Most genealogists realize early on the importance of networking with others. This networking community of family researchers offers the following benefits:

• support
• knowledge of researchers who can help us locate a document we need
• friends who understand our passion
• opportunities to expand our genealogical education
• volunteering opportunities
• making new lifelong friendships
• possible meeting new relatives

There are many organizations (local, state and/or national) level that can help us in our networking endeavors. Here are a few that I personally have joined. They are in no particular order of importance, as I have gained something of value from each one that I have joined. Some are free, while some have a annual fee. Of course, you will have some that I may not know about, especially those of a local level. Research the ones I mention, as well as those you have locally or state wide, to see which ones you can join and benefit from.

• The Association of Professional Genealogists-Second Life Chapter (APG)
• Generous Genealogists
• International Society of Family History Writers & Editors (ISFHWE)
• National Genealogy Society (NGS)
• Council for the Advancement for Forensic Genealogy (CAFG)
• The Tennessee Genealogical Society
• GeneaBloggers
• ProGen Study Group

There are some societies and/or groups that you may want to consider, although it may not be an organization that is in your research area. For example, I live in the Tennessee area and have no family in the California or Illinois areas to my knowledge. I would love to be able to one day join the Southern California Genealogical Society and/or Illionis State Genealogical Society to be able to access their member’s only webinar series. Do not limit yourself to just the areas of your research, but branch out according to your interests and financial ability.

Other areas of networking are the social medias – Facebook, Twitter, Google+, genealogical message boards, Pinterest, Genealogy Wise and others. I challenge you in the following year to branch out and take advantage of networking in the genealogical community.