RGS Why Genealogists Should Use Computers by Paul Blake President, Rochester Genealogical Society Rochester Computer Society April 8th, 2003 Webster, NY

RGS Agenda Definition of Genealogy & some background As a genealogist why do you need a computer –Organization –Discipline –Facilitation of storage –Communications –Research Genealogical Software Offerings Q&A

RGS Definition of Genealogy The study of family origins & History The word comes from 2 Greek Words –genea meaning race or family –logia meaning theory or science –i.e. to trace ancestry Genealogists compile lists of ancestors –arranging them in pedigrees –or other written forms

RGS Definition of Genealogy Thought pedigrees were what dogs had Pedigree comes from Latin –pes which means foot –grus which means crane –derived from a sign resembling a crane’s foot –used to denote lines of descent by early west European genealogies

RGS Some More Background Genealogy has gone through 3 periods –Oral tradition - memorized list of names –Written pedigrees - primarily nobility –About 1500 AD in western Europe and later in the English-speaking world during which the whole basis for genealogy widened to such an extent that the majority of people in western Europe can trace their ancestry.

RGS Some More Background Modern Genealogy –Has increased dramatically since 1945 –The United States has had a long interest Societies like the New England Historic Genealogical Society The Augustan Society & many other state societies The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (LDS or Mormans)

RGS Some More Background

RGS Why do Genealogists need computers Organization –As you research you accumulate information –The more years - the more paper –How do you find anything?

RGS Why do Genealogists need computers Computers bring organization & discipline –Key data required –Syntactical checks for date fields –Error checking, i.e. person born after death of mother

RGS Computers facilitate storage of data Why do Genealogists need computers –Digital images require much less space

RGS Why do Genealogists need computers Communications –Electronic Mail to fellow researchers and relatives –Bulletin Board and chat rooms for genealogists researching the same lines –Sharing research

RGS Why do Genealogists need computers Research –Incredible wealth of information on CD ROMS –Complete books –Indexes –Pictures –etc.

RGS Why do Genealogists need computers Research - CD ROM Example

RGS Why do Genealogists need computers –The internet –Literally millions of sites Research

RGS Why do Genealogists need computers –Many are voluntary organizations

RGS Research Why do Genealogists need computers –Many are commercial and require subscription

RGS Research Why do Genealogists need computers –Some are sponsored by local government agencies

RGS Research Why do Genealogists need computers –Some are sponsored by US government agencies

RGS Why do Genealogists need computers LDS Church is a huge sponsor for genealogical research

RGS Why do Genealogists need computers Plug for Rochester Genealogical Society web site

RGS What to Buy - Software There several popular Genealogical programs available PAF is supplied by LDS for free Family Tree Maker is the most popular program in the RGS CIG Generations, Ultimate Family Tree, Master Genealogist, Family Tree, etc.

RGS What to Buy - Software Genealogy programs seem to have similar features The Rochester Genealogical Society CIG from time to time does presentations on various genealogical software. It is important to select a product that supports the GEDCOM standard which will allow you to share your data

RGS Last but not least Lets look at Family Tree Maker

RGS In Summary... Definitions Organization Discipline Facilitation of storage Communications Research Brief Look at Software

RGS Q&A GenWeb Pedigree FTM Cyndi’s List