Limping along

Back on this day in 2014 I celebrated the sixth birthday of this blog with a post titled Six Years and Going Strong. 

Today this blog is 15 years old. 

My blogging status today would be limping along. While I don't post often or regularly I am still committed to the blogging platform as a means of sharing and preserving family stories and geneanews. 

Sometimes something related to my family history research (that I haven't previously' posted here) pops up in my Facebook memories.   I then add a retrospective post about whatever happened on that day. Today I wrote about an archive visit on this day in 2014.

I always get a thrill when someone contacts me with an enquiry, a correction or further information relating to one of my posts. 

I look forward to several more years limping along at the GeniAus blog.

B is for ...The Big Genealogy Blog Book

 I've been researching my family history for over thirty years. Along this genealogy journey I have been supported by hundreds of books, many of which I have listed on my Librarything page. 

During the 2021 #AtoZChallenge I will be writing about two of my passions, books and family history. I'll be taking a trip down memory lane and revisiting some of those books that have enriched my genealogy experience.

Blogging has enriched my life in retirement. Through my geneablogs I have connect with cousins, made a host of friends and have been given opportunities to appear on the geneastage.

One of the first bloggers I met at Rootstech in 2011 was Amy Lenertz, a fun and friendly young woman from Texas. Ten years ago in 2011 Amy, who was then Amy Coffin,  wrote The Big Genealogy Blog Book an eBook that she self published. 

At a time when I was still a newish blogger I found this book most useful. I still recommend this clear and concise guide to budding geneabloggers today.

The Kindle edition of this book is still available from Amazon : https://www.amazon.com.au/Big-Genealogy-Blog-Book-ebook/dp/B006423MOO

Silly Me!

I set the Six Feet Under Downunder site up in February and then took off to a genealogy conference, Rootstech,  in the United States. I came home for a couple of weeks and then took a cruise around China, South Korea and Japan.

The site is a listing of Australian Burial and Cremation indexes and records available online. I hope that the many generous genies around Australia who know of such indexes of  memorials, headstones and burial sites will share them with me so they can be loaded on the site. I will initially only link to free sites that are available online, sites that one can visit via the internet.

Now that I am home for a few more weeks I thought I would see how the site stats were going and add a few more resources to the pages. I was flabbergasted, there were absolutely no visitors, not one person had accidentally stumbled on my site!!

I fired up a different browser from the one in which I usually work and pasted in the URL to find that this site was Private and I could not access!

The site settings have now been changed so that YOU can now access my site, https://6feetunderdownunder.wordpress.com/

Grumpy Old Genie

Grumpy Old Genie

This morning I was wondering if I would blog today....then I looked at my RSS feeds.

I read quite a number of posts and shared a couple to my GeniAus Facebook page . Something I saw annoyed this Grumpy Old Girl. One blogger who has three blogs had posted exactly the same article to those three blogs. Each of these blogs is targetted at a different family group so I guess the blogger thought the message important enough to share to the three different audiences...but what of people like me who follow all three blogs?

The purpose of each of those blogs appears to be to share and record stories from a branch of the bloggers family. The blogger struck a problem when she had something general to say.

Was it really necessary to post the same article in those three places?  Would it be a better strategy to use other social media channels to share the message widely?

That blogger could have one blog for all posts and label and categorize them carefully so that her different audiences could find articles of interest to them. This could even bring more readers to the blog as readers would be exposed to articles outside their area of interest. Such a blog could have a broader purpose - ie to share the stories of my ancestors, connect with cousins and discuss issues in genealogy.

Another alternative would be to have multiple blogs - one for each family line plus a general general genealogy blog for discussion of news, issues, resources etc. This would benefit those readers who are only interested in hearing stories of one family line.

Another approach is to have a general blog and then other blogs for niche subjects. Prominent Australian bloggers who take this approach are Alona Tester and Pauleen Cass.

So what I am really thinking about today is recognising your audience and having a clear purpose for your blog/s.

Which approach do you take?

For those who missed the show

Only 620 genies were able to attend the main event on the Australasian geneacalendar last weekend in Sydney. Those of use who attended #Congress_2018 (or the15th Australasian Congress on Genealogy and Heraldry) were treated to an educational extravaganza by a bevy of the best local and overseas speakers.

Quite a number of genies have blogged or shared videos about their experiences at Congress. In this post I will share links to those public posts I have found so that you can learn about what happened at Congress.

