The Bloggers' Geneameme

I missed this last Saturday when Randy Seaver used it for his Saturday Night Genealogy Fun exercise, but since it wasn't his to begin with, I grabbed it from the source and will participate.  Better late than never, and all that.

The source is Jill Ball's Geniaus blog, a genealogy blog from Down Under.  She's frequently got good posts, so if you haven't checked her blog out yet, you should do so ASAP.

Here's the exercise:

• What are the titles and URLs of your genealogy blog/s? 
• Indiana Dillmans
• http://indianadillmans.blogspot.com/
•  Do you have a wonderful "Cousin Bait" blog story? A link to a previous blog post might answer this question. 
• I don't.  I've had a couple of nibbles, but nothing that lead to a significant or lasting exchange.  That's one reason I'm posting all of the 'On This Day' posts, hoping someone will hit on names when they search.
• Why did you start blogging? Is there someone who inspired you to start blogging?
• I actually started blogging a separate IT oriented blog.  It was part of a job searching group exercise at one point.  Since I wasn't working, I had time then to do more genealogy, and I decided to post what I knew about, both in terms of family history data and technology articles for genealogy people.  I don't think there was any particular person who encouraged me to do so.
• How did you decide on your blog/s title/s?
• At the time I started it, the bulk of the people I was researching were my Dillman ancestors, most of whom were in southern Indiana near English.  Once I got most of that information and moved on to other branches and locations, I started to regret the title, but not enough to change it.
• Do you ever blog from mobile devices? What are they?
• I have Android devices.  I've had phones and a tablet.  I've played briefly with the Blogger app, but input is still frustrating compared to a PC.  I have a bluetooth keyboard for the tablet, but that necessitates carrying around another piece, which is inconvenient.  I've also got a Windows laptop, which I have used extensively to post, especially the 'On This Day' series.
• How do you let others know when you have published a new post?
• Generally, I don't.  My goal isn't a huge reader base.  I've tied it to a Google+ page and Twitter, but as far as I know, that hasn't generated any readers.
• How long have you been blogging?
• Since January 2011, if memory serves.  There was a fairly long hiatus in there at one point.  There are approximately 600 posts at this point.
• What widgets or elements do you consider essential on a genealogy blog? 
• 'I Recommend' as I like to highlight some of the blogs that I read or have influenced me with my blog.
• The Blog Archive widget, so people can look through past articles - and they have.
• The copyright/use widget which tells people what they can copy with my permission.  As a photographer who has shared some photos on the blog, this is important.
• The Google Genealogy Search tool.  
• What is the purpose of your blog/s? Who is your intended audience?
• Purpose is family history of my lines and my spouse's lines.
• Secondary purpose is technology information and use suggestions for other genealogists.
• My intended audience is people associated with my lines to share research, and other genealogists/geneabloggers.
• Which of your posts are you particularly proud of?
• I did a few on scanning, and a few on digital photography.  People seemed to get some benefit from the information in them.
• How do you keep up with your blog reading?
• I used Google Reader until it closed up.  Now I use Feedly to follow all of my blogs.
• What platform do you use for publishing your blog/s?
• Blogger.
• What new features would you like to see in your blogging sosftware?
• Perhaps an offline app I could use, then upload/sync.
• Which of your posts has been the most popular with readers?
• In terms of page views, it's this Open Thread Thursday article about Copyright by a landslide.   And of course, mentioning it here is likely to boost the view count even more.  The next closest one has about 25% of the page views as this one.  In terms of comments, it's more likely one of the 52 Weeks or Advent Calendar series posts, or possibly the aforementioned articles about scanning and digital photography.
• Are you a sole blogger or do you contribute to a shared blog?
• It's MINE, ALL MINE!!  Hehehe.  
• How do you compose your blog posts?
• Rarely.  Lately, the 'On This Day' series are basically lists generated by one of my genealogy softwares (Rootsmagic).  When I started the blog, I had more time to write, and that was mostly done by sitting at the computer with a topic in mind, then writing about it.  I tend to write what I already know, so research is limited.  Lately I've felt the itch to write substantive posts again, but time has been the limiting factor.
• Do you have any blogs that are not genealogy related? If you wish please share their titles and URLs.
• Yes.  Well, sort of.  As I mentioned above, I started an IT themed blog first.  It's still there, but I haven't posted to it in ages, and I'm not going to list it.  It was really mainly an exercise for a job search group I was involved in at the time.
• Have you listed your blog/s at Geneabloggers?
• Oh yeah.  If I hadn't, I'd have ZERO readers.  Thomas McEntee is a wonderful resource for building your blog, and if you don't list with Geneabloggers you're missing an enormous potential audience.
• Which resources have helped you with your blogging?
• Geneabloggers.  For everything.
• Randy Seaver's Geneamusings blog has neat exercises every Saturday.
•  Several other genealogy blogs I read for ideas and to keep up with what's happening in the community.
• What advice would you give to a new Geneablogger?
• Geneabloggers.  Go now.  List your blog.  Read all of the stuff he has about starting a blog.  Follow as much of his advice as applies to you.
• Read a bunch of other genealogy bloggers to get a feel for the community.  Network with those bloggers if you can.  Later, if time requires, you can cut down the number you keep up with, but to get started read as many as you can.
• Look for blogging prompts such as the 52 Weeks series and the Advent Calendar series.  Participate in those.  They'll help you find your 'voice' and generate your own post ideas. 
• Write about what you know.  That will get you going while you research more stuff to write about.
• Images seem to attract readers.  See the Geneabloggers Wordless Wednesday prompt.  You can post an image (with or without words).  Those tend to be well received on my blog, and there is almost no work involved, as long as you already have the images.  Scan your old family photos!  But be careful of copyright issues.

