Using Technology to do Family History Research
Pedigree charts. Old family photos. Family reunions. Birth and death dates. What do these things have in common? They are probably things that you have collected or attended while doing family history research.
Lately, I have been using an increasing number of technology-based tools to collect family history information. They include websites, software, digital cameras, and GPSs.
Websites: There are a number of websites that you can use to gather family history information. The free website that I use most often is http://www.familysearch.org. You can search Google for related, free websites. http://www.ancestry.com is a subscription-based website that also provides loads of information from various sources. Ancestry.com's annual subscription is $12.95 per year after the free trial period.
Software: Personal Ancestral File (PAF) is the application that I use most often to store, organize, and print pedigree charts and family group sheets. If you are familiar with setting up Php and MySql websites, you can install PhpGedView (http://www.phpgedview.net). PhpGedView is a web-based application which, if published on the Internet, would allow you to share your family history information.
Digital cameras: There are multiple uses for digital cameras while searching for family history information. I take my camera while on information-gathering trips to cemeteries. A digital camera allows me the freedom to take multiple pictures of a headstone and gravesite, to take a picture of the cemetery's map and numbering system, and then zoom in on the viewfinder to see where I am while I am away from the the map, and to photograph historical landmarks and buildings where my ancestors used to live.
GPS: Since buying my Garmin eTrex Venture Cx GPSr, I have added another angle to my collection of family history information: latitude and longitude coordinates of cemeteries, headstones, and historical locations. For example, before I visit a cemetery, I make a list of ancestors who are buried at that location. Once I arrive, I try to find all of the names on the list. I photograph each headstone, and mark the location of the headstone on my GPSr. When I get home, I use Google Maps (http://maps.google.com) to view and save the coordinates of each headstone. Given the coordinates, myself and others can more easily find those headstones and historical landmarks. Even if you don't have a GPSr, you can print a detailed map with the coordinates before you head out (see the satellite image above).
This list is not comprehensive as to the tools that I use to collect family history information, but it provides insight into some of the tools that are available to assist you in collecting and sharing your family history information.
Do you do family history research? If so, what technology-based products do you use to help you meet your goals? Please post in the comments below.
Lately, I have been using an increasing number of technology-based tools to collect family history information. They include websites, software, digital cameras, and GPSs.
Websites: There are a number of websites that you can use to gather family history information. The free website that I use most often is http://www.familysearch.org. You can search Google for related, free websites. http://www.ancestry.com is a subscription-based website that also provides loads of information from various sources. Ancestry.com's annual subscription is $12.95 per year after the free trial period.
Software: Personal Ancestral File (PAF) is the application that I use most often to store, organize, and print pedigree charts and family group sheets. If you are familiar with setting up Php and MySql websites, you can install PhpGedView (http://www.phpgedview.net). PhpGedView is a web-based application which, if published on the Internet, would allow you to share your family history information.
Digital cameras: There are multiple uses for digital cameras while searching for family history information. I take my camera while on information-gathering trips to cemeteries. A digital camera allows me the freedom to take multiple pictures of a headstone and gravesite, to take a picture of the cemetery's map and numbering system, and then zoom in on the viewfinder to see where I am while I am away from the the map, and to photograph historical landmarks and buildings where my ancestors used to live.
GPS: Since buying my Garmin eTrex Venture Cx GPSr, I have added another angle to my collection of family history information: latitude and longitude coordinates of cemeteries, headstones, and historical locations. For example, before I visit a cemetery, I make a list of ancestors who are buried at that location. Once I arrive, I try to find all of the names on the list. I photograph each headstone, and mark the location of the headstone on my GPSr. When I get home, I use Google Maps (http://maps.google.com) to view and save the coordinates of each headstone. Given the coordinates, myself and others can more easily find those headstones and historical landmarks. Even if you don't have a GPSr, you can print a detailed map with the coordinates before you head out (see the satellite image above).
This list is not comprehensive as to the tools that I use to collect family history information, but it provides insight into some of the tools that are available to assist you in collecting and sharing your family history information.
Do you do family history research? If so, what technology-based products do you use to help you meet your goals? Please post in the comments below.
Labels: family history, GPS
posted by Kevin at
7/19/2007 05:04:00 AM
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1 comments
