The Genealogist

Streamline Your Genealogy Research

Computer software can make your family tree research a breeze, relatively speaking – pun intended, of course. Using family tree software allows the creation of online data bases to sort records; the storage of digital photos with other documents, scanning of old records, easy sharing with other researchers, and a world of information at your fingertips through the Internet.

When looking for appropriate genealogy software, look for easy to use features that seem intuitive. Many programs will allow matching of information from various online data bases. Some have features that check various name combinations that are similar and rate connections according to probability. These features are quite handy. It is also helpful if the program allows you to input data from other genealogy programs or data bases and spreadsheets like Microsoft Access and Excel.

The software you choose should be well organized and easy to read, displaying needed information on the screen in an easy to follow format. Many allow you to click on name tabs of a child or a parent and view the personal data, which can include the name of spouse, place and date of birth, marriage, death and of burial. Good software will also allow you to tie in other lineage information, such as adoption records, step children, biographies, descendant charts, and other information you will find helpful.Some deluxe software programs go a step further and offer extra features. These can include a county verifier for counties in the US, allowing the user to view all of the counties in a state with their founding dates to hunt for discrepancies. All genealogists who have tried to find a location in a county that has been dissolved or reorganized can appreciate this feature. Another nice added feature in some deluxe software is the ability to search for a location by various means: county, state, country, town, city or province.

Some software even has a potential problems report, this will highlight dates the genealogist should double check. Another nice feature is the reformatting of inconsistently formatted data bases to make sure that records match. And another deluxe feature is web site creation. Some programs will allow the user to make their own genealogy web sites without knowing HTML or other computer code. By creating web sites a user is able to share work easily with other genealogists without having to retype information, make photo copies or spend a bundle on postage. And think of the time that is saved.

Before personal computers became popular genealogists had to spend many hours in libraries and research centers. The tool of choice was the micro film reader. Photo copy machines received a workout. Handwritten notes were extensive, and subject to misinterpretation. Today’s computers, with good software and the internet provide a world of opportunity for the genealogist that would have seemed like magic only thirty years ago. Additionally the need to visit libraries in many cases is now no longer necessary. While there are times when information is still only available on microfilm, many libraries have converted their microfilm to digital format and have made it available online, allowing a person to do research from the comfort of their own home. Imagine doing your genealogy research in your pajamas, at 4 a.m. if that is the time you prefer. Good genealogy software makes it possible.

When looking at software, remember that most of the best companies have enough faith in their programs to offer a 30 day free trial period. You can try the software out, use it for a month and make sure that it truly fits your needs and desires. Then if you choose to buy, paying online with a credit card allows you to keep using the software permanently without having to reinstall. This is another improvement over the past, and certainly an improvement no one complains about.

Whether you use Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, NT or XP, there are many good programs on the market for genealogists. And it doesn’t matter if you are a beginner, intermediate or an expert. All researchers can benefit from good genealogy software, so give it a try and you’ll certainly be glad you did.

Another Week Flies By!

I wonder if you are like me and get to the end of the week and wonder where all the time went? I certainly did this week no sooner was I involved in the launch of a major new helpline for the Charitable Organisation that I head up Learning and Development for than I was at the next meeting or interview! It was just one of those weeks and time just seemed to disappear.

I had intended doing some of my own Genealogy research this week as we are on the trail of an ancestor who has suddenly emerged from some black hole! Isn’t it one of the amazing things about Genealogy that you will suddenly come across some information that opens up new avenues for you to pursue! I think the “Amateur Detective” aspects of Genealogy is one of the things that draws a lot of people into this fascinating hobby.

Although Internet Marketing is one of my main occupations outside of my offline work it is the Genealogy that set me onto that line of work and to which I keep returning.

GenMates, which was a site we developed to meet the needs of Family Historians to interact with one another, has received some major publicity this week with the publication of a half page article in the leading UK Genealogy Magazine - Family History Monthly - and we are now heading towards that 1,000th member at some speed! Not a bad achievement, even if I do say so myself, given that the sit has been live just about 2 months. If you haven’t taken a look at GenMates yet then do pop along and let me know what you think. If you are already a member then I look forward to seeing you on the site!

As you will know I have been developing a number of Lenses over at Squidoo which I am sure you will find of interest:

Genealogy and Family History
Hobbies For You
Scrapbooking Ideas
Planning for Christmas - yes not long to go!
Identity Theft - an increasing problem these days.
The Classic Movies - take a look and relive some memories!

We have a range of new sites that will be coming online in the next few weeks covering everything from Scrapbooking to Building Your Own Family Tree Website, Baby Boomers and of course How to Build Your Own Internet Business! Then of course we have our new Audio Article Site planned and we have commisioned audio articles around a whole range of areas - the first ones being Genealogy, Scrapbooking and Cholesterol! Don’t ask! I am not sure what the link is between Genealogy and Cholesterol either! or there again perhaps we research our ancestry to find out if high cholesterol was in the family!

Anyway I will finish for now as I know you are busy and hope that you have a great week!

Weekly Ponderings

Hope that your week has been good and that you are enjoying the weekend?

It’s been another busy week for us and several of our sites have been featured in National Magazines in the UK!

Our Get The 1911 Census Online Petition has been fetaured in Your Family Tree and we have seen lots more signatures added, if you haven’t signed it already then do op along and join our Campaign!

In addition GenMates - The Genealogy MySpace has been featured in a half page spread in Family History Monthly and we have already seen a flood of new members. GenMates is absolutely our members site and unlike other Genealogy Sites our members create the content!

We are also looking to develop our resources for Genealogists and others with a new site which will have Audio Articles on it! So in addition to reading the articles you will also be able to listen to the articles at your leisure. Initial feedback from those we have asked to try the concept has been very positive and we may well look at offering the audio articles for sale at a reasonable price so that people can listen to them on the move! So get your iPods ready! The first articles will cover Genealogy and Scrapbooking. In the meantime you can also check out our existing Genealogy Articles site.

Squidoo

You may have read my comments elsewhere about Squidoo which I think is a fascinating site. It fits in so neatly with my passion for providing information to people which empowers them to make real changes in their lives. If you haven’t already taken a look at my Squidoo Lenses here are a few:

Genealogy and Family History
Hobbies For You
The Blogging Guide
Make Money From Blogging
Family, Home and Garden
How to be a Success in Niche Marketing

I also have a collaborative project going on at the moment with a number of experts in their fields which I will be talking about shortly! If you haven’t started your own lens yet then you can do so here: Squidoo and have the potential to earn an extra $5!

Finally for today! I don’t know about you but I like to be able to read reviews of things that I am considering buying and that’s one of the reasons I have gotten involved with Clickbank Reviews - you can tak a look and let me know what you think!

Have a great week!