Building Bridges: Sharing and Gathering = Relative CrowdSourcing!

     Being interested in family history is a like taking a great adventure into the past and never really knowing what to expect! This is actually one of the many things that makes family history so fascinating.

     Often discoveries become intriguing and require additional discussions with other family members creating an opportunity to share findings with family and potential family. In the process one can learn more about their family and gain new family members who may know more about your family than anyone realizes. The list of positives when sharing and collaborating is immense when one considers the possibilities.

     So just what is "Relative CrowdSourcing"? According to the Merrian-Westers dictionary, "Crowdsourcing is the practice of obtaining needed serves, ideas, or content by soliciting contributions from a large group of people, and especially from an online community, rather than from traditional employees of suppliers."

     I would like to tweak it a little and consider one's extended family the 'crowd' and you are the individual who is asking your extended family for needed information to build your family tree with not just names, dates and places but with stories, pictures and documents. All these things can be done online through many different mediums available today.

     There is of course the basic email, but there is also Skype and Google + Hangouts where one can converse face to face as well as chat if necessary. Sharing knowledge gained from others can be done in a family blog or on a family website. Pictures and stories can also be shared through blogs or a family wiki and of course FamilySearch allows you to upload pictures and stories too.

     Apps on an Android or an iPhone or tablets make access to these even easier and allow for inter-exchange between multiple people. There are many new and exciting ways to take advantage of the tools already there and to employ new ones. Evernote has added many new features that make it a possible place to store and grow your family tree. Of course there is always Google Drive which can be used to store and share stories and pictures too.

     Regardless of the methods used, the main point is to begin and reach out to your extended family and build your Relative Crowdsourcing family who will be there to help you grow your family tree which in essence is also their family tree!

Building Bridges for All Generations!

Claire (*)
Timeless Genealogies
We're Your Family is "No. 1"

Blogs

http://timelessgen.blogspot.com
http://gen-reflections.blogspot.com

Social Media

https://www.facebook.com/TimelessGenealogies
http://www.linkedin.com/in/clairebrissonbanks

Twitter @TimelessGen

 (c) 2005-2013, Timeless Genealogies, All Rights Reserved

     claire@timelessgen.com   

   

Building Bridges: Handling collected information

     When one begins to do Family History and genealogical research it becomes evident very quickly that this particular endeavor can become overwhelming in connection with the amount of artifacts resulting from each search conducted.

     To get a picture of the situation is very easy as one considers all the papers and documents surrounding one's own life today, now multiply that by each ancestor and it is mind boggling to even think of all that there is in one person's life worth keeping and recording.

     As the saying goes, every project one takes up begins with that first step and if one has begun, it is a good idea to have a plan to stay organized as much as possible right from the start. Of course, as one also knows this is easier said than actually doing as life tends to get in the way of the best intentions.

     There are many organizational systems out there but which one will fit your particular situation?

     As a younger individual just beginning perhaps 'simple' is the word to keep in mind. A few file folders and a file holder do not cost very much, there are even some boxes that are the perfect size for hanging folders, either way, color coding and alphabetical and numberical order is most likely the easiest to use.

     The main colors are: Blue for the Paternal Grandfather, Green for the Paternal Grandmother, Red for the Materal Grandfather and Yellow for the Maternal Grandmother. On a fan chart it looks like this:

     Color folders are available but one could easily just color the tabs on regular file folders if funds are an issue. Keeping the colors like this helps with keeping family lines organized in a multiplicity of ways. Following this on through down to the folders will help greatly as more and more families are added to your color chart remembering to have a folder for each family.

     Following this same system on your computer will help you keep your genealogical digital files organized also by creating a folder for each family and keeping all items either scanned or downloaded connected to that family within their family folder.

     Whether you are just starting or have been doing research for years, it is a good idea to either begin or stop and start some sort of system before it is beyond impossible. FamilySearch has a very good short video on organization that may be of help also here.

     Lastly don't be discouraged if you've been collecting and researching for a length of time and it is already out of control. The best thing is to start and slowly add what you already have done, eventually you will be organized!

     Next: Ways to share family/genealogical research

Building Bridges for All Generations!

