Hanging Out in National Family History Month

The first #NFHM2014 event I attended was an online one hosted by myself. It was wonderful to have four Australian and two British family historians join me for a Google Hangout on Air.

As I am presently semi-housebound I realised what a boon online events are for those who are isolated by distance, disability or for some other reason. My stay at home is only temporary as I should be able to drive about next week (I hope) but many others around Australia don't have that luxury.

Here is what newbie panelist Travelgenee had to say about the hangout: http://travelgenee.com/family-history-month-challenge-16/

I won't prattle on about the event instead I will just post the video for you to view.

Sharing the Love #NFHM2014

There is an amazing menu of events for National Family History Month over on their website. These events are taking place all over Australia and in cyberspace as well.

#NFHM2014

I imagine that several thousands of Australian enthusiasts will attend one or more of these events and some will even report on them on social media or other websites. I would love to hear what they are attending, delivering or learning but there are several places on the web where reports are being posted. I follow Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and over 200 Australian genealogy and history blogs but know that I am missing out on lots of news.

#NFHM2014

Voluntary co-ordinator of the event Shauna Hicks recently tweeted the hashtag for National Family History Month. If we all include the hashtag #NFHM2014 when reporting on events then search engines may index the posts.

#NFHM2014

I am not a huge fan of Twitter but I think, it certain situations it is an excellent vehicle for aggregating news. If those of us with Twitter accounts write a short tweet with any #NHFM2014 news we find  then others can access Twitter, do a search by the hashtag and get a results list containing relevant posts.

#NFHM2014

At the moment, if I do such a search on Twitter, presently many of tweets containing the hashtag  #NFHM2014 come from one Twitter user - me. How about turning that around? 

#NFHM2014

If you or your society has a blog or website you could attach a  #NHFM2014 label or tag to your post or article.

Let's share the love for National Family History Month by using the hashtag.

Join our next GeniAus Hangout on Air - What a Month that was - #NFHM2014 

Details https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/c250rpao6g1a99j1taoruss8teg

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Postscript: The power of hashtags

It is only about two minutes since I published this post. look what happened when I did a search for the hashtag.

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun

Randy Seaver has challenged us to provide answers to the following questions in his Saturday Night Genealogy Fun Exercisse this week.

I can't resist a Geneameme and this activity looks like one.

On the grounds that some answers may incriminate me (does Mr GeniAus really need to know how much time I spend each week on genealogy realted pursuits?) I may not be able to provide answers to all of the questions. So here goes:

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Here is your assignment if you choose to play along (cue the Mission Impossible music, please!): 

1) Answer these questions in my survey about genealogy resources and usage:

a)  Which genealogy software programs for your computer do you use (e.g., Family Tree Maker, Reunion, GRAMPS, etc.)?

Family Historian and, for publishing to my family site, TNG. 
b)  Which online family trees have information submitted by you - in either a separate online tree (e.g., Ancestry Member Tree) or a universal (collaborative) online tree (e.g., WikiTree)?

I host my own tree online at www.geniaus.net and have a partial private tree on Ancestry.
c)  For which subscription genealogy record providers (e.g., Ancestry) do you have a subscription?

Ancestry.co.uk and Familysearch.com
d)  Which FREE genealogy record providers (e.g., FamilySearch) do you use regularly?

How long is a piece of string? Familysearch is the main FREE genealogy record provider but I use a long list of other non-genealogy sites like archives and other databases for genealogy. I use any site that lists names or places.

e)  How much time do you spend each week doing actual genealogy research online?  [Note:  not reading, or social networking, but actual searching in a record provider].  Estimate an average number of hours per week.

Not enough
f)  How much time do you spend each week doing actual genealogy research in a repository (e.g., library, archive, courthouse, etc.)?  Estimate an average number of hours per month over, say, a one year period.

This comes in fits and spurts. Last week I spent a day in the NSW State Archives, when I visit Canberra our National Capital a coule of times per year I will spend two or three days in repositories there, when I go to England (twice this year) I will spend up to a week in various repositories and when I go to Rootstech I allow two or three days for research in the Family History Library.
g)  How much time do you spend each week adding information to your genealogy software program (either on your computer or online)?  Estimate an average number of hours per week over, say, a one month period.

Maybe 8 hours a month - my database needs a lot more attention
h)  How much time do you spend each month at a genealogical society meeting, program or event (not a seminar or conference)?  Estimate an average number of hours per month over, say, a one year period.

Around 10 hours a month
i)  How much time do you spend each month on genealogy education (e.g., reading books and periodicals, attending seminars, conferences, workshops, webinars, etc.)?   Estimate an average number of hours per month over, say, a one year period.

Lots - As well as reading books and blog posts I listening to podcasts, tune into webinars and join Google Hangouts. I also go on the odd Unlock the Past Genealogy Cruise.
j)  How much time do you spend each week reading, writing and commenting on genealogy blogs, websites, and social media?   Estimate an average number of hours per week over, say, a one month period.

Maybe 40 hours per month.

No wonder I don't get too many other books read.

Follow Friday - Wellbelove Genealogy

As I am contemplating starting a one-name study I was interested to find this website (and accompanying blog, Facebook page and Youtube channel)) from Alan Wellbelove. I was rather impressed with the site and thought you might be too.

http://www.wellbelove.org/