Welcome
A little bit about 4YourFamilyStory.com
From the sometimes daily additions to online record sets to the latest tools, there is only one thing you can count on with genealogy and family history. Change. However, not everything is online and traditional methods of research are needed. Learning how to use traditional research methods and more creative resources can make all the difference in the world when you're looking for your family story. And, ironically, sometimes technology makes things harder. So, which tools work? How do you efficiently use DNA test results? And when is it best to use no tech or low-tech? And let's not even get started with all the news everyone has to share. Who has time to keep up with it all?
Here at 4YourFamilyStory.com, I cut through the all the noise and hype to not only keep you up with the news you need to know, but also how to use everything together — traditional methods and creative resources — so you can focus on finding your family story. I stay on top of it all for you.
Here at 4YourFamilyStory.com, I cut through the all the noise and hype to not only keep you up with the news you need to know, but also how to use everything together — traditional methods and creative resources — so you can focus on finding your family story. I stay on top of it all for you.
Caroline M. Pointer
A Little About Me ~ The Short Version
Holding a BA in English with a minor in Business Administration, I'm the founder of For Your Family Story, a genealogy research business. A 5th generation Texan, I'm a genealogical and family history researcher; consultant; freelance writer; blog & video author; and speaker — all focused on helping genealogy enthusiasts, especially Texans, find their family stories and their roots using traditional and creative resources.
When I'm not searching for dead people, blogging about dead people, or coaching others on how to find their dead people, I can usually be found in an antique store searching for papers, letters, post cards, tickets, photos, books, etc., once owned by dead people so I can return them to the living descendants of said dead people. That's right. I'm an Ephemera Rescuer and Whisperer, y'all.
When I'm not searching for dead people, blogging about dead people, or coaching others on how to find their dead people, I can usually be found in an antique store searching for papers, letters, post cards, tickets, photos, books, etc., once owned by dead people so I can return them to the living descendants of said dead people. That's right. I'm an Ephemera Rescuer and Whisperer, y'all.
More About Me ~ The Long Version
- I have a BA in English with a minor in Business Administration from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.
- I've been researching for over 10 years.
- I'm a 5th generation Texan.
- I've been blogging about my research for 8 years on my personal family history blog, Family Stories.
- I have over 10 years of business experience. (However, that doesn't include my first job starting at age 8 through age 21 working for my father in the accounting department of his company and anywhere else he wanted me to work, nor does it include my second job working for my mother at her pet shop from age 9 through age 14.)
- My first home computer was a Commodore 64, and my dad bought some family tree software hoping I'd start working on our family tree, but instead I spent countless hours on a game that taught and quizzed me on what would turn out to be useless trivia about Italy. (No Italian ancestors. Wouldn't you know? I SO should've done our family tree, and then I would've known I didn't have any Italian ancestors.)
- My first programming class was in 6th grade on an Apple computer where I learned the basics of, well, the BASIC programming language. I remember making stars flash randomly across the screen and being quite happy with myself.
- My last programming class was in college for a Business Analysis class where I don't remember what the problem was, but I do remember I solved it fast and the first time around and many did not. And? Turned it in on a floppy disk. That's right. A floppy disk, people.
- I have a rudimentary knowledge of HTML. I can't write anything from scratch in HTML, but I can read it and manipulate it, which, as it turns out, is more than good enough for me.
- I'm pretty good at solving my computer problems because when I worked for my Dad he, in the interest of saving our company a few bucks, would have me stalk the computer guy when he came in to fix something on first the IBM AS400 computer system and then later the Microsoft Network so that next time I could fix it. (This was when I worked for him as an adult.)
- Now? I've found I'm more like my Dad than I thought because I now stalk computer geek forums with the thinking, 'I can't be the only one with this problem' in order to solve my computer conundrums.
- I love solving problems, playing games of strategy, and patterns. So genealogy was a natural fit for me when I finally decided to tackle my family tree and then other people's family trees.
- To stay informed on the latest research methodologies, technology, & social media, I also periodically take continuing education courses and attend conferences.
- With over 17,000 worldwide connections on over 7 platforms, I ADORE social media. Even FamilyTree Magazine thinks I'm pretty good at it.
- I am a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, National Genealogical Society, Texas State Genealogical Society, Illinois State Genealogical Society, Indiana Genealogical Society, and the Houston Genealogical Forum (Texas).
- I am also the former In2Genealogy columnist in the footnoteMaven's beautiful and informative e-magazine, Shades of the Departed. Please feel free to click on the link and take a look at some of my work. I've also had a feature article in Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine (UK).
- Here's a complete listing of my online writing elsewhere.
~Caroline M. Pointer
Looking for a good family story? Let me know when you find one. But in the meantime, I have a few to read at:
Family Stories
Family Stories
