Twitter Coaching Available in 2014

I am so excited about the crowdsourcing that is available on Twitter, I will be offering FREE "how to" sessions via Google Hangouts in 2014!  These will not be HOA's, so they will not be streamed on YouTube, and they will not be recorded. They are private, intimate sessions for you to ask any question you want. We can work through the process together, learn my best "tricks" on Twitter, and in an hour or less, get everyone comfortable enough with the platform to be able to participate in #genchat . Each session will be limited to ten people - including me! - so I'm asking you to RSVP either by posting to this message or by emailing me at ancestralbreezes at gmail dot com. There is no fee. There never will be. I just want all of my geneabuddies to understand the impact that Twitter can make on their research. The next session will be held on Wednesday, April 23 at 9:30am Mountain. I will add more hangouts to the schedule very soon, and will try to accommodate all the time zones. If you need a special time to fit with YOUR schedule, please contact me, and we can work together to set something up. Join me in learning all about Twitter and what it can do for you, your research and your genealogy education! Connect with me on G+: google.com/+JenBaldwin 9:30am Mountain 8:30am Pacific 10:30am Central 11:30am Eastern

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) and #genchat to collaborate in 2014

Bringing societies into the spotlight on Twitter.

Summit County, Colorado, 26 February 2014:  As creator and host of #genchat on Twitter, Jen Baldwin of Ancestral Journeys, and the Federation ofGenealogical Societies, (FGS), is pleased to announce an effort in collaboration for 2014.  Based on her experience hosting the chats in 2013, Mrs. Baldwin found that organizations, societies and archives can benefit a great deal from the exposure on Twitter and other social media platforms. However, the refined topic matter and designated time frame of #genchat make it easier than ever to utilize this tool in the genealogy community.

The partnership, which is set to extend the duration of 2014, will include a complimentary webinar on using Twitter, a special session of #genchat live from the FGS 2014 Conference in San Antonio, focused articles regarding the use of Twitter, and more.

Jen Baldwin states, “it is my belief that although some societies are struggling to adapt to new tools and resources, especially to the vibrant world of social media, they will eventually adapt. It is the role of those of us who are proficient in their use to engage our society leaders, to educate and prepare, and to guide them through any necessary change.” Furthermore, “#genchat really is an ideal concept for societies to gain attention and followers on Twitter. The conversational tone of the chats allows for free-flowing input and gives organizations a chance to showcase their collections and member benefits.”

Melissa Shimkus, FGS Education Chair, declares “The Federation of Genealogical Societies is excited to provide the tools that allow societies to continue to learn and grow; and believe that Jen Baldwin and #genchat are great partners in FGS’s mission to link the genealogical community.” FGS is pleased to announce that Mrs. Baldwin will be presenting the next FGS webinar, “Capturing the Community: Using Twitter to Connect, Engage and Educate in Genealogy,” on Monday, March 31^st. More details on the upcoming webinar and what is to come in 2014 will be released soon by both parties.

#genchat CHALLENGE: the Ultimate Genealogy Tech Tool of the Future!

Your challenge, should you choose to accept it... 

I wasn't even going to do a challenge tonight! Honest! I wasn't! But, the crowd demanded it, and so, it shall be done. Tonight's discussion was based on technology; as the community comes off of the high that is RootsTech, it was an appropriate topic. What did we gain from the conference? What is new, what is out? Are we on "tech overload" or do we just not have the right tools to effectively match our research goals? 

Your challenge today is to imagine the ultimate tech tool of the future. What will it be? What will it look like? 

I have thought often of a "dream software," and tonight, it was given a name: Genealogy Office. My tech tool of the future includes the best of all worlds; it should include the features of... 