The links to responses can be found at : http://geniaus.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/feeling-love-responses-to-bloggers.html

This and all other articles on this blog are © copyright 2013 by Daniel G. Dillman

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Social Media

Once again it's Saturday, and that means it's time for Saturday Night Genealogy Fun courtesy of Randy Seaver of Genea-Musings blog.

Here is your assignment if you choose to play along (cue the Mission Impossible music, please!): 

1)  Go to Jill Ball's Geniaus blog post describing A Small Social Media Geneameme.  Note the 8 questions. 

2)  Answer one, two, some or all of the questions in your own blog post, in comments to this post, in comments to Jill's post, in a Facebook Status post, or a Google+ Stream post.

Here's mine:

1. Tell us about your favorite social media tool and why you like it.
Randy said "Blogging", but I consider that a little different than Social Media.  As most people think of it, Social Media is things that let people easily connect and interact, such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and so forth.  While blogging allows some of that, it's designed more for a one-way dissemination of information, and commenting back is more difficult.  So, my answer is... None of them.  They all have pros and cons, none are perfect.  I use a number of different Social Media outlets on a daily basis, but none I would claim as a favorite.

2. How do you use social media to further your genealogy career or business?
Like Randy, I don't have a career or business in genealogy.  I'm an IT professional by training and most of my working life.  I use Social Media to further my genealogy in part by blogging, as Randy does, but also in looking for others to contact.  In fact, I don't currently use Social Media for genealogy much at all, unless one follows Randy's position that blogging is Social Media.  Even so, my blogging is inconsistent in frequency and content.  I'm not retired like some of the more prolific geneabloggers, so time is not always available for it.

3. What advice would you give the cruiser who said “I must be living under a rock” and is not sure about coming out from under it? (This came from my Social Media presentation)

Since I wasn't on the cruise, I'll answer that as an IT professional, I frequently meet people who are uninvolved in various aspects of technology, including Social Media.  I consider it part of my profession to provide some information and education to those who need it when they ask for it.  So a person making that comment to me would likely get some introductory information from me, followed by answers to some questions they might have.

