Very interesting article on finding metes and bound boundaries in
North Carolina. Is that tree they used to mark the corner of your land
in 1750 still there? If not, how do you know where that corner is today?
http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/10/north-carolina-lost-county-lines/409090/
Showing posts with label technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label technology. Show all posts
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Monday, February 21, 2011
EWGS Attendees to RootsTech
Donna Potter Phillips, Terri Merritt Rehmann, Cecily Cone Kelly and Margie Stein Beldin, all EWGS members, attended the RootsTech conference in February, 2011, in Salt Lake City. Next year perhaps the EWGS group photo will be of a larger group???
Monday, February 14, 2011
What Did I Learn At RootsTech To Help EWGS?
I learned that there are now at least three genealogy "worlds." The first is the traditional genealogy world where folks occasionally visit libraries and attend meetings and now and then work on their genealogy. The online world is where folks actively do research both in libraries mortar-and-brick AND online and are comfortable with the many online resources. The technology genealogy world is where the really geeky genealogist uses some of the new toys as bonafide tools.
So who and how many live in these various worlds? Randy Seaver in his Genea-Musings blog (13 Feb) was explaining this. He surmises that 85-95% live in the traditional world; maybe 5-15% live in the online world; and barely 2% live in the technology world.
Nothing wrong at all in where YOU, dear EWGS reader, live. We are "genealogically born" into the traditional world. But if the statistics coming out of RootsTech are valid, folks everywhere are eagerly transitioning into the online world...one little step at a time. And that's just great.
Just know this: that is where the future lies, where the most genealogy answers might/can be found, cheaper and quicker than ever before. Really, isn't that good news?
So who and how many live in these various worlds? Randy Seaver in his Genea-Musings blog (13 Feb) was explaining this. He surmises that 85-95% live in the traditional world; maybe 5-15% live in the online world; and barely 2% live in the technology world.
Nothing wrong at all in where YOU, dear EWGS reader, live. We are "genealogically born" into the traditional world. But if the statistics coming out of RootsTech are valid, folks everywhere are eagerly transitioning into the online world...one little step at a time. And that's just great.
Just know this: that is where the future lies, where the most genealogy answers might/can be found, cheaper and quicker than ever before. Really, isn't that good news?
Saturday, January 8, 2011
RootsTech News: RootsTech 2011 Early Bird Registration Ends January 15, 2011!
The $99 Early Bird Registration for RootsTech 2011 in Salt Lake City Ends Soon!
· $99 early bird registration ends January 15, 2011 ($150 afterwards)
· Only $35 for students!
· February 10–12, 2011
· Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
· Walking distance from the Family History Library
SALT LAKE CITY—The $99 early bird registration for the RootsTech 2011 Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, ends January 15, 2011. RootsTech is a completely new conference focused on bringing technology creators together with genealogy technology users to learn together and identify solutions to family history research challenges. Genealogists and family historians will discover exciting new research tools while technology creators will learn the latest development techniques from industry leaders and pioneers.
The registration fee includes three full days of conference attendance, conference materials, entry to the Clarke Planetarium dinner event, extended access to the Family History Library, admission to the closing reception event, eligibility for prize drawings, and admission to the Community Zone (exhibition hall).
Advancing technology is becoming an integral part of the future of genealogical research. Whether a person is new to genealogy or is an experienced researcher, RootsTech is the ideal place to discover the latest family history tools. In addition, technology creators will learn the skills needed to deliver innovative applications and systems, and they will have the opportunity to receive instant feedback from peers and users on their ideas and creations.
Keynote speakers at the conference include Shane Robinson, Hewlett Packard chief strategy and technology officer; Brewster Kahle, founder of the Internet Archive and digital librarian; Jay L. Verkler, CEO of FamilySearch International; and Curt Witcher, Historical Genealogy Department manager for Allen County Public Library.
About RootsTech
RootsTech is a new conference designed to bring technologists together with genealogists to learn from each other and find solutions to the challenges faced in family history research today. The conference’s activities and offerings are focused on content that will help genealogists and family historians discover exciting new research tools while enabling technology creators to learn the latest development techniques from industry leaders and pioneers.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Facebook for Genealogists Cheat Sheet
Wanting to join Facebook but not sure how to go about doing it? Already a member, but needing a little help with your settings? Thomas MacEntee of High-Definition Genealogy has created a Facebook for Genealogists cheat sheet. This free downloadable and printable chart gives step-by-step directions on how to create an account, edit your settings, monitor your privacy, and deal with annoyances such as hiding your birthday or deleting friends.
Thomas will be our presenter for our annual October Workshop on Friday and Saturday, October 1 and 2 and will be speaking on Facebook and other technology-related tools for genealogists. Stay tuned for more information!
Thomas will be our presenter for our annual October Workshop on Friday and Saturday, October 1 and 2 and will be speaking on Facebook and other technology-related tools for genealogists. Stay tuned for more information!
Monday, January 4, 2010
First Ever Genealogy Podcast App for iPhone/iTouch Now Available!
SAN RAMON, Calif. – January 4, 2009 - The Genealogy Gems Podcast, the #1 podcast in the genealogy category in iTunes has launched the first ever genealogy podcast app for iPhone and iTouch (in partnership with Wizzard Media). The Genealogy Gems Podcast app provides users with streaming genealogy audio and video on the go, and exclusive Bonus Content.
A free “online genealogy radio show,” The Genealogy Gems Podcast has provided innovative research strategies, family history expert and celebrity interviews, and genealogy news since 2007. These “gems” of genealogical information inspire family history researchers of all experience levels and helps them make the most of their valuable research time. The new app provides one more way for the popular podcast to reach it’s worldwide audience.
“Mobile technology is the wave of the future,” says Producer and Creator Lisa Louise Cooke. “At Genealogy Gems we strive to be out in front bringing the highest quality genealogy education to those seeking to enrich their lives through family history research. The app makes this possible on a whole new level.”
The app streams all the episodes (including show notes!), and new episodes are downloaded automatically. Bonus content on the new app includes exclusive material such as audio files and custom genealogy themed wallpaper, as well as Cooke’s 20 page pdf e-book 5 Fabulous Google Research Strategies for the Family Historian. New bonus content will be added as episodes are published. Cooke says users have much to look forward to, “There’s always something new coming to your iPhone and iTouch with the Genealogy Gems Podcast app!
About Genealogy Gems
Genealogy Gems is one of the leading producers of online quality genealogy-related media. Also found at the Genealogy Gems Web site http://www.GenealogyGems.
Lisa Louise Cooke is the author of Genealogy Gems: Ultimate Research Strategies, and national genealogy speaker. She also produces and hosts The Family Tree Magazine Podcast, teaches online webinars, and writes and produces videos for the magazine.
Media Contacts:
Genealogy Gems
Lisa Louise Cooke, Producer and Creator
Phone: (925) 272-4021
Website: http://www.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Book Release: Webmasters Guide to TNG 7.0
This is one of several press releases I've received in the past week or so. My apologies: I've been remiss on posting them in a timely manner.
John Pfost is pleased to announce the release of his new book the Webmaster’s Guide to TNG 7.0: From Novices to Experts. This book provides all of the information needed by genealogists to easily build and manage dynamic, database-driven family history Web sites using "The Next Generation in Genealogy Sitebuilding.” TNG - as it’s commonly known - is the world’s preeminent software for creating custom, feature-rich, expandable, secure, and collaborative family history Web sites.
Unlike conventional desktop genealogy programs that build Web sites by converting GEDCOM files to HTML Web pages and then uploading all of the pages to a Web server, TNG allows users to upload a single GEDCOM file to a database hosted on a server. Web pages are then rendered dynamically based on requests by site visitors. Using cutting-edge technologies, the data is easily packaged for fast and efficient display including individual pages, family pages, family trees, media galleries, specialty reports, and more. More importantly, when the data changes – such as when you locate additional family members or extend the knowledge about your families – you do not need to regenerate all of the Web pages from the GEDCOM file and then re-upload them. You or your designated site users can modify the data directly in the database.
