GeneaPress: FamilySearch TechTips - New Website Brings Together Genealogy and Technology

GeneaPress: FamilySearch TechTips - New Website Brings Together Genealogy and Technology

FamilySearch TechTips - New Website Brings Together Genealogy and Technology

Genealogy has been a popular hobby for over a century, but the pursuit of one’s ancestors is now a decidedly technology-intensive endeavor. To help family historians take advantage of the latest technology, FamilySearch has launched a new section on its FamilySearch.org website called FamilySearch TechTips.

The goal of TechTips is to continue building a bridge between the developing worlds of technology and genealogy, according to FamilySearch product marketing manager Jim Ericson.

“For someone who is already excited about family history, FamilySearch TechTips can introduce them to technologies that will help them climb their family tree,” Ericson said. “Those who may not be familiar with genealogy, but are technology enthusiasts, can learn how products can be applied to family history.”

Ericson said visitors to FamilySearch TechTips can read about a variety of subjects, such as how to store photographs for the long term, what mobile applications are available for family historians, how to share files and how to scan images. The site also contains step-by-step guides to help users accomplish a technology-related task, like how to join an online research community and why.

FamilySearch TechTips is a community effort that is a cross between a blog and an online technology magazine. Anyone can contribute articles and share their personal experiences. The TechTips articles don’t endorse specific products, although they may mention what is available in the marketplace. There will also be content on new technology or trends that impact the world of genealogy.

“People can learn where genealogy technology is headed and how technology may evolve in the future to make life easier for family historians,” Ericson said.

Tips on how to tell if your jewellery is vintage

http://www.sinclairtreasures.com/
Genuine vintage jewellery is in massive demand at the moment, and rightly so.  It's got character, is often amazingly beautiful and well made, and of course no one else will own your unique piece!

As with anything that becomes fashionable, you'll always get sellers and store owners trying to cash in on the trend.  While there is of course nothing wrong with this, it can become a problem if they describe their jewellery as vintage when it isn't.  In fact at the moment I'm really disappointed at the amount of jewellery I'm seeing online that is being described as simply 'vintage', when on closer inspection it is modern 'vintage style' or a marriage of new jewellery with salvaged vintage bits and pieces attached to it.


Here are my tips to make sure you're buying genuine, real vintage jewellery.

1.  'Antiqued' gold tone is usually modern.  You know the colour I mean - that bronzed and slightly dappled dark gold plating that's really popular at the moment.  Dark antiqued gold plating has been used in the past (especially on Czechslovakian/ Bohemia region jewellery) but is quite rare, and fetches high prices.

2.  Plastic rhinestones are cheap modern alternatives to glass. Again, they are not vintage.  Tap rhinestones on your teeth to see what they are made from.  Glass has a cold hard high pitched clink, while plastic is warm and soft, and makes a much duller sounding click.

3.  Gunmetal colour (ie dark shiny pewter colour) metal is modern.

4. Cute kitsch pendants on simple chains are very popular at the moment,and are sometimes advertised as simply 'vintage'.  These are all modern made, and are not proper genuine vintage jewellery.  A seller may be using vintage componants to make the jewellery (which is fine and can be really beautifully done), but they should make this clear in both the title and description of the jewellery.  Jewellery like this is correctly called 'vintage inspired'...'vintage recycled' ....'vintage reworked' or 'vintage style' etc.....not just 'vintage'. 

I've actually seen a seller describe their modern jewellery (which happens to have a little piece of vintage jewellery stuck onto it) as simply " 'vintage handmade necklace". I understand completely that sellers need to make money, and want to get to the top of jewellery searches in search engines.  However, surely this kind of description can't be right?  How would this seller feel if they'd bought a 'vintage handmade' Art Deco wardrobe' only to find out it's a modern wardrobe with Art Deco handles stuck on it?

5.  Genuine vintage jewellery is unique, which is why it is so sought after.  If you see words such as 'limited stock on this item' it will not be authentic vintage jewellery.  

6.  Always read the 'about me' or 'about us' page of a website.  Who is it that you are buying from?  Are they experienced vintage jewellery dealers?  Do you get a feel for their love of genuine vintage jewellery?

7.  If the description of a jewellery item only says 'vintage' and doesn't give an actual approximate date to the item (eg made circa 1950-60s, or made circa late 19th century) then be a little wary, and email the seller for a date to the item.

http://jewellerymuse.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-to-tell-if-your-jewellery-is.html

Villages celebrate links with a legend - Football - Fife Today

Villages celebrate links with a legend - Football - Fife Today

Scotland's People Website

Scotland's People Website         http://www.sinclairtreasures.com/

The new-look Scotland's People genealogy website was officially launched in September by the Scottish Tourism Minister, Mr Jim Mather.
 