Claire (*)
Timeless Genealogies
We're Your Family is "No. 1"

Blogs

http://timelessgen.blogspot.com
http://gen-reflections.blogspot.com

Social Media

https://www.facebook.com/TimelessGenealogies
http://www.linkedin.com/in/clairebrissonbanks

Twitter @TimelessGen

 (c) 2005-2013, Timeless Genealogies, All Rights Reserved

     claire@timelessgen.com   

   

Building Bridges: Reaching out to other family members...

     As one begins their journey into family history and genealogy, it is inevitable that after exhausting home resources, it will be necessary to reach out to older family members.

     Just viewing family photos will most likely reveal cousins, aunts, uncles, grand parents and a growing circle of extended family. Taking time at that point to identify all who are in the photos is critical.

     Over the years I have found that memories fade and often those who do remember can pass away leaving behind pictures of unidentified people. To avoid this from happening, take time to label pictures with their proper names. One of the biggest mistakes is to label a picture "Grandpa ...." as to the one now looking at that picture he may be great or great great grandpa ...". While this is a common mistake it can cause some difficulty in establishing their real identity.

     Choosing a family member to visit can be intimidating, however, if family members have kept in touch over the years it may not be as difficult as one would think. Sometimes just making a phone call and showing an interest opens up a whole new world of possibilities, but one never knows until they make that first phone call. Most people enjoy sharing stories of their own lives as well as photos and find it an opportunity to build a positive and closer relationship with a younger member of their extended family. All family members have stories to share and while they may be related, each person in a family experiences things differently.

     My own mother was the youngest member of her family and when talking to her oldest sister about a family event, each had their own interpretation of the same event and they usually were not the same. Additionally, the oldest sister would know family information that my mother would not know just because she was not there at the time. Each family member can offer different perspectives on everything which is always a good thing.

   








Ok, you've made the call, set up a time and place to meet with the first of many family members, now what?

     It is usually helpful to let them know the reason for your visit and perhaps even provide some things your are interested in learning from them about the family. There are a number of prompts available to help, however, sometimes just having a few questions in mind to get things going is very helpful. To do this list some of things one wants to learn and then put the questions either on paper or type and print them up to take with you. Don't forget to take some sort of recording device as one can never write as fast as one can talk and often stories are shared which makes the visit even more worthwhile and special for all involved.

    Possible questions:

1) What is your earliest memory?
2) What is your favorite memory?
3) Tell me about your parents...what kind of work did your father do?
4) What was school like for you?
5) What was your first paying job?

     As this new journey begins, remember everything in life begins with just one step at a time, never giving up and going forward. Be sure to share and record new discoveries and additions in some permanent format.

     Remember to send a 'Thank You' note to the family member, the message of appreciation will go a long way in future interviews with other family members down the road.

     Next: Handling collected information

Building Bridges for All Generations!

Claire (*)
Timeless Genealogies
We're Your Family is "No. 1"

Blogs

http://timelessgen.blogspot.com
http://gen-reflections.blogspot.com

Social Media

https://www.facebook.com/TimelessGenealogies
http://www.linkedin.com/in/clairebrissonbanks

Twitter @TimelessGen

  (c) 2005-2013, Timeless Genealogies, All Rights Reserved

     claire@timelessgen.com    

 
   
   

Building Bridges: Are You The One?

As a past Family History Director for 17 years it always amazed me how there seemed to be "someone" in each family who would take an interest in discovering the roots of that particular family.

Often that person would come in totally lost and even wondering why they were there except they felt an urging to put together a history for an aging family member or they were curious themselves.

So are you that person who will help their family take the leap and learn all there is about their ancestors? Do not let age be a barrier to enriching your life with a sense of who you are!

Once you've made the decision, it is hard to decide where to begin. I teach a class for beginners and one of the most important things to remember is to just start with yourself and work your way backwards. You can begin online or on paper or with a software program, there are many places to get tips, advice and even hand holding help, however, the main thing is to begin with the thought that "I can do this" and let the fun begin.

One of the first places to begin is with your own family, if you've had an opportunity to watch any of the "Who Do You Think You Are" series, the individual always visits with their family members to begin. If you have a baby book or a scrapbook or even a family book you are ahead of it all and can begin to assemble a family chart.

As I look around at all the available resources, I must say that FamilySearch.org has put together a great set of beginning short videos that would be worth while checking out, they are located here: https://familysearch.org/ask/gettingStarted.

Of course there are other places that provide assistance with getting started and perhaps just placing the statement in a Google search engine of "getting started with genealogy" will provide you with the results you are looking for.

