For a lot of people I know, the idea of researching family history makes them yawn. They imagine dusty libraries, copious note-taking, and hours spent poring over boring old books and documents.
Some of that is accurate. Yet, there’s a surprising truth: people with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often possess a unique set of skills. Those abilities make them better than average at uncovering genealogical links and even sometimes secrets. They see the research as an adventure, not a tedious task.
By the way, it might seem bassackward. Most people see ADHDers as having difficulty with focus, organization, and sustained attention, qualities you’d think were essential for genealogy. However, you’ll find that what some consider challenges can be significantly helpful in the world of family history. It’s helped me grow my own family tree to over 15,000 people (and still adding.)
Here are just a few reasons why ADHDers often excel at genealogical research:
Hyperfocus as a Superpower
One of the coolest, albeit sometimes unpredictable, tools we ADHDers have is hyperfocus. When something really captures our interest, we can dive into it with an intensity and concentration that others struggle to duplicate. Genealogy, with its endless puzzles, mysteries, and myriad clues, is a perfect trigger to get an ADHDer into the “zone.” We become endlessly fascinated combining people we’re related to with the big and small events in history. Hours can melt away as we trace a lineage, cross-reference records, or try to break through that “brick wall” ancestor. We often uncover clues others might miss in their more “measured” approach.
Pattern Recognition and “Rabbit Holes”: A Detective’s Mind
Our ADHD brains are often wired to see patterns quickly. We can “connect the dots” of seemingly unrelated pieces of info. This is a major superpower in genealogy, where record fragments, spellings that can vary wildly, and second- and third-hand evidence are the norm.
An ADHD researcher might spot a subtle pattern in family names. A repeated route people used to migrate triggers an idea. A family occupation such as shoemaker over generations that others overlook leads to breakthroughs.
Many non-ADHDers see “rabbit holes” as a distraction. For an ADHD family researcher, I find they can be a goldmine. One little unexpected morsel, even if it seems unrelated at first, can often uncover much-needed info. It can also open up entirely new avenues of research and/or a whole new family branch.
Comfort with Non-Linear Thinking aka “Shiny Objects”
Traditional research on many subjects usually follows a linear path: A leads to B leads to C.
Genealogy is rarely so neat. Info tends to appear out of order. New discoveries can send us veering off in unexpected directions. This often chaotic, non-linear nature of genealogical research is perfectly suited to the ADHD mind.
We’re comfortable jumping between tasks. We love to pursue multiple leads simultaneously. We embrace the “shiny object” of a new clue. (“Squirrel!”) This adaptability lets us navigate the tangled webs of family history with greater ease. We tend to feel much less frustration than people who prefer a more structured approach.
The Thrill of the Hunt / Dopamine Hits
In fact, let’s be honest: we ADHDers get a dopamine rush each time we discover a new ancestor, find a long-lost record, or connect a previously unknown branch of the family tree. That’s because we seek novel and stimulating experiences. So the “thrill of the hunt” in genealogical research is incredibly motivating. Each new find fuels our drive and keeps us engaged in the genealogy long game.
Embracing the “Mess”
While organization can be a challenge, we ADHD genealogists develop our own unique systems that somehow work for us. (Okay, okay, that we think work for us…) To non-ADHDers, we appear to thrive in a seemingly chaotic environment. To us, the pressure for totally neat, totally organized record-keeping seems to just slow us down; instead, our focus is on making the next big discovery.
In actuality, for us, finding a forgotten document or note in one of our many piles can actually trigger a new discovery or “eureka” moment. Thus, we embrace the sometimes disaster that is our method.
So, if you have ADHD and have been curious about your family history, don’t let imagined limitations hold you back. In fact, your unique brain wiring might just be your greatest asset in unlocking the stories of your ancestors. Embrace your hyperfocus. Trust your intuition. Let your curiosity lead the way. You might just discover that you were born to be a genealogist.
Some good places to start researching and building your own family tree:
- FamilySearch.org (Free)
- Wikitree.com (Free)
- Ancestry.com ($)
- Newspapers.com ($)
Leave a Reply