The Genealogy Do-Over Workbook

by Thomas MacEntee

Back in December 2014, I made a big announcement online and in social Genealogy and I are parting ways. Done. Finished. Game over. Have you ever said to yourself, “That’s it! I’ve had it and it just isn’t worth it anymore!” Well, have you? Sort of like the character Howard Beale in the movie Network when he says, live on air, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!” By the end of 2014, after more than 25 years of researching my own family history, that is how I felt. My Past Genealogy Research Frustrates Me! While many who read my post thought that I was leaving the genealogy community or closing down my genealogy business, I had to clarify what I meant by “” Starting in 2015, I planned on setting my 20+ years of genealogy research aside and starting over. From scratch. Seriously. How many times have you thought about doing the same thing? Did you start your research the same way I did, by just collecting names, grabbing stuff from other online trees, or pasting text into your genealogy software? Lately, has the prospect of going back and citing sources or proving facts and evidence brought you down and ruined your genealogy buzz? Do you throw up your hands and say, “I give up!” only to return to the same review and edit process days or weeks later? If you are like me, you need a genealogy makeover. Better yet, a Genealogy Do-Over. That is what I decided to call the journey upon which I embarked in early 2015. Now I want you to come along. Genealogy A New Journey of Genealogical Discovery Here is the short summary of The Genealogy I set aside everything* related to my genealogy research including notebooks, papers, and even digitized files and my genealogy database files and START OVER. I’m hitting the reset button. I’m allowing myself to have a do-over! (* certain items such as vital records ordered and paid for or research gathered on long-distance trips can be retained). Since I started my initial research, much has changed in the areas of genealogy research methodology and education. I now realize the need to collect facts and track them properly, including the use of source citations. I now understand the process of analyzing evidence and proving facts to reach a conclusion. In essence, I know a lot more about the “process” of genealogical research and I want to put it to use. This is not to say that I have not been following proven guidelines when it comes to finding family history. For my research clients (mostly pro bono), I actually employ all the methods advocated by many in the genealogy community. However, when it comes to my own research from years ago, I am not walking the walk . . . I have just been talking the talk. It is not always easy to “walk backwards” and review every bit of information gathered over the years. Instead, I wanted to do more than re-walk a trodden I wanted to head out from the same starting point and see where the journey took me. I knew I would have access to better tools, better knowledge and be better equipped for each twist and turn. Now, I encourage you to join me on this journey. The Genealogy Do-Over journey is constructed of 12 Steps that can be easily followed. You can choose to pace yourself as you see fit. You can even decide to drop some of the less important tasks and add your own. Do whatever it takes to ensure that you are on a firm footing to finding your ancestors.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction

110 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 26, 2015

About the author

What happens when a “tech guy” with a love for history gets laid off during The Great Recession of 2008? You get Thomas MacEntee, a genealogy professional based in the United States who is also a blogger, educator, author, social media connector, online community builder and more.

Thomas was laid off after a 25-year career in the information technology field, so he started his own genealogy-related business called High Definition Genealogy. He also created an online community of over 3,000 family history bloggers known as GeneaBloggers. His most recent endeavor, Hack Genealogy, is an attempt to “re-purpose today’s technology for tomorrow’s genealogy.”

Thomas describes himself as a lifelong learner with a background in a multitude of topics who has finally figured out what he does best: teach, inspire, instigate, and serve as a curator and go-to-guy for concept nurturing and inspiration. Thomas is a big believer in success, and that we all succeed when we help each other find success.

Reviews

[Linda Hartlaub · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thomas MacEntee started a group on Facebook, along with posts from Geneabloggers and emails from his Genealogy Do-Over program. Basically, it is setting all of your research aside and start from square one (yourself) and recreating your tree, but this time doing it right, including scans of documents, proper sources and following the genealogical proof standard.

What was supposed to be a one time, 13 week process, was repeated four times during 2015. The interest hasn't waned and he created a one year Do-Over program.

I started the Do-Over last year.....four times. Life happens. I've got a good handle on setting my research aside. I'm beginning again - but this time at the second stage and proceeding according to plan. The book is an excellent guide to accomplish organization, sourcing, and proving who your ancestors truly are. An inexpensive investment in getting it done right!

[Janet Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally a roadmap from What Do I Do First to Research Success

After reading a number of in-depth books on how to organize, preserve records, and research vs search, this book’s 12 steps clarify where do I begin and walks through the various doors that we must open in order to accomplish good research results without getting lost in paperwork hell. This gives a good starting point for people who are eager to start their own fascinating journey through history.

[Noel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers a clear guideline to starting a do-over of your genealogy. It is jam-packed with ideas and links to forms and websites to help you get through it.

I read it because I will possibly be leading a series of workshops on this, which is sorely needed by the membership of our genealogical society.

Well done and highly recommended!

[June · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read. Good basic tips on how to organize genealogy research. Some of the weblinks are dated.

[Barbara Butts-Harakal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great everyday read

I had participated in the initial genealogy do-over and so was pleasantly surprised when this workbook came out.