• The best genealogy software (including the ability to preserve social history, citations, and more)
• Photography and scanning, photo editing
• Excel
• Word
• Social media connections for sharing
• Blogging platform
• Research log 
• Research plan
• Research trip planning - including a live map with links to Starbucks, my favorite restaurants and nearby libraries and courthouses
• It will connect to all the major free and subscription websites for research tools
• It will connect to BillionGraves, findagrave and any other grave app
• It will bring the best of OneNote (or Evernote, depending on your preference)
• it will include features found in Publisher, Scribner, mind mapping

Essentially, I want one software package that will combine all the software I currently use for genealogy - including websites and apps - into one big system. I don't want to have to open any other program. Ever. (Oh, and it has a voice, like Siri. Kinda.) 

So tell me... what is your dream genealogy tech? 

Share it on social media, in the comments here, however you like; just be sure to include a link so we can all read about it! 

Thanks for accepting the #genchat CHALLENGE! 

#genchat Challenge! What Have You Missed?

Your challenge, should you choose to accept it....

Tonight on #genchat, the topic at hand was "Capturing all the details: one document at a time."  We discussed the idea of re-evaluating what you already have found; and why you may have missed details on the first review. Many suggested transcribing as a good way to ensure you "see" everything, also included were the idea's of reading the document out loud, reading repeatedly over the course of a week, or sharing it with a friend to compare notes.


Nearly all of the participants, myself included, admitted that there is a need to do this regularly. We simply cannot believe that one review of a source, especially a complicated one!, is enough.

What might you have missed?
Image: personal collection of author
1897 Town of Breckenridge Clerk & Recorder log book

Your challenge today is to find a record that you already have in your research, and to re-evaluate it. Try to find one that you have had difficulty with in the past, or one that was challenging to you for some reason. Make this a tough assignment on yourself! It is a "challenge" after all!


Blog about your experience with this record, or share in some other manner, before our next official chat on February 14th.  Tell us what you found originally, and what the re-assessment process did for you. Did you find new information? Were you thorough the first time around?  Be sure to share the link with me!



Remember! Once you have completed the challenge, share it with me! Thanks for accepting the #genchat CHALLENGE! 

#genchat : geography the Southwest States

Today will be the second ever #genchat : geography, and our topic is the Southwest! 

What you need to know :

Join the fun on Twitter by following the #genchat hashtag. We will start the chat promptly at 10:30am Central. For purposes of this discussion, we will "define" the southwest states as: Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, California and Nevada. 



A rather broad range, I realize, but in order to have a dynamic conversation, somewhat necessary.

Here are a few helpful links to have in general, but certainly for the chat as well.

Arizona

• FamilySearch Wiki: https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Arizona_Introduction
• Arizona Geographic Alliance (Arizona State University): http://geoalliance.asu.edu/azga/
• Geography of Arizona (WorldAtlas): http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/usstates/azland.htm
• "The Historical Geography of Arizona" by Rufus Kay Wyllys, JSTOR: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3634811
• Archaeology & Geography, Arizona State Tourism: http://www.arizonaguide.com/arizona-travel-info/learn-about-arizona/archaeology-geography

California

• FamilySearch Wiki: https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/California_Introduction
• Geography of California, Princeton: http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Geography_of_California.html
• California Geographical Society: http://www.csun.edu/~calgeosoc/
• The Name and the Geography: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/cbhtml/cbgeog.html
• Historical Geography of California: http://www.sjsu.edu/geography/resources/Cal_geog/Historical/

Nevada

• FamilySearch Wiki: https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Nevada_Introduction
• University of Nevada Department of Geography: http://www.unr.edu/geography/
• Sierra Nevada Geography: http://www.sierranevadaphotos.com/geography/
• Nevada Geographic Information Society: http://www.ngis.org/
• Historical Myth A Month: Nevada Names and Geography: http://nsla.nevadaculture.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=686&Itemid=418 (From the State Archives website; a true gem in Nevada history!)
• 1895 U.S. Atlas, Nevada: http://www.livgenmi.com/1895/NV/

