This week I will celebrate what will be the 12 year anniversary of my blog! Which is a bit insane to think of since it feels like just yesterday that I was writing my first post on blogspot. My first post was published on July 4, 2011 titled “What Started It All – Part I” and that same day I published another post (I was excited to write, as you can see!) titled “What Started It All – Part II”. I was inspired by CeCe Moore to begin documenting my family history as she had begun to do herself around that time.
Slowly, I began to write about my family, my research, genetic genealogy, and explaining the different things I had learned throughout my journey. I used that platform up until 2020 when I decided that it was finally time that I switched over to a dot com in order to take my genealogy to the next step. So this page is much more in its infancy than my blogspot page and I hope to continue growing this page over the years. Nonetheless, I have made great strides over the last 12 years that I am very proud of. Below you can see an example of my first post on the left versus a recent post on the right.
In this post I will talk about the some of the things I have noticed about my growth in the last 12 years of blogging.
What has changed?
Personal Development
One of the most important aspects over this 12 year journey is trying to understand how I have grown and what has changed when I first started writing at 21 versus the 33 year old blogger I am now. I think one of the most important changes has been my seriousness. At first, I published mostly what I knew about my family, questions or mysteries I wanted to sort out, etc. But as time has passed, I have also explored deeper topics related to genealogy such as adoption, sterilization, genealogy education, amongst others. I tried to vary my blog on topics still pertaining to my family, but also tied to broader social issues and/or topics related to Puerto Rican genealogy. At times I branched out of my main ancestors to write about other families in Puerto Rico that might help shine some light on other ways of researching, for example the Anzalota family in Puerto Rico with origins in Italy, the Hess Klinger family with origins in Germany, or the Yon family with ties to China to mention a few.
Equally, because I have taken classes with Boston University Genealogy Certificate Program, ProGen Study Groups, and recently GenProof Study Groups I have taken what I have learned and applied them to my blogs. One of the main applications is citations! Before, I never cited any documents, segments, or photos found on the internet (I know I know… I should have known better!), but with learning more about genealogy and the importance of leaving a proper trail (not only for yourself but the next genealogist), I wanted to make sure I was able to learn how to cite (and quickly) different sources. Not only that, but I wanted to give credit where credit was due! Writing citations is definitely an art and I am far from perfect but using them often helps me become a better writer and genealogist!
Writing Platform(S)
From 2011-2020, I only used Blogspot to write my posts; which for the time being was a great way for me to get used to writing my ideas in a public space. However, as more people became interested in my genealogy posts and as I became more serious with my hobby, I decided it was time to change my page to an actual website. So in July 2020 with the COVID pandemic bringing about many changes, I decided I would take a personal leap as well. I published my first post from my new blog then and have not looked back!
Not only have I changed over to a dot com website, but I also finally launched an Instagram page for my genealogy research as well. After months of pondering if I would do it or not I finally decided this year to start posting on a new platform. I created the handle sometime this year while abroad in fear that the name would later be taken but did not post officially until June 10, 2023.
If you are interested in following me via a different platform, feel free to check out my Instagram @Boricuagenes – It is truly in its infancy so I am hoping to continue posting and grow my followers.
Cultural Understanding
Being able to post about my culture, my research, and ultimately my identity has allowed me to better understand what it is to be Puerto Rican. I grew up off the island in the Bronx, New York but I was very fortunate that my parents instilled a lot of cultural values and love for Puerto Rico that to this day we remain connected to the island. We were fortunate to travel there when we were younger and remain connected to our family there – so for us it was natural to be proud of our roots. I know not everyone is afforded this privilege and the longer off the island, the more difficult it is to maintain that connection both for individuals and subsequent generations. Which is why I do my part via genealogy to appreciate my roots and the journeys of my ancestors.
Taking a DNA test opened a door into myself that I had previously not known and my journey via paper trail has allowed me to discover the good, the bad, and the ugly of my ancestry. All of this has given me a deeper understanding and appreciation for the culture that runs through my veins. I am proud to be Puerto Rican and this is something absolutely no one can take away from me.
What does it mean to be Puerto Rican? Well, this is a question every Puerto Rican must face themselves and the answer will vary across generation and individual. For me – it is knowledge of my ancestors, a living connection with the language, food, culture, and ultimately the island.
Where To From Here?
There is still a long journey left in my genealogical career. I want to continue publishing on my blog but I also want to get more involved on a national platform and participate more in webinars, conferences, and workshops. I truly enjoy working on genealogy and would love to connect with other genealogists out there both within the Puerto Rican realm and outside of it. I decided to get more serious about genealogy during the pandemic and so I have not had the chance to attend conferences yet in person, but I am hoping to start doing that soon in the future!
Also, I want to become a certified genealogist with the Board of Certified Genealogists; which means I have to begin working on my portfolio and then submit it to the BCG in order to earn my credentials. This is a long process and requires a lot of legwork but I am excited at the prospect of holding this title, if possible, in the near future.
Finally, I want to publish about my ancestors. Whether it be in English, Spanish, or even French I want to continue telling the stories of my ancestors via various other platforms. I am very proud of the work I do and I want to make sure Puerto Rican genealogy comes to the forefront here in the United States. I want to be more active here and if possible in Puerto Rico. Writing is one way of doing that. This type of writing can be done via various genealogical societies that I am a part of.
A message to my
future self
I hope in the future I continue to enjoy doing genealogy and I hope that my genealogical wishes come to fruition. I have worked hard to get to where I am today and yet there is still a lot of work to be done. Be proud of the work you have accomplished up until now but continue to strive for more. Remember that you stand on the shoulders of your ancestors and thank them along the way.