4. What aspect of Social Media makes you grit your teeth?

While I can see and even agree with Randy's choice (the political mudslinging on Facebook), I have to say what bothers me most is that we have absolutely NO control over what happens to what we post.  Our only option is to not post something if we want to be sure who can and cannot see it.  Even if the service in question currently allows us to control said information, there is no guarantee they will continue to allow us that control in the future.  This is closely related to why I do NOT recommend Cloud Storage.

5. How does social media assist with your CGD (continuing genealogical development)?

I get ideas for blog posts.  In fact, I'm currently running an On This Day... series I found through Social Media as cousin bait.  I also enjoy reading a number of geneabloggers on a regular basis.

6. How do you fit social media time into your busy day?
I always have numerous tabs open in my browser(s).  Some of those are Social Media websites.  I am constantly switching back and forth between sites as they notify me I have things to read.  Social Media fits between other activities all day long, and is in itself a part of my day on a daily basis.

7. Do you have a story of how social media enabled you to connect with a long lost relation or fellow  researcher?

No.  Social Media for me is always secondary (at least so far).  I meet people in person, then if desired make the Social Media connection with them. 
 
8. You have a minute to share a piece of advice about genealogy and social media. Go for it.


Be extremely careful of what you post - it will be there forever.


This and all other articles on this blog are © copyright 2013 by Daniel G. Dillman

Happy Blogiversary!

I started writing this blog on 04 Jan 2011, exactly one year ago today.

Over the course of that year, I've written  over 265 posts.  That's more than two posts for every three days, on average.  I'm not up there with the more prolific geneabloggers like Thomas McEntee or Randy Seaver or Ol' Myrt, but then again, I'm not retired, either.  Many of those posts were "prompted", meaning I participated in a common theme or activity, like the 52 Weeks series  Some of them were "How To" technical articles, mostly about digitizing photographic or genealogical records.  I'd like to get more of those written!  They were some of the most-read, so I know there's a need for the knowledge out there.

For those 265 posts, you, the readers, have racked up well over 8,350 page views!  I am somewhat surprised, and definitely gratified that my writing is important to someone other than just me and my family.   I appreciate each and every one of you reading my posts.  

When I started writing this, I was not sure if I could make a go of it and keep it up.  Fortunately, the cost of entry was very low (free!) and it wasn't going to be a huge problem if I let it go, but I did want to see if I could make it work.  At first, I was unemployed, like many in the economic troubles over the last couple of years.  I was more prolific when I wasn't employed.  My output dropped off a little when I picked up some part-time work, and then dropped again when I got re-employed full time.  There was a bit of adjustment to the lack of available time to write posts.  Recently, I've managed to pick it back up a bit, even if it's mostly been prompted posts.

So now that I've said all of that, are you writing a blog?  If not, why not?  If I can do it, YOU can do it.  Do it for yourself.  Do it for your family.  Do it for your descendants.  Do it for the "genealogical community" that everyone is discussing lately.  Everyone has a story to tell about their life.  Blogging lets you do it on your terms, on your time, in small chunks.  You don't have to commit to writing a book.  And as I've discovered, you WILL have people reading your posts!  Probably more than you expect.  Don't be intimidated by the output of the big name geneablogs, you don't have to write frequently, or regularly.  Write on your own terms.

If you've looked at many genealogy blogs, you've no doubt seen that there are a wide variety to choose from.  Pick a style that suits your life story, or the things you want to cover.  Mesh more than one if you choose.  Looking back at my posts, I started with more of an information provision style, but as time went on, I changed to more of a journal style, talking about my life and those of family I knew.  You don't have to stick with any one thing.  The important part is to START!  Use the prompts if it helps, that's why their creators put them up.  Write what you know, whether that be your life, or your family history or something else.

Sorry I got so long-winded!  Thanks again, dear readers, for following along and letting me know it's worth continuing.  I look forward to another year!