The revamped service features new search features designed to make it easier and quicker for people at home and abroad to discover their family roots. This includes plotting search results on maps, helping those unfamiliar with Scottish geography - such as users overseas - understand more about Scotland and their ancestors. Following this first revamp of the site since it was launched in 2002, it now offers advanced search functions, providing quicker results, as well as additional information from Catholic Parish Registers.



















Please click here to visit the site.  http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=1193850914816554782

Starting Your Own Genealogy Business

http://www.sinclairtreasures.com/

If you are thinking of taking your genealogy hobby to the next level and become a professional genealogist you need to look at the entire picture. It is important that you have several years of experience doing research, and helping others with research. Many genealogist enthusiasts have this already through volunteering at the local genealogical society.
It does help business to have credentials as you open your business. While it is not required many people are more comfortable hiring a genealogist that is board certified or who has a degree in genealogy. It is not difficult to do both of these things. There are distance programs that focus on starting up a genealogy business that would help to address all aspects of the business.
The second thing you will need to do is get a business license through your local municipality if it is required. This can be considered freelance work, so you may be exempt according to some local laws. You should check with your city and follow the local guidelines.
You will need to keep close track your financial records. You should open a separate business checking account to help keep your finances separate. You should keep careful track of the business costs so that you can deduct them, and you may want to have an accountant do your taxes for the first few years to make sure you understand everything.
When dealing with customers you need to maintain a professional demeanor. Setting up clear contracts will protect both you and your customer. Be clear when you list the cost, expected number of hours, and what you will do if you go over those hours. Make sure that you charge enough so that the work you complete is worth it.
This type of business can be advertised on genealogy sites, in local directories, at your library as well as through word of mouth. You do not need to spend a lot in order to advertise effectively. As you build a client list many clients will come to you as referrals.
Related Articles: Become a Certified Genealogist
http://genealogy.families.com/blog/starting-your-own-genealogy-business

Online Family Tree

Online Family Tree – Discover Your Family History and Genealogy Through Your Online Family Tree

The genealogy bug can be traced back to the 1977 movie "Roots", a powerful film that so impressed its viewers that they wanted to see just what their own family was made of. Today it is much easier to make a family tree because we can now do it all online! There are many sites that offer the service at no charge, even provided free software to download. When you build family tree online it's fun and educational for children, too.

By: Daniel K. Voyles     The genealogy bug can be traced back to the 1977 movie "Roots", a powerful film that so impressed its viewers that they wanted to see just what their own family was made of. Back then, those researchers were confined to libraries and often had to travel long distances or use mail service to gather information.
Today it is much easier to make a family tree because we can now do it all online! There are many sites that offer the service at no charge, even provided free software to download. Genealogy software makes family trees easy to create; you simply enter the name of your ancestor along with the birth and death dates and they are placed on the tree in chronological order in the proper branch of the family. Some software allows you to include the place of birth and death but those extras are usually included on programs you buy.
Most genealogy software, even the freeware, is more than just a listing of names and dates. There are wizards to guide you through entering the information and most allow you to include family photos so that you can put a face to a name. One of the most exciting developments in creating an online family tree is face recognition software that some sites are offering. Most families have a few photographs that no one can identify, but if the site you're working with has this special software you may be in luck! By downloading and annotating the photos of relatives you are familiar with, the software scans the unknown person and places them in the appropriate branch on the family tree. This is a remarkably accurate program and if your site offers it, it can probably solve a decades old mystery in seconds!
One very distinct advantage you'll enjoy when you build family tree online is that everyone in your family can see it! You also have the option of making it public or private password protected, even on the sites that offer the service at no charge. If you'd like to download your work and save it on a CD you can do that, too.
Many genealogy sites include user forums where you can discuss your research with other people, even your family, and learn new techniques and ideas. You may even be one of the many people who connect with long-lost relatives through these forums!
When you build family tree online it's fun and educational for children, too. Be sure to include them when you are building your tree and see how much they know about their immediate and extended family. They will be astounded at how large their family really is!

Daniel K. Voyles is a genealogy enthusiast. For more information on how to build a family tree online visit http://yourgenealogyhistory.com

Featured Topics: Family Tree • Family tree genealogy • Family Tree Maker • Online family tree • Research family tree •