Leaving Comments on a Blogger Blog...

Has anyone else had issues leaving comments on someone’s Blogger blog, or is just me? I’m of the opinion that blogging is a two way thing. Someone writes something cool and interesting, you read it, and if you like you should leave a comment acknowledging it, or share it on social media.  So when I read blogs, I do like to comment. However some people who use Blogger have theirs set up differently, so that unfortunately won’t allow me to do so. As these bloggers probably aren’t aware that they’re missing out on potential comments, I thought I would highlight it here. Example 1. This seems to be the standard set of options which it allows you to sign into to leave a comment. However I don’t use LiveJournal, TypePad or OpenID. I have no idea what AIM is, but it doesn’t seem to be anything I can use. And yes, I do have a WordPress blog, but I have a WordPress.org not a WordPress.com one, so I don’t have a WordPress account. So none of these options work for me. I will admit that on rare occasions I have used ‘Unknown’ and just typed my name in as part of the comment, but it’s not ideal by any means. Example 2. This is actually a different issue I have with some Blogger blogs. you’ll see that there is no dropdown list, but rather simply a box to type. However comments based on your Google+ account. Now I manage four Google+ accounts, and it seems to be permanently preferrenced to my work ones. As yet I haven’t yet figured out how to change it, although I’m familiar enough with swapping between accounts themselves on Google+. So again, I don’t...

10 Inspiring Genealogists From 2016...

The year is almost over and as I’m not one for resolutions I’m not going to write about what I plan to do in 2017. And I’m also not going to write about what I ‘should’ have done this year either, but rather I’m writing about those who inspire me. Everyone has people they look up to and admire. Those whose talks you enjoy listening to, articles you read, or who give great advice,  and in essence – inspire you. So as the year comes to a close I’m taking a moment to look back and see who from the genealogy-world who inspired me throughout the year. Amy Johnson Crow – Amy Johnson Crow I’m a newbie follower of Amy’s, but I’m a total convert. Her blog posts are a pure learning experience, both in terms of content and in the presentation style. With her 31 Days to Better Genealogy, along with Top Tips, and 5 Sources… and so on, take a moment to check out her blog and see what you can learn from it. Cyndi Ingle – Cyndi’s List I am a regular user of Cyndi’s List, and as such I am always amazed at what I find on there, and that simply due to the hard work of Cyndi Ingle, who without her, Cyndi’s List wouldn’t even exist. Her dedication to keeping her site up to date with new links, and fixing broken ones, has made Cyndi’s List one of the top tools for any researcher around the world. And is a credit to her and her character. Helen V. Smith – From Helen V. Smith’s Keyboard With Helen’s knowledge and enthusiasm, how could anyone not be inspired? Despite being a fellow Aussie, I haven’t had...

The Australian Expo 2016: Geneabloggers and Sore Feet!...

It’s been a few weeks since Unlock the Past’s Australian History & Genealogy Expo, so I apologise for the lateness of this, but I’ve been playing catch up ever since. Anyway back on October the 7th and 8th, I was involved with Unlock the Past’s Australian Expo. This was South Australia’s first major genealogy event for a number of years, and it was the biggest genealogy event in Australia for 2016. As part of the organising committee it meant I was up at crazy hours all week getting things ready, not to mention getting to the venue by 6am on Friday morning ready to start setting up. Held in the sports centre at Immanuel College, Novar Gardens, it was a good venue – not too far from the city, not too far from the beach, and quite a lot of parking onsite … and Adelaide even put on awesome weather just for the event (unlike the torrential downpours it had in the weeks leading up to it). As I was there as an exhibitor (on the Gould Genealogy/Unlock the Past stand) it meant that I didn’t get to go to any of the talks which is a shame as there were a heap of fabulous talks … and from reports from those who did go, found them awesome! But that’s the life of an exhibitor. Instead myself and co-workers were kept busy super on our stand. So as I can’t report on the the various talks, or event other exhibitors as unfortunately I barely saw them, I shall tell you about the geneabloggers. I did manage a 5 minute break at Saturday lunchtime, and we got as many of the geneabloggers there as we could for a group photo....

The “When I Was Young” Geneameme Collection...

