Social networking sites allow genealogists to collaborate and share information. Sites discussed include Flickr for photo sharing, Delicious for bookmark sharing, blogs for sharing research updates, and Twitter for microblogging. Wikis that allow collaborative editing of genealogical information include WeRelateWiki and Wikitree. Facebook has become popular for genealogists to build family trees and connect with genealogical societies and libraries. Other social networking sites designed specifically for genealogists to build collaborative family trees include Geni, Treex, and GenealogyWise. Traditional genealogy sites like Ancestry and Footnote are also adding social networking features.

1. Social Networking and GenealogyMarian PressBIFHSGO March 12, 2011

2. What is Social Networking?“Interaction between a group of people who share a common interest.” (Wictionary)Different kinds of social networking online, some using new web technologiessome non-genealogical but used by genealogistssome developed specifically with genealogists in mind

3. Why Social Network?Anything that helps build more family history contacts goodGenealogists “do” collaboration wellSocial networking isn’t newEarlier form – mailing lists and message boardsRootsweb mailing lists; Ancestry message boardsStill active, still usefulHave been enhanced by modern technology: e.g., Google searches posts on message boards

4. What Will Be Discussed TodayBlogs and wikisSocial networking sites genealogists can take advantage ofFlickr, Facebook, Twitter, DeliciousTraditional genealogy sites that have added social networking featuresAncestry, Footnote, Genes Reunited, Lost Cousins, FamilyRelatives.com, FamilySearch.orgSocial Networking Sites Designed for GenealogistsGenealogyWise, Geni.com, WikiTree

5. The Technology Around Social NetworkingWeb 2.0: Second generation of the web Collaborative, dynamic, open, social, content created by usersTags - keyword(s) describing photos, etc.RSS - lets you know when a web page is updated

6. Flickr – Photo Sharinghttp://www.flickr.com/Photosharing - just what it sounds likeIndividuals and organizations share photose.g, National Library of ScotlandPhotos can be made public or privateCan add “tags” to help others find your content and contact youFind pictures of ancestral villages, churches, etc.Very effective photo back-up system

9. Social BookmarkingDelicious (www.delicious.com)store & share your favourite web bookmarksfind others bookmarking similar sitesGenealoGee.com (www.genealogee.com)share blog posts, articles and newsgenealogy and family history specific

10. BlogsProbably the most well known and most used by genealogistsChronologically-arranged web pagesGenealogists use for news/updates and sharing family researchEasy to read: Google Reader, iGoogle, BloglinesEasy to build: BloggerEasy to find: Genealogy Blog Finder

11. Building Your Own Family BlogVery easy to do using a site like Bloggerwww.blogger.comThink of a blog as possible substitute for web siteDon’t have to wait till your family research is complete to build itVery useful way to keep family up-to-date on what you are doing

12. Twitter: www.twitter.comA free social networking and micro-blogging service Exchange quick, frequent messages called “tweets” 140 characters maximum“Tweet” can be used to advertise and lead to a blog posting, archives’ activities, etc.Can search for a word being tweeted –use a hash tag (#) for real relevanceGenealogists, archives, and libraries are hereRecently much tweeting from Rootstech 2011

13. WikisA web site that allows users to add and edit content collectively Wiki is the Hawaiian word for “fast”Can create you own wiki or contribute to an established wikiIf you don’t like anyone changing/editing your work, maybe not for you!

14. Types of WikisInformational wikisgeneral subject wikis – like Wikipedia: www.wikipedia.orggeneral genealogical wikissubject/society wikisGEDCOM wikisPersonal family wikis

15. Genealogy Wikiswiki.familysearch.orgyourarchives.nationalarchives.gov.uk

16. WeRelateWiki:www.werelate.orgSponsored by Foundation for On-Line Genealogy, Inc. and Allen County Public LibraryUses wiki technology to build collaborative family treesCan build a page for each ancestorCan create profile, upload GEDCOMsA wiki page built for each family member and a family page for each familyNeed an account to Edit pages

17. Wikitree: www.wikitree.comBegun in 2008 by Chris Whitten (creator of WikiAnswers)Very similar to WeRelateWiki page created for each personNeed to get permission from “profile manager” for each person to make changesTheory is to have one wiki profile page for each ancestor in the world

18. “Hard-Core” Social NetworkingFacebook (www.facebook.com)Genealogywise(www.genealogywise.com)new specialized genealogy social networking site, recently purchased by National Institute for Genealogical Studies

19. Facebookwww. facebook.comA social networking site – 585 million usersHigh rate of Canadian participationU.K. second highest users after U.S.Genealogy really taking off in Facebookfamily tree applicationsgenealogy society and interest groupslibrary groups and catalogue applicationscan look for unusual surnames

20. Social/Collaborative Tree BuildingAllow groups to build trees togetherSearchable so others can find youSome emphasize tree building; some collaboration and networkingHave privacy controlsNumbers of different sites growing fastAdvertise huge numbers of trees/individualsMost still in “beta” – many have shut downVery U.S. centric to date

21. Collaborative Tree Siteswww.geni.comwww.treex.comwww.genetree.comwww.arcalife.com

22. Traditional Genealogy Sites with Social Networking FeaturesMost successful so far are the “hubs” or “magnets” for genealogistsDatabases and other records provide added valueAre rapidly adding networking features for family trees and for recordsAncestry, Footnote, GenesReunited, etc.

23. Finding Out More