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39 iPad Productivity Apps for Genealogy

12/31/2013

39 Productivity Apps for #Genealogy via 4YourFamilyStory.com

Ah. To be more productive and find more time for genealogy in 2014!!

Did you receive an iPad for the holidays? Here are some productivity apps I have on my iPad -- some I use and some I've been, um, playing with. In my spare time. [Heh.] Admittedly, there are many overlaps in the following apps. But? How else can I suggest something to people and their needs if I haven't tried multiple but similar apps?

Yes, that's my justification for my iPad app obsession. ;) And? People [individuals and professionals] actually hire me to show them the best apps and technology to use for them specifically and how to incorporate it into their workflow. And how to use the apps and technology. Perfect for those who don't have the time to try and find the best apps for them, but need or want to.

Without further ado, here are 39 iPad Productivity Apps for Genealogy:

Calendars 5 by Readdle [I have some challenges when it comes to calendars and to-dos. I prefer Google Calendar. It's powerful, it can handle multiple calendars, and it's the calendar used by many organizations that I'm affiliated with. However, it's ugly on my mobile devices. I try not to "do" ugly on my devices. I'm also firmly in the Apple app ecosystem with my iPad and firmly in the Android app ecosystem with my Samsung Note 2 smartphone. And I use a Win8 laptop at my desk. Luckily, there are plenty of 3rd party apps that can sync with Google Calendars. Calendars 5 on my iPad is pretty, very functional, syncs back and forth with my Google Calendars -- all of them, and thus works with CalenGoo on my Note 2 because it, too, syncs with all my Google Calendars. CalenGoo is available for iPad, but, alas! It's not as pretty as Calendars 5. So now everything's prettily in-sync for me as 2014 rapidly approaches. But if I can find something prettier for my Note 2, I might change. I'm finicky like that.]
OneNote [I love and use OneNote. I've even done 3 videos on how to use it for genealogy. I've also reviewed the iOS app here.]
Cubetto Flow [It's complicated and powerful -- in a good way. So if you're looking for that in a flowchart/mindmapping app for your iPad -- and some are -- then you need to look into this one.]
iThoughts HD [So simple to use for mindmapping on an iPad. Very intuitive. I like using it to quickly brainstorm or explain something to someone else visually.]
Trello [Great for project management on all my devices -- Windows, iPad, and my Android Samsung Note 2. I'm currently using it for laying out my projects for the Texas State Genealogical Society. It would work well for research plans too, I think. Look for a video tutorial from me in 2014 on it.]
Index Card [I use this for storyboarding my genealogy video tutorials.]
GoodReader [Here's a review of this app.]
Genius Scan+ [And I reviewed this app with the GoodReader app here.]
QuickOffice [I really like QuickOffice especially since Google acquired them. Integrates nicely with GoogleDrive and makes editing and reading MSOffice documents on my iPad easy peasy.]
Dragon Dictation [I use this for transcribing documents and recently on some writing/brainstorming projects. Why type when you can speak?]
PDF Max
iAnnotate PDF
DocAS PDF [I keep trying out new PDF apps. I did a review of DocAS PDF app though. Look for a comparison review from me in 2014 of all of the ones I have. There aren't a whole lot of differences, more like preferences. Usually.]
PDF Expert [I've had the 4.7.2 version and it can be used on the iPad but is not optimized for it. A review of PDF Expert 5 and Scanner Pro by Readdle is forthcoming as well as one for PDF Reader Pro Edition for the iPad. So stay tuned. Readdle makes very functional and very pretty stuff. I might have mentioned those being 2 of my very favorite things.]
