
15 Quick Genealogy Tasks To Do in 15 Minutes
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Ever feel like genealogy research is a time black hole? You sit down to find one ancestor and suddenly three hours have vanished and it’s take-out pizza for dinner again!
It happens to me, and I know it happens to you! A lack of time is one of the most common frustrations I hear from readers. But here’s the thing – effective genealogy research doesn’t always require marathon sessions.
Quick-Win Genealogy Tasks for Busy Researchers
Genealogy research no longer means spending endless hours in library and courthouse basements. While I still love diving deep into archives, I’ve discovered that meaningful research can even happen in small chunks of time.
Below you will find a list of tasks that you can use in your genealogy research when you are short on time and/or have just 15 minutes to spare in your day.
Set your timer for 15 minutes and get started!
1. Review a Document for Clues – Sometimes the answers we’re looking for are right in front of us! Take a single record like a census page, marriage certificate, or will and carefully review it. Look for overlooked details: neighbors, witnesses, occupations, or even the spelling of names. Jot down anything that catches your eye. Those small details might lead to your next breakthrough.
2. Search for a Single Record – Search for one specific record in your favorite genealogy database. For example, look for an obituary, a birth record, or a ship manifest. Staying focused on just one record keeps the task manageable and productive. Definitely set a timer for this one!
3. Create a template for your file names. Take 15 minutes to establish a consistent naming system for your genealogy files. This might look like “Year – Record Type – Surname – FirstName – Location“. Having a standard format makes finding files easier and keeps your digital collections organized. Write down your template on a sticky note and keep it close so you can use it going forward.
4. Scan and Save Photos – Have a few old family photos lying around? Spend 15 minutes scanning and saving them. Be sure to give the files meaningful names, like “1952 Graduation Ella White Surry Co NC”.
5. Check for new DNA matches – Take a quick look at your DNA testing site for new matches. Focus on your closest matches first. Make note of any shared matches or common surnames. This regular check might connect you with relatives who have family information to share.
6. Re-check a database for updates – Genealogy websites constantly add new records. Pick one database you haven’t checked in a while and run your most important searches again. You might be surprised what new records have been added since your last visit. [This is one of the most overlooked steps in genealogy research!]
7. Update Your Family Tree – Open your family tree and add one new fact, photo, or citation. Maybe you’ve uncovered a new marriage record or a family photo that needs to be linked to your ancestor. Alternatively, perform 15 minutes of family tree maintenance to keep your family tree healthy!
8. Create a Research Plan – Draft a short research question, like “Where was my great-grandfather living in 1920?” Identify one source or record collection to check. Having a clear plan will keep your research moving forward when your next 15 minute session comes around.
9. Back Up Your Work – We all know we should do it, but how often do we actually back up our files? Take 15 minutes to save your genealogy files to an external hard drive or a cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox. Learn more about backing up your research in Back Up Your Genealogy Research (Before It’s Too Late).
10. Create your genealogy education plan. – Spend 15 minutes mapping out what you want to learn about genealogy research. Maybe it’s DNA analysis, newspaper research, or land records. List three topics you’d like to learn more about and find one resource for each topic. This will guide your learning journey.
11. Search Newspapers for One Ancestor – Use a historical newspaper database such as Newspapers.com to search for a single name. You might find a wedding announcement, a court case, or even a small community event. Be sure to save anything useful! Again, make sure you set a timer for this one!
12. Contact a Relative – Send a quick message or email to a relative. Ask them about a specific family story, location, or event. Even if they don’t have all the answers, they might point you in the right direction.
13. Explore Maps – Find your ancestor’s address on a historical map. Tools like Google Maps or historical atlases can help you visualize where they lived and how the area has changed over time.
14. Review Hints – If you use online platforms like Ancestry.com or MyHeritage, spend 15 minutes reviewing hints. Check their accuracy and add verified information to your tree. Mark “Ignore” any that don’t apply to avoid clutter.
15. Watch an Educational Genealogy Video – Choose a relevant genealogy YouTube channel to watch. Many are 15 minutes or less. Take quick notes on new techniques or resources mentioned. Save helpful videos to a watch-later playlist for future reference.
Many of these tasks can be done on your smartphone which makes it easy to perform some of these tasks while waiting for an appointment!
Making the Most of Your 15 Minutes
The key to productive short sessions is preparation. Add this list or create your own personalized digital task list in your preferred productivity app, to ensure you’re ready to maximize every spare moment. Modern genealogy tools are designed for quick interactions – take advantage of mobile apps, cloud sync, and automated features.
Learn More About Researching Genealogy Efficiently
Find more ways to research your ancestors efficiently whether you are on-the-go or short on time.
3 Comments
Marie Brown
A 15 MINUTE TASK. If you are lucky this could be a 15 minute task. Order some archival photograph pockets or ring binder pockets for all the latest files you need to save from your other 15 minute tidying tasks.
LisaL
That’s a great task….and one I need to do. 🙂
Wendi Darling
Just getting started in researching my ancestors your advice has been invaluable. Thankyou