TNG comes with a number of pre-built templates that can be applied as-is, or customized in countless ways. You can change the theme, colors, layout, graphics, menus – pretty much anything that you wish – to create a stunning presentation and unique user experience. Even without any modifications, you will not end up with a canned and stilted Web site typical of those produced by desktop genealogy programs. What’s more, you are provided access to all of the source files so that you can further customize and enhance TNG to suit your needs. You do not need to perform any computer programming to work with TNG, but rather can simply tweak some code to achieve any desired result.
Because of the vast capabilities of TNG, many users find it somewhat challenging especially early on. The Webmaster’s Guide provides step-by-step procedures to get you up to speed quickly and efficiently. You can easily have a TNG-based family history Web site up and running in a weekend. What’s more, you’ll learn how to extend TNG’s capabilities to achieve nearly any existing Internet functionality. You can, for example, integrate slideshows, Wikis, forums, blogs, guestbooks, or integrate TNG with common content management systems. And, this is all in addition to controlling and managing your data – your genealogy – in a secure, user-friendly environment.
John has posted a couple of white papers that introduce TNG:
** “Introducing The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding” - provides a brief history of genealogy Web sites, an overview and description of TNG, a listing of its notable features and functions, a discussion of the underlying technologies, and a description of the system and personal requirements to implement a TNG Web site.
** “Getting Started with The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding” - provides a detailed description of the products and services one would need to develop a dynamic TNG-based family history Web site. It describes the key components - TNG, the Webmaster’s Guide, a domain name, and Web services hosting provider - that are required, as well as the many additional resources that are available.
You can download these papers from the TNG-Resources site at http://www.tng-resources.com by subscribing to the TNG-Resources newsletter and then accessing the Additional Resources page.
For additional information about the Webmaster’s Guide to TNG, visit www.tng-resources.com or email info@tng-resources.com. For information about The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding, visit http://lythgoes.net/genealogy/software.php.
John Pfost is pleased to announce the release of his new book the Webmaster’s Guide to TNG 7.0: From Novices to Experts. This book provides all of the information needed by genealogists to easily build and manage dynamic, database-driven family history Web sites using "The Next Generation in Genealogy Sitebuilding.” TNG - as it’s commonly known - is the world’s preeminent software for creating custom, feature-rich, expandable, secure, and collaborative family history Web sites.
Unlike conventional desktop genealogy programs that build Web sites by converting GEDCOM files to HTML Web pages and then uploading all of the pages to a Web server, TNG allows users to upload a single GEDCOM file to a database hosted on a server. Web pages are then rendered dynamically based on requests by site visitors. Using cutting-edge technologies, the data is easily packaged for fast and efficient display including individual pages, family pages, family trees, media galleries, specialty reports, and more. More importantly, when the data changes – such as when you locate additional family members or extend the knowledge about your families – you do not need to regenerate all of the Web pages from the GEDCOM file and then re-upload them. You or your designated site users can modify the data directly in the database.
TNG comes with a number of pre-built templates that can be applied as-is, or customized in countless ways. You can change the theme, colors, layout, graphics, menus – pretty much anything that you wish – to create a stunning presentation and unique user experience. Even without any modifications, you will not end up with a canned and stilted Web site typical of those produced by desktop genealogy programs. What’s more, you are provided access to all of the source files so that you can further customize and enhance TNG to suit your needs. You do not need to perform any computer programming to work with TNG, but rather can simply tweak some code to achieve any desired result.
Because of the vast capabilities of TNG, many users find it somewhat challenging especially early on. The Webmaster’s Guide provides step-by-step procedures to get you up to speed quickly and efficiently. You can easily have a TNG-based family history Web site up and running in a weekend. What’s more, you’ll learn how to extend TNG’s capabilities to achieve nearly any existing Internet functionality. You can, for example, integrate slideshows, Wikis, forums, blogs, guestbooks, or integrate TNG with common content management systems. And, this is all in addition to controlling and managing your data – your genealogy – in a secure, user-friendly environment.
John has posted a couple of white papers that introduce TNG:
** “Introducing The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding” - provides a brief history of genealogy Web sites, an overview and description of TNG, a listing of its notable features and functions, a discussion of the underlying technologies, and a description of the system and personal requirements to implement a TNG Web site.