ABBYY TextGrabber+Translator App [I have a review of this app here. Handy.]
Pages [I really like writing on my iPad with the Pages app and my Bluetooth keyboard. I write better using it, I think, for some reason.]
Numbers [Love it. Easy peasy to use. I also have Keynote, but I have that with all my other Presentation iPad Apps, a list that will be blogged about soon. And if you received or purchased an iPad Air recently, it came with Pages, Keynote, and Numbers. Lucky you.]
LiveBinder [A clever virtual and collaborative note binder system. Not for everyone, but what is? You won't know if it's for you until you have a look at it.]
GoodNotes
Moleskine
Paper53 [Artsy. And fun. And I've used it to draw stuff I've needed for presentations as well as drawing elements I've needed for videos. Like the arrow and check mark boxes in the What's Up Genealogy? videos and hangouts. And, no, I haven't forgotten about What's Up Genealogy? And, yes, it'll be back. Just let me get used to the all these other things I'm juggling and I'll add it back in. Sooner than later.]
MagicalPad HD [I've started playing with this one. It incorporates a lot of stuff I like to do on my iPad. And I really, really like it so far.]
Notability [My current favorite note-taking app. But I'm still comparing since I use both Apple and Android. Did I mention I'm finicky?]
Brushes [I love the idea of Visual Notetaking. I think I first learned it from my Dad who used to draw up business ideas on the back of napkins in restaurants. And on the back of the paper menus at Milano's Italian Restaurant in my hometown. Hence, all the note-taking and artsy apps on my iPad. I've got lots of ideas, folks.]
Diigo [This is a web-based bookmarking app that I use on the desktop mainly, but when I'm on-the-go, I use their app.]
Diigo Browser [Combines the Chrome Browser and Diigo's annotation capabilities.]
GoTo Meeting
Hangouts [Facilitates my Google+ private instant messaging.]
Evernote [Here's how to use Evernote to organize your genealogy. Plus, if you're in the Austin, Texas area, I'll be presenting, "Get Your Genealogy Digitally Organized with Evernote!" to the Austin Genealogical Society in March 2014. And if your organization is interested in hiring me for a presentation or workshop, contact me. Also, take a look at my current presentation offerings.]
EverClip HD [Facilitates the clipping into Evernote.]
Hop.in [Evernote browser. Perfect for when I'm gathering and clipping info from the web into Evernote on my iPad. Just makes it easier.]
KustomNote [I reviewed KustomNote on multiple devices here.]
Skitch [One of my most-used apps on all my devices to annotate screenshots for how-to blog posts and social media shares.]
Penultimate [A handwriting app that I don't use very much unless I'm handwriting something I want to save in Evernote, but it just depends on how you use Evernote. I use this app for specific things.]
Bubble Browser [Fun and interesting to see what I have the most of in Evernote.]
EleEditor [Takes notetaking to a new artform in Evernote.]
NoteLedge [Similar to EleEditor. I'm comparing them. Look for a comparison review blog post on them from me in 2014.]
Printer Pro [Another app from Readdle. Easily -- and prettily -- facilitates printing wirelessly from my iPad.]
Documents [This one is made by Readdle like PDF Expert, Calendars 5, Scanner Pro and Printer Pro. It allows me to view and edit documents as well as manage my files on my iPad. And it has a media player too. I personally think Documents beats QuickOffice in the "clean" design department for sure.]

