TECHNOLOGY SAVED MY BACK
Brenda Kellow
May 13, 2012
A recent trip to the cemetery brought back memories of how we used to search before the computer age. Usually we carried a three-ring notebook, pen, SLR camera and Polaroid, for back up, as we walked back and forth along the rows until we spotted the deceased’s tombstone—if we were lucky enough for the person to have a tombstone. Later, we carried a laptop, walked around, and tried to type the information we found while standing, swatting bugs or avoiding an ant bed—or worse. As the technology improved, our ages increased bringing possible physical problems. In my case, it was back trouble. I traded the heavy notebook for the somewhat lighter computer and my cameras. This helped my back, but still bothersome.
Things are better now. With this birthday gift, everything has changed! Honestly, I thank him several times each week as I find more uses for that valuable instrument. It is lightweight, attaches to my belt, and has GPS, a fantastic camera every bit as good as my Cannon SLRs, an accurate scanner and apps to help with my genealogy searches. I also have a COSMOS white silicone neck strap lanyard with a cable tie to attach the iPhone so I can wear it around my neck for easy access when I am on the job. This is much easier for women because some of our clothes do not have belt loops, have a limited number of pockets or none at all. Since I no longer carry a purse or bag, the lanyard works perfectly for me by keeping it handy and within hearing distance.
I use Legacy Family Tree on my PC so I added the app called Families to my mobile device. It is simple to keep the two synced. Everything I have in my PC Legacy database is in Families with no weight added and it is just one instrument rather than carrying that heavy notebook, cameras, GPS and mobile scanner! It sells for a small fee but it is worth it.
Other benefits are the additional free apps I found that might be beneficial. I added TombFinder, a location based memorial network that directs you to gravesites. They add more cemeteries each month and each member of the free site has the option of helping with this project to add cemeteries and burials. You may request a cemetery by clicking on “Request a Tomb/Cemetery Page.” The free site does have ads but you can purchase a subscription that does not. Fortunately, ads do not bother me so the free site is acceptable.
I did add FindAGrave. It provides a family history databank for records and images from the world’s cemeteries contributed by everyone logged in to the database. Just log in and add your collections from local cemeteries. You have the benefit of transcribing the information on the headstones. This site is in its infancy, but useful.
I also have FindMyPast that I have used sometimes when searching for family who lived in Cornwall and Wales. I found this entertaining and useful while waiting in the doctor’s office for almost an hour.
FamilyHistoryMedia is another I chose because it is good for when I want to record a brief interview, record a movie, take a new photo, scan a document or grab a photo from my camera’s gallery. I have often received information in unusual formats that Family History Media supports. This feature alone has been invaluable.
Another that I like is ShoeBox. With this app, I can turn a pile of receipts into digital data for effortless expense reporting, accounting, bookkeeping and tax preparation.
Timeline Eons is a graphic representation of natural and human history. At home, I use a book called Timelines, but on the road, this app could be useful. I like to see what is going on in the world during my ancestors’ lives.
Another app I found is OneBillionGraves. It has some glitches but I may add it in the future.
My new mobile toy has my apps readily available. I may add more in the future as I find them in my app store. Let me know if you find worthy apps I should consider. This gift has saved my backache, soothed my internet addiction, and certainly been worth the money. I thank my husband for this gift several times each week as I find new uses for this lightweight mobile computer.
Brenda Kellow has a bachelor's degree in history, teaches, and lectures on genealogy. Before retiring to publish her family’s histories in 2007, Brenda held certification as a Certified Genealogist and as a certified Genealogical Instructor. Send reunion announcements, books to review, and genealogy queries to: [email protected].
Things are better now. With this birthday gift, everything has changed! Honestly, I thank him several times each week as I find more uses for that valuable instrument. It is lightweight, attaches to my belt, and has GPS, a fantastic camera every bit as good as my Cannon SLRs, an accurate scanner and apps to help with my genealogy searches. I also have a COSMOS white silicone neck strap lanyard with a cable tie to attach the iPhone so I can wear it around my neck for easy access when I am on the job. This is much easier for women because some of our clothes do not have belt loops, have a limited number of pockets or none at all. Since I no longer carry a purse or bag, the lanyard works perfectly for me by keeping it handy and within hearing distance.
I use Legacy Family Tree on my PC so I added the app called Families to my mobile device. It is simple to keep the two synced. Everything I have in my PC Legacy database is in Families with no weight added and it is just one instrument rather than carrying that heavy notebook, cameras, GPS and mobile scanner! It sells for a small fee but it is worth it.
Other benefits are the additional free apps I found that might be beneficial. I added TombFinder, a location based memorial network that directs you to gravesites. They add more cemeteries each month and each member of the free site has the option of helping with this project to add cemeteries and burials. You may request a cemetery by clicking on “Request a Tomb/Cemetery Page.” The free site does have ads but you can purchase a subscription that does not. Fortunately, ads do not bother me so the free site is acceptable.
I did add FindAGrave. It provides a family history databank for records and images from the world’s cemeteries contributed by everyone logged in to the database. Just log in and add your collections from local cemeteries. You have the benefit of transcribing the information on the headstones. This site is in its infancy, but useful.
I also have FindMyPast that I have used sometimes when searching for family who lived in Cornwall and Wales. I found this entertaining and useful while waiting in the doctor’s office for almost an hour.
FamilyHistoryMedia is another I chose because it is good for when I want to record a brief interview, record a movie, take a new photo, scan a document or grab a photo from my camera’s gallery. I have often received information in unusual formats that Family History Media supports. This feature alone has been invaluable.
Another that I like is ShoeBox. With this app, I can turn a pile of receipts into digital data for effortless expense reporting, accounting, bookkeeping and tax preparation.
Timeline Eons is a graphic representation of natural and human history. At home, I use a book called Timelines, but on the road, this app could be useful. I like to see what is going on in the world during my ancestors’ lives.
Another app I found is OneBillionGraves. It has some glitches but I may add it in the future.
My new mobile toy has my apps readily available. I may add more in the future as I find them in my app store. Let me know if you find worthy apps I should consider. This gift has saved my backache, soothed my internet addiction, and certainly been worth the money. I thank my husband for this gift several times each week as I find new uses for this lightweight mobile computer.
Brenda Kellow has a bachelor's degree in history, teaches, and lectures on genealogy. Before retiring to publish her family’s histories in 2007, Brenda held certification as a Certified Genealogist and as a certified Genealogical Instructor. Send reunion announcements, books to review, and genealogy queries to: [email protected].