Category: Video

6 Video Apps to Help You Share Your Research

11/02/2012

Video is a great way for researchers like us to share our research with our loved ones without boring them to tears. People enjoy a visual show and many times the video format forces us to scale the information down, which in turn makes it enjoyable for our loved ones.

And? It keeps them interested and may get them to start asking questions or sharing stories.

So I've compiled a list of 6 video/slideshow apps that can be used to make short videos on your smartphone or, in some cases, your tablet. A perfect idea to do before the holidays so if you get the chance you can take out your smartphone or tablet and share some stories in video format, and maybe, just maybe, you might get some information or stories shared with you. [Stranger things have happened.]

ProShow Web Creates Slideshows Quick and Slick from any iOS Device by Barbara Holbrook from Appcraver.com ~ This is a link to Barbara's review of this app. I haven't used it yet, but it looks promising. So check it out.
Animoto ~ App for iOS & Android with free and premium features. I've played with it, but it's not my favorite, but that's just me. You might like it.
Videolicious ~ App for iOS devices with free and premium service. The free service only allows 1 minute videos, but it's SO easy to use. Here's a link to a video that I created using Videolicious [free version]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCaw3StdTSU&feature=share&list=ULRCaw3StdTSU
Silent Film Director ~ This app is for for iPhone only and comes in free and Pro versions. This is a fun one to use. What I like about it is the amount of control you have over the editing process and there's no limit to video length. [Bonus!] I purchased the Pro version for $1.99, and here's a link to a video I created using Silent Film Director: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSzCfNmRWSU&feature=share&list=ULwSzCfNmRWSU
iPhoneSlideshow ~ for iOS is available in the App Store for $1.99 for the iPhone version & $3.99 for the iPad version. I've been playing with it, but I've not created anything with it yet. [The keyword is 'yet'. =) ]. For family history researchers, it does seem to have all that you need to make a fabulous video to wow your family members. So definitely check it out.
iMovie ~ iOS [and MAC] with a $4.99 prove tag for the iOS version, it makes some very nice short videos. This was the first video app I ever tried, and I've used it several times. It's limited in its themes for the iOS version, but very easy to use. Highly recommend it. I like being able to narrate over the video and music. Here's an example of me using it to share my great-grandmother's baptismal record:

So. Do you use a different smartphone or tablet video maker app for sharing family history research? Share down in comments below what you love to use and why!

Happy Researching!
~Caroline

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How did you make that Heritage Shadow Box?

03/27/2012

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Big Paw Paw's WW2 Shadow Box

Following are the instructions for the Heritage Shadow Box Craft that was presented in the Heritage Craft Video Series. It can be printed out or saved as a PDF document.

Supplies

Unfinished shadow box from a craft store [Mine is from Michaels.]
Old frame the size of the photo
A plastic coin collector case
A copy of the photo of an ancestor
Heirloom
Mod Podge and Craft Glue
Black Craft Paint
Finishing Wax Paste
Cheese Cloth
Painter's Tape
Wood Stain Marker in a light stain shade
Course sand paper
Paint brushes
Heavy Duty Hairspray
Paper to cover your work surface

Instructions

Affix painter's tape to the glass near the edge of the wood on both the outside and inside of the box.
Sand the edges heavily to give the shadow box a distressed look.
Once done with sanding, dust box off with a piece of the cheese cloth.
Sand the old frame as well.
Paint the shadow box and the old frame all over with black craft paint.
After the paint dries, sand the edges again, especially in the areas where you distressed it the first time.
Paint a 2nd coat of black paint on the shadow box only. [One coat of paint and sanding for the frame.]
After the paint dries, sand the distressed areas again once again.
Taking the light shade of stain marker, go over the exposed wood areas to 'age' the new wood.
With a piece of cheese cloth, rub the stain dry.
Take another piece of cheese cloth and get a 'glob' or a bit of the finishing wax paste out of the can.
Apply a thin coat of the wax to the shadow box and old frame.
After 15 minutes the wax should be set. Use a clean piece of cheese cloth to buff the wax into the wood making it shine.
If you are using a printout of a photo like I am, you'll need to seal the ink by spraying it with heavy duty hair spray.
After 15 minutes, it should be dry.
Because my heirloom is a medal, I purchased a dollar-sized coin collector case. To make the medal fit into the foam insert, I cut a small notch out of the foam at the top.
Brush Mod Podge on the back of the the copy of your ancestor's photo and affix to the inside of the shadow box. Then apply more Mod Podge to the inside of the back of the shadow box covering the photo and the back.
Apply craft glue to the back of the old frame and place it on top of the photo.
Apply craft glue to the back of the plastic coin collector case and affix to the design.
Let everything dry thoroughly.