I have more iPad apps that could/should fall under "Productivity" but I have them organized differently on my iPad. [Like my apps for scanning and cloud services and Google and such.] This list, though, should get you started on thinking about being more productive in 2014 with your iPad! It has certainly made it easy for me to see what I need to review and blog about. Thus, making me potentially more productive in 2014. Time will only tell. =)

Happy Researching!
~Caroline

8 Genealogy Things You Need to Know This Morning, Tuesday, 31 Dec 2013

12/31/2013

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Today's Things

8 #Genealogy Things You Need to Know This Morning, Tuesday, 31 Dec 2013, via 4YourFamilyStory.com. #needtoknow

For those using Scrivener to write their family history, here's an iPad app that works with Scrivener to help you map out what you're writing. [Not using Scrivener but interested in writing your family's history? Have a look-see at the Armchair Genealogist's FREE Scrivener instructional videos on YouTube.]
Get organized in the new year with your genealogy research to-do's with this great list of 7 to-do apps from Lifehack.org.

And here's why you should never give up on finding that one clue you've been looking for...you just never know what's going to turn up or when. And this may also be a cautionary tale of what happens when you're not careful with where you put things you want to preserve. [Take your pick.]
And across the pond Chris on The British GENES Blog has the latest BMD updates on ScotlandsPeople.
Using OneNote to organize your genealogy research? [Yes.] Have an Android device? [Yes.] The OneNote app for Android has been updated. [Yay!] [Not using OneNote for organizing your genealogy? Here are some instructional videos to show you how.]
Did your ancestors make these papers? Over the holidays, Newspapers.com has been quietly adding newspapers and pages to their online collections. Have they added anything recently that you've been needing?
GenealogyTrails volunteer contributors have been very busy over the holidays. They've recently added records and information to various counties in the following US states: South Dakota, Georgia, Illinois, Wisconsin, Delaware, Maine, Michigan, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Nevada, Alabama, and Tennessee.
And USGenWeb volunteer contributors uploaded 85 files yesterday for various counties in the following US states: Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia.

Other things that might interest you. Maybe. Maybe not. But Maybe.

Happy Researching!
~Caroline
© Copyright 2013 4YourFamilyStory.com -- All Rights Reserved.

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12 Genealogy Things You Need to This Morning, Monday, 30 Dec 2013

12/30/2013

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12 #Genealogy Things You Need to Know This Morning, Monday, 30 Dec 2013, via 4YourFamilyStory.com. #needtoknow

Findagrave.com has a new Edit Tab on the contributor page. And as one would expect, Findagrave tells what it's for & how to use it in their FAQ's.
For those researching their ancestors across the pond, Family Deeds has added new deeds to their collection. Family Deeds is a privately funded project wherein they buy family deeds and other old documents in the UK, transcribe them, index them, provide the indexed information [all names on documents and locations], offer the transcription for a small fee, and also sell the documents to fund purchasing more old deeds and documents. [Very nice service as I personally have a -- sometimes -- expensive habit of rescuing family ephemera in local antique stores and researching it and returning it if possible. It adds up, I tell ya'. Plus, the older it is and I tend to rescue older "stuff", the more descendants there are who might possibly want it. Providing full transcriptions for a small fee is smart. Hmmm. And another hmmm.]

For Evernote users: for iOS and Mac users power up your Evernote tasks with OnlyTasks; here are some Evernote tagging tips from alphaefficiency.com; and this list of Evernote iPad apps & Chrome Extensions can be helpful to genealogists too [I know 'cause I use some of them.].
The Family History Library catalog is now in the OCLC [Worldcat.org] and on Root Dig, Michael John Neill has some great screenshots of it. [Handy and very dandy. And a hat tip to Elizabeth Shown Mills for sharing the info on Facebook.]
Shopping for an external hard drive? Lifehacker has a list of 5 good ones. [I use the Western Digital My Passport one. Love it. Glad it made their list. :)] Also, recently in the Tech for Genealogy Google+ Community, we had a discussion on shopping for external hard drives.
In charge of planning your next family reunion? Perhaps evitely can help you out with that. They're in beta right now and you can sign up for beta access to try it out. If you're brave. It looks like it might be very handy. So if you're the early-adopter-of-tech-kinda-person-who's-in-charge-of-the-family-reunion, this might be something you want to check out. =)
I'm sure you're already periodically checking DeadFred.com for lost family photos, but are you remembering to check Forgotten Old Photos?
Here's a handy Missouri-Kansas Civil War Conflict Timeline. [Thanks to Jenna Mills for sharing it on Facebook.]
Got videos NOT made on your iPad but would like to put them there to edit ['Cause it's SO much easier to do it on the iPad with iMovie]? Here's how to do that from MacWorld.
Here are some great photo tips from the Photo Detective, Maureen A. Taylor.
Here are 4 handy Windows 8.1 hot keys & hidden features from technet.com.
And Ohio volunteers are showing off. LOL. ;) USGenWeb volunteer contributors uploaded 453 files yesterday for various counties in the following US states: Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio [Oh my! Lots.] , Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia.

Other things that might interest you. Maybe. Maybe not. But maybe.

Happy Researching!
~Caroline
© Copyright 2013 4YourFamilyStory.com -- All Rights Reserved.