** “Getting Started with The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding” - provides a detailed description of the products and services one would need to develop a dynamic TNG-based family history Web site. It describes the key components - TNG, the Webmaster’s Guide, a domain name, and Web services hosting provider - that are required, as well as the many additional resources that are available.
You can download these papers from the TNG-Resources site at http://www.tng-resources.com by subscribing to the TNG-Resources newsletter and then accessing the Additional Resources page.
For additional information about the Webmaster’s Guide to TNG, visit www.tng-resources.com or email info@tng-resources.com. For information about The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding, visit http://lythgoes.net/genealogy/software.php.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
What You Missed: The Fall 2008 Seminar
Those who attended, agree: if you missed the Fall 2008 Seminar with Barbara Nuehring, you missed out! Ms. Nuehring brought knowledge, skill, and humor to her topics, Bytes, Boxes & Beyond, and every one of us came away having learned much and eager to try out her suggestions!
Her first lecture, "Timelines: Understanding Your Ancestor's World," discussed the importance of timelines to family historians, the different types and scopes of timlines, sources of existing timelines, and methods for develoing customized timelines. Not only did Barbara encourage us to put flesh on the bones, but to add clothing and a setting to our family history!
"Using Boxes to Think Outside the Box" came next, and she explained that cells and tables found in spreadsheets and word processing programs are the "boxes" we can use as tools to analyze, organize, and absorb information. Her helpful syllabus gave step-by-step directions to create an Excel worksheet from the Family History Catalog's film notes, as well as links to free downloadable pre-formated Excel spreadsheets or Microsoft Word documents for transcribing source documents. Her instructions were clear and concise and helpful even for those with limited experience with these programs.
After a tasty lunch catered by the Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute food service staff, we listed to "Digitizing Your Genealogy: Relax! It's Only Bits & Bytes". Ms. Nuehring explained the importance of digitzing your genealogy files, the various types of files, how to download, photograph, and/or scan files so that they are digitized, and gave ideas on how to organize these digital files. The last was especially useful, as she gave some great ideas for naming files within folders so they are easy to find as well as easy to analyze while browing through them.
"Beyond Words: Dressing Up Your Family History" was next. While her "Timelines" presentation added a setting to a family history, "Beyond Words" provided a wardrobe to our ancestors' bare bones after the flesh was added. Four areas were covered: "The Closet: Hardware and Software," "The Clothes: The Four Principles of Design," "The Cosmetics: Fonts and Attributes," and "The Accessories: Charts, Maps & Illustrations." These were followed by a list of resources for helping create a beautifully clothed family history publication.
What was your favorite part of this seminar, and what did you learn? Please leave your comments below.
The next general meeting will be held Saturday, November 1st in the first floor meeting rooms of the downtown branch of the Spokane Public Library (906 W. Main). A Problem-Solving Panel will be available to help members and non-members alike with suggestions for breaking down your brick walls. To receive expert help with your research challenges, submit them to Pat Bayonne-Johnson by October 15th. This meeting is FREE to the general public. Coffee, Cookies, and Conversation begin at 12:30, followed by the business session at 1:00. The main event will begin at 1:30. Paid parking is available in the library basement accessed on Spokane Falls Blvd. and across Lincoln St. in River Park Square. A skywalk to the second floor of the library is accessible from River Park Square.
Her first lecture, "Timelines: Understanding Your Ancestor's World," discussed the importance of timelines to family historians, the different types and scopes of timlines, sources of existing timelines, and methods for develoing customized timelines. Not only did Barbara encourage us to put flesh on the bones, but to add clothing and a setting to our family history!
"Using Boxes to Think Outside the Box" came next, and she explained that cells and tables found in spreadsheets and word processing programs are the "boxes" we can use as tools to analyze, organize, and absorb information. Her helpful syllabus gave step-by-step directions to create an Excel worksheet from the Family History Catalog's film notes, as well as links to free downloadable pre-formated Excel spreadsheets or Microsoft Word documents for transcribing source documents. Her instructions were clear and concise and helpful even for those with limited experience with these programs.
After a tasty lunch catered by the Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute food service staff, we listed to "Digitizing Your Genealogy: Relax! It's Only Bits & Bytes". Ms. Nuehring explained the importance of digitzing your genealogy files, the various types of files, how to download, photograph, and/or scan files so that they are digitized, and gave ideas on how to organize these digital files. The last was especially useful, as she gave some great ideas for naming files within folders so they are easy to find as well as easy to analyze while browing through them.
