Dig Deeper Into Brain For Answers

Ever heard the term “mind mapping”? Loni Gardner, a professional genealogist lecturing at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City a while back said mind mapping is a unique way to brainstorm. When you mind map different ways to outline and organize your research process will be discovered. Mind mapping will encourage you to dig deeper into the knowledge you already possess and help you to be more creative in your research.

With a promise like that, I was ready to learn more.

To her audience of about 100, she wrote the word “Shoe” on the whiteboard and then asked each of us to write down five things that come to mind when we think of that word.

(I wrote Birks, blisters, tennis, comfy, dirty. What five words would you have listed?)

Circling the word “Shoe” on the board, she called out for suggestions as she drew sunburst lines out from the circle to include everybody’s answers. The audience contributed hundreds of different thoughts and answers.

We were amazed at the variety of descriptions, and by the fact that few of us had listed any of the same five words. Everybody had different, but related, answers. Gardner said it is most unusual to find matching groups of words in this exercise.

Applying this concept to genealogy, she next wrote “Census” on the board. She verbally asked for ideas, and they came flying in faster than she could write.

This illustrates the point, she said, that mind mapping, or brainstorming, is a super way to work on your tough genealogy problems. It is also a great way to learn genealogy. Each of us knows something individually. Collectively we know way more. This is especially true in genealogy.

Here’s how you mind map: Begin with a central focus or concept. (This might be burned courthouse or John Dye, 1803-1887.) Write your focus within a circle on a blank white page. Sunburst out two to eight main ideas, and then branch off into further ideas.

Gardner suggested using a variety of colored pencils for each level.

In the case of “burned courthouse,” two starter sunbursts might be “Records lost” and “Available substitutes.”

“Records lost” might include vital, land, probate, tax and court records.

“Substitutes” might be church, cemetery, census, newspaper, lineage society, funeral home, title company, county history, family records, directories and commercial records.

The sunbursts might branch off into where these alternate records might be found.

(I wish I could stand before you all with chalk and board to explain this!)

Mind mapping helps us dig deeper into our brain, and doing it in a group setting enormously magnifies the good effects, Gardner said.

Mind mapping allows your mind to explore patterns. The difference between a beginning or advanced genealogist is just what they’ve learned and can, therefore, access from their brain.

Mind maps aren’t static, Gardner said, they keep growing. Mind maps are great for sharing your genealogy knowledge, too. Mind mapping is the very best for problem solving.

For more information, Gardner recommends reading “The Mind Map Book,” by Tony Buzan, or visit the Web site www.mind map.com.

Give this concept a try by yourself and with a group. You’ll see it works. I’m convinced.