To-do list as a genealogy tool

I have created a number of to-do lists in my day. I always have so much on my mind, I’m very forgetful, and so writing down my thoughts as they come helps me out quite a bit. Yesterday I found a list that I made last Sunday. It was written to ensure my one day off from work wasn’t totally wasted. Reading over the note, I got to thinking: I wonder how much information someone can discern about me by reading what I wrote down. That thought led me to this one: I bet I can figure out a lot about a person by reading a note they may have left behind from long ago.

From this list someone can make a probable guess that I may:

 1.     have a dog, am looking to get a dog, know someone with a dog, am writing a story or report about dogs/dog kennels.

2.     don’t have a lot of money, have a lot of money but don’t like to spend a lot of it, enjoy candles, know someone who enjoys candles, am always prepared and wanted to buy candles in case the electricity in my house went out.

3.     am a giving person, purchase a lot of clothes.

4.     like martial arts movies, or know someone who does.

The truth? I have a dog, I don’t have a whole lot of money but I’m comfortable, I like candles and do have a stash in case of emergencies, but I mostly just like candles, I do like to volunteer my time, and donate money and/or resources, and I have a modest collection of martial arts films. Oh, and my boyfriend went with me to complete all of those errands. He likes to help people out, too. And he found “Kung Fu Hustle” to be quite entertaining.

Although lists don’t give you a very clear picture of who someone is, I believe it can help in asking questions or looking into things you may have not thought about in trying to piece together your family history.

Has a list ever helped you in that regard? Please share.