M is for Members’ Websites Project Posted 15 April 2017 by Tessa KeoughWe spend so much time on our one-name studies – doing the research, gathering records and data, reconstructing families, searching for DNA connections – that we become experts about our surname as it has traveled through time and space. Have you shared that expertise with others? Have you published and preserved your work? I have a Profile at the Guild Website, I occasionally blog about my one-name study, and I maintain my research on my laptop with a backup on an external hard drive. But I had not taken that leap yet of publishing any of my work online because setting up and maintaining a website is just a bit too difficult. Thanks to the efforts of some of our fellow Guild members a little over a year ago, it just got easier! The Members’ Websites Project (MWP) was designed “to provide a safe haven for members’ one-name study websites.” If a member has registered a surname, it is a simple matter of uploading a website and the Guild will maintain it. These are not static websites as you can continue to add research data, trees, images, histories, your working hypotheses and conclusions – you control the substance of the website. Once part of the Members’ Websites Project, your material can be viewed on a worldwide basis and is available to genealogists, family historians, and those who might find it by googling a shared surname. There are three types of websites – free-standing HTML websites, websites using Content Management Systems like WordPress and Media Wiki, and websites where genealogy data is imported from GEDCOM files and stored in a common database using The Next Generation genealogy software (TNG). If you want to learn more, simply select Resources on the drop down menu at the Guild Website and then select Members’ Websites (see image below). Several examples of members’ websites are shown at the Members’ Websites Project page. This is a great way to publish and preserve all your research and share your one-name study with the world. Take advantage of the Members’ Websites Forum to ask any questions and get assistance from the coordinators of this terrific Guild resource. I am just getting started with my Keough one-name study website using TNG – but for the small dollar investment (I purchased a licensed copy of TNG) the Guild will provide the server and be my IT administrator – it doesn’t get better than that. So what are you waiting for? The Members’ Websites Project provides all members with another way to publish and preserve our one-name studies! be sure to visit the members website check out the instructions at the left-hand side of the Members’ Website page
L is for Library Posted 14 April 2017 by Tessa KeoughWhat comes to mind when you think of a library? Our first thought is a building with books. But this is the 21st century so we also think of online libraries with searchable catalogs and offerings that include books, articles, maps, images, drawings and GEDCOMs – all available to view, download and share. Today, much research can be done and resources consulted online with your library card, all without leaving your home. Did you know that the Guild Website maintains a library and that your Guild membership is your library card? The Guild Librarian and Archivist is Guild member Peter Copsey (wearing one of his many Guild hats as Peter also serves on Committee, is the Constitutional Advisor, Renewals Secretary, FFHS Representative, and Marriage Challenge Coordinator – thanks so much Peter!). The Guild Library has both physical materials (books, one-name studies in paper form, and items such as CDs and DVDs) AND materials in electronic format. You can learn more about what is available by selecting Resources at the drop down menu and then selecting Library and DataStores. Be sure to check the categories found at the left-hand side of the Guild Library’s page (as shown below), including what books are available for loan how to add your one-name study materials a catalog (or catalogue) search and text search capability answers to frequently asked questions for Members’ DataStores (the Guild Archives) how to set up and manage your DataStores Be sure to check out the search and text search capabilities when you access the Guild’s E-Library. You can use either the basic or advanced search feature. I tried my Keough ONS surname for the online library catalogue and “newfoundland” for the text search of E-Library material (the search access and my results are shown below). What will you find when you visit the Guild Library at our Website? where the Library is and how to use it my results – what will you find?
K is for Keeping in Touch Posted 13 April 2017 by Karen RogersThe Guild is an international genealogical society with members spread out all over the world. To help our members keep in touch, the Guild has a variety of ways to check in and learn what’s new, visit with other Guild members, share information or ask questions about our surname research and one-name studies. Today we wanted to remind you of the many ways Guild members can keep in touch. If you are not a member of the Guild you will see our News (which includes our General News posts – what you are reading right now). Please consider joining our open Facebook page to learn more about the Guild. When a Guild member arrives on our Website’s home page and logs in, at the top you will notice the drop down menu. Simply select Forums and you have a number of choices, including WebForum – with threaded topics, this is a great place for member-to-member conversation, You can ask questions, discuss particular topics, and get assistance from other Guild members (many of our Guild members are happy to help you solve a problem or answer a research question). Members’ Website Forum – if you have joined or are considering joining the Members’ Website Project, this is the place to discuss any issues, ask questions, and get help for your one-name study website. RegReps Forum – the regional representatives have a place where we can discuss ideas and issues, get help from other regional representatives and share best practices. RootsWeb Mailing List – you can access our public RootsWeb Mailing List right here with one click. An explanation of how the RootsWeb Mailing List works as well as instructions for joining (your membership information is filled out for you) and how you want to receive notifications is provided. Facebook for Members – the Guild maintains a closed (members only) as well as an open Facebook page – both are great places for quick responses and comments from our socially media minded members. Suggestion Board – do you have a great idea for the Guild? do you have a suggestion that would make something easier or better about the way the Guild does something? Why not make a suggestion – that is how many improvements or projects have come about! Volunteer Opportunities – do you have a couple of hours a month or perhaps a talent or ability you could share with the Guild – why not check out the volunteer opportunities. Using the Guild Forums – if using a forum is new to you (and it is a bit different from mailing lists) or you have questions, read through the section on how to use the Guild Forums, But wait, there’s more! At the bottom of every page on our Website are several other ways to keep in touch. You can write a letter, send an email, make a telephone call (addresses and telephone numbers are listed) or you can click on any of our social media buttons (RSS feed, YouTube, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook) and share your thoughts. Now that you know how to get in touch with the Guild, we hope all of you will keep in touch. keep in touch with the Guild at our Forums found right here! feeling social or need to speak with someone? write, email, call or visit us on social media
J is for Journals Posted 12 April 2017 by Julie GoucherThe Guild publishes an award winning journal quarterly and has done for the majority of the Guild’s existence. Journals are available as PDF downloads to members in addition to receiving the journal in the mail, although there is an option to “Go Green” and not have a paper copy sent. Journals that are more than three years old are available to non-members free of charge and can be accessed by clicking HERE. There is a really useful search facility that is available to members and non-members alike and is searchable by article title and by author. A search of the word DNA revealed 58 results and those that are available to the public are linked so they can be easily accessed. More recent journals are available to purchase. Have you used the search facility of the journal? Perhaps leave a comment if you came across an interesting article or your surname mentioned.