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9 Genealogy Things You Need to Know This Morning, Sunday, 29 Dec 2013

12/29/2013

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9 #Genealogy Things You Need to Know This Morning, Sunday, 29 Dec 2013, via 4YourFamilyStory.com. #needtoknow

Dear Myrtle has this week's upcoming genealogy webinars, hangouts, and online events.
Here are Ancestry.com's upcoming Livestream events. [From their Facebook Page.]
From across the pond courtesy of Chris on The British GENES Blog: French settlers in Ireland; Kensal Green Cemetery records now on DeceasedOnline; Eneclann half-price sale; British Newspaper Archive discount through Jan 5th; and free credits on findmypast.
On Genealogy Canada, Elizabeth mentions updates to the Aboriginal Heritage Portal on Library Archives Canada.
For Evernote users: the Evernote Lightly App has new useful features; quickly write notes in Evernote with FastEver; and here's how you collaborate on documents with others in Evernote.
Do you use the free resource, the Internet Archive? Consider donating to them here at the end of the year.

WorldVitalRecords has a holiday special going on.
The New York Times recently featured the newly animated Paullin's 1932 Atlas of the Historical Geography of the United States.
And USGenWeb volunteer contributors uploaded 179 files yesterday for various counties in the following US states: Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Nebraska, Ohio, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Other things you might be interested in. Maybe. Maybe not. But maybe.

Happy Researching!
~Caroline
© Copyright 2013 4YourFamilyStory.com -- All Rights Reserved.

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5 Genealogy Things You Need to Know This Morning, Saturday, 28 Dec 2013

12/28/2013

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Today's Things

5 #Genealogy Things You Need to Know This Morning, Saturday, 28 Dec 2013, via 4YourFamilyStory.com. #needtoknow

Wondering which app you've installed on your device that keeps making you go over your data plan every month? Heh. There's an app for that.
Did you get a new Android phone over the holidays? Here are 5 android tips from gigaom.com.
Ancestry.com has their 2013 favorite record collections available for free for a limited time.
Probate court records in 3 Maine counties are part of a paperless pilot program and have gone digital with online access.
And USGenWeb volunteer contributors uploaded 85 files yesterday in various counties in the following US states: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Virginia, and Washington.

Other things that might interest you. Maybe. Maybe not. But maybe.

Happy Researching!
~Caroline
© Copyright 2013 4YourFamilyStory.com -- All Rights Reserved.

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9 Genealogy Things You Need to Know This Morning, Friday, 27 Dec 2013

12/27/2013

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9 #Genealogy Things You Need to Know This Morning, Friday, 27 Dec 2013, via 4YourFamilyStory.com. #needtoknow

Lifehacker lists their popular Chrome browser posts for 2013, including list posts of handy Chrome Browser Extensions.
Have old home movies on DVD? If you have a Mac, here is how to convert those DVD movies into digital files that can be accessed anywhere. [MacWorld]
Deeds and other documents for Kane County, Illinois are now online according to Harold on his blog Midwestern Microhistory. He also gives some tips on how to use the site.
The blog for the Smithsonian National Museum of American History has 5 "must-read" 2013 blog posts for Civil War buffs.
Having problems finding your ancestor's common name in newspapers? The GenealogyBank blog gives some tips on how to do that.
If you've tried to use a mind map app on a mobile device, you know that sometimes they're hard to read or use. The Next Web blog introduces the Mindly mind mapping app which promises to make mind maps on iOS devices easier to read and use.

On his blog Canada's Anglo-Celtic Connections, John reveals Ancestry.ca is offering free access to select Canadian record databases.
According to the Facebook Page for the Australian findmypast, findmypast.au has just released new British Rate Book Records.
And USGenWeb volunteer contributors uploaded 142 files yesterday for various counties in the following US states: California, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia.

Other things that might interest you. Maybe. Maybe not. But maybe.

Happy Researching!
~Caroline
© Copyright 2013 4YourFamilyStory.com -- All Rights Reserved.

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5 Genealogy Things You Need to Know This Morning, Thursday, 26 Dec 2013

12/26/2013

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Today's Things

5 #Genealogy Things You Need to Know This Morning, Thursday, 26 Dec 2013, via 4YourFamilyStort.com. #needtoknow

Are you a proud new owner of an iPhone? Here are some handy iPhone tips and tricks from ReadWrite.com.
Don't forget the early bird discount for the Forensic Genealogy Institute 2014 ends 30 Dec 2013.
Before the holidays, Mocavo sent out an email to its registered users that they now have over 175,000 records and they have a new search feature -- a Record Set Browser. Not sure what's new as far as the records go. However, I still recommend searching their website by location via their Research Tab [scroll down]. [But maybe they'll blog to show what's new -- records and features.]
FamilySearch.org recently added new or updated records for Belgium; Portugal; Canada [Saskatchewan]; and for the US states of Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
And yesterday USGenWeb volunteer contributors uploaded 35 files for various counties in the following US states: Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, and Ohio.