This and all other articles on this blog are © copyright 2011 by Daniel G. Dillman

Blogging and Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

I just read an excellent blog post about Search Engine Optimization for real, honest people.  In fact, it was so good, I'm doing something I rarely do, I'm telling you about it.  You can read it for yourself here:

http://mattgemmell.com/2011/09/20/seo-for-non-dicks/

In the article, Matt talks about the difference between SEO and Search Engine Abuse or Manipulation.  That abuse is all too prevalent these days in the blogging world, and consists of a variety of tricks and deceptive practices designed to make search engines think your site is more relevant than it really is, to make your site come up higher on someone's search results than other pages. 

Fortunately, I don't see much of this in the Genealogy Blogging world.  Most of you do SEO the right way, by frequently and consistently writing interesting, truly relevant posts, and doing it well enough that other people read your pages on a regular basis. In fact, most of you do a much better job of this than I do.  This is the natural, organic way that SEO is done.  If you're really writing articles of real interest and relevance, then you deserve the higher search ranking than someone who sets up a private network of dozens of fake blogs to refer to each other to raise their rankings.

Do yourself a favor and read this article, it's good advice.



This and all other articles on this blog are © copyright 2011 by Daniel G. Dillman

Mobile Blogging

If you use Blogger to blog as I do,  and you have an Android device,  you might want to check out the Blogger application for Android.   You can use it to blog on the run! I do admit that typing on a virtual keyboard is not conducive to long posts, but a brief note is very feasible. This gives you the ability to use a short break to post a quick note from virtually anywhere, at any time.

It's available for download from the usual places for free.

Why Do You Blog?

This morning I read a post on Marian's Roots and Rambles about dealing with people you don't know following you (Twitter) or adding you to their circles (Google+).  What is proper etiquette?  Should you automatically follow back?  Check them out first, and then decide?  What would be your reasons for not following someone back?  Marian was concerned that this someone (who is a quasi-celebrity) who followed her (circled her?) had done so simply to get more followers of their own as people follow back.  If Marian follows her back, does this imply some level of endorsement of that person?  Marian then discussed her relationship to the genealogy "world" and a certain protective feeling about it, and that protection might mean not wanting to appear to endorse someone, or through allowing them to add her to their circles, to give the appearance of endorsing someone.  It might help to know that in Google+, shared circled people (followers/followed) are normally visible.

My stance is that on Google+ and Twitter, if I don't recognize the name, I always check out who follows me, check their profiles and some activity.  If it looks entirely self-promoting, or is offensive to me, I block and report the individual.  If it's someone who I just have little or nothing in common with, I usually allow the follow, but do not follow back.  I don't need ten thousand followers.  I might have 150 friends on Facebook.  I place a higher value on a smaller number of good friends than I do on endless streams of acquaintances or even less worthwhile connections.  If we have something in common, like Genealogy, or science fiction or photography or... then I follow back and correspond.  It's voluntary social media, not an obligation.  It's a lot like if I meet you out in town.  If you shove advertising in my face, I'm not likely to hang out with you.  Likely, if you're inviting me to a quilting circle, I'm not going to be very interested in hanging out.  But if you want to go shoot some pictures of stuff, we just might be spending some time together.


I have many more interests than genealogy.  It seems to me like most genealogy bloggers tend to have that as a major focus of their lives, and that's simply not where I'm at with it.  I do genealogy as a hobby and for my own family history, and the blog I write is just an offshoot of that.  I don't feel any special "membership" of the Genealogy Blogging Community(tm) other than to be flattered when others take note of something I've written.  I read the blogs because they either have something to teach that I wish to learn, or have information about people and places of interest to me, or in some cases because I like the writer's style and humor. 

As I write this, I'm wondering if that will garner me some ill will, or at least cause some of you to stop reading my blog posts.  And then I wonder if that matters much to me, given what I just said about not feeling any membership in the community.  I think it would bother me more in that any blogger writes to be read by others, and I enjoy it when others get some useful information or entertainment out of something I write, so I would prefer not to lose readers.  Some of the comments I've received have been very positive in stating that things I've written have been informative to others.  At the end of the day, that's why I blog!


