight of our trip to England. I am so glad we found each other!
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Ditto Amy.
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Congratulations! That is a great accomplishment. Thanks for sharing your “origin story.”
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Thanks, Eilene!
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What a great accomplishment – congratulations! Have a good time away with your kids and I’ll be anxious to read the next 1,000 posts!
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Thanks, Debi!
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Blog posts make wonderful cousin bait. I need to get back to work on mine as it does open up new leads.
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They sure do.
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Congratulations! ou do a fantastic job.
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Thanks, Sue!
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Congratulations! And thank you, Amy!
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Thank you!
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Mazel Tov and Yasher Koach
Be well and have a good day
>
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Thanks, cousin!! Xox
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Congratulations, Amy. 1000 posts is a huge milestone. I always enjoy your family stories.
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Thanks so much, Linda!
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Did I not come back and comment? My memory lately! Congratulations, Amy! Your blog, more than any other that comes to mind, does such a “public service.” Thank you so much for providing it! XOXO
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Thank you! Glad your IPad is no longer punishing you.
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Mazel Tov! You are a blessing to us all. We are looking forward to the next 1,000!
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Thank you so much, Ken! So glad we found each other, cousin.
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Congratulations on publishing your 1000th post! Enjoy the special time with your kids!
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Thank you!
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