Using Social Media

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Using Social Media

How would you like to have a conversation with Cyndi Ingles (of Cyndi's List) every morning?  Or do you have a genealogically related legal question for Judy G. Russell, the Legal Genealogist?  Who doesn't have questions about DNA and not sure how to ask them?
SKCGS is celebrating one year of blog postings and twitter followers; thank you very much to all of our contributors for the diverse topics and your valuable experience.  We look forward to many more articles and invite others to share your ideas, experiences and pictures.

 Social media, in the form of Facebook groups, twitter accounts, blog pages and websites. creates opportunity for sharing ideas or expanding our knowledge in ways we've barely explored.

Use Social Media Genealogically

Google a surname and you will be offered websites and Facebook pages for individuals and groups with that name.  Perhaps it is the surname of a noted, or notorious, person who is your ancestor.  There is the opportunity to communicate with other people who are also descended from that line.  William and Mary Barrett Dyer descendants is a good example of a Facebook page dedicated to a group with familial connections.  

New England DNA /Gedmatch Project  is a closed group on Facebook that follows exactly what it says.  If you have uploaded your DNA raw data to Gedmatch and are looking for New England descendant "cousins", you might ask to join this group.  Within the group you can look for other surnames to which you are not genetically connected but with whom you have genealogical interest.  There are other such project pages: Mayflower Gedmatch, Switzerland GEDmatch DNA Project, McKenzie and MacKenzie GEDmatch DNA Project,  you get the idea.


 You like to go to seminars and conferences to learn from noted speakers, getting inspiration for your own research or overcoming problems.  With time your enthusiasm may wane and you need a "pick-me-up" or "swift kick" to get back on track.  Suppose you could find that at your fingertips by reading blogs from Genealogy Guys Podcast & Genealogy Connection Drew Smith and George G. Morgan.

 Drew and George are administrators, along with Cyndi Ingles and Blaine Bettinger, on the relatively new Genealogy Squad Facebook group.  What a resource!  All your genealogy questions can be asked here and you will get a wealth of answers.  (Your genetic/DNA questions should be asked at their sister site, Genetic Genealogy Tips and Techniques.)

Most of us are familiar with USGenweb and the individual websites for each state and each county within each state.  Are you aware that most states have a Genealogy Facebook page where you can ask questions or get notices?  


Montana Genealogy Network Facebook Page  When I joined the Montana Genealogy Facebook page I renewed a connection with a Montana researcher who helped me 18 years ago! 

While she no longer lives in Montana, she had a contact for someone who lived down the street from the rural cemetery for which I had a question.  This contact picked up birth and death certificate copies for me when the weather got warm enough for her to go to Red Lodge.  

Digitalrchives.com is a website at which you can find links to the archives for each state with comments as to what is available.  Check it out!


Use Social Media for Education

Have you viewed the tutorials and podcasts that might be provided with your genealogy software?  At least one great advantage to tutorials is being able to watch them on your time schedule and to re-watch them if you need a refresher.

Familysearch.org has an extensive wiki section with articles on topics and locations from all over the world.  Many articles about international locations have links to databases and information you might not be able to find elsewhere.  And it's free!

 The blog at My Heritage, blog.myheritage.com is introducing My Heritage Education, a new online resource center for enhancing your understanding of MyHeritage’s tools, products and services, and to help you make the most of your family history research. 

Use Social Media Responsibly

When you join a closed group on Facebook, read the rules and follow them.  A standard item on Facebook is a place to invite your friends to join a page.  In a closed group such as Genealogy Squad or New England DNA/Gedmatch Project, don't use that link!  Instead, send your friends the URL for the page or have them search for the name so they can request to join.  Genealogy Squad is https://www.facebook.com/groups/genealogysquad/?fref=nf

There's no need to apologize for asking a question; that's why the site exists and its how we learn.   And, in general, don't ask for "recommendations" for anything.  Facebook picks up that word and tries to give you hotels, restaurants, etc.  Ask for "suggestions" if you need that sort of information.

Drew Smith of Genealogy Guys gives us a recommendation on how to craft a good genealogy question for any Facebook group, message board, or mailing list:


  1. Make your question as specific and clear as possible. (This minimizes the need for others to ask you follow-up questions.)
  2. Indicate where you have already looked, and what you have already discovered. (This prevents people from suggesting places you've already looked.)
  3. Include what you already know. (This prevents people from looking for unnecessary information.)

Keep comments and answers on point and relevant.  And show your "like" for a comment or answer.  It always makes me feel good after I make a comment that Lauren in South Carolina read it and gave a thumbs up.

You veterans of social media are thinking that I haven't mentioned one of your favorite sites; I know that I have not even dusted the surface of what is available. I will leave it for each of you to get out there and explore the social media sources for information that helps you with your family history.  And then share your experience here to help others.  
MaryLynn Strickland

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