TOTALLY MOBILE, RESEARCHING ON THE GO
Brenda Kellow
September 9, 2012
Genealogists using the free Legacy Family Tree software for keeping records of your family ancestors and descendants are delighted with the new Families app for the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, tablet or Android smartphone for collecting those records and photos while on the go. No longer do we have to rely on paper and pencil or a heavy laptop for assembling information collected while researching in the library, the cemetery or interviewing relatives. With the Families app, placing the newly gathered information with the data on your genealogy software program is as easy as pushing the upload or download button. It supports large family files With Families you can access your genealogy database and To Do List and add pictures. Download it from the App Store.
To find out exactly how truly powerful Families is, listen to the free webinar to see for yourself, presented by the developer Malcolm Green. The live demonstration webinar was held back in April, but it remains on the Legacy Family Tree website indefinitely, www.millenniacorp.com/_videos/webinars/2012-04-11-families/2012-04-11-families.html. It is about an hour long. The topics mentioned here are often subjects in the free Legacy User Group meetings in the Genealogy Library every fourth Tuesday of the month at 1:30-3:30.
If you are unfamiliar with webinars, they are an online seminars or classes that you watch from your computer or mobile device. After signing up for a webinar, you will be sent an invitation with the time and connection information that you save directly to your calendar. If you want to ask a question during a live seminar, you simply push the button that shows you have your hand raised. The presenter will acknowledge you soon afterwards. You only need an Internet connection and speakers.
Because I am not always home to listen to the live webinar, I listen to it on my iPhone using a free app called Go To Meeting by simply tapping the link on my invitation email. It is an easy and convenient way to attend online meetings. Download it from the App Store quickly and easily. Watching webinars using Go To Meeting is just like being on the computer at home.
There are many webinars listed on the Legacy Family Tree site. Print out the list by clicking the link at www.legacyfamilytree.com/webinars.asp#archives.
Technology certainly has changed in the last ten years making it easy for genealogists to keep in touch and learn while on the go. I really appreciate leaving the house for a research site while carrying only my iPhone. While out if I drop by the cemetery for a picture of the tombstone, the apps on the phone will upload to my Families app and then I can upload it to One Billion Graves or Find A Grave.com. Or take that picture of an old photo while visiting a relative. Technology really makes it easy for genealogists to research on the go.
NEW YORK PHOTOS ONLINE: New York posted over 870,000 photos of many genres online at the New York City Department of Records site, http://nycma.lunaimaging.com/luna/servlet.
FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH WITH A SPLASH OF WHISKEY: Grant’s Whiskey launched a promotion on August 20 in the United Kingdom whereby consumers can search their family history using FindMyPast Web site. For the purchase of a specific-sized bottle, the consumer will receive a free voucher to use for family history research at www.findmypast.co.uk/grants. Being the world’s oldest family-owned blend, their global marketing claims they recognize the contribution Grant’s made through their art of storytelling in Grant’s True Tales events. Read the entire story at http://retailtimes.co.uk/grants-helps-consumers-research-family-history-in-on-pack-promotion/.
DALLAS GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY WRITING COMPETITION: September 30 is the last day to submit articles in their lucrative writing competition where you could win $150, 300 or $500. Send articles with DGS Writing Competition in the subject line to [email protected]. For more information go to www.dallasgenealogy.org.
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].