New Year - New Opportunity?

Today, I talk about my plans for the Genealogy Do-Over at the
Worldwide Genealogy Blog.

New Beginnings

Earlier today the Worldwide Genealogy Blog went live. How exciting is that? Since my reminder post of a few days ago two more genealogical authors have joined us in this genealogical blogging adventure.

If you want to keep up with our daily posts, then you can subscribe to the blog by clicking HERE and if you want to see who is currently taking part then click HERE. If you want to take part then click HERE

Worldwide Genealogy (Formerly known as Global!)

Do you remember that Geneameme that was shared back in the summer by my genie buddy +Jill Ball ? Well the Global Genealogy collaboration project was about to commence when  I was contacted by someone who stated that they have a business with the same name and that I "might like to reconsider the name". So I have an alternative name, nothing outstanding, but it does what I want it to do. Interesting that of all those who stepped forward to participate no one mentioned the company and they didn't step forward until just before Christmas. Perhaps they need to review their marketing plan as I had never heard of them but they do exist.

So, Worldwide Genealogy ~ A Genealogical Collaboration is born. The first tentative post is up and from the 1st January 2014 blogging from around the globe commences. You can subscribe to the blog by email or by following in your RSS reader.

If you want to take part there is space available and as long as the post has a genealogical or historical theme you would be welcome to join us. All I need from you is an email with your name, email address and your blog name (this will be used on the author page with a link to your blog). Your name will be the label so that posts can be filtered by authors.

Global Genealogy

Regular readers of the Anglers Rest blog may remember that I mentioned at the end of the summer Global Genealogy.

Well, in case you don't or your new here (welcome)! I am going to tell you a bit about the idea and what the catalyst was.

It all started with a genememe hosted by +Jill Ball. As I answered a set of questions, which you can read HERE,  I vaguely floated the idea that genealogists are friendly, supportive and absolutely get the value of social media. I also said that genealogists are truly breaking down the barriers of time zones and brick wall by embracing not just the social media of today, but by collaboration. The coming together of like minded people across the globe using social media as a platform to educate, embrace, collaborate and share friendships and whatever else takes your fancy.

I then developed the concept which is as follows:

• One Blog
• A Blog post written each day by a different blogger
• The only criteria is that the content of the blog post must be about one (or even all) of the following
• Genealogy
• Historical
• Local History
• You can use this platform to mention your Society or a genealogical event or alike.

If you are interested please leave a comment or drop me an email using the subject line of Global Genealogy to

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If you have already stepped forward, thank you . I have all those details and will be in touch in due course with the devised blog details and schedule.

Closing date is 20th December 2013. 

There will be a introductory post on 31st December 2013 and the Global Genealogy blog will launch 1st January 2014

Here is an opportunity to take part in a genealogical, historical  and social media extravaganza

So, what are you waiting for?

Global Genealogy

This morning whilst I was consuming a bowl of Kellogg's Crunchy Nut I was reading through my mail and I spotted a post from Jill who blogs at Geniaus. As I read through the questions listed, I put my cereal to one side and started to type up my response. Alfie was far from impressed as I always leave him a little milk at the end, which today was much longer! I know he is a very spoilt dog!

It occurred to me that without the internet I would never have met the genealogists that have taken part in Jill's meme, or responded to the comments either via Jill's or my Google+. Then I got to the bit in the questions about collaboration and then the idea of Global Genealogy came to me in a flash.

Image from Globe Photo

The concept is in fact a simple one, it actually connects what genealogists and especially those of us that blog do best. Collaborate. So here is the deal.

There will be a blog which will be hosted and written by us all. The vision is that there will be one post each day,- which means 365 people 365 blog posts. Or it could be 28 of us with a post, each writing a post on a particular date in the month, with days 29 - 31 covered by volunteers. It depends how much the word spreads, as to how many people want to take part.

The only criteria is that the post must be genealogical, family history or at least historical, local history connected in some way.

So that is easy....right?

Another Geneameme & Global Genealogy

Jill at Geniaus is at it again! - It's time for a Geneameme to celebrate August, which has been family history month in Australian (New Zealand of course took part too!)

The challenge Jill has set is laid out fully at her blog post, but the questions are:

1. What are the titles and URLs of your genealogy blog/s?
2. Do you have a wonderful "Cousin Bait" blog story? A link to a previous blog post might answer this question. 
3. Why did you start blogging? Is there someone who inspired you to start blogging?
4. How did you decide on your blog/s title/s?
5. Do you ever blog from mobile devices? What are they?
6. How do you let others know when you have published a new post?
7. How long have you been blogging?
8. What widgets or elements do you consider essential on a genealogy blog? 
9. What is the purpose of your blog/s? Who is your intended audience?
10. Which of your posts are you particularly proud of?
11. How do you keep up with your blog reading?
12. How long have you been blogging?
13. What platform do you use for publishing your blog/s?
14. Which of your posts has been the most popular with readers?
15. Are you a sole blogger or do you contribute to a shared blog?
16. How do you compose your blog posts?
17. Do you have any blogs that are not genealogy related? If you wish please share their titles and URLs.
18. Have you listed your blog/s at Geneabloggers?
19. Which resources have helped you with your blogging?
20. What advice would you give to a new Geneablogger?

