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Genealogy: Online Ethics and Etiquette

From the novice to the veteran family historian we can all agree that the vast amount of information available online for genealogy research is a great blessing. Therefore, it is more important than ever to become familiar with the ethical practices and etiquette involved in information sharing when it comes to our family trees.

On sites such as Ancestry.com and Find a Grave, a great deal of the information is made available through the contributions of fellow researchers. Thus, it is becoming easier for genealogy beginners to discover documents and photos at the touch of a few keys.

Family Tree Ethics and Etiquette
Published genealogies can be a truly wonderful resource, they aid us in our own research and quite often lead to the discovery of cousins we never knew we had. The down side of this is that through innocent error and sometimes intent, the genealogical community experiences a degree of unethical behavior and bad manners.

It is very exciting to find published information about your ancestors online however, before you snag that birth, marriage, death record or photo of G.G. Grandma:

1. Ask Permission
This is a common scenario on sites like Ancestry.com where photos and records are often public. This is because Ancestry.com is meant to be a collaborative site and although it states in their Community Guidelines that “Any information you post in our community is public and can be copied, modified and distributed by others” you should still ask permission of the original poster.

2. Give Credit
When using published documents or photos always thank the original contributor A little blurb that reads – Photo Courtesy of Ms. Nice Genealogist – is just good manners.

To learn more about this subject check out Genealogy Beginner’s lesson # 1. Genealogy Standards and Guidelines: You Need to Know This First, available with your 30-day free trial membership.

Preserving Family History: The Creative Family Tree

Genealogists and Family Historians are coming up with some wonderfully creative ways to document and share family trees. From video documentary to fine art pieces, the ways we are honoring our ancestors is becoming more and more creative.

Video Documentary Family Tree

Documenting your family tree can become a visual auditory experience with the help of a company called Reel Tributes.

The inspiration for the company came with the passing of founder David Adelman’s Grandmother Eunice. Wanting to express her story, Adelman and his mother put together a video that documented their family history. The film tracked their family through photographs and stories beginning in 19^th century Russia to their current life in San Francisco.

Emotionally powerful, the film created such a strong response that it motivated Adelman to start the company. Reel Tributes provides a way for families to memorialize their histories in a distinctive format.

As part of their service, Reel Tributes uses:

• Interviews
• Home videos
• Photographs
• Archival footage

Set to music and narrated throughout, the TV quality documentary films produce an overall effect that is eloquent and compelling.

Facebook Family History Book

As of 2011, Facebook had over 5 million users that is one in every 13 people. It is no small surprise that more and more family historians are using the social network to pay homage to their ancestors.

The new timeline has a beautiful display that allows families to come together and share information in real time; no matter how distance may separate them.  Taken as a whole, a facebook page works as an interactive family history book.  The unique format makes it possible to document your family’s story with photos, family legends, historical records, recipes and more.  It may even lead you to finding new cousins who can help you grow and enrich your family tree.

Ancestral Art

Writer Thomas Merton said, “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time”.  Most genealogists would probably agree that those words ring equally true in describing the experience of tracing our roots.

One of the most touching tributes to family history I have seen came in the form of a collage. Using scraps of material from old garments, copies of photographs, records and old letters the artist created a pictorial representation of their family’s journey from Czechoslovakia to Canada.

Creating a collage is a wonderful way of presenting a visual story of your family history.

Better yet, it is so easy you do not need to be a professional artist to make one. All it takes is some good quality copies of photos and documents as well as a few art supplies and you will have not only a visual reference but also a gorgeous new piece of art for your wall. A collage also makes a wonderful gift and it is simple to have prints made from your original.

Of course, all of this starts with those first steps of learning genealogy.

Genealogy Beginner can get you started with a free one-month subscription that includes Eight, Step-by-Step Weekly Lessons, Personal Support from Our In-House Genealogists and a starter kit complete with family tree charts, research tracking forms and more.

Genealogy Christmas Gifts: For Every Budget

Is your family tree enthusiast a technology junkie or an eclectic collector? No matter, the ever-growing popularity of genealogy has made buying a Christmas gift for your favorite genealogist or family historian a breeze.  This season there are just so many wonderful choices available.  If you are still stumped don’t worry, you have come to the right place.

Genealogybeginner.com has singled out some of the seasons best to help you find that one perfect gift for every budget.

 

Genealogy Gadgets and Gizmos

If you are shopping for your favorite genealogy geek here are two gifts that are likely to be at the very top of their Christmas list.

Portable hand held scanners & lightweight pen scanners

Portable hand held scanners and lightweight pen scanners are perfect for genealogy fieldwork. Priceless for recording documents, old letters, photographs and family recipes on the go, they can be purchased at most electronics stores.
Prices range from $100 – $400

Digital voice recorders

Digital voice recorders are one of the handiest tools Santa can bring. Ideal for recording family interviews and transcribing tombstones, there are even some that will transcribe your voice recordings to PC.  This gift is one of the best ways to make sure your genealogist easily captures those all-important details.
Prices range from $ 40 – $300

A Sparkling Family Tree

Jewelry

Jewelry that pays tribute to their passion for family history is a great gift for him or for her.  Beautiful pendants, rings, cufflinks and tie tacks with a family tree motif can be set with the birthstones of loved ones, making this a gift straight from the heart.
Available in a wide range of prices

A Fashionable Family Historian

T-Shirts and totes

Genealogy T- Shirts from the serious to the silly make a fun gift for any family history nut. Add to that a cool canvas tote captioned to match and you can send your family historian off in comfort and style on their next field trip.
Prices range from $20 – $30

To complete your shopping list join us Coffee Shop forum for some great Stocking Stuffer ideas.

Image Credit: lisamarie_1268 via Photobucket