How's your brand?

This morning I read an interesting post from a school librarian who was talking about social media and branding. So much of what she said is also true for genealogists and family historians.

Ashley Cooksey said in her post Social Media Profile and Branding  "One of the most important things a #ConnectedEducator can do is to build a stellar profile and create a social media brand. You may currently be thinking, “a brand is for a company, fast food restaurant, or shoe, not for a teacher.” Well, my friend, I disagree. Your profile gives followers a quick snapshot of who you are as a professional (and a person). Your posts will develop your brand. Think of this as your digital footprint."  The same goes for a Connected Genealogist.

In the article Ashley answers to three questions:

• What do you need to include in your profile?
• What should you post? And how often?
• Why is it important to brand yourself?

I cannot think of many family historians whose content I instantly recognise. Some that I recognise are those with unique usernames/aliases (or as I call them AKAs) like The Chart Chick, Dapper Historian, Lonetester and ScotSue. These unique names have much more meaning than Mary Brown or John Smith. When I enter the search term GeniAus into Google the majority of the results that are returned are about or by me, ie relevant. I imagine that DearMYRTLE has a similar experience but I am sure that poor Mary Brown and John Smith aren't so fortunate. Do you consider the person who may be trying to find your pearls of wisdom via a simple search?

I am astounded when I visit blogs while writing welcome posts for the GeneabloggersTRIBE blog that quite a number of bloggers don't have a Profile or About Me statement. If we want to connect with our readers we must give a little. Have you checked your profile lately? Does it give the reader a hint of your personality and background. Readers like to know a little about those whose ramblings they are reading.

Some genealogists have one photo or graphic across all of their social media channels. Do you recognise these? 

This is a slide from a presentation I am giving at #Congress_2018

EXTRA added an hour later. If you are going to use a photo (unless it's one of you as a child) make sure it is recent and an accurate representation of the everyday you.

The Legal Genealogist has all of this branding stuff sewn up. She has a recognisable AKA, uses the same photo regularly and even wears her pink coat to many geneaevents. I hear that the coat is now threadbare and that Judy has commissioned a replica.

Does your branding need a makeover? Perhaps you should read Ashley's post Social Media Profile and Branding.

Dragging the Chain - Accentuate the Positive 2016

Quite a number of my genimates have already responded to this meme while I have been fussing about. I started off well by composing most of my responses while on an aeroplane ride last week but then life got in the way.

1.  An elusive ancestor I found was none that I an remember but through DNA I have been able to confirm that I am on track with most lines in my traditional research. Additionally via DNA I have found quite a few new previously unknown cousins.

2.  A precious family photo I found was a poor photocopy of our first picture of Mr Geniaus’ Great-Grandparents online in a My Heritage tree. The clues therein enabled us to track down some previously unknown second cousins who had emigrated to Australia  in the 1970s We intend to meet up and get a good copy of the original photo in 2017.

3.  An ancestor's grave I found was none but the Australian Cemeteries Index has provided with the locations of many Australian graves to visit.

4.  An important vital record I found was via the new English Birth and Marriage indexes that give mothers’ maiden names. I have been able to order the correct certificates for several ancestors, these confirm I was on the right track with my research.

5.  A newly found family member shared photos and stories of Mr GeniAus’ paternal side. We had an enjoyable meet up with cousin Shirley in October. We were able to swap information with Shirley and give her the location of her grandmother's unmarked grave in Liverpool Cemetery  that she had been trying to find for thirty years. Mr GeniAus has organised for a marker to be placed on the grave so that Emily will be more easily found.

6.  A geneasurprise I received was being voted as The Australian and New Zealand Gold Medal Genealogy Rockstar for 2016. Thanks to my followers and genimates for this honour.

7.   My 2016 blog post that I was particularly proud of was the series of posts I wrote on my CurryAus blog for the blogging challenge. This activity was hard work that kickstarted my Surname Study.

8.   I made a new genimate who I'm singling out - Danielle Lautrec, Education Officer at The Society of Australian Genealogists. I am sure that Danielle has contributed in a major way to the improvement in the Society's educational offerings.

9.  A new piece of software I mastered (well not quite) was Double Match Triangulator by Louis Kessler. This has the potential to help genetic genealigusts make sense of the avalanche if matches they find through DNA testing.

10. A social media tool I enjoyed using for genealogy was… I never thought I'd  say this but it's Facebook. I particularly learn a lot from fellow genies who, like me, are trying to get their heads around DNA in The Using DNA for Genealogy - Australia & NZ Group set up by Louise Coakley from Cairns.

