Across My Desk: 26 May 2012

DearREADERS,

These are just a few of the items that have tickled my fancy of late. If you follow Ol' Myrt on Twitter (@dearmyrtle) or are one of my friends on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/DearMYRTLE) then you already know about these kewl new ideas.

CAPTURING DATA & SOURCING FROM ANY WEBSITE

"In about a month, we will introduce an easy way to capture data from any website, create a source, and add it to your Source Box without using copy and paste." REALLY? FamilySearch's Family Tree is expected to go live for all users by the end of the year. This sourcing ability might herald a big change if other genealogy software and websites adopt this technology... whatever it is. Source:  https://familysearch.org/blog/family-tree-update

WORDPRESS CHANGES COMING 

Great, just as we prepare to have a three-part series on creating a blog from scratch, there is new that New 'radically simplified' Wordpress is on the way!  To sign up for the workshop webinar, see: Webinars: WordPress for Genealogists with Taneya Koonze.

WIKIPEDIA AND ANCESTORS

This researcher created a page for an ancestor on Wikipedia. :)  Source: TheAncestorFiles: Elizabeth Pugsley Hayward on Wikipedia

TWITTER FOR EDUCATION 

This is why I prefer Twitter for genealogy my DearMYRTLE workshop webinar questions and comments. Twitter can extend the conversation beyond the confines of the 60-90 minute webinar itself. Source: Twitter for Education

INTERACTIVE LECTURE TOOLS

Myrt: If this works, it will be a great asset to genealogy institutes and conferences. I am developing this now for a RootTech 2013 presentation proposal. Students can participate in real time via iPad or computer. This is perhaps the coolest thing. Source: LectureTools is an iPad app that hopes to make lectures a more engaging and intimate experience

FAMILY HISTORY CENTRE
Wiltshire as an example. This Family History Centre worker in Wiltshire walks the stacks giving a peek into a collection for genealogists. Sometimes it isn't about names, sometimes it's historical context. Source: Family historians are missing out!

IN A BLOGGING RUT?
I'm partial to number 5 and number 13 on this list... :) Source: 14 Proven Ways to Simplify Your Blogging and Get More Done : @ProBlogger

IMPROVED FAMILY PHOTOS
Useful for taking pics at family reunions this summer. Some of those posed or candid shots will end up being passed down for many generations to come. Source: Posing Guide: 21 Sample Poses to Get You Started with Photographing Groups of People

BEFORE ANSEL...

Source: The American West, 150 Years Ago

POLIO
My dad had a cousin in Salt Lake City who lived in an iron lung in the 1950s. I remember lining up with the family at school to get our Salk vaccine on sugar cubes in the 1960s. More info: Analysis: Defeating polio

GLOWING REPORTS OF CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS
Have you ever heard of this angel's glow phenomenon before? Source: Why Some Civil War Soldiers Glowed in the Dark - Mental Floss

GOOGLE+
... is it just me? I don't think it's growing. More info: Exclusive: New Google+ Study Reveals Minimal Social Activity, Weak User Engagement

GOOGLE SEARCH
With my typos, I need all the help I can get. More info Google Search Just Got 1,000 Times Smarter

Happy family tree climbing!

Myrt     :)
DearMYRTLE,
Your friend in genealogy.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DearMYRTLE
Twitter: @DearMYRTLE
Second Life: Clarise Beaumont