My best advice to anyone embarking on the do-over is to read the entire book and then go back and work month-by-month. This allows you to see what is in store and will ease the anxiety of what the do-over entailed.

As I prepare to open my genealogical business, this challenge has helped me to hone my research skills and insure my clientele that my research methodology is top-notch. I recommend that anyone starting a company or dream of their own genealogy business read and participate in the do-over. You'll truly be glad you did.

[Just · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a great book and is definitely a program I intend to follow at sometime in the future - just trying to find time at the moment. I only gave it four stars though as the majority of links are out of date and given I only bought the book a couple of weeks ago and some of them are a couple of years out of date I'm a bit disappointed. I found the Facebook group and they've shown me where to go but be prepared that they are out of date.

[Eyvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good tips

This is a good book even if you are just starting on your genealogical journey. It provides guidelines for documenting and preserving your research. I tried scanning pictures by trial and error different ways and this book includes a clear guideline. For those of us who just jump in then have to go back and organize this is very helpful.

[Cynthia A. Manshack · Rating 5 out of 5]

very helpful!

I purchased this book in an effort to reboot my research - I had realized tackling my brick wall was hampered by messy files and missing documentation. Back to square one, but this time with a plan that is well-informed by Mr. MacEntee's excellent suggestions. Thank you!

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do-Over - Just Do It

I am glad that I purchased this workbook. My Family History research has needed a reset for some time, and I found the tools to do my “Do-Over” here. Summertime second chance for my Genealogy/DNA/Family tree. Now I need to just DO IT!

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and very useful read

I admit to being one of those name collectors, knowing full well sometimes a link was tenuous at best.

This well written and informative book gives me exactly what I need to redo the work properly and do justice to my heritage.

[Marcy Kludt Belles]

This is a fantastic resource for those new to genealogy and for "oldtimers". It helps you make sure that you have dotted your i's and crossed your t's.

Thank you, Thomas, for writing this and providing additional resources.

[Joel Ungar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the answer I’ve been looking for

My genealogy database has been a mess. I’ve thought I should start over, and then I saw this book. It’s a quick read. I’m going to use it as my go to as I start my do-over.

[Jetta Earhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

The updated 2025 edition of the Genealogy Do-Over Workbook first came to my attention when it was recommended by a certified genealogist on a Legacy webinar. I have been doing research for decades and I use genealogy software as well as maintaining hardcopies of documents but something was missing… the sources! Without citations, as I have learned, your work can not be proven. So about a year ago I made the decision to start over, from scratch. Until I read this 104 page book, I felt like I was the only one who had ever done so!

There are a lot of great books out there on the genealogy proof standards (GPS) but this one bridges the gap between learning the GPS and applying it to RESTARTING your existing research. It seems to me that it is more of a roadmap than a “how to” manual or even a traditional “workbook”, which often ask questions and has spaces for you to answer. Instead it is a very well written guidebook for those with an existing tree that needs to be significantly modified or completely restarted. It offers clear guidance, often with reference links, that will help you achieve this. It gives options and suggestions of how to decide what will work best for you. It really bridged that gap for me.

[L.J. Windridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feeling stuck with your genealogical research and family history? Want to just start it all over again but have no idea where to start? Or do you want to just verify your existing research with your experienced skills in family history research?

Thomas MacEntee's Genealogy Do-Over Workbook is an amazing companion for doing a Genealogy Do-Over. I've been researching my family history since I was about 12, and as a result, there are many branches and research notes that haven't been jotted down or filed correctly.

I love the fact that Thomas' book is a guide and not a DO THIS! You can take his suggestions and turn them into steps that work for you. I advise you read the book first and then work through the steps one by one. Sometimes, you'll be crossing over some steps together at once, but it is brilliant and well worth a read. You can view his guide for free on his website and Gretchen's Organizing Guide group on Facebook is a great tool to use while you're reading this.

I'm still going through my Genealogy do over but this is one book that's worth the read.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short book by Thomas MacEntee, one of my favorite genealogy presenters. This is very good info. I'm attempting a Do-Over/Go-Over of my own and it's been fun but more difficult than I anticipated. I have a pdf version that's been updated but it was nice to read a real book. I wish this was longer instead of so very short and sweet.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get this book if you need a plan and great sources to re-do your genealogy. Have you been collecting ancestors and pasting them Willy-nilly into your tree, then this book is for you.

[TheKrazySheep · Rating 1 out of 5]

All the "information" in this ebook is available online. It's essentially a $3 collection of blog posts. Don't waste your money.

[Lillie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good information.

Now know that I need to do a Do-Over. Know the rules but was nolonger I need to go back and document my sources.

[Marie Birkbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for anyone either just starting their genealogy journey, or as the title implies launching a DO OVER!

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource book - this one is good enough to stay in my private library!

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome aid to ALL Genealogists

Incredibly good. If you are serious about your genealogy, this is one of the best books I now own. Recommend. Recommend. Recommend!

[Wilma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A work in progress

[Janet]

I did not finish this book.