New Mexico

• FamilySearch Wiki: https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/New_Mexico_Genealogy
• New Mexico Guide on National Geographic: http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/united-states/new-mexico-guide/
• NMSU Department of Geography: http://geography.nmsu.edu/
• New Mexico Museum of Art, "New Mexico Art Tells New Mexico History" : http://online.nmartmuseum.org/nmhistory/people-places-and-politics/new-mexicos-geography/history-geography.html
• New Mexico Roots, ltd. 11 volumes of demographic data: http://repository.unm.edu/handle/1928/14546

Oklahoma

• FamilySearch Wiki: https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Oklahoma_Introduction
• OSU Department of Geography: http://geog.okstate.edu/
• Oklahoma Alliance for Geographic Education: http://alliances.nationalgeographic.com/detail/oklahoma-alliance-for-geographic-education-okage/edn6CA6FF7969E62D31D
• Oklahoma Atlas Institute: http://www.okatlas.org/
• Historical Maps of Oklahoma (at Alabamamaps.ua.edu): http://alabamamaps.ua.edu/historicalmaps/us_states/oklahoma/

Texas

• FamilySearch Wiki: https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Texas_Introduction
• Texas Guide from National Geographic: http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/united-states/texas-guide/
• Texas Geographic Information Council: http://www.dir.texas.gov/sponsored/tgic/Pages/overview.aspx
• Geography: Cities of Texas Games! http://www.geography-map-games.com/geography-games-Geography-Cities-of-Texas-_pageid98.html  Test your knowledge and have a little fun! 
• Dallas Public Library Databases (if you have access): http://dallaslibrary2.org/genealogy/databases.php
• Texas State Historical Association, The Handbook of Texas Online: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online

Twitter 101: A Genealogists' How To

A quick diversion from my series on fraternal societies to announce....

I am so excited about the crowdsourcing that is available on Twitter, I will be offering FREE "how to" sessions via Google Hangouts starting in November! These will not be HOA's, so they will not be streamed on YouTube, and they will not be recorded. They are private, intimate sessions for you to ask any question you want. We can work through the process together, learn my best "tricks" on Twitter, and in an hour or less, get everyone comfortable enough with the platform to be able to participate in #genchat . Each session will be limited to ten people - including me! - so I'm asking you to RSVP either by posting to this message or by emailing me at ancestralbreezes at gmail dot com. There is no fee. There never will be. I just want all of my geneabuddies to understand the impact that Twitter can make on their research. The first session will be held on Thursday, November 14 at 9:30am Mountain. I will add more hangouts to the schedule very soon, and will try to accommodate all the time zones. If you need a special time to fit with YOUR schedule, please contact me, and we can work together to set something up. Join me in learning all about Twitter and what it can do for you, your research and your genealogy education! Connect with me on G+: google.com/+JenBaldwin 9:30am Mountain is.... 8:30am Pacific 10:30am Central 11:30am Eastern

Explosion!

Photo Credit: stock.xchng.com

After an amazing week in Las Vegas at the NGS 2013 Family History Conference, I'm back at  home and settling into my usual routine. Right? 

Um, no. 

As it happens, during the conference, D. Joshua Taylor sent out this tweet: 

Little did I know (or him for that matter!) the level of excitement this idea would generate. 

Thankfully, we certainly were not the only people thinking about doing something like this. The wonderful Kassie Nelson had already started a Facebook group for the very same thing. However, as a full time student and Mom, it was tough getting things moving for her. We banded together, and I am extremely excited that The NextGen Genealogy Network (NGGN) now has over 120 members! 

Just another Facebook group? Hardly. 

The organization is doing just that: organizing. We have filed incorporation papers and while we wait for that process to be completed, we are working on creating our structure, finding volunteers to fill those necessary roles to make everything click, and generating ideas for projects, goals and other objectives. 

What exactly is NGGN? 

Well, our mission statement should give you a pretty good explanation: 

"The NextGen Genealogy Network exists to foster the next generation’s interest in family history and engagement in our community through digital channels which virtually connect members throughout the world."