It was early April when I introduced the world to my “When I Was Young” Geneameme. I had a lot of fun creating it, and even more fun answering the questions, though a few of them did stretch the brain cells at times. Some of those who participated were wanting to read the posts by others who took part, so I agreed to do a “Collection” post … listing all that I know of who took part in the geneameme … so here you are. ? – Andersonology https://ellen2321.wordpress.com/2015/04/12/saturday-night-genealogy-fun-april-4-11/ https://ellen2321.wordpress.com/2015/04/21/saturday-night-genealogy-fun-april-18/ Alex Daw – Family Tree Frog http://familytreefrog.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/the-when-i-was-young-geneameme.html Alona Tester – Lonetester HQ https://www.lonetester.com/2015/04/my-own-when-i-was-young-geneameme-responses/ Anna Matthews – Tripping Over My Roots http://trippingovermyroots.blogspot.com/2015/04/when-i-was-young-part-1.html http://trippingovermyroots.blogspot.com/2015/04/when-i-was-young-part-2.html Bill West – West in New England http://westinnewengland.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-when-i-was-yoiung-genea-meme-part-1.html http://westinnewengland.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-when-i-was-young-genea-meme-part-2.html http://westinnewengland.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-when-i-was-young-genea-meme-part-3.html Carmel Galvin – Earlier Years http://earlieryears.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/when-i-was-young.html Carrie Smith – Under the Nut Tree http://underthenuttree.blogspot.com/2015/04/saturday-night-genealogy-fun-when-i-was.html Charles Hansen – Mikkel’s Hus http://charles-mikkelshus.blogspot.com/2015/04/for-this-weeks-mission-should-you.html http://charles-mikkelshus.blogspot.com/2015/04/saturday-night-fun-when-i-was-young.html http://charles-mikkelshus.blogspot.com/2015/04/saturday-night-fun-when-i-was-young_18.html Chris Goopy – That Moment in Time http://thatmomentintime-crissouli.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/when-i-was-young-lonetester-alona-has_5.html Daniel Dillman – Indiana Dillmans http://indianadillmans.blogspot.com/2015/04/when-i-was-young-part-1.html#axzz3ZvFRB4SG http://indianadillmans.blogspot.com/2015/04/when-i-was-young-part-2.html#axzz3ZvFRB4SG http://indianadillmans.blogspot.com/2015/04/when-i-was-young-part-3.html#axzz3ZvFRB4SG Dorene – Graveyard Rabbit of Sandusky Bay http://graveyardrabbitofsanduskybay.blogspot.com/2015/04/saturday-night-genealogy-fun-when-i-was.html Fran Kitto – TravelGenee http://travelgenee.com/when-i-was-young-geneameme/ Jennifer Jones – Tracking Down the Family https://jonesfamilyhistory.wordpress.com/2015/04/03/geneameme-when-i-was-young/ Jill Ball – Geniaus http://geniaus.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/when-i-was-young-geneameme.html Kerryn Taylor – AncestorChasing http://ancestorchaser.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/when-i-was-young.html Lauren Waters – Original Kin https://originalkin.wordpress.com/2015/04/06/the-when-i-was-young-geneameme/ Linda Stufflebean – Empty Branches on the Family Tree http://emptybranchesonthefamilytree.com/2015/04/when-i-was-young-geneameme-part-1/ http://emptybranchesonthefamilytree.com/2015/04/when-i-was-young-geneameme-part-2/ http://emptybranchesonthefamilytree.com/2015/04/when-i-was-young-geneameme-part-3/ http://emptybranchesonthefamilytree.com/2015/04/when-i-was-young-geneameme-part-4/ Lois Willis – Lois Willis Genealogy & Family History http://loiswillis.com/?p=3908 http://loiswillis.com/?p=3944 http://loiswillis.com/?p=3989 Melody Lassalle – Research Journal Genealogy Blog http://www.researchjournal.yourislandroutes.com/2015/04/sngf-when-i-was-young-part-1/ http://www.researchjournal.yourislandroutes.com/2015/04/sngf-when-i-was-young-part-2/ Nancy Hurley – Indiana Ties http://www.indianaties.com/2015/04/saturday-night-genealogy-fun-i-was.html http://www.indianaties.com/2015/04/saturday-night-genealogy-fun.html http://www.indianaties.com/2015/04/saturday-night-genealogy-fun-i-was_18.html Pam Carter – My Maine Ancestry http://mymaineancestry.blogspot.com/2015/04/when-i-was-young.html Pauleen Cass – Family History Across the Seas https://cassmob.wordpress.com/2015/04/09/when-i-was-young-geneameme/ Randy Seaver – Geneamusings http://www.geneamusings.com/2015/04/saturday-night-genealogy-fun-when-i-was.html http://www.geneamusings.com/2015/04/saturday-night-genealogy-fun-when-i-was_11.html http://www.geneamusings.com/2015/04/saturday-night-genealogy-fun-when-i-was_18.html Sharon Fritz – Strong Foundations http://shazlex.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/when-i-was-young.html Susi – Ancestor Seekers by the Root Bound http://ancestorseekersbytherootbound.blogspot.com/2015/04/randy-seaver-sent-us-challenge-from.html Susi (Susan C. Jones) Pentico – GenealogyWise http://www.genealogywise.com/profiles/blogs/more-questions-from-randy-from-lonetester-hq-saturday-night Thankyou to everyone who...

