2025 marked my first full year as a genealogy blogger, and what a year it was. Seeing my blog post about Letitia Plunkett selected for Robin Stewart’s GenStack Anthology validated the countless hours I’ve invested in research and writing. As I plan my genealogy goals 2026, I’m setting intentional objectives that push me beyond my comfort zone and prepare me for the next phase of my genealogical journey.
This year’s focus centers on building advanced skills, particularly in paleography and record analysis. More specifically, I’m preparing to tackle the National Genealogical Society’s Advanced Skills in Genealogy: A Certificate Course1 when it launches in early 2026. The comprehensive 18-module program offers a flexible online course format, allowing me to work at my own pace while balancing my full-time job and family responsibilities. My progress through the course includes regular knowledge checks and skill application, ensuring I’m not just consuming information but actively developing competencies. The course covers foundational research methods through DNA evidence and professional writing. To ready myself for this intensive program, I’m dedicating significant effort to mastering old handwriting and learning proper transcription, extraction, and abstraction techniques. These family history goals represent my commitment to genealogy certification preparation.
In This Post:
- Educational goals: 3 NGS courses, supplemental training, and 4 conferences
- Research goals: Solving 3 ancestral mysteries using newly learned skills
- Writing goals: 67+ blog posts across multiple series
- Business goals: Professional website and social media presence
- Measurable targets: 166% increase in blog traffic, 150% subscriber growth
- Accountability: Quarterly public check-ins and transparent progress tracking
Educational Goals
Complete: NGS Reading Old Handwriting Course – 10 modules
Reading centuries-old documents requires specialized skills I’m determined to develop. This foundational course will strengthen my ability to decipher the challenging handwriting styles that stand between me and my ancestors’ stories.
Read: Reading Early American Handwriting by Kip Sperry
Pairing practical coursework with Sperry’s authoritative text will deepen my understanding of paleography principles and historical writing conventions.
Complete: NGS Transcribing, Extracting, and Abstracting Genealogical Records – 10 modules
Accurate transcription forms the backbone of sound genealogical research. Consequently, this course will teach me the distinctions between these three critical skills and when to apply each one.
Start: NGS Advanced Skills in Genealogy – 18 modules
Launch into the course I’ve been preparing for, ready to apply my newly developed skills.
Supplementing Coursework with Practical Resources
Study: Supplemental transcription resources
While I haven’t found a comprehensive book on this topic, I’ve identified excellent video resources including:
- Extraction, Transcription, and Abstraction by Mindy Taylor AG® (ICAPGEN)
- How I Transcribe Genealogy Records by Julie Cahill Tarr (Genealogy in Action)
- Abstracting & Transcribing for Genealogy by Chris Smithson
- Transcribing Documents: There is More Than Meets the Eye! by LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson, JD (BCG Webinar)
- Four Keys to Creating Complete and Accurate Transcriptions (and Why You Should) by Shannon Green, CG®, CGG®, CGL®
Create: Transcription cheat sheets
Additionally, I plan to develop quick-reference guides for inserting symbols and formatting Word documents during transcription work. These practical tools will streamline my workflow and ensure consistency.
Complete: Research Like A Pro with DNA e-course
I started this course in 2024 but stalled in module 9. However, this year I’m committed to rewatching modules 1-9 and pushing through to completion of modules 10-12. This knowledge directly supports one of my key research goals.
Continuing Education and Networking
As part of my genealogy goals 2026, I’m committed to ongoing learning through various platforms:
- Legacy Family Tree Webinars – All members-only content plus other webinars of interest (Annual subscription: $49.95)
- Various genealogical society webinars as they come up (regional and national)
- RootsTech 2026 – virtual
- Ohio Genealogical Society Conference 2026 – in person
The OGS conference takes place less than fifteen minutes from my home this year, making in-person attendance practical. While RootsTech in Salt Lake City appeals to me, the significant investment I’ve made in NGS genealogy courses means staying closer to home makes financial sense. Furthermore, family commitments keep me close to home. I’m not ruling out RootsTech in future years, but for now, the virtual option serves me well while the local OGS conference offers valuable face-to-face networking.
These educational investments lay the groundwork for the advanced research skills I’ll apply throughout the year.
Research Goals
Building advanced genealogy skills through coursework means nothing without applying them to real research problems using the Genealogical Proof Standard. Therefore, I’ve identified three key ancestral mysteries to solve this year.
Prove: Sven Svensson’s parentage
This 150-year-old mystery combines traditional documentary research with DNA analysis. Solving it will demonstrate the DNA skills I’m developing through the Research Like A Pro course and contribute meaningful answers to my Swedish family line.