Regardless of how or where you begin, just do it. It will end up being one of the most rewarding journeys you take in this life.

Next: Reaching out to other family members...

Building Bridges for All Generations!

Claire (*)
Timeless Genealogies
We're Your Family is "No. 1"

Blogs

http://timelessgen.blogspot.com
http://gen-reflections.blogspot.com

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TimelessGenealogies
https://www.facebook.com/TimelessGenealogies

Twitter @TimelessGen

 (c) 2005-2013, Timeless Genealogies, All Rights Reserved

     claire@timelessgen.com   

Building Bridges with Ancestral Stories...

     In my previous post, Building Bridges to the Younger Generations, I discussed how important it is to share photos of ancestors with our children, grandchildren, cousins, and any relatives that will benefit from our hard work as genealogists and family historians. 

     Remember, age is never a barrier when holding a picture of a family member and sharing how they looked and then taking it to the next step and sharing the stories about that special person. What difference it makes to both the receiver and the giver of the story. 

     Genealogist and family historians have the best of both worlds when doing research, they learn about how individuals overcame trials or illnesses or how an ancestor struggled to put themselves through higher education or even having to quit school to help support their family because they lost one of their parents. 

     Just recently in the news, we learned of World War II veteran, Arch Moor, age 88, received an honorary high school diploma because he received his draft notice in 1943 just as his junior year of school was just finishing. Instead of becoming a senior he joined the military and served faithfully during World War II, his story was written up in The Tennessean. What a great example this is to his descendants, family and friends. His story will be passed down through the generations and its ripple effect of perserverance will definitely make a difference in their lifes. 

     My own father, Omer J. Brisson, Jr. returned to college after he married my mother in 1950 and graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Accounting while raising a young family, his story is here in another blog post about him.

     As he did, I, too, was able to return to the acedemic world and complete my Associations, Bachelors and Masters degrees after raising my large family, he definitely inspired me and I would hope that someday I've inspired my descendants with the mottos of "its never too late" and "never give-up".

     Ancestors' journals or passed down stories help all who are able to read or hear them and perhaps can help the reader think better about themselves and realize how wonderful they are as a member of their family. To learn of an ancestor who went through a similar situation can make all the difference in the world to the reader.

     Life stories are an important part of the very fabric of each one's life. This is evidenced by the immense number of stories that have been added to FamilySearch's FamilyTree over the last year.

     It's time to share either through a blog like I have with Who Will Tell Their Stories? or create a physical book or even a digital one so that we can pass on to our descendants all the wonderful stories connected with our family.

~~~~

Building Bridges for All Generations!

Claire (*)
Timeless Genealogies
We're Your Family is "No. 1"

Blogs

http://timelessgen.blogspot.com
http://gen-reflections.blogspot.com

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TimelessGenealogies
https://www.facebook.com/TimelessGenealogies

Twitter @TimelessGen

 (c) 2005-2013, Timeless Genealogies, All Rights Reserved

     claire@timelessgen.com   

     

Building Bridges to Younger Generations...

It's safe to say that genealogical research has been around for centuries, however, those who do research are usually not from the younger generation and yet they are the very ones who would benefit the most from learning about their ancestors. Today great strides have been made in reaching out to these younger generations and it definitely is creating a wonderful opportunity to build a shorter bridge between generations than ever before causing a possible positive ripple effect on all generations going forward!

Each and every person is the descendant of those who have done their best to pass onto their posterity all they were able to do regardless of the physical, psychological or emotional circumstances of their lives.

Living conditions, illnesses, poverty, military service, personal demons, various occupational traits, certain familiar traits, hair color, various abilities to cope under difficult circumstances and a large variety of other traits are buried in each one's DNA waiting for just the right moment to appear in any of one's descendants. New studies have shed great light and hope on just how much DNA is passed on and it effects on those individuals. A recent article entitled Grandma's Experiences Leave a Mark on Your Genes is really worth the read for all the hope is provides the whole human race.

Photos can help one add another connection to a everyone's ancestral past.

Collecting, organizing and sharing these photos with each of ones descendants can help them recognize just where they fit in their family. Did they inherit that red hair from their father's side of the family? Those blue eyes and freckles from the mother and so on. Sharing these precious moments in time is just one of the many wonderful things we can do as genealogists and family historians. Don't wait till it's too late and those ancestral pictures are all part of a collection that will fall to someone who has no clue who the people are once you are no longer here to tell them...share them digitally, in a scrapbook or an photo ancestral chart and help to build shorter bridges between generations!