My main blog is Anglers Rest, which tends to cover all my interests, but mainly genealogy and books. I also have several other blogs, which deal with specific projects - 

Italian Genealogy

Sutera Tales ~ The beginnings of a One-Place Study

Puttenham One-Place Study

Orlando One Name Study

Worship One Name Study

Grave Encounters - which looks at cemeteries, graves and memorials etc

The titles of the blogs were pretty much set by the project they were covered, with the exception of Anglers Rest, which is the name of our house.

I share my blog posts, from all blogs via a network blog link up to my twitter feed. That same feed also shares to the Anglers Rest Face Book page.I also have an email subscribe facility on my blogs. I also share via Google+, which I am just starting to embrace a bit more. I think it is important to enable others to access your blog updates in a selection of ways. That way you can welcome dialogue with others; which is one of the points of blogging. 

I welcome comments to my blogs. I do not accept anonymous comments and do not use verification codes, which drive me nuts! I have a short time window for comments, so if a comments comes in after a particular time frame, then it is moderated. 

I started the Anglers Rest blog back in 2002 when blogging was just about starting. Many of my contemporaries were using Live Journal, which I found irritating, and eventually most of them moved to Wordpress. I do have a page at wordpress which I developed as an attempt to undertake a small project to see how on got on with it, but I do prefer blogger!

The purpose of Anglers Rest was initially for my own amusement. I share the items which I find interesting, which are typically books and genealogy. Over time, especially the last few years I have gained quite a following, which is lovely that anyone should feel my inane drivel is worth reading! 

My audience is typically readers and book lovers and those from within the genealogical community which is a perfect fit! There are a few others including some former colleagues who occasionally mention that they read posts. The one thing I have never done is promote or really mention my regular day job, as blogging was really a release valve for me. Over recent years I can reflect that blogging has become part of my existence and I enjoy it, the interaction with others it brings, not just in terms of reading and commenting, but development further into Google hangouts.

One of the most useful and informative sites is run by Thomas at Geneabloggers - he has daily prompts which over the years I have randomly taken part in. Usually weekly there is a list of new genealogical bloggers which is added to his huge database. Mine are included and truly, the Geneabloggers site should be one of the first places a new genealogy blogger visits.

The biggest underestimation anyone can have is the power of blogging. Apart from being potentially therapeutic, it is a a huge source of information and friendship. I have developed some great friendships because of blogging. That extended source of collaboration is great and enables even the shyest of people to take part. The team mate spirit as a group of bloggers take part in lengthy events such as the April A-Z Challenge or Family History Writing Month. February was quite a busy genealogical month as you can see from my review post HERE. Further collaboration is with Historical Tapestry, a historical fiction blog that I contribute to and I contribute to The Grave Yard Rabbits, which has been on a summer break.

The process of blogging is a two way street. Since the demise of Google Reeder I can not get into the swing of thing, and am way behind on reading and commenting. I imported by Google RSS feed into both Feedly and Flipboard, which I prefer out of the two.

I like to compost my blog posts at my desk via laptop. I have an iPad, which is getting a little tired and now could do with being upgraded, but at my desk is where I feel more comfortable. However, I often have ideas for blogs and column posts (I write a blog post and a column post each month for the In-Depth Genealogist) when I am out and about or in front of the telly. Those notes are recorded either in my notebook or in OneNote.

I have had various posts over the years that seem to have received lots of comments either privately or by comments being left. Sometimes the interest in particular posts is curious. Posts which I think will be popular are not and vice versa.

Something that has been a success is The Book of Me, Written by You, which I am now going to give a shamelessly plug to. I have not created a blog for it, but the prompts will be delivered each week from 31st August 2013 through until the end of December 2014 via Thomas at Geneabloggers and via the Anglers Rest blog. There is a Facebook group set up read for discussion. You can read all about the project and find out what it is all about HERE

Now, given what I have said in response to Jill's questions about blogging and it's collaboration between genealogists. I am going to set a challenge. The internet has made interaction between genealogists across the world so easy. How about this. A blog that will embrace Global Genealogy daily. If you would like to take part in this collaboration blog please leave me a comment with your email address or send me an email with Global Genealogy in the subject line.

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Jill, I have had a lovely hour or so responding to your questions. Thanks also must go to you for planting the seed of the global genealogy.