Genies at the Opening Ceremony HIgh Tea

I made a few little videos and posted them on my Youtube Channel here.

Queensland Family History Society posted a video here: https://spark.adobe.com/video/VoEWV8DezZ9cm?w=_6542

Lisa Louise Cooke shared her Animoto video https://animoto.com/play/lAxCxS7gd3t15ul5PfsGsQ

Cheney Brew has shared her Traversing Trove presentation
 http://help.nla.gov.au/sites/default/files/Traversing_Trove.pdf

These bloggers have already written reports and, as the dust settles, I expect more to write. I will continue to add to this list.

Alona Tester at Lonetester HQ
Congress 2018 – It Begins

Chez at Links in a Chain
15th Australasian Congress on Genealogy and Heraldry

Chris W and Martyn Killion - The Killion, Quinn and Hand Families of Port Macquarie and Kempsey
The Killions go to Congress 2018

Emily Peace at Diary of a Young Genealogist
Preparing for Congress
Congress 2018 from a Newbie's Perspective

Fiona Coyte at Story2bfound
Sydney Congress

Gayle at GY Genealogy
https://gvgenealogy.wordpress.com/2018/03/13/reflections-on-congress2018/

Jill Ball at GeniAus
A Sense of Community
A True Introvert
I just ran out of puff
Bloggers a plenty at Congress_2018

John at OZ John's Genealogy (New blog started at Congress)
The 15th Australasian Congress on Genealogy and Heraldry

Lilian Magill at Lilian's Tree
My Congress 2018, Days 3 and 4
My Congress 2018. Dinner
My Congress 2018, Days 1 and 2.
My Congress 2018. Pre-Congress.

Lilian Magill at Research by Lily
Congress 2018.

Maggie at IwiKiwi
Congress 2018 is here!
Congress 2018 ~ the good, the not so good, and the even better

Mel - Just do it Blog (New blog started at Congress)

Three W's - who, what and why

Pauleen Cass at Family History across the Seas
Congress 2018 Learning
Having fun at Congress 2018

Sharon Brennan at The Tree of Me
Bridging the Past and Future - Congress 2018

Ruth Standring at Family Fractals
#Congress_2018 – Bridging Past and Future

Shauna Hicks at Diary of an Australian Genealogist

Blogs, Books, Congress 2018 & Other News - Genealogy Notes 1-14 Mar 2018

Shauna Hicks at Shauna Hicks History EnterprisesSydney Genealogy Congress 2018 Day One report
Sydney Genealogy Congress 2018 Day Two Report
Sydney Genealogy Congress 2018 Day Three Report
Sydney Genealogy Congress 2018 Day 4 Report
Sydney Genealogy Congress 2018 Exhibitors & Summary

Shelley Crawford at Twigs of Yore

Congress 2018 wrap-up

Sue Wyatt at O'er the seas we go
Congress Day 1
Congress Day 2

If you know of any other Congress reports please let me know and I will add them to this list.

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.

Your Hatstand at Rootstech

I am a hatstand!

Finding an analogy to describe myself at Rootstech has been difficult...but I just had a lightbulb moment. I don't have as many hats as the Dr Seuss' character Bartholomew Cubbins but I will be wearing a few.

I am listing hats in abc order because they are all important.

Australian - I love my sunburnt country and, as an unofficial ambassador, relish being able to spread the good news about our land downunder.

Blogger - I first came to Rootstech as an Official Blogger in 2011 and I keep coming back to share the joy of Rootstech via my blog. I find lots of fodder for blog posts at Rootstech. Meeting fellow bloggers is a highlight.

Facilitator - As part of my Rootstech Ambassador role  I encourage Australians to visit Rootstech and while they are there provide them with on the ground support.

Family Historian - I arrive early in Salt Lake City so I can put on my Researcher hat and head for Level B2 at the Family History Library where I can freely use all their magnificent facilities and resources.

Friend - I came to Rootstech as a stranger in 2011. Now I go to catch up with the friends I have met and made there.

Leading some Aussies and friends on a merry dance through Salt Lake City in 2017.

GeneabloggersTRIBE Admin - Rootstech gives me an opportunity to meet many GeneabloggersTribe members under one roof and to share tales of Blogging.

Interviewer - Chatting with fellow genies and celebrities in the media hub allows me to record and share conversations with those unable to attend Rootstech.