Yes, virtually. Our meetings, conversations, educational programs... everything will be online. We are truly hoping to reach those genealogists and family historians that do not carry a typical schedule because soccer games and scout meetings get in the way. Those folks that are interested, but are trying to get to their Biology 101 class on time. The people that cannot necessarily afford to join their local society, or feel out of place in that environment.

If that sounds intriguing to you, I invite you to do any one of the following three things:


Join our group on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Fill out this Membership form to let us know you want in! 


As we continue to collaborate, we'll keep everyone posted on our progress. We do anticipate officially taking members sometime around the first week of July. Hope to see you online!

All of this is certainly keeping me busy, but it's such a good busy. I'm loving every moment of it. I am a proud, almost-card-carrying member ('cause we still have to make some cards!) of this organization, and I cannot wait to see what happens tomorrow!

Everybody’s Talking: All At Once

Thirteen months and one day ago, I had a conversation with my big brother. I remember it so well because it occurred on Christmas Day, and well, because big brother’s are good at this kind of thing. We were talking about my new “business” which at the time of course, consisted of very little. Ancestral Journeys was very new, in fact, it technically had not even been launched yet. That happened on 1 Jan.

I digress.

Big brother makes the following statement, and I took it to heart:

"Social media isn’t going anywhere. It’s only going to grow. So you can either jump in or be left behind."

I listened. I activated a new Twitter account, grabbed onto Facebook and started exploring Google+. Pinterest, LinkedIn, Tumblr… yes, I dove into them all.

Who knew that thirteen short months later, I would be hosting a Twitter Chat.

Those words had never entered my sphere before, but I now know them so very well. I have learned a great deal from a variety of chats, including #blogchat, #saturdayschool and #lulybchat; but none has ever been as enjoyable as last night’s #genchat.



The idea struck me a couple of months ago, but it was something I knew I could not do alone. I circled the wagons with Terri O’Connell and Stephanie Pitcher Fishman, and we got to work. Last night’s inaugural experience was amazing, and I cannot say thank you to my co-hosts enough, nor can I ever express how truly awesome it was to see so many genealogy folks participate. It was incredible watching the message pass by; everything and everyone coming at you so fast! I’ve seen some chats that really move before, but this was something really special.

I love the comparison of Twitter to a cocktail party. I think its an amazing analogy to explain what Twitter is designed to be. Last night’s cocktail party was absolutely one I will not forget.

Here’s some stats, in case you were interested. (Source: www.hashtracking.com, compiled at 11:15pm MST, 26 Jan 2013. This site produces statistics based on an individual hashtag for the past twenty-four hour period.)  The #genchat hash tag produced…

• 1,146 tweets, which generated…
• 766,955 impressions, reaching an audience of…
• 33,560 followers

That’s pretty impressive stuff!


It is an absolute compliment to see tweets such as this…

@familyreflect: “Totally planned my entire evening so I would be home in time for the first #genchat.”

@wakela: “Mind still going a mile a minute after the great #genchat can’t wait until Feb 8th for next one.” 

@ddaruth: “Great #genealogy #genchat tweets running in my brain! Lots of great ideas & info for today’s research. nice way to spend a Friday night!”

You can see all the topic specific tweets on Storify. I cut out a few of the jokes. You kinda’ had to be there. Make sure to read all the way through to the end, though, because that’s where all the little hints and goodies for location specific research went.

The next #genchat will occur on Feb 8, 9pm CST, when we will discuss “Your Best 60 Minutes of Research.” The schedule for the entire year is available on Conference Keeper, as well as badges you can download and put on your own blog or website.

So, Big Brother, did you ever think that Little Sister would be doing this when you gave me that fateful advice?

Big Brother playing Santa Claus, with me on his knee.
Many years ago...
Photo: Personal archives of the author.

#GENCHAT is coming! #GENCHAT is coming!

 

Are you ready? This is going to be good, you do not want to miss out!