This and all other articles on this blog are © copyright 2011 by Daniel G. Dillman

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Blog-less!

More SNGF from Randy Seaver of Genea-Musings!   Mine is late because I was working and did not see Randy's post until this morning...

Hey genea-philes - it's Saturday Night - time for lots more Genealogy Fun!!

Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to:

1) We all know that Blogger (www.blogspot.com) was down for 20 hours from Thursday afternoon to Friday morning. What did you do with yourself during that time period?

2) If we lost our blogging platforms for awhile (but not the Internet as a whole), what would you do with your genealogy time? What projects would you start, continue working on, or try to finish instead of blogging?

3) Tell us in a blog post of your own, in a comment on this post, or in a status thread on Facebook.

Here's mine:

The Blogger meltdown actually did affect me, as I had a Treasure Chest Thursday post I wanted to send out.  I tried various times over the course of the day to send it.  Even after someone (Randy?) posted on Friday morning that Blogger was once again working, I couldn't post.  It took me a bit to figure out that I needed to get out completely and come back in, then my post worked.

So, to follow the SNGF challenge, what did I do?  Well, I did spend some time trying to figure a way around the problem, to no avail.  Then I gave that up and found other, mostly non-genealogical, things to do.  I'm not retired, so I do have to work daily, and have kids with activities I must attend.  I did those things instead of any genealogy work.  Second, I've been guilty in the past of poor research, accepting a lot of information on  faith from other people's work, without proper documentation.  We've all done it at some point, it's human nature to take easy data at face value, and rely on it far too much in place of real documentation.  I'm now working to correct this by reviewing and researching the proper documentation to verify that what I had is correct.  Some of it has been proven out, while other bits have been proven to be false, or at least, not entirely correct. 


If I were unable to blog for a while, I would simply use that time to improve my database - either through pushing my lines back further, or by searching for documentation to improve the quality of my data.  Actually, that latter activity is where I've been spending more time lately, for two reasons.  First, my lines go back pretty far as it is, far enough to make further discovery quite difficult.  All of the lines go back to Europe a couple of centuries or more back, and really effective research would require travel to various places for hands-on digging into parish records and such.  As I'm not loaded with money, this won't be happening anytime soon.

Friday Fun

We genealogy buffs tend to be a wordy bunch, and that is nowhere more apparent than on genealogy blogs such as this one.  Blogs give us a forum where we can show off our finds, discuss tools and tips, ponder deeper issues of family and history, etc.  Some of us go on at great length in... okay, I'll get to the point of this post.

We typically use a lot of words.  But what if we were constrained in length?  For instance, Twitter imposes a 140 character limit per tweet, similar to texting.  How would you discuss genealogy in such a limited space?  Strangely enough, it was a tweet (a Twitter message) from @MyHeritage (Twitter user names are preceded by the "@" symbol) that made me aware of the fun little web gadget I'm bringing you today.  You may have seen blogs that include a 'Labels' listing.  This blog does, down on the right side.  It lists the labels we bloggers add to our entries to try to make them searchable, and to give some quick idea of the content of the article.  Blogger's Labels widget is fairly primitive in that it doesn't give much option for the format of the output.  A website called Wordle has take the concept much further.  Wordle lets you point at any blog or website and it will generate a 'label cloud' from the words it finds, varying the size of the words by frequency of use, and making interesting shapes of the output.  It also uses a variety of fonts and colors to spice it up further.  Even better, you can manually tweak a number of settings and it will rework the label cloud for you until you have something you like.  As of just prior to this post, my cloud looks something like this:

I encourage you to try Wordle and see what it makes of your favorite blog.  Now that I've written all of that, I'm getting little bells in my head that this may also have been covered by Thomas McEntee over at Geneabloggers.  This is probably the case, as I've found his blog to be very helpful and influential in getting my own blog off the ground.  You should probably go read his, too! 

Have a great weekend!