Lifelong Learner  - I love to learn and avail myself of the learning opportunities at Rootstech that no other event in the world can provide.

Party Girl - This odd, eccentric old girl loves to party. I'm a people person and the formal and informal gatherings at Rootstech provide ample opportunities for this hat to get an airing.

Presenter - I am leaving this hat behind this year. The nerves associated with it do nothing to enhance my Rootstech experience.

Rootstech Ambassador - I am honoured to wear this hat which requires me to promote and discuss the event in my Reporter hat.

Shopper - I am a great fan of Macy's, Ross Stores and online shopping with Amazon.com. The US is a shoppers' paradise where things are so cheap! A sojourn in Salt Lake City provides opportunities to support the US economy.

Society/Group Member - I share the good news about the Groups to which I belong especially The Society of Australian Genealogists and The Surname Society.

Tourist - Over the years I have visited many sites around Salt Lake City and further afield in adjacent States. While at Rootstech I try to include some touristing on my agenda.

A warm tourist hat for GeniAus in Snowbird, Utah 2017

Blog overload?

Geneablogging was my focus today ... but it wasn't about my blogs.

My first task involved putting on my hat as an admin team member of the GeneabloggersTRIBE. Together with Hilary Gadsby from Wales and Laura Hedgecock from the US I create the welcome posts for those who have joined the Tribe. Our genimate DearMyrtle is supporting us with this task. 

I also help monitor the GeneabloggersTRIBE Facebook Group. The other Australian on the admin team, Caitlin Gow has different responsibilities. It's amazing to work in support of geneablogging with this committed volunteer team from around the globe. 

If you are a geneablogger who hasn't joined the GeneabloggersTRIBE do go to the site and sign up. Make sure you check out the Members' List too.

I spent far too long writing my dozen posts today as each blog I view is a magnet to this inquisitive old bird who is into Tangential Genealogy. The blogs I write about entice me to read and explore and they help me form opinions on what elements I think are important in a blog.

Just 513 posts to read

When my creative juices ran dry I turned to the list of genealogy blogs I follow in my RSS feed reader, Inoreader. I added several new blogs to the list I follow. This won't make keeping up any more onerous as many genebbloggers have taken to slow blogging and quite a few have stopped blogging. I don't delete blogs from my RSS feed as, on occasion, a blogger will return to blogging after a hiatus of one, two or more years. I want to be alerted so I can welcome them back.

Of course I spent ages going through the new to me blogs. I particularly liked the titles of the Before Bernadette and  The Restall Gene. I loved the title and the stories in the Behind the Cupboard Doors blog. 

I am impressed by the stamina of new blogger, Duncan in the Churches of Tasmania blog, 25 posts in his first month! I liked the new look at the Derek's Den blog. 

Once my list was updated I set about reading the backlog of posts in Inoreader. I tried to comment on quite a few posts as I know what a buzz it is to receive comments. I have had problems all day connecting to Wordpress.com blogs (even my own) so I have had to skip many of them.

While all of this has been going on I have been watching activity on the Lake outside and at the Australian Open tennis on the TV in my living room.

The importance of having a Blog Archive widget on one's blog site was reinforced today as I tried to navigate through several years of some blogger's posts. The importance of having an About Me statement or page was also strengthened as I tried to make meaningful comments about unknown bloggers.

Several Bloggers have made a great start with the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge. The cynic in me wonders how many will make it to the finish line.  I like Lilian Magill's approach to this challenge is more achievable. Lilian is promoting 12 Ancestors in 12 months.

Things have been moving slowly on the internet today so I just logged off and back on and find I cannot access the Inoreader site. I guess that someone is telling me that I need to go and watch Nick Kyrgios play his match in the Australian Open. I'll continue my blog reading tomorrow.

I am not suffering from blog overload, I've had a most enjoyable day and learnt a bit more about geneablogging.

The action outside my backyard

Accentuate the Positive Geneameme 2017 - The Posts

I am grateful to my genimates new and old who rose to my "Accentuate the Positive 2017" challenge at a hectic time of year. 

I firmly believe that reflection and evaluation are important elements of any process but sometimes feel that we are a little brutal when it comes to self evaluation. It was rewarding to read the posts below in which many genies came to the realisation that 2017 was indeed a very good year.

I apologise that it has taken me some time to publish this compilation. I have spent the past two weeks on King Island in Bass Strait where I had limited access.  Please peruse the posts from several corners of the world - you may meet some new bloggers like I did.

