In Defense of the Curious Meander
Do I contradict myself?
Very well then I contradict myself,
(I am large, I contain multitudes.)—Walt Whitman, “Song of Myself,” 51
In May’s issue, I wrote about the importance of starting your research plan with a focused question based on known information.[1] Doing so significantly increases the chances you’ll achieve your research goal as well as the efficiency with which you’ll reach it. Adhere to that advice consistently, and you will absolutely be a better researcher.
But I am nothing if not a bundle of contradictions. And I certainly don’t follow my own advice at every turn. So in this article I make an argument for setting aside at least some time in your research to explore without a focused question, to wander off the beaten path and sniff around, to roam aimlessly until you stumble onto answers you weren’t looking for, sometimes to questions you didn’t know you had.
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About Author
Aaron Goodwin
Aaron is a genealogist and house historian specializing in New York City research across all time periods, from the Dutch colonial era to the 20th century. His book, New York City Municipal Archives: An Authorized Guide for Family Historians, won the National Genealogical Society’s 2017 Award for Excellence: Genealogical Methods and Sources. He is also editor of NGS Monthly, former contributing editor of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, and former editor of the Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine. In 2011, he received the American Society of Genealogists’ Scholar Award.
I am a firm believer in serendipity. Or, evidently, the curious meander. For example: I walked into a world-renowned genealogical library one evening when I happened to be lodged next door. No intentions regarding genealogy, no goals for research, no charts in hand, no plan in mind. Within half an hour, my hand fell upon a volume containing at least four generations of my direct family line. It’s been quite a ride since!
I have meandered and found a document that I thought might be related to my grandfather, who may have joined the NY National Guard in 1923. My frustration is trying to verify it is him. So, back to the real research for now, which has yielded nothing. But, I must admit the meander was enjoyable.