"Beyond Words: Dressing Up Your Family History" was next. While her "Timelines" presentation added a setting to a family history, "Beyond Words" provided a wardrobe to our ancestors' bare bones after the flesh was added. Four areas were covered: "The Closet: Hardware and Software," "The Clothes: The Four Principles of Design," "The Cosmetics: Fonts and Attributes," and "The Accessories: Charts, Maps & Illustrations." These were followed by a list of resources for helping create a beautifully clothed family history publication.
What was your favorite part of this seminar, and what did you learn? Please leave your comments below.
The next general meeting will be held Saturday, November 1st in the first floor meeting rooms of the downtown branch of the Spokane Public Library (906 W. Main). A Problem-Solving Panel will be available to help members and non-members alike with suggestions for breaking down your brick walls. To receive expert help with your research challenges, submit them to Pat Bayonne-Johnson by October 15th. This meeting is FREE to the general public. Coffee, Cookies, and Conversation begin at 12:30, followed by the business session at 1:00. The main event will begin at 1:30. Paid parking is available in the library basement accessed on Spokane Falls Blvd. and across Lincoln St. in River Park Square. A skywalk to the second floor of the library is accessible from River Park Square.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Updates on Genealogy Software Program Classes Post
Back in July 2008, we had four computer classes devoted to four different genealogy software programs: Family Tree Maker, RootsMagic, Legacy Family Tree, and Reunion for Macintosh. I posted an article summarizing the classes here, along with helpful links for those who wanted tutorials, blogs, user group information, etc. that could help them either in making a decision on which software to purchase, or in assisting them in using the software they already have.
Since then, there has been some updated information that will be useful to those who attended the classes and/or read the earlier post. Here are useful links for those updates:
Family Tree Maker
Family Tree Maker released version 2009 in August. It was offered as a free upgrade to purchasers of FTM 2008 who had registered their software.
A Family Tree Maker User blog has been started by Russ Worthington (not affiliated with The Generations Network, producer of FTM). Russ starts out by showing many of the features of FTM 2009.
Randy Seaver's posts about using FTM 2008 have been indexed and can be found here at his blog, Genea-Musings. As of this date, there are 26 posts in this tutorial series.
RootsMagic
Bruce Buzbee is still working on getting RootsMagic version 4 finalized for its release. He tells me that anyone who purchases version 3 now will get a free downloadable update to version 4 when it is released.
Need More Info? GenSoftReviews Can Help!
A new website, GenSoftReviews.com is now available for you to research or review genealogy software, and it's all free! Did you know there's a myriad of genealogy software programs available? Not just database programs, where you enter names, dates, and places, but mapping software, organizing software, research software, and other kinds of utilities. You can check out their features, advantages, and disadvantages at this user-friendly site. Reviewers choose from five categories to rate their favorites: Enjoy Using It; Use It Often; Easy Input; Easy Output; and Overall Rating. Choose from a variety of Licenses (free, subscription, etc.), Platforms (Windows, Mac, etc.), Types (full-features, auxiliary, etc.), then review it by Most Reviews, Latest Reviews, Alphabetically by name, or by any of the five rating categories listed above. Check it out!
Since then, there has been some updated information that will be useful to those who attended the classes and/or read the earlier post. Here are useful links for those updates:
Family Tree Maker
Family Tree Maker released version 2009 in August. It was offered as a free upgrade to purchasers of FTM 2008 who had registered their software.
A Family Tree Maker User blog has been started by Russ Worthington (not affiliated with The Generations Network, producer of FTM). Russ starts out by showing many of the features of FTM 2009.
Randy Seaver's posts about using FTM 2008 have been indexed and can be found here at his blog, Genea-Musings. As of this date, there are 26 posts in this tutorial series.
RootsMagic
Bruce Buzbee is still working on getting RootsMagic version 4 finalized for its release. He tells me that anyone who purchases version 3 now will get a free downloadable update to version 4 when it is released.
Need More Info? GenSoftReviews Can Help!