Prove: Ellen McAuliffe was the daughter of Florence McAuliffe & Ellen Healey
This project excites me because I’m collaborating with a cousin in Australia who descends from one of Ellen’s potential sisters. Working across continents to untangle our shared Irish heritage embodies what I love about genealogy – connecting with living relatives while honoring our ancestors.
Prove: Clifford MacDowell Pitts was the father of Clifford Max
This research is personal in the best way. I’m continuing the Mysterious Mr. Max story to finally identify my grandson’s ancestor. Some projects matter because they’re challenging puzzles. This one matters because it’s for my son.
Complete: Records for all 2x Great Grandparents
Finally, systematically documenting this generation creates a solid foundation for future research and ensures I’m applying the research methods I’m learning through coursework.
Writing Goals
My genealogy goals 2026 extend beyond research and education into consistent content creation. Writing forces me to organize my thoughts, share what I’m learning, and connect with other genealogists.
Complete: Year 2 of #52Ancestors
After successfully completing my first year of the challenge in 2025, I’m committed to another fifty-two weeks of ancestor stories. The weekly deadline keeps me writing and ensures regular content for my readers.
Complete: Your Sixteen’s Challenge
This focused series on my 2x great-grandparent couples complements my research goal of completing records for this generation. Moreover, writing about them as I research them reinforces my learning and creates shareable content.
Write: 5 posts about methodology
Sharing my research methods helps other genealogists while holding me accountable to best practices. These posts will document my learning journey through the NGS courses.
Write: 5 posts about educational goals
Similarly, chronicling my progress through courses and books creates valuable reflections on what I’m learning and how I’m applying new skills.
Write: 5 posts about research goals
Regular updates on my three major research projects will track my progress and demonstrate how I’m using newly acquired skills on real genealogical problems.
Blog & Business Goals
Beyond personal research and education, I’m taking steps to establish a more professional presence in the genealogy community. Joining the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) this year represents my commitment to connecting with other professionals and staying current with industry standards.
Create: Website for my business, KMD Genealogy, LLC
Establishing a professional web presence separate from my personal blog positions me for future client work.
Create: Dedicated Facebook Page for KMD Genealogy, LLC
A business-specific Facebook presence will build my professional network and reach potential clients.
Create: Dedicated Facebook Page for OurGrowingFamilyTree.com
Likewise, separating my blog’s social media presence from my personal accounts will strengthen my brand and make it easier for readers to follow my content.
Launch: 1 advertising or promotional campaign by year’s end
The timing and scope depend on my 9-to-5 workload, but I’m committed to at least one strategic promotional effort.
By the Numbers
Qualitative family history goals matter, but quantitative metrics provide concrete accountability.
Increase blog traffic: From 3,005 page views (2025) to 8,000 page views (2026)
More than doubling my readership is ambitious but achievable through consistent content, improved SEO, and strategic promotion.
Increase Substack subscribers: From 20 (2025) to 50 (2026)
Growing my newsletter audience by 150% will expand my reach and create a dedicated community of engaged readers.
Tracking My Progress
Setting goals means nothing without accountability. Therefore, I’m implementing several tracking methods to ensure my genealogy goals 2026 stay on track:
Quarterly check-ins: I’ll publish progress updates every three months, celebrating wins and adjusting strategies as needed. Quarterly check-ins will detail not just my progress but the research methodology I applied, citing sources using Evidence Explained format.
Google Analytics metrics: Regular monitoring of blog statistics will show whether my SEO and content strategies are working.
Additional performance indicators: Beyond pageviews and subscribers, I’ll track blog post comments (measuring reader engagement), course completion rates (ensuring I finish what I start), and research breakthroughs documented (connecting learning to tangible results).
Monthly newsletter highlights: My Substack subscribers will receive updates on courses completed, research breakthroughs, and writing milestones.
Dedicated “Goals Progress” category: Blog posts tracking my progress will live in a dedicated category, creating a transparent record of my journey toward certification or accreditation.
Moving Forward
These genealogy goals 2026 reflect where I am in my genealogical journey – moving from enthusiastic researcher to skilled professional. These genealogy goals 2026 represent year two of a five-year plan toward professional certification, building on the foundation I established in 2025. The NGS Advanced Skills in Genealogy: A Certificate Course represents a significant commitment, and I’m building the foundational skills to succeed in that program.
Not every goal will unfold exactly as planned. Research projects take unexpected turns. Courses demand more time than anticipated. Life happens. However, by setting clear intentions and tracking my progress publicly, I’m creating accountability that will carry me through challenges.
What are your genealogy goals for 2026? Let’s hold each other accountable – share your goals in the comments and check back quarterly to update your progress alongside mine.
- National Genealogical Society, “Advanced Skills in Genealogy: A Certificate Course” (https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/advskills/ : accessed 11 January 2026), course description and module list. ↩︎
Image Disclaimer: All images in this post were generated using OpenArt.ai.
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