Done! If you'd like to see the photos of each step, please head on over to my YouTube Channel to see the corresponding Heritage Craft Video: Big Paw Paw's Shadow Box.

~Caroline

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Heritage Craft: WW1 Shadow Box

03/21/2012

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The long-awaited Heritage Craft Series Video: Big Paw Paw's World War I Shadow Box is finally here! It's been a while, but it takes quite a bit of time and steps to make these heritage craft videos. But? They are SO worth it!

The subject of this video is my paternal grandfather, Big Paw Paw, who I never met in person, but I probably know him better than a lot of people who actually did know him in person. He's one of my favorite to research because he was so naughty, and because of his naughtiness he left a helluva paper trail wherever he went. While I've written a lot about him on my family history blog, Family Stories, I'm still not done with researching all of his many secrets. From what I've heard about him from those who did know him, I'm pretty sure he'd appreciate my tenacity. However, I don't think he'd be too happy to find that his secrets and story are what I've chosen to pursue. =)

If unable to watch the video here, click the link below to watch it on YouTube:
http://youtu.be/O7hzxK93YXA

~Caroline

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Heritage Gift Coasters

12/08/2011

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Here's another heritage gift idea for the holidays. It's easy & inexpensive to make. And the results were fantastic, I think. Some of them kinda look like painted portraits. This one is gonna be hard for me to give away. Seriously.

~Caroline

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Flip-Pal Simple Gifts Blog Hop ~ Story Jar

11/07/2011

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So here's the first video in the series. It's not perfect, but what did you expect. This was all done by me and my iPhone 4. That's right. No production company. No makeup or hair stylists. And the only diva around here is my Pug, Millie, who, if you'll notice, is not in the video. I don't even have a personal assistant.

Anywho, I hope you like it. Oh, and it's not in HD. Was taking too long to upload. So there ya go...

Don't have a Flip-Pal? There's no better time to get one than now. Here is a $10 coupon code that is good until November 13, 2011 or until supplies last: BDAY11A.

All you have to do is click the Flip-Pal graphic above or the one to the right in the sidebar and enter the coupon code at checkout. It's that simple. Then you can follow along with the rest of my video tutorials and we'll make simple heritage holiday gifts together that your family will absolutely adore.

~Caroline

Note: I am an affiliate of Flip-Pal. This means when you click on a graphic or link on my site for Flip-Pal and if you purchase from them, I will receive a commission for referring you to them. Also, I received a free Flip-Pal in order to participate in the review and the use of the Flip-Pal for the Simple Gifts Blog Hop. All opinions are my own. Please refer to my Disclosure Page for more information.

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#Genealogy Fitness Friday - Videos

10/14/2011

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I thought Fridays would be a good day of the week to give you a simple tip to help you maintain your genealogy family history research fitness. So, here it is. When was the last time you searched YouTube for clues to your family history?

Then it's been too long.

And if you are a part of a library or genealogical and historical society, have you ever considered getting volunteers to video different ways your organization can help researchers? My iPhone takes great video. Check it out:

Here's a great example of a video involving family history. [Look at all those clues!] that I found on YouTube, A Pictorial Family Tree of Roger Allen Graves, Marshall , MI:

Also? Have you ever searched Vimeo's website? It has videos too. It's just not as popular as YouTube, but it has a more aesthetic layout. Here's a great example of video called Genealogical Materials, which is a part of a series, done by Knox County Public Library in Tennessee: