Welcome to Computer-based Genealogy Instructor: Ed Veal email: [email protected] phone: 775-2849

April 4, 2007

I hope everyone enjoyed our first meeting. 

Today we got to know each other a bit and outlined where we were heading with this class. It seems to me that most of you are just getting started with genealogy but have a bit of computer knowledge. As you saw I will be moving a bit fast but things should slow down from here on out.

Primary topics discussed today:

1. Online tools for Genealogists
   • Lubbock Public Library
     • Web links 
     • A basic how to get started page
   • Texshare
     These sites are of good quality and are FREE (But if you don't have a library card you will need to get one to use this service.)
     • Heritage Quest 
       1. US Census images from 1790-1930
       2. Printing and saving of the documents
   • Commercial sites
     Remember that these sites are of good quality but come at a cost
     • Ancestry.com
     • Genealogy.com
   • Some useful links
2. General computer tools for Genealogists
   • Family Tree Maker
     The program we will be using in this class but it is not the only or event the best. 
     • Genealogy Software Reviews can be found here: http://genealogy-software-review.toptenreviews.com/
   • MS Word
     I am sorry that we did not get a chance to look at word yet but as I am sure you all know this is a word processing program and the one that I will be using for this class. Most word processing programs will have the same or similar features.
   • Other Tools
     Here is a simple laundry list of tools that are handy for the computer genealogist.
     • Digital Camera
     • Scanner
     • CD/DVD Burner for backups
     • Flash/Thumb drive for backups and transporting files.
3. Homework!
   • Using either Family group sheets or a Five Generation Ancestor chart document as much information as you can for at least you, your parents and your grandparants. Here are a few links to websites with free forms.
     • http://www.cs.williams.edu/~bailey/genealogy/
     • http://www.familytreemagazine.com/forms/download.html#
     • http://www.ancestry.com/trees/charts/ancchart.aspx?

April 11, 2007

Proposed Agenda!

1. Quick question and answer time
2. Review your data from the homework assignment 
3. I will show you some of what I have as it relates to organizing research
4. Open up Family Tree Maker take a whirl wind tour
5. Begin entering you data

Class provided by the TTU Division of Outreach & Distance Education 

www.geocities.com/edveal2002
Copyright © 2007