Week 11 (June 12-18 2015)

Topics: 
1) Reviewing Social Media Options
2) Building a Research Network

Due to family commitments, time was limited during this week to spend on the Do-Over tasks.  But an evaluation of the topics, even minimally, is warranted.  Neither topic are one time events; both warrant the need for evaluation on an ongoing basis.

1) Review Social Media Options

Thomas MacEntee quotes someone he met recently "You really can't succeed with your genealogy research these days without some use of social media."  One probably could as genealogists did so long before the invention of the internet.  But why not use all resources available to you?  It could save you from needlessly reinventing the wheel.

Facebook
MacEntee's notes list several genealogy related groups on Facebook - which I had already discovered on Facebook.  Join one group and people's postings will reference other groups.  Some postings may not be relevant to you, but it's just a quick scroll to the next posting, just as a do with the postings from friends and advertising Facebook forces upon its subscribers.  You never know when there might be something interesting or useful.

The Rootsmagic group has provided me with tips that I had not been aware because I often don't RTFM.  By the same token, I have been able to provide suggestions and assistance to others.  "Pay it Forward."

Postings encouraged me to revist using Evernote as well as OneNote for genealogy purposes.  I have started using OneNote to save webpages for future use.

Pinterest
MacEntee also cites Pinterest.  I do use Pinterest, but more for my other hobbies: cooking and crafts.  But I can see makign use of Pinterest for genealogy purposes for items I want to publicize.

Twitter
Although I already have a twitter account, I use it more to follow celebrities and websites rather than posting myself.  My circle of friends use email or Facebook messages rather than twitter.

Other social media resources
To keep up on celebrity gossip and news, as well as craft and genealogy related information, I use RSS readers (Feederly) as well as FlipBoard.


2) Building a Research Network
 
MacEntee quotes "No genealogist is an island." and points out that by participating in the Do-Over, one is part of a research network.  He also stresses that it is a two way street and one needs to give knowledge freely and others will be able to help you in the future.
 
The previously referenced Facebook groups are examples of research networks.  And as I mentioned above, I have experienced the give and take benefits.  Similar experiences when I have attended workshops and conferences.  Although I have been a member of genealogy socities, I was never able to attend their meetings. 


Summary

As I have found with topics covered in earlier weeks, I have already been doing what is being suggested.  But as usual, it is good to revisit and re-evaluate what I am doing with the assurance that I am "doing the right thing".  It's just a matter of being aware of what, and why, I am spending my time on.