11. A genealogy conference/seminar/webinar from which I learnt something new was...it has to be Rootstech - the greatest geneashow on earth. I also enjoy many of the member presentations at our local FHG, it's wonderful to see genies standing on their feet for the first time to share their stories in a safe, positive environment.

12. I am proud of the presentations I gave as webinars for The Society of Australian Genealogists. Although I prefer face to face interaction this mode of delivery can deliver learning to a diverse and distant audience.

13. A journal/magazine article I had published was my regular column in The Surname Scribbler, the online newsletter of The Surname Society.

14. I taught more than one friend how to get started in family history. At our local FHG it has been a privilege to introduce some longtime genealogists to online tools. I love infecting people with the geneabug.

15. A genealogy book that taught me something new was Blaine Bettinger's "The Family Tree Guide to DNA testing and Genetic Genealogy."

16. A great repository/archive/library I visited was The Kilkenny  Archaeological Society at Rothe House in Kilkenny, Ireland. The volunteers were so knowledgeable and helpful.  

17. A new genealogy/history book I enjoyed was Getting the most from Family Historian 6.

18. It was exciting to be invited to judge the Rootstech Innovator Showdown semi-finals. It was a challenge selecting my top ten from the list of entries. I was thrilled that I was able to convince the judges to include my fave app in the list.

19. A geneadventure I enjoyed was a trip to Ireland in search of my paternal ancestors. Although I didn't  solve any mysteries I enjoyed following in the footsteps of my forefathers. I have been inspired to return again next year.

20. Another positive I would like to share is ...the satisfaction I get from my membership and participation  in local, state and an international society. I have made so many new friends in our local fhg which now has over 100 members, I am so proud of the progress we have made.

Getting close to the ancestors in Muckalee

GAGs - GeniAus' Gems - 6 January 2017

After a holiday break in Hawaii with Mr Geniaus and all our descendants I am back in my geneacave.  I am sure I have missed many Gems while absent but the time spent with our living family was so precious and more important than my geneactivities.

In this post today I am concentrating on some living Gems - my genimates who have responded to my challenge to  Accentuate the Positive 2016, it takes hours to respond to this geneameme (I am yet to finish mine).

 I am so grateful to those who have already risen to the challenge and I look forward to more submissions over the coming days.  I am so impressed by the progress these Gems made last year and I have learnt of new resources and cottoned on to some new ideas from reading these posts.

Anne Young, Australia
http://ayfamilyhistory.blogspot.com.au/2017/01/accentuate-positive-2016-geneameme.html
Carmel Galvin, Australia
https://earlieryears.blogspot.com.au/2017/01/accentuate-positive-2016.html
Christine Woodcock, Canada
http://scottishgenealogytipsntricks.blogspot.com.au/2016/12/accentuate-positive-look-back-at-2016.html
Elizabeth Handler, USA
https://frommainetokentucky.blogspot.com.au/2016/12/accentuate-positive-geneameme-2016.html
Jennifer Jones, Australia
https://jonesfamilyhistory.wordpress.com/2017/01/01/accentuate-the-positive-geneameme/
Jill Ball, Australia
https://geniaus.blogspot.com.au/2017/01/dragging-chain-accentuate-positive-2016.html
Jo Ann Fitzgerald, Australia
http://ofmyfleshandblood.blogspot.com.au/2016/12/reflect-on-your-geneayear-2016.html
Judy Webster, Australia
http://judy-webster.blogspot.com.au/2017/01/genealogy-in-2016-accentuate-positive.html
Katrina Pilkington, Australia
https://pastlinks.blogspot.com.au/2017/01/accentuate-positive-geneameme-2016_9.html
Kerry Jones, Australia
http://geniaus.blogspot.com.au/2016/12/kerry-jones-positive-genimate.html
Kirsty Gray, England 
http://family-wise.co.uk/accentuate-positive-geneameme-2016/
Lilian Magill, Australia
http://researchbylily.blogspot.com.au/2016/12/accentuate-positive.html
Linda Stufflebean, USA
http://emptybranchesonthefamilytree.com/2017/01/accentuate-the-positive-geneameme-2016/
Maggie, New Zealandhttp://blog.iwikiwi.com/2017/01/accentuate-the-positive-2016/
Patsy Daly, Australia
http://www.patsyspaddocks.com/charles-salter/
Pauleen Cass, Australia
https://cassmob.wordpress.com/2017/01/14/accentuate-the-positive-2016/
Sandra Coombe, Australia
http://emptybranchesonthefamilytree.com/2017/01/accentuate-the-positive-geneameme-2016/
Shauna Hicks, Australia
http://www.shaunahicks.com.au/accentuate-the-positive-geneameme-2016/
Sylvia Valentine, England
https://recoveryourroots.wordpress.com/2017/01/01/new-year-and-the-new-kid-on-the-blog/

