Facing the Fear of Change: A Genealogy Community at a Crossroads

Change is never easy. It stirs up fear, uncertainty, and sometimes even resistance. I’m feeling that deeply right now as I work on the next big step in my journey: formalizing the business side of what I do. I’ll always be known as The Simple Living Genealogist, but my business is evolving into Genealogy & The Social Sphere LLC—a space designed to provide products, workshops, and resources that help the genealogy community thrive in a fast-moving, ever-changing digital world.

And I get it. Change is uncomfortable. Especially when it's tied to something as meaningful and traditional as family history.

But here’s the hard truth: if we don’t adapt, we risk being left behind. And that’s not just true for me as a business owner—it’s true for genealogical and historical societies across the country.

I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again: only offering in-person workshops is no longer enough. It limits your growth and cuts off connection with people like me—people who would love to stay involved, but simply need virtual options. If virtual access isn’t part of the experience, I won’t renew my membership. And I know I’m not alone.

Now, contrast that with the overwhelming accessibility of online learning. Genealogy webinars are everywhere. YouTube is a goldmine of free tutorials. New videos covering nearly every niche topic are uploaded daily. And there’s been a noticeable shift—many genealogy educators and professionals have started offering their own independent workshops and classes. Why? Because it gives them more creative control, a wider reach, and frankly, a better financial return than partnering with societies that may not offer compensation or promotion. So when societies offer content, the question isn’t just “What can we teach?” but “What’s not already being taught—and how can we uniquely serve our community?”

That’s where AI comes in. It’s not just a trend; it’s a transformative tool that’s already reshaping how we research, organize, and tell our family stories. Societies that embrace AI—and offer practical, relevant, and ongoing training on it—will be seen as essential learning hubs. The rest may be seen as out of touch.

Another area that deserves attention? Social Genealogy. People want to go deeper than names and dates. They want to understand the “why” behind their ancestors’ choices, movements, marriages, and losses. Social media offers us a platform to explore these stories together, to connect with distant cousins, and to celebrate the messy, beautiful tapestry of human history.

And when it comes to knowing what your members want—polls aren’t enough anymore. We’ve all seen them get ignored or answered by the same 5–10 people every time. If you really want to understand what your community needs, talk to them. Literally.

Send a DM on Facebook or Instagram to someone who follows your society’s page. Ask:

• What kinds of content would be helpful to you?

• What made you hit the follow button?

• What’s missing in the genealogy world that your society could explore?

It doesn’t have to be complicated—just genuine.

If you're on a society board, ask yourself:

• What does the community really need from us right now?

• Are we just repeating what’s already out there—or are we creating something uniquely valuable?

• Are we willing to step into the discomfort of change in order to grow?

I don’t have all the answers, but I’m committed to helping. I’m walking this path too, building tools and trainings designed to guide societies, professional genealogists, and history lovers into the digital age with confidence.

Because the truth is, our community deserves to thrive—not just preserve the past but participate in the present and shape the future.

Let’s not let fear write our ending.

📬 Want help guiding your society into the future? Join my newsletter Genealogy & The Social Sphere for monthly tools, strategies, and real-world examples that help societies grow, connect, and serve.

💬 And let’s talk—comment below or message me: What’s one change your society could make that would better serve today’s genealogy community?