I personally begin with Twitter, using TweetDeck so I can
add a photo. TweetDeck also allows me to schedule tweets that I want to run at
another time. Then I use Google+, Pinterest and Facebook. From time to time I
also use LinkedIn.
My research networks can really be divided into three –
often overlapping – circles. The first is other bloggers/genealogists who I
follow. A full list is available on my Genealogical Gems. Click on “Blogs I
Follow.”
My Twitter network includes not just individual accounts but
also the #genchat community, and the #AncestryHour community. The #genchat community, led by Jen
Baldwin, meets virtually every other Friday at 10 p.m. ET. Friday, 27 March is
the next session and the topic will be DNA. The #AncestryHour community, led by Susie
Douglas, meets Tuesday afternoons at 2 p.m. ET.
There are many – perhaps too many sometimes – genealogy
groups on FaceBook. My suggestion: if it sounds helpful or interesting, then
join it. You can always leave the group. Sometimes you simply cannot tell the
caliber of the group until a week or so of posts. Groups range from a locally
specific group – Lancaster County PA Genealogy – to a specific surname – Eckman
Family Page – to more general or even a set research group already. Genchat
friends, for example, is comprised on many of those active in the #genchat
community. There are also some helpful history oriented groups, like The
American Civil War.
Regardless of your specific needs or likes, there is a group
out there for you to network with. The help provided through these groups is
often a God-send.
Looking back:
Week 9 – cluster research
Week 8 – The value of collateral
research
Week 7 – Software and digitizing
Week 6 – Evaluating Evidence
Week 5 - Research and Citations
Week 4 – Managing projects
Week 3 - tracking research and conducting research
Week 2 - set research goals, self interviews, and family
interviews
©
Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman, 2015