Let’s Cruise … Genealogy-style!!...

Anyone who is a blogger (or a writer for that matter) will know that some posts/articles simply write themselves, while others take a whole lot of work. Writing, rewriting, scrapping, then starting again. It’s like they don’t want to be written. But you want it written, so you persevere. Anyway this post falls into that latter category, and I can’t figure out why. Anyway enough with the analysing … today I’m writing about genealogy cruises, as in about three weeks I’ll be onboard the ‘Voyager of the Seas’ cruise ship for the 4th Unlock the Past cruise, and this voyage just keeps getting better and better. ============================= THE SHIP First up we have the ship which is phenomenal. Now I was fortunate enough to go on the 3rd Unlock the Past cruise which was also on this ship, and trust me this is one mighty-big-megaliner of a ship. Unless you have seen in close up, it is hard to even comprehend. We all think of the Titanic as HUGE right? But in comparison to today’s cruise liners it looks rather piddly. So yes it’s big, and you get lots of walking done. This ship is enormous and will hold 4000 or so people (maximum of 3138 passengers and 1181 crew), but because of it’s size, you simply don’t feel it because everyone is so spread out throughout the ship. The vessel itself is 15 levels/decks high, and has a heap of restaurants, sports facilities like a gym, running track, full size basketball court, mini-golf, and even a rock climbing wall area all these. There are  numerous bars and lounge type areas, there is a nightclub, cinema, photo shop (get photos printed onboard), even an ice skating rink. And there’s...

Let Me Tell You a Secret …...

As part of my job (and for those that don’t know, I do work in a genealogy business), I have to keep up-to-date with the latest happenings in the genealogy world – yes I know life is tough eh! So that involves lots of reading blogs, emails, genie magazines etc. But honestly if you want to keep up with the latest genealogy news yourself, here’s my secret. Simply follow the newsbreakers. These are the people who blog about something 5 minutes after it’s been announced. So if you’d like to keep “up with the genealogy news” here’s some of the “Newsbreakers” that I follow: Anglo-Celtic Connections http://anglo-celtic-connections.blogspot.com John D. Reid from Canada makes mention of all things UK and Canadian related. British and Irish Genealogy http://bi-gen.blogspot.com/ Mick Southwick BI-Gen blog is useful for more UK related happenings. British GENES http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk Chris Paton’s British GENES blog is one to follow for any Britain, Irish and Scottish genealogy related news. Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter http://blog.eogn.com/ Dick Eastman’s Newsletter is probably the best known, and gives readers all sorts of news, reviews, hints and tips. Grow Your Own Family Tree http://growyourownfamilytree.wordpress.com/ Alan Stewart’s blog gives readers UK and Ireland family history news. GeneaPress www.geneapress.com If there’s a press release about something genealogy related, GeneaPress knows about it.                                                                                                                                                     And while these aren’t Newsbreakers as such, I’d be lost without them as they extremely useful tools, so they are worthy of a mention … Cyndi’s List http://www.cyndislist.com/mailinglist/ I have subscribed to Cyndi’s mailing list as she an email of all the new links that she’s added on each day. I find this is a great way to keep up with new websites. Google Alerts http://www.google.com/alerts What can I say? Google Alerts are awesome....

A Blogging Overview: The Bloggers’ Geneameme...

You know I love blogging, so how could I go past Jill Ball’s (aka Geniaus) new geneameme, “The Bloggers’ Geneameme“. Jill writes … “It’s NationaI Family History Month here in Australia and I have been procrastinating about hosting an online activity to mark the event. I am very interested in hearing about the practices and thoughts of fellow Geneabloggers so thought I’d dream up a little geneameme on the topic. You are invited to respond to the questions in this short geneameme via a post on your blog. Please write as little or as much as you like and don’t feel obliged to answer all the questions.” So here goes … 1. What are the titles and URLs of your genealogy blog/s? Lonetester HQ – www.lonetester.com Memorabilia House – www.memorabiliahouse.com 2. Do you have a wonderful “Cousin Bait” blog story? I have had some people contact me, but no-one close. What I have found very cool, is that my cousins are enjoying learning about the history of the family through me sharing the pictures and stories. 3. Why did you start blogging? Is there someone who inspired you to start blogging? I started my blogs because I had already been blogging for work, and decided I needed my own, as i had more I wanted to say and share with others. 4. How did you decide on your blog/s title/s? The Lonetester HQ one I took quite a while took quite a while to come up with, as I was deciding on my social media name at the time, so thought about it probably too long. And that’s what it ended up as. The Memorabilia House one just came to me one night. The name, together with the whole...

