Genealogy - technology links to help you find your ancestors

© Copyright 2012 Caroline M. Pointer

You know, there's just nothing like finding that one tool that's going to help you get your job done.

Funny thing is, many times it's not just one tool. And another funny thing? New technology tools just keep popping up. Or it's the same tools but new updates keep popping up. 

And that's why I started doing this list for you. I mean, anyone can spend some time {Read: all day long and part of the night too} keeping abreast of all the new technology tools out there and figuring out if you can use it in some way to help you find your ancestors.

Or you can read a list 3 times a week of genealogy - technology tools that have already been initially vetted for you, the ancestor hunter, by me, a fellow ancestor hunter. 

And that saves you time. 

Time you can use to actually find your ancestors.

{Unless, of course, you enjoy reading Top 100 lists of apps that contain 67.5 gaming apps. And maybe you do. I dunno.} 

So. Here's today's list:

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• Findmypast.com Announces Partnership with Federation of Genealogical Societies by Thomas MacEntee on FGS Voice ~ Okay genealogical societies, findmypast.com is offering a sweet deal to genealogical societies who are members of FGS (Federation of Genealogical Societies) - get your records online on findmypast.com's site and generate some revenue from record views. Read all the details in Thomas' post. This is an excellent opportunity for societies.
• Every census record tells a story. Use our FREE guide to help you discover yours. from the Ancestry.com Learning Center ~ Late this morning I received an email {for subscribers} about their new FREE guide for census research. And since they did such a fabulous job on it, I went hunting on their Learning Center page and found it for you. {Which wasn't as easy as it should've been, methinks. Kind of like a joke on the researcher. Ha. Ha.}
  
• Notes for Gmail Adds Searchable Sticky Notes to Emails (and We’ve Got Invites) by Melanie Pinola on lifehacker.com ~ Um. Hello?!? This is handy dandy. Let's say your distant cousin finally sent you that narrative report they've been promising. {Hey, easy now, we get busy.} And you need to take some notes that you'll need to find again. Ah, yes. You're now beginning to see how this can be used, right? Read Melanie's post for more.
• APP REWIND: Diacarta Still One Of The Best Calendar Apps For iPhone by Bryan M. Wolfe on appadvice.com ~ After reading this review I was intrigued by this app ~ a pretty and functional calendar app. What's not to love? Then I went to the app store and looked at the reviews. Those weren't so good, but? Who are these people and just how good with tech are they? You know? So I downloaded it for you. Yes, I took one for the team ~ Team FamilyStories. {We are kinda like a team, right?} And? Loved it. I'm still playing with it. And it may not be your cup of tea, but then again it just might be. With this app you can keep track of your days and what you need to do and when you need to do it in order to find those stories on your ancestors. And look good doing it too. {'Cause, you know. That's important. ;) }
• The Best Web-Based Email Services by Michael Muchmore on pcmag.com ~ You know how Microsoft got rid of Hotmail but replaced it with Outlook web? Well, I think Michael does a great job of taking a look at all your web-based email options. And? This is important when you're ancestor hunting. No, you won't be receiving any emails from your ancestors. {And if you do please let me know.} The more you research, the more you find yourself using email to communicate back and forth with all those distant cousins with all those pics and stories that make your ancestor hunter heart beat a little faster.
• Backspaces will catch you by surprise: This just-launched app helps you tell your stories by Harrison Weber on thenextweb.com ~ Wow. This app rocks. I first tweeted about it yesterday. Then the app developers tweeted back to me this morning about how they'd like me ( @FamilyStories ) to check it out and record some stories on it. Well, they had me at 'stories'. I downloaded it and played with it some, but I can see myself using this at family reunions, with my own kids, and in my business. You absolutely need to check it out. With their app, you can record stories quickly with your iPhone's camera, your photo library, and some text capabilities. I'm not done with my first story, but take a look at Harrison's story he created in his review. I can see a trip to a family cemetery and the story emerging from it, and then sharing it with family. Can't you?

Here are 2 more Note-Taking apps that I found for you that might tickle your fancy. {We *totally* don't say that phrase enough nowadays.} Our ancestor hunting tends to lead to a lot of note-taking, and everyone's different in how they take notes. So here ya' go:

• Nota Plex 1.1 : Note-writing Suite for iPad Now Includes Spreadsheets by Barb H
• Super Note : Recorder and Notes Offers Organizational Bliss for iOS by George Monroy on appcraver.com

And for those genealogy professionals out there, here's some apps that just might save you some time, and you know what they say about time being money...

• The Best Business-Friendly Ultrabooks by Menalie Pinola on pcworld.com
• QuickBooks Online Gets Some Mint.com Data Entry Smarts by Yedena Arar on pcworld.com
• FreshBooks Launches IPhone App by Yardena Arar on pcworld.com

And my favorite genealogy - technology link today?

• How Do I Love The New Version Of Dolphin Browser? Let Me Count The Ways ... by Aldrin Calimlim on appadvice.com

And that's it for today. Remember: You can follow me on whatever social network you prefer {cuz I'm probably there}, and while I do add a lot to this list everyday, there's plenty that doesn't make the list. And you're probably thinking, "Ohmigosh! What if I need it?!?" Don't worry. If you "Like" the 4YourFamilyStory.com Facebook Page, you'll get even more links to related technology that can help you find those ancestors of yours.

~Caroline

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