This document discusses how to use Facebook groups for genealogy research and connecting with distant relatives. It provides examples of different types of genealogy-focused Facebook groups including location-specific, surname, society/organization, military, genetic genealogy, family, and ethnicity groups. The document also offers tips for finding distant relatives on Facebook, contacting them, and viewing group information, administrators, rules, photos and files. Lastly, it discusses how to start your own Facebook genealogy research group.

1. USING FACEBOOK
CONNECTIONS
TO MAKE
FAMILY CONNECTIONS

2. ACCORDING TO FACEBOOK’S HELP
PAGE, FACEBOOK GROUPS ARE
DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
“FACEBOOK GROUPS MAKE IT EASY TO CONNECT WITH
SPECIFIC SETS OF PEOPLE LIKE FAMILY TEAMMATES OR
COWORKERS. GROUPS ARE DEDICATED SPACES WHERE
YOU CAN SHARE UPDATES, PHOTOS OR DOCUMENTS
AND MESSAGE OTHER GROUP MEMBERS.”

3. FACEBOOK GROUPS CAN BE EITHER
PUBLIC OR CLOSED
A public group is a group that anyone, anywhere can access.
A closed group is one that is more private. In a closed
group, your posts are not public to anyone, anywhere, but
they can be seen by all members within the group.

4. CLOSED GROUPS
Closed groups will require you to join them.
If a group is set to “closed” by the administrator, you
will need to send a request to join the group. The time it
takes for your request to be accepted or denied
depends on the availability of the administrators.
Most genealogy groups are closed.

5. PUBLIC GROUPS
Most public groups allow you to join immediately.
If a group is set to “public” you can choose to either join
the group or not. You are able to view public group
content, but, if you choose to join the group, you will see
posts and information in your newsfeed.
You can post and respond to posts.

6. GENERAL GENEALOGY GROUPS
These groups mainly focus on research and related
questions of a broad nature.
For example, you can ask general questions related to
record locations, research help, share your findings,
and help others.
Don’t overlook these General Genealogy Groups. There
are a lot of helpful and knowledgeable people in these
groups.

12. LOCATION SPECIFIC GROUPS
These groups focus on research at the region, state or
even the county level.
If you are fortunate, you may find a local
historian/author who specializes in the area where your
ancestors lived.
You can post questions about your family’s history, the
history of the location you are researching, connect
with others, and don’t forget, help others in their
research.

15. SURNAME GROUPS
Surname Groups are predominately based on a family
surname.
When you are looking for common surnames, be sure
to check the location.
Some Facebook Groups combine surnames and
locations to help other researchers find them.
There are many Gibson Family researchers, for
example, but you may only be interested in the Gibson
family from Virginia. So, be sure to check the location, if
available, for the Surname Groups.

19. SOCIETY/ORGANIZATION GROUPS
These groups can be helpful if your ancestors were
members of organizations.
They can also help you if you, as a researcher, are a
member of Historical Societies, Genealogical Societies,
or other organizations.

23. MILITARY
ORGANIZATIONS & GROUPS
These groups can be helpful if your
ancestor served in the military.
They can provide information about
locating military records and provide
you with military records.
They can also give you historically
accurate information on what your
ancestor did during their time in the
military.

27. GENETIC GENEALOGY
GROUPS
These Groups can be both broad Groups and surname
specific Groups.
With the rising interest in DNA and Genetic Genealogy
these groups are very popular.
Once again, you will find helpful and knowledgeable
people in these groups.

32. FAMILY GROUPS
Many families will create their own group to connect
with other family members.
These types of groups are helpful when you are
researching the same family.
Combining your research with others is a great way to
learn more!

37. ETHNICITY RELATED GROUPS
These groups are helpful if you are researching, for
example, German Genealogy and need assistance.
Some members will even translate documents to assist
others.
German French-
Canadian
Irish Belgian Spanish

41. VIEW THE GROUP’S INFORMATION AND
DESCRIPTION
Viewing the group’s information and description will
help you determine if the group is a good fit for you and
your research.
This information is on the right hand side of the page.
Example :

42. GET KNOW THE GROUP
ADMINISTRATORS
It is always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the
group’s administrators. These are the individuals who
will help you if an issue arises within the group.
They are usually listed at the top of the page.

43. REVIEW RULES AND POLICIES
Many Facebook groups have rules and policies
regarding posting, soliciting, and general conduct with
the group.
Become familiar with these policies.
They are usually included
as a pinned post at the
top of the page.

44. CHECK OUT THE EVENTS, PHOTOS AND
FILES
There is a lot of wonderful
information filed away here.
Such as :
• Original documents
• Reference resources
• How to instructions for doing
research
• Fieldtrips to historic places,
Reunions, Etc.
IT IS ALL ABOUT BEING
AND MAKING THOSE CONNECTIONS!

45. YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT
DISTANT RELATIVES!
You can find distant cousins who may have
information and/or photos not available
anywhere else!
You can also expand your family circle and share
family stories!

46. You can start with some descendancy research on your family tree. When you
get to people who are still living, try typing their names into Facebook. It is
easier to tell if you have the right person if the name is rare. You can also
sometimes filter your search results by people from a specific city area. If you
still are not sure, sometimes you are able to look in the friends list of other
Facebook users (depending on their privacy settings) and search the list for
other living relatives who you would expect to be connected with the person
you are looking for. In this way, you can often find a distant cousin. Send
them a message to offer what you know. Please be sensitive to their time and
priorities--not everyone will be interested in talking about genealogy even if
you can prove you are 2nd cousins. Now that you know you can, go find a
cousin on Facebook. You never know what family stories you might uncover.
CONTACTING DISTANT RELATIVES

47. START YOUR OWN FACEBOOK GROUP
IN THE PLANNING STAGES :
1. Consider the name of your group. You want to choose a name that will allow
people to easily find your group using Facebook’s search feature. Consider
adding locations and names to your Facebook group’s name.
2. You will also need to consider whether your group will be open/public or
closed/private.
3. Plan the group’s description and policies.
What types of posts will be allowed by members?
Who can post within the group?
What is the main focus of your group?
4. Consider how you will add members.
Will you allow members to add other members?
Will only administrators add new members?
5. Who will approve of membership in the group?

48. FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO CREATE
YOUR OWN FACEBOOK GROUPS !
Click on the arrow at the top right of the page for a drop down menu
and click on “CREATE GROUP”
• Name your group
• Add new members
• Select your privacy settings
• Add your cover image
• Add your group’s description