Genealogy or Gardening

Online genealogy guru Dick Eastman asked for proof that

“Genealogy is the second fastest growing hobby in the United States, next to gardening.”

As a quick method for such comparisons I check out Googles Trends

First enter Genealogy. Above we see proportional volume and below appearance in the news. From total volume, is what we see initial excitement or just hobbyists overwhelmed by the masses? The news shows a steady increase.

Next enter Gardening. This is cyclical but also increasing. Try adding similar topics: vegetables is steady, organic and farmers market are popular.

Google Trends: Genealogy versus Gardening

Now enter ‘gardening, genealogy’ to get this result which shows genealogy as more popular but figuring less in the news.

The results are most probably skewed by the on-line nature of research and the off-line essence of growing but given this, the relative presence of the former and the strength of the latter is certainly interesting reflection on the growth in the importance of the internet in all aspects of our lives.

So of the two try and guess which is my preference…!