~~~

Building Bridges for All Generations!
Claire (*)
Timeless Genealogies
We're Your Family is "No. 1"

Blogs
http://timelessgen.blogspot.com
http://gen-reflections.blogspot.com

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/TimelessGenealogies
https://www.facebook.com/TimelessGenealogies

Twitter @TimelessGen

 (c) 2005-2013, Timeless Genealogies, All Rights Reserved

     claire@timelessgen.com   

Pay it Forward Opportunity...

Another opportunity to help ... 

BillionGraves is excited to be working with the VA to document military headstones in our Country’s National Cemeteries. To jump-start this project we will be coming to the Denver area to photograph the entire Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado.

We are reaching out to Genealogy Societies throughout Colorado looking for excited genealogists to come take pictures with us on October 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th starting at 10 am. Our goal is to document the entire cemetery in just 4 short days!

To Participate:

All you need to bring is any of your friends and family with a Smartphone and a water bottle and we’ll take care of the rest!  We will provide lunch, snacks, and some fun BillionGraves “swag”.

As we are working closely with the Fort Logan Cemetery, we ask that out of respect to the cemetery and the families of loved ones buried at Fort Logan that you please RSVP to Hgunn@billiongraves.com along with your contact information, the number of people coming, and what day (or days) you are available to help! This will allow the cemetery to prepare for our arrival and so we have enough food for everyone!

See you in Colorado!

 (c) 2005-2013, Timeless Genealogies, All Rights Reserved

     claire@timelessgen.com   

Digital Safety & Digital Estates

This year has a been one where many individuals discovered through various news reports just how much of one's online life is no longer as private as they may have once thought.

Most try their best, through settings on specific sites to be private while maintaining some sort of online presence either for their work, family and friends and take precautions of what they put online as well as say online. Knowing that photos as well as anything else shared online may end up where one does not want it can be one way to get the message out and be very careful with your online presence.

Genealogists, like many others, collaborate with other researchers to help solve difficult problems as well as assist and share with one another. In addition, clients, as well as the researcher, need to be able to access their research projects regardless of their physical location. To prevent data loss, precautions have to be taken to have back-ups of one's hard work along with whatever else is worth keeping in a digital format for future use and generations.

Keeping the above in mind, various companies offer storage on their servers for a fee, some offer free services and still others can handle larger organizations. They all have one thing in common and that is the ability to access your information from multiple media types as shown in the image above. These companies also provide reassurance that nothing is loss over time and your data automatically synchronized through the software setups on your main computer.

While these kinds of backups provide for secure and digital safety, what happens to all that data when an individual passes away? Recently this subject came up at the annual conference of the Canadian Bar Association in Saskatoon and these lawyers raised questions about digital data rights after an owner's death and how this is definitely a growing problem that seriously needs addressing, the article is here.

Most written laws don't take into account digital assets. The article not only discusses loved ones digital assets after their death but also digital items like downloaded music and books onto a digital device which really only belongs to the individual who paid for it. Then there are social media sites and many other online activities that could have been part of a loved ones virtual life.

This definitely brings into mind one's online genealogical activities which could include blogs, photos, documents, really anything at all including emails that exchanged genealogical information and perhaps early message boards which were another way to help one another in genealogical research, just for starters.

It's not only time to check 'terms of use' with the locations of one's data but also to make sure one's digital assets are handled correctly legally when we are no longer here by our descendants. More than ever before it is important to share your research, photos and all connected with your genealogy and family history with your living family members. It is definitely a time to bring the subject up for open discussion and perhaps lead to some solutions.

One company that is helping with this Gen-Ark, they are a leader in digital estate scanning and preservation solutions, check them out!

Comments and Suggestions are always welcomed!

Building Bridges for All Generations!

Claire (*)
Timeless Genealogies
We're Your Family is "No. 1"

Blogs

http://timelessgen.blogspot.com
http://gen-reflections.blogspot.com

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TimelessGenealogies
https://www.facebook.com/TimelessGenealogies

Twitter @TimelessGen

 (c) 2005-2013, Timeless Genealogies, All Rights Reserved

     claire@timelessgen.com