The theme for the first #GENCHAT is “Starting your 2013 research in the right way.” Are you ready to learn via the awesome power of Twitter? Here are a few simple steps to make sure you are “good to go.”

1. If you do not already have a Twitter account, you will need one. It is free, and you can sign up at www.twitter.com. Learn the basics of the system before 25 Jan. There are many great tutorials and other tools to help you. If you can’t figure it out, drop me an email, and I can help you.
2. Decide if you are going to use a site like TweetDeck, HootSuite, TwitterFall or TweetGrid to follow and participate in the chat. Get into that a couple days in advance, so you can see how to use it before #genchat actually starts.
3. On the appropriate day and time, log into your preferred site (see #2) and follow the hashtag #genchat. We’ll be there!
4. Follow the hosts: @cornandcotton, @ancestryjourney and/or @tracingmyfamily.

A few other tips…

• It’s great to let other folks know you will be participating, even the hosts! We would love to hear from you before hand.
• Re-tweeting during the chat is a great way to show your agreement with a statement, or reinforce an idea that has been expressed.
• With many participants, Twitter chats can be lively and fast! Don’t worry if you miss something, we will be putting out summaries and other tools in the days that follow. You can also search for #genchat on Twitter, and get all of the posts using that hashtag.

#GENCHAT is a community event, and we are hoping for interaction from around the globe. If you have something to contribute to the conversation, please do so, but keep in mind that the central idea here is collaboration. We are hoping to learn from each other. We are hoping that although a few prompts may be necessary, the conversation will naturally flow and the chat will turn into a helpful event for all participants.
To put it simply, come ready to learn AND to teach. We can all help each other.

If you have any questions, please email me or comment below.

The full schedule for 2013 is available exclusively on the Conference Keeper website. You can also download a badge to use on your own website or blog and help spread the word about #genchat!

My three focus words for 2013 are Clarification, Collaboration and Courage. #GENCHAT is one way in which I can collaborate with genealogists and family historians around the world, and I'm excited for it to begin. Join us! 

Announcing #GENCHAT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THREE PROFESSIONALS UNITE TO PRESENT #GENCHAT; 

GENEALOGY TWITTER CHATS

Corn & Cotton Genealogy, Finding Our Ancestors and Ancestral Journeys Will Start Regular Twitter Chats in January, 2013

If you are interested in learning about resources, skills, methodology and techniques to further your family history research, the help you need may have just arrived. 

Three genealogy professionals: Stephanie Pitcher Fishman, owner of Corn & Cotton Genealogy; Terri O’Connell, owner of Finding Our Ancestors; and Jen Baldwin, owner of Ancestral Journeys; are reaching across state lines using the power of Twitter to answer your questions and create an environment of collaboration.  

Beginning January 25, 2013, they will combine their efforts to bring you #genchat, a Twitter Chat focusing on genealogy related topics, skills and questions. The chat will be hosted every two weeks, beginning at 9:00pm CST, and lasting for one hour. The chats will be oriented towards hobbyist genealogists and family historians; all interested are welcome to participate.

Between them, they bring 43 years of genealogy research experience to the Twitter platform. Individually, they each run a professional genealogy business and their areas of expertise range from the Midwestern United States, to integrating family history into home education, and the Rocky Mountain corridor. Each are also involved in various genealogy related projects, such as the digi-mag, The In-Depth Genealogist, and the upkeep of Conference Keeper, a site dedicated to compiling world-wide resources on educational opportunities for family historian’s.

A detailed schedule of the planned chats for 2013 can be found on the Conference Keeper website.

To contact the hosts directly, or to schedule an interview, please e-mail or tweet them (see below). 

Jen Baldwin

Ancestral Journeys

ancestraljourney@outlook.com

@ancestryjourney

Stephanie Pitcher Fishman

Corn & Cotton Genealogy

stephanie@cornandcotton.com

@CornAndCotton

Terri O’Connell

Finding Our Ancestors

terri@findingourancestors.net

@Tracingmyfamily