If I have missed any posts please let me know and I will add them to the list. If you would still like to participate please let me know and I will add your post to the list.

Alex Daw  https://familytreefrog.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/accentuate-positive-geneameme-2017.html
Alona Tester  https://www.lonetester.com/2017/12/accentuate-the-positive-geneameme-2017/
Ann Marie Bryant  https://talesofafamily.blog/2018/01/05/12637/#more-12637
Anne Young  https://ayfamilyhistory.com/2018/01/02/start-2018-by-accentuating-the-positive/
Elizabeth Handler  https://frommainetokentucky.blogspot.com/2017/12/accentuate-positive-geneameme-for-2017.html
Jane Taubman http://www.taubman.org.uk/family/wp/2017/12/27/accentuate-the-positive-geneameme-2017/ 
Jeanne Bryan Insalaco https://everyonehasafamilystorytotell.wordpress.com/2018/01/04/accentuate-the-positive-geneameme-2017/
Jill Ball  http://geniaus.blogspot.com.au/2018/01/accentuate-positive-geneameme-2017.html
Julie Goucher https://anglersrestblog.wordpress.com/2018/01/02/accentuate-the-positive-geneameme-2017/
Kayplik  https://pastlinks.blogspot.com.au/2018/01/accentuate-positive-geneameme-2017.html
Laura Mattingly  https://oldtrunkintheattic.blogspot.com/2017/12/2017-year-in-review-accentuate-positive.html
Lilian Magill http://researchbylily.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/accentuate-positive.html
Linda Stufflebean https://emptybranchesonthefamilytree.com/2017/12/accentuate-the-positive-geneameme-2017 
Patsy Daly  https://www.patsyspaddocks.com/accentuate-the-positive-geneameme-2017/
Pauleen Cass  https://cassmob.wordpress.com/2018/01/02/accentuate-the-positive-2017/
Shauna Hicks  http://www.shaunahicks.com.au/accentuate-the-positive-geneameme-2017/
Vera Marie Badertscher  http://ancestorsinaprons.com/tag/2017-2018/

The Rise and Fall of the Blog?

In the Australian Local & Family History Bloggers Group on Facebook earlier this week Australian geneablogger Anne Young shared an article from JSTOR Daily “The rise and fall of the blog”.

I don’t think geneablogging is dead. I think that more people are dipping their toes into geneablogging waters and finding that it does not suit their style. Those committed to geneablogging are still around although they may be be blogging as often as they once did. In the ensuing conversation Anne asked me “Jill didn’t you keep some statistics about whether blogs you followed were still active?"

In January last year I wrote about the blogs on the 2013 list and reported on those still active. 38 were still going strong

Prompted by Anne I took a look at the list of 50 blogs you need to read that I prepared for Inside History Magazine in 2014 (This list may vary slightly from that published by Inside History as I gave them a few runners-up for consideration). The audience for the list was genies and historians in Australia and New Zealand and the bias was towards blogs from ANZ.

Below is a list of those 46 blogs still active in 2017. Some bloggers on the list only posted once or twice while many were Quite productive. Commitment is important to me and I think that only posting once a year demonstrates that commitment may be on the wane. I wonder who will still be around at the end of 2018?

If I was preparing such a list in 2018 it would look different from the one below as I believe that several newer bloggers publish better products than some on this list.

I congratulate all the 2014 stayers on this list for keeping geneablogging alive.

