An excellent Genealogist uses every tool at their disposal in order to uncover the truth of their ancestors. Today, that may mean using tools which were not available just a few years ago; including, social media. This can be scary for many people. Do you still feel a little lost when people, talk of texting, of twittering, or of blogging? Are you still a little confused on just what social media is and what it covers? You are not alone. Many are still lost on what exactly social media is and how genealogists can make use of it. If you are in that category, don’t worry. A guide to this mysterious world has just been released. Genealogy expert Claire V. Brisson-Banks has written and published The Social Media Guide for Ancestral Research: Applying Web 2.0 Strategies.
Claire makes understanding and getting started using social media a little easier. Just look at the table of contents below to see just how much this book covers. For example, do you know what a Wiki is? I know you see the term just about everywhere. Wikipedia is a famous wiki-based online encyclopedia with entries written by its users. A wiki, in fact, as explained by Claire in chapter five, is an Hawaiian term for “quick.” A practical uses of wikis for genealogist can be found at FamilySearch’s Research Wiki. Information about wikis, the Research wiki, and other wiki uses are for the learning in The Social Media Guide.
Sometimes the best way to describe a book is through the praise given by others; for example, this quote from Beth Taylor, BS, CGSM Reference Consultant, Family History Library:
“This book defines the next great wave of technological support for genealogists of all skill levels, Understanding the capabilities and uses of social media is a must for all genealogists and relatives around the world.”
Claire V. Brisson-Banks, BS, MLIS, AG, a native of Rhode Island, is accredited in England, a lecturer and a professional research for United States, Canada, Scotland and Web 2.0 technologies. She owns Timeless Genealogies and is on staff at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is a member of multiple societies, is published in genealogical and academic journals and currently serves as a board member for CCLA and ICAPGen.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: Social Media
Chapter 2: Electronic Mail and Mailing Lists
Chapter 3: Instant Messaging, SMS, Twitter
Chapter 4: Blogs
Chapter 5: Wikis
Chapter 6: Forums
Chapter 7: Real Simple Syndication
Chapter 8: Social Bookmarking
Chapter 9: Sharing Digital Images
Chapter 10: Sharing Video Files
Chapter 11: Podcasts and Vodcasts
Chapter 12: E-Learning and Online Classes
Chapter 13: Social Networking and Online Communities
Chapter 14: Family History Games
Conclusion
Index
The Social Media Guide for Ancestral Research is available at Family Roots Publishing; Price: $15.95.