Disclaimers. It does not represent the views of the Triangle Jewish Genealogical Society (if such views exist)

Transcription

1 Mike Kalt

2 Disclaimers This presentation reflects my personal experiences in putting my family tree online. It does not cover all possible approaches and products. It does not represent the views of the Triangle Jewish Genealogical Society (if such views exist) I welcome your feedback and alternative suggestions. * Your mileage may vary. Avoid excessive use. Void in Wisconsin. Ask your doctor if putting your family tree online is right for you.

3 Three Possible Approaches Design and maintain your own web page Upload reports from genealogy software to your own page Use an existing genealogy web site

4 Things to Consider What type of information do I want to make available? Do I just want to show a tree? Do I want to share stories and additional facts? Do I want to share pictures?

5 More Things to Consider What level of privacy do I want? Who do I want to share the information with? What information do I want to share? Do I want to share information about living people?

6 Still More Things to Consider Connect with other genealogists? Let other family members add info? How much effort to expend? Integration with PC Software?

7 Creating Your Own Web Site

8 A Custom Web Page

9 Tree Structure on Your Own Page

10 Creating Your Own Site: Pros & Cons Pros Control over content and appearance Include stories, pictures, family background, maps Control over what information appears Cons You must create your own web pages using HTML You must manually update information Difficult to display complex trees You may have to pay for server space Little flexibility for trees and charts Anyone can access your page No easy way to link with other trees

11 Another Possibility: PC Software & Personal Web Site Maintain information on your PC Generate reports and trees from PC software and upload to your web site

12 HTML Report from Family Tree Maker

13 Tree Chart from Family Tree Maker

14 PC Software/Personal Web Sites: Pros and Cons Pros You don't have to know (much) HTML Control over appearance and content Flexibility in trees and reports from software Cons You must create your own web pages You must manually update information You may have to pay for server space Anyone can access your page No easy way to link with other trees

15 Using a Family Tree Web Site

16 Types of Genealogy Web Sites Family Tree sites Display Family Trees and Info Share/merge trees Discussed in this presentation Record search Census Newspapers Cemeteries Immigration records Discussion groups Not discussed in this presentation

17 Some Popular Family Tree Sites For displaying trees and family information Ancestry.com MyHeritage.com For sharing trees with others FamilySearch.org (LDS) Geni.com (acquired by MyHeritage) Sites not covered here TribalPages.com WikiTree.com RootsWeb.com (owned by Ancestry.com)

18 Using Tree Web Sites: Pros & Cons Pros Easier to manage Better display of trees Connect with other trees Integration with record searches (extra cost for searches) Integration with PC/MAC genealogy software Display genealogical facts Display other media Cons Privacy issues Limited reporting capability Limited tree structure

19 Ancestry.com

20 Ancestry.com Tree Page

21 Ancestry.com Profile Page

22 Ancestry.com Media Page

23 Ancestry.com Hints Page Note: Getting information requires an Ancestry.com data subscrption

24 Ancestry.com Add Info Page Automatically add parents to tree.

25 Ancestry.com Syncs with FTM 12

26 Ancestry ipad App iphone and Android apps also available

27 Ancestry: Security/Privacy Who can view: Default: anyone can see your tree You can make your tree "private" or nonsearchable Living people: Living people are "privatized" by default--first name and other info do not appear Authorized users can view names/info for living people

28 Ancestry: Pros and Cons Pros Integration/sync with Family Tree Maker ipad/iphone apps Easy to create tree from GEDCOM or FTM Access to Ancestry data bases Unlimited tree size with free version Most popular web site Cons Most expensive data base access Family Tree Maker is not free

29 MyHeritage.com

30 MyHeritage Tree Page

31 MyHeritage Profile Page

32 MyHeritage: Security/Privacy Who can view: Default: anyone can see your tree, but private information will be restricted to members and webmasters You can make your tree "private" or nonsearchable Living people: Living people are "privatized" by default--first name and other info do not appear Site members and webmaster can view names/info for living people

33 MyHeritage: Pros and Cons Pros Search data bases include Ancestry Free desktop software (Family Tree Builder) Easy to create tree from GEDCOM or FTM Links to Family Tree of the Jewish People (FTJP) Less expensive data base access than Ancestry Customizable web site Cons Size limit on trees with free plan I experienced some bugs Not as many trees as Ancestry.com

34 FamilySearch.org

35 Pros FamilySearch Pros & Cons Easy to add members of your tree to "world tree" Free access to LDS databases Cons Very few resources for adding facts Adding members to your tree is difficult Will your family members be baptized?

36 Geni.com

37 Geni Tree Page

38 Geni.com Profile Page

39 Pros Easiest method to combine your tree with others Cons Geni: Pros & Cons You can upload GEDCOM file, but subsequent additions must be manual You can't replace uploaded trees Instant tree matches and extra storage space require upgrade Does not sync with PC/MAC software

40 Comparing Online Sites Ancestry MyHeritage FamilySearch Geni Tree Cost Free Free (limited size) Sync w/desktop Family Tree Maker 12 Family Tree Builder Free None Free (limited size) None (yet) Tree linking Manual Manual Automatic Automatic Access to data $12.95/month (US data) Tree searching $6.35/month Free $6.95/month Free Free Free $6.95/month ipad app Yes Yes 3 rd party Yes

41 WWMD? (What Would Mike Do?) Unless you want complete control over formatting or want to write a book, an online site is much easier to build and maintain. Use Geni and FamilySearch only if you want to combine your tree with others If you already have a tree in Family Tree Builder, use Ancestry.com Otherwise, it's a tossup If you can afford it, use both!

42 Let's Take a Look..