Ancestor Chasing Kerryn Taylor

Anne's Family History Anne Young

Australian National Maritime Museum

Australian War Memorial now Memorial Articles

British Genes Chris Paton

By the Bremer: Memories of Ipswich

Camden Library Local Studies

Canada Bay Connections Canada Bay Library

Carnamah Historical Society & Museum's Blog

Casey Cardinia - Links to our Past

The cook and the curator

Dead Cert Meghan Hawkes

Diary of an Australian Genealogist Shauna Hicks

The Empire called and I answered Lenore Frost

Family History across the seas  Pauleen Cass

Family Tree Frog Alex Daw

Familysearch Blog

Fighting the Kaiser Cheryl G

Finding Family  Jess

Geniaus  Jill Ball

The Hocken blog  Hocken Collections Uare Taoka o Hakena

Irish Genealogy News Claire Santry

Kintalk Auckland Libraries

Kylie's Genes  Kylie Willison

Local Notes Leichhardt Library

Lonetester HQ Alona Tester

Lost Medals Australia  Glyn Llanwarne

Moonee Valley Family and Local History  Moonee Valley Libraries

Moruya and District Historical Society

My Past Whispers Lauren Bavin

The National Archives UK

Professional Historians Association NSW & ACT

Public Record Office of Victoria

Queensland's World War 1 Centenary SLQ

Resident Judge of Port Phillip

Shaking the tree  Su Leslie

Shellharbour's Local History Blog

Signposts: a blog about the encyclopaedia of New Zealand

South Australian Lithuanian History

Strong Foundations Sharon

Stumbling through the past Yvonne Perkins

Thames NZ Genealogy Resources  Althea

The Tree of me Sharon Brennan

Thomas J Nevin | Tasmaninan Photographer

Timespanner  Lisa Truttman

Worldwide Genealogy International collaboration

For my Fellow Geneabloggers

G'day to my Blogging Genimates,

I am presently preparing my Beaut Blogs presentation (goo.gl/6AMJju) for Congress 2018 (www.congress2018.org.au).

I am reaching out to you via the blogging medium as I don't have email addresses for everyone I know and I am also hoping to reach bloggers unknown to me. I am seeking your assistance in two ways. 

While my presentation is well underway I want to ensure that I haven't overlooked anything really important. I'd love to know what elements you think makes a blog beaut (stand out from the crowd). No need for an essay - just a thought or two. If you have any thoughts to share please add a comment to this blog post or drop an email to jillballau@gmail.com.

Secondly I want to use, in my powerpoint presentation, screenshots from your geneablogs to illustrate various elements of beaut blogs. If you are willing for me to use your blog as an example please let me know via a comment on this post or in an email to jillballau@gmail.com. 

Please don't be shy. I want my talk to reflect the thoughts and work of many members of the geneablogging community.

Thanks in anticipation,

Jill aka GeniAus

GAGs - GeniAus' Gems - 9 June 2017

This week's post is a Saturday Special. As I was involved with family yesterday I didn't not have sufficient time to complete and  publish my post.

It has been a blog-filled week for me. As part of my responsibilities for the GeneabloggersTRIBE I visited over 600 genealogy of the blogs on their Members List. I was struck by the depth and diversity of content I found there in genealogy blogs. It was sad to see so many inactive blogs but it was heartening that, although they are inactive, the stories they tell live on at sites like Blogger and Wordpress.

I also have self-diagnosed Bloggerhoea this week having penned (some scheduled for later) around a dozen posts for the various blogs I curate. I wonder if you sometimes have an attack of this affliction.

In this week's selection I am concentrating on Australian blogs just because I feel like promoting geneablogs from downunder. I am rather fortunate that many of my genimates have blogged this week (was it the chilly weather?).

My first few selections are from libraries' local studies collections. Our libraries downunder do a great job sharing and preserving stories of people and places from the past.

From Sutherland, NSW.
Local History, Local Stories: WWI Field Gun

From John Oxley, Library, Queensland.
http://blogs.slq.qld.gov.au/jol/2017/06/07/watson-estate-booval-boovaleast-ipswich-1911/

From Parramatta, NSW.
http://arc.parracity.nsw.gov.au/blog/2017/06/05/world-war-one-parramatta-soldiers-francis-william-owens/

From Casey/Cardinia, Victoria

http://caseycardinialinkstoourpast.blogspot.com/2017/06/hallam-hotel.html

From Tea Tree Gully, South Australia
https://ttglibrary.com/2017/06/07/way-back-when-wednesdays-23/

From Wagga Wagga, NSW.
http://memoriesofwagga.blogspot.com/2017/05/new-to-local-studies-three-family.html

Quite a few librarians including Ellen and Michelle blog too.
http://readplayparticipate.blogspot.com.au/2017/06/where-photographs-end-up-part-2.html
http://michellefnichols.blogspot.com.au/2017/06/a-carter-and-his-sister-in-law-trove.html

Some of my genimates are excited about #Congress_2018.
https://jonesfamilyhistory.wordpress.com/2017/06/06/congress_-2018-sydney/ 

https://cassmob.wordpress.com/2017/06/02/genea-conference-excitement/ 

http://twigsofyore.blogspot.com.au/2017/06/the-early-bird-gets-conference-ticket.html

