What to Do with All the New Genealogy Leads You Find Over the Holidays
December is a surprisingly active month for genealogy research.
People receive DNA kits as gifts, relatives share old stories, and new documents surface during holiday cleaning.
That means lots of new genealogy leads — and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
Here’s a simple plan to manage it all.
1. Create a Temporary “December Leads” Folder
Before sorting anything, put every new photo, hint, message, or document into one place.
2. Process DNA Matches as They Come In
Holiday testing spikes mean new cousin matches.
Start by:
- tagging close matches
- noting shared surnames
- adding new tree hints
- reaching out politely
3. Record Stories Immediately
If someone tells you a story at a family gathering, write it down that day.
Otherwise it’s gone for good.
4. Add New Documents to Your Archive
Holiday cleaning often surfaces treasures — photos, letters, obituaries, recipes.
Scan and preserve them right away.
5. Use Your TIME Capsule Method™ to Prioritize
Not everything needs to be saved.
Use:
- T — Tell what it is
- I — Identify what must be saved
- M — Make accessible
- E — Ethically share
This keeps everything manageable.
6. Schedule a January “Sorting Day”
Don’t try to finish it all in December.
Give yourself permission to move the sorting to the new year.
Before You Go…
Looking for more December inspiration? Try:
- End-of-Year Digital Cleanup
- Holiday Conversations That Matter
- The Gift of Legacy
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