Using Facebook in Family history

           I use facebook in my family history all the time.  When I first started using facebook I mostly used it to collect information and pictures.  People post pictures and information about important events in their lives.  I collect pictures, names, dates and places when people post about weddings, births, missions, baby blessings, graduations, birthdays and all kinds of other events.  Facebook is one of the best places I know to collect information.

            Every once in a while I go through my family history database and see what information I am missing on my living relatives.  I then get on facebook and message the person I think would have the information.  It doesn’t always work.  Some people don’t respond but I don’t worry so much about the information I don’t get.  I’m grateful for the information I do get the technology that makes it possible to get information from people all over the place.

            I have been given the job of scanning my Grandma’s old pictures.  Most of the time she did not do a very good job of labeling the pictures so I don’t always know who, what where or when of the pictures.  One way I get the information I need is by posting the pictures on facebook to see if people can give me the information.  Other times I post the pictures in messages to people I thought could give me the information.

            One of my favorite things I do on facebook to gather, preserve and share family history is creating family facebook groups.  This gives families a more private place to upload family information, pictures and stories.  I really enjoy seeing what my family members add to the group.  It fun to see the comments that they make on the pictures and stories.  The fun part is that you never know what people are going to say or upload.  I have gotten a lot of great stuff.  My family enjoys it.  This is a way I can actually get my family to be involved in family history.

I just want to share an example of how well this has worked.

This picture was titled Elder JGP 1973.

Matthew-Jandy Barry We recognize that campus!

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Jarom Corinne Purnell He looks alot like Isaac to me!

Matthew-Jandy Barry That's what Matthew said! I agree. They could be twins with different hair color.

Cinda Spirig Yay Dad!!

Matthew-Jandy Barry Dad remembers this occasion and says it's not 1973. He was pre-mission here.

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Steven-Glenna High It may have been when he and Gay & David came down to pick me up after summer school (I think 71) and helped me with my French class and moved me out of my summer apartment. They spent most of a week there. That is when we stalled in the deep water in an intersection in Ogden and got hit by a car crossing the intersection.

            Another thing that happens when you post family pictures or stories is that it reminds people of other stories that they then share.  Sometimes it takes a while to get going but it can be a lot of fun and you can collect preserve and share all kinds of family history information.

Start with you

I have had several people ask me how to get started in family history.  I tell them it depends on what they want to accomplish, what their goal is.  This is true but there are some things that anyone should do when the begin doing family history research.
The first thing I tell people to do is to start with what they know.  Some people tell me that they don't know very much.  That's okay.  Don't worry about what you don't know, just write down what you do know.  When people start writing down what they know they are often surprised how much they really do know.
So start with yourself and record what you know.  Then do the same thing for your parents and your grandparents.  The next step is to go through any pictures, documents, letters, journals or other records you can find.  Once you get started you will be amazed at all the information you never knew you had.
The next step is to talk to living relatives.  Find out what they know.  They may say they don't know much.  Tell them not to worry about what they don't know.  You are looking for what they do know.  You may both be amazed at the information you get.  Sometimes the most important piece of information you will get is who they suggest you talk to for the information you are looking for.
I know that we go in looking for names, dates and places but gather the stories and pictures too.  These are what will make your ancestors real to you.  I don't know about you, but for me, one of the main reasons I do family history is to get to know my ancestors

My business

I am an experienced family history researcher.  I am starting my own family history research business and I am looking for clients.  I would welcome any interest or questions.  Take a look at my first two posts and if there is anything I can do for you just let me know.