Other things that might interest you. Maybe. Maybe not. But maybe.

Happy Researching!
~Caroline
© Copyright 2013 4YourFamilyStory.com -- All Rights Reserved.

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5 Genealogy Things You Need to Know This Morning, Wednesday, 25 Dec 2013

12/25/2013

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5 #Genealogy Things You Need to Know This Morning, Wednesday, 25 Dec 2013, via 4YourFamilyStory.com. #needtoknow

Wanting to connect with family during the holidays? Here are 10 video calling apps from The Next Web.
On The British GENES Blog, Chris shares the National Archives [UK] 2014 Webinar Schedule.
Also on The British GENES Blog, Chris has what has been recently added to Durham Records Online.
On Irish Genealogy News, Claire explains what Irish records have been added to the United Historical Foundation's website for County Down.
And USGenWeb volunteer contributors have uploaded 66 files yesterday for various counties in the following US states: Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.

Other things that might interest you. Maybe. Maybe not. But maybe.

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5 Genealogy Things You Need to Know This Morning, Tuesday, 24 Dec 2013

12/24/2013

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5 #Genealogy Things You Need to Know This Morning, Tuesday, 24 Dec 2013, via 4YourFamilyStory.com. #needtoknow

Evernote updated its Blackberry 10 app.
Trevor says, "It's complicated," when wanting to digitize digital stuff on the Library of Congress blog, The Signal.
Genealogy Trails volunteer contributors added records for the following US counties/states: Lawrence County, Arkansas; Dakota County, Minnesota; and Washington D.C.
US GenWeb volunteer contributors uploaded 73 files for various counties in the following US states: Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.
And Santa is making his way around the world! Track Santa using NORAD.

Other things that might interest you. Maybe. Maybe not. But Maybe.

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8 Genealogy Things You Need to Know This Morning, Monday, 23 Dec 2013

12/23/2013

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8 #Genealogy Need to Know, Monday, 23 Dec 2013, via 4YourFamilyStory.com. #needtoknow

On the Boston 1775 blog, J.L. Bell asks, "Newly Discovered Map of New York in Late 1776?"
Well, this is nice. Here are some cool and popular iOS apps that have been discounted. (Mashable)
Family Roots Publishing has all Dollarhide Name List Books on sale through midnight Dec 24th.
Dear Myrtle has this week's upcoming genealogy webinars, chats, and hangouts.
As part of SCGS' Jamboree Extension Series, Barbara Randall has an upcoming FREE webinar, Beyond the Passenger List, on 4 Jan 2014.
Legacy Webinars has released their 2014 schedule.
Roots Ireland is offering a holiday discount on records through Monday, 6 Jan 2014.
And USGenWeb volunteer contributors uploaded 97 files yesterday for various counties in the following US states: California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Other things that might interest you. Maybe. Maybe not. But maybe.

If you found this article helpful, please share:

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Find your family story.

39 iPad Productivity Apps for Genealogy

Other iPad App Blog List Posts:

8 Genealogy Things You Need to Know This Morning, Tuesday, 31 Dec 2013

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12 Genealogy Things You Need to This Morning, Monday, 30 Dec 2013

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9 Genealogy Things You Need to Know This Morning, Sunday, 29 Dec 2013

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5 Genealogy Things You Need to Know This Morning, Saturday, 28 Dec 2013

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9 Genealogy Things You Need to Know This Morning, Friday, 27 Dec 2013

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5 Genealogy Things You Need to Know This Morning, Thursday, 26 Dec 2013

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5 Genealogy Things You Need to Know This Morning, Wednesday, 25 Dec 2013

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5 Genealogy Things You Need to Know This Morning, Tuesday, 24 Dec 2013

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8 Genealogy Things You Need to Know This Morning, Monday, 23 Dec 2013

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