As data visualizations are becoming more prevalent, the ability to read and write with data is increasing in importance. However, it is unclear how the visualization of uncurated and real-time data sets can lead to successful meaning-making. This qualitative study analyzed video data of visitors engaging with a data visualization exhibition with uncurated, real-time data at a midwestern science museums and showed personalization, shared sense-making, and physical data entry as emergent visitor strategies to support meaningful engagement with data visualization. This has implications supporting civic engagement with data visualization.