Some bloggers have been learning and sharing

http://researchbylily.blogspot.com/2017/06/a-lost-weekend-well-not-really.html

https://njsneddon.wordpress.com/2017/05/31/comparing-dna-testing-companies-ethnicity-estimates/
http://twigsofyore.blogspot.com.au/2017/06/reconstituting-allsops-of.html
https://cassmob.wordpress.com/2016/07/14/applying-a-lesson/

And one has returned after taking a sabbatical. Welcome back.
https://familyfractals.wordpress.com/2017/06/08/where-have-you-been-stranger/

I think a post of mine prompted this post about an atypical Troveite. Isn't that grand
http://linksinachain.blogspot.com/2017/06/trove-tuesday.html

A few Newtome blogs were found this week.
https://clogsandclippers.blogspot.com.au/
https://tpr76797.wordpress.com/
http://georgiesgenealogy.blogspot.com.au/

Oops - I've gone over my self imposed limit of a dozen blogs this week just because....I can.

GeneaBloggersTRIBE - Answering your questions

I received this comment when I promoted the GeneabloggersTRIBE in a FB Genealogy blogger group downunder. 

"can I ask some naive questions?  Ask away, but these are not naive questions, they are questions that more than one person would like to have answered. 

I will preface my answers with a reminder that our GeneabloggersTRIBE Leadership Team is very new and only had around ten days to get organised for the changeover of Geneabloggers assets on June 1. While some roles have been allocated we are still familiarising ourselves with resources, assigning roles and discussing policies and procedures for the Group. We are using a variety of tools for this including Facebook Groups, Google Docs and Sheets and  Trello (Loving this new tool for me).

How does GeneaBloggersTRIBE work?
Your leadership team is a group of  bloggers from diverse backgrounds (there are two Aussies - one young, one old) who are passionate about geneablogging as a collaborative publishing platform. We encourage all Geneabloggers to join our TRIBE.

The GeneabloggersTRIBE website states:

The expressed purpose of GeneaBloggers now GeneabloggersTRIBE is to:

• support genealogy bloggers including content-providers on a variety of platforms
• share information on resources
• permit free use of fM’s several logo graphics among members expressing solidarity
• exclude commercial advertising
• disallow corporate ownership

GeneabloggersTRIBE exists to support and encourage bloggers just like you. We do this by providing helpful resource links, daily blogging prompts, blogiversaries, spotlights with an eye to new and emerging content-providing technologies.

Do you apply to become a member if you are a blogger? 
You can apply to join our closed Facebook Group,  https://www.facebook.com/groups/geneabloggers/ ,where you can say g'day, ask questions and share news of interest to other geneabloggers.

Or do you just ask to be added to the blog roll? 
You will be able to list blogs via GeneabloggerTRIBE site and they will appear there on our Members List shortly (we are working on this). To join the Members List please fill out and submit this form.

Are there any eligibility requirements such as posting at least once a month or actively writing a blog for x no of years? 

We don't have any restrictions but would encourage you to be an active blogger ie don't let your blog languish for more than a year.

Are there any costs? If you are a member are you supposed to be doing something to contribute? 
The only costs we require are your commitment and interest. There a a number of ways you can contribute. 

If so, what kinds of things? 

We recognise that it's  a busy world but you might contribute by blogging, placing our badge on your blog, telling fellow geneabloggers about our TRIBE, supporting fellow bloggers by reading, liking and commenting on their posts and sharing any good resources you find in our Facebook Group.

Sorry, I still consider myself new to blogging though I have seen the GeneaBloggers logo around and knew that Thomas MacEntee was heavily involved (though I know he has now moved on). 
Yes, Thomas handed over many of the Geneabloggers assets to our group of volunteers while he pursues his business interests. 

But, to tell you the truth, coming from the outside, I'm still rather vague as to what it is all about. I read the "About Us" on the site but I couldn't figure out how I, as an amateur blogger, may or may not fit in except as a passive consumer of the resources. Sorry to be so dense. Do you have a "call to arms" page or something for newbies? Thanks! "

You can be a passive consumer but we encourage you to become involved in the ways suggested above.

Thank you for asking these questions. I hope that my responses have provided some clarification for you. It's early days yet but our Leadership Team is in daily contact with each other as we plot the GeneabloggersTRIBE path into the future.

Geneablogging will thrive in our TRIBE.

NB These are my personal responses and may not adequately answer all your questions.