50 Genealogy Blogs You Need to Read...

One of the highlights from Inside History magazine’s July/August 2013 edition was the list of “50 Genealogy Blogs You Need to Read”. From all the wonderful genealogy blogs that are out there, imagine my surprise in when I saw that my Lonetester HQ blog made it on to the list. Wowee!! Penned by Australian blogger Jill Ball who authors the Geniaus blog, for the second year in a row Inside History magazine’s top “50 blogs that every genealogist needs to follow” includes libraries, archives, societies, personal and professional genealogists, speciality topics and organisation blogs from around the world. Some of the criteria that was used to choose those on the list was: … a blogger does not have to post daily to have commitment, but it needs to be on a regular basis be it daily, weekly or monthly. Readers also need to know what to expect, and this should be communicated in an About page on a blog. Other static pages such as calendars, contact details, disclosures and other relevant information also add value. Originality was the feature that received the most mentions and this has been a big factor in determining the awards. In the words of one respondent, we were looking for blogs that contain more than ‘simply press releases’. There are a whole heap of fabulous blogs on this list, including many I that I regularly read, together with some that I shall now go and discover. You can view the full list of 50 Genealogy Blogs You Need to Read on the Inside History website. And if being listed here wasn’t exciting enough, then the ‘cherry on top’ was most certainly seeing that the Genealogy & History News blog (my work blog) also made the...

Gotta Love the Geneablogger Community...

Sorry guys, but I’m sticking with the RootsTech theme here again (I’m still not quite done … trust me there was a LOT packed into just a few days, so it takes a while to write about it). Anyway one thing that really struck me was the welcoming-ness (if that’s not a word, I’m making it one for here) that I felt from other geneabloggers at RootsTech. In creating the ‘Geneabloggers‘ website Thomas MacEntee has not just created a place to find other genealogy blogs, together with tips on how to start your own as well as continuing blogging prompts, but he really has created the geneablogger community. It is one that I am proud to be a part of. And one that makes you feel very welcome. With at least 80 geneabloggers registered for the the event, sadly I didn’t get to meet them all, though I did meet quite a few. However Sonia Meza who writes the Red de Antepasados blog, was one that I didn’t manage to meet, but I do agree with a comment that she wrote on the Geneabloggers at RootsTech Facebook page “I’m enormously grateful for your support and company. Despite the language, I never felt more welcome and expected. Thank you for being my friends and colleagues.” And Randy Seaver of the Genea-musings blog writes … “I enjoyed meeting at least 60 GeneaBloggers (I didn’t write them all down and I’m not sure I can match faces with names), and some of them I had not met before (Alona Tester, Helen Smith, Rosemary Morgan, Michael Hait, Lynn Broderick, Ginny Sommarstrom, Denise Olson, M. Diane Rogers, Amy Crow, Laila Christensen, Michael Maglio, LisaM from Billion Graves, GeneDocs Wetpaint (Eric Jelle), and many more!). ...

Conference Bling from RootsTech 2013...

If anyone wants to know why my suitcase was overweight on my return flight from RootsTech (and yes it was!!!), it may have had something to do with all the bling and other bits I collected while over in the US. Apart from the enormity of the whole conference, and seeing the completely different demographic of it all (so techy-minded, and so much younger than conference I’ve been to in Oz), something else that I learnt and experienced was the ‘bling’ that went with it. Admittedly not everyone was into it, but I was there for the experience and take it all in, so I embraced it, and here’s  my RootsTech bling. So let me explain the bits in the photo above. Starting in the top lefthand corner: The official RootsTech lanyard with nametag with some extra badges that I was given added to it. Next are my two lots of geneablogger beads. The black and silver one was the official one for all geneabloggers there (all 85 or so of us), while the green and purple was was given to the Aussie geneabloggers as it has palmtrees and thongs (aka flip-flops in the US) on it. The last item on the top was my RootsTech exhibitor bracelet. I had to wear this so I was allowed in and out of the exhibitor hall prior to RootsTech actually opening. The bright red item is a t-shirt that was available for sale at RootsTech that I had to buy: Eat. Drink. Sleep. Connect.  (and it was a bargain at only US$10). The last item is my Conference ribbons. This is not something I’ve ever encountered before, but seems to well enough known in the US. A number of exhibitors have...