Will I make the Top 40?

I was thrilled this morning to discover that this blog, Geniaus, has been nominated for the Family Tree Magazine 40 2011 Top Genealogy Blogs. Thanks to those people who nominated my blog - I am humbled to be on a shortlist in such august company.

As I have been at work all day I haven't been able to share my excitement through the blog and on Facebook until now (I did manage to send out a few tweets during the day).

I am a very proud Australian as I don't think there are any other Australian blogs on the list. Wouldn't it be fantastic if Geniaus could represent our nation in the Top 40 for 2011. As most of the blogs on the shortlist are from countries with huge populations and voter bases it will take some sort of miracle for my efforts to make the 40.

I need help to put Australia on the genealogy blogging map. Please cast a vote more than once and spread the word by whatever means you can to garner the support of the Australian genealogy community.

Geniaus blog is listed in The Heritage category. I don't think you have to vote in all categories.

To vote please click on the logo below or go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ft40-2011voting

A Challenge for Australian Genealogists

I have noticed a number of blog posts and tweets today encouraging genealogists to Nominate a Genealogy Blog for the 2011 Family Tree 40.


There were no Australian blogs among the 2010 Top 40 - let's change that for 2011.

Wouldn't it be great for genealogy in Australia if some Australian blogs could be on the shortlist for voting and then make the Final Forty. For this to happen there needs to be a concerted effort by Australians to nominate their favourite blogs. To get a presence on the shortlist we need to have multiple nominations for a number of blogs in the categories listed below. Please let others know on Twitter and in your Blogs those blogs you have nominated and in which categories you have nominated them. Nominate a Family Tree 40 blog here

• Local/regional history and genealogy: blogs focusing on research in a specific county, state or region. Most library and archive blogs, as well as many local historical and genealogical society blogs, would go here.

• Heritage groups: Blogs focusing on the family history of a specific ethnic, religious or national background (such as African-American, Jewish, Polish, etc.)

• Research advice and how-to: Blogs that primarily explain how to research, analyze photos or perform various family history tasks. The blogger offers tips, strategies and examples; explains genealogical concepts; and writes about how to use new resources.

• Cemeteries: These blogs feature content primarily about cemetery research and visiting cemeteries. Many feature tombstone photos and transcriptions, with information about those interred.

• “My Family History”: Blogs about the blogger’s own roots, including accounts of personal research, their own family photos and heirlooms, stories, recipes, etc.

• “Everything” blogs: Blogs that cover it all—genealogy news, research advice, opinions, local history, family stories, etc.—go here.

• New blogs: Was the blog you’re nominating launched during the past year? Categorize it here, even if it would also fit into another category.

• Technology: Blogs focusing on genealogy websites, software, DNA testing or other aspects of technology as it relates to genealogy.