Kerry Jones - a Positive Genimate

One of my readers, Kerry Jones, completed the Accentuate the Positive 2016 Challenge and sent it to me in a Word doc. With Kerry's permission I am sharing it here. Congratulations on a beaut year, Kerry.

Accentuate the Positive 

1.  An elusive ancestor I found was: David Culley, my fourth Great Grandfather.

2.  A precious family photo I found was:  A photo of my great great Grandmother, Ellen Crowley.  I found it quite by accident.  I went to the website of the Female Convict Research Centre and there sitting prominently on the site was Ellen!  I was delighted as I have never seen a photo of her before.

3.  An ancestor's grave I found was:  It was actually a photograph of the grave of my grandmother (who I had never met). Edith Ballard’s grave is in Queensland and I hope to see it one day.

4.  An important vital record I found was: So many!  But one of the most interesting ones that I found was the Apprenticeship of my fourth Great Grandfather, David Culley.  He was apprenticed to be a plumber in 1803 and later in his life worked at Windsor Castle.

5.  A newly found family member shared: I discovered some new information about my husband’s ancestors through meeting a new found family member.  Her Great Great Grandmother and my husband’s Great Grandfather were twins.

6.  A geneasurprise I received was:  Being contacted by a distant relative who had done a lot of research into subsequent generations.


8.   I made a new genimate who: I am studying the Diploma of Family History online through the University of Tasmania and I met two ladies who are also studying it.  One of them lives in the next street to me!  We have now met twice and have formed a nice little support group.

9.  A new piece of software I mastered was: Wavepad.  I used this to edit an Oral History interview that I had done.  It was remarkably easy.

10. A social media tool I enjoyed using for genealogy was:  Probably Facebook.  There are many different Facebook groups and reading some of the posts is very interesting.

11. A genealogy conference/seminar/webinar from which I learnt something new was: A presentation at the Dead Person’s Society in Melbourne.  This was on Finding Hidden Records and the presenter, Ada Ackerly was excellent.


14. I taught a friend how to: Use Ancestry.


17. A new genealogy/history book I enjoyed was:  Not a new book, in fact a very old book was ‘Tasmanian Convicts’ by Alison Alexander.  It is very well written and easy to read and very informative.


20. Another positive I would like to share is ...Learning as much as possible about genealogy is great.  Reading blogs, Facebook posts and studying online all help one’s knowledge.  

Accentuate the Positive Geneameme 2016

This year I actually remembered to prepare this post ahead of time as once December hits life gets very busy and genealogy takes a back seat. I will be holidaying in Hawaii with the family over Christmas so I won't be paying much attention to the dead relatives.

For the fifth consecutive year I am asking you to reflect on your geneayear, don't beat yourself up about what you haven't done but rejoice in your successes.

Accentuate the Positive Geneameme 2016

I invite you to take part in this activity by responding to the following statements/questions in a blog post. Write as much or as little as you want or answer just a few questions.

Once you have done so please share your post's link in a comment on this post or to me via email to Jillballau@gmail.com. I will, in early January, compile a list of links to your contributions here on this blog.

Remember to Accentuate the Positive 
(Please delete the items that are not relevant to your situation.)

1.  An elusive ancestor I found was

2.  A precious family photo I found was

3.  An ancestor's grave I found was

4.  An important vital record I found was

5.  A newly found family member shared

6.  A geneasurprise I received was

7.   My 2016 blog post that I was particularly proud of was

8.   I made a new genimate who

9.  A new piece of software I mastered was

10. A social media tool I enjoyed using for genealogy was

11. A genealogy conference/seminar/webinar from which I learnt something new was

12. I am proud of the presentation I gave at/to

13. A journal/magazine article I had published was

14. I taught a friend how to

15. A genealogy book that taught me something new was

16. A great repository/archive/library I visited was

17. A new genealogy/history book I enjoyed was

18. It was exciting to finally meet

19. A geneadventure I enjoyed was

20. Another positive I would like to share is ...