A new website, GenSoftReviews.com is now available for you to research or review genealogy software, and it's all free! Did you know there's a myriad of genealogy software programs available? Not just database programs, where you enter names, dates, and places, but mapping software, organizing software, research software, and other kinds of utilities. You can check out their features, advantages, and disadvantages at this user-friendly site. Reviewers choose from five categories to rate their favorites: Enjoy Using It; Use It Often; Easy Input; Easy Output; and Overall Rating. Choose from a variety of Licenses (free, subscription, etc.), Platforms (Windows, Mac, etc.), Types (full-features, auxiliary, etc.), then review it by Most Reviews, Latest Reviews, Alphabetically by name, or by any of the five rating categories listed above. Check it out!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Sno-Isle Genealogical Society Fall Symposium
The Sno-Isle Genealogical Society is presenting a fall symposium on Genealogy & Technology: New Tools for Digging Roots, to be held Saturday, October 20, 2007 from 8:30 AM - 3:45 PM at Lynnwood Elks Lodge, Lynnwood, Washington. Here is the program lineup:
- Gary A. Zimmerman, Ph.D., President of Fiske Library: "Finding Digitized Resources of Genealogical Value"
- David A. Ault, Ph.D., Chair of the Seattle Genealogical Society's Computer Interest Group: "Internet-Based Genealogical Research"
- Margaret Robe Summitt, Ph.D., a member of Sno-Isle Genealogical Society: "Solutions to Brick Walls"
- David C. Abernathy, Computer special Interest Chairman for Eastside Genealogical Society; "USB Devices, Tips & Tricks, Questions & Answers
Friday, August 3, 2007
Podcasts: A New Category at Cyndi's List
I've been a member of Cyndi's List mailing list for about six months now (go here to subscribe yourself). Every other day or so, Cyndi sends out e-mails in several formats. "What's New On Cyndi's List" features the latest uncategorized website links that have been recommended to her to be included on her famous site. As she categorizes these, she sends out a "Cyndi's List Update" with category summaries of new, updated, or removed links. Today she sent out an e-mail notifying us of a "New Category: Podcasts for Genealogy." According to Cyndi, right now, "it is small, but gives you a few ideas of what some people are thinking to do with them."
As I've seen my husband and teenage daughter enjoy theirs, an MP3 player is definitely on my Christmas wish list for new technology toys. Only in addition to listening to audio books or music as they do, I would add genealogy podcasts to my list of audio choices. If you're unfamiliar with a podcast, think of it as a modern version of a radio talk show, available online, which can be downloaded into an iPod or MP3 player to listen to later at your convenience. In genealogy podcasts, the hosts often discuss strategies for overcoming genealogical brickwalls, highlight new websites and databases, and discuss upcoming conferences, among many topics. You don't need an iPod or MP3 player to listen to a podcast, however. You can listen on your desktop or laptop, as long as you have speakers and audio software. I try to remember that if I have a time consuming chore such as mending, filing, or labeling photographs, to turn on a podcast to help time go by and enjoy learning something new.
And if you'd like to understand all that computer and Internet vocabulary you've been reading or hearing your grandchildren use, check out NetLingo, an online dictionary of Internet, computer, and technology terms.
As I've seen my husband and teenage daughter enjoy theirs, an MP3 player is definitely on my Christmas wish list for new technology toys. Only in addition to listening to audio books or music as they do, I would add genealogy podcasts to my list of audio choices. If you're unfamiliar with a podcast, think of it as a modern version of a radio talk show, available online, which can be downloaded into an iPod or MP3 player to listen to later at your convenience. In genealogy podcasts, the hosts often discuss strategies for overcoming genealogical brickwalls, highlight new websites and databases, and discuss upcoming conferences, among many topics. You don't need an iPod or MP3 player to listen to a podcast, however. You can listen on your desktop or laptop, as long as you have speakers and audio software. I try to remember that if I have a time consuming chore such as mending, filing, or labeling photographs, to turn on a podcast to help time go by and enjoy learning something new.
And if you'd like to understand all that computer and Internet vocabulary you've been reading or hearing your grandchildren use, check out NetLingo, an online dictionary of Internet, computer, and technology terms.
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