Last Class: DNA and Genealogy

Overview

There is an online introduction that is very good at providing the basics of DNA:  

https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/dna-basics.  Then I will give another "basics" presentation that will emphasize a few points in this first presentation:  My Presentation.

We will continue on with the following.  I am not going to go over the presentation tutorial and other links.  They are there for you access after class.  I will do the demos, hoping you catch the high points of site.  

Review Three Sites

    Ancestry.com DNA 

        Here is a good presentation tutorial:  I will be giving a demo by going to https://dna.ancestry.com 

    23andMe DNA

        Here is a good presentation tutorial.  I will give a demo by going to the website

    FamilyTreeDNA

        Here is a good presentation tutorial.  I will run through a demo. 

Aggregation sites

    These sites are used to compare and analyze DNA from other sites, such as the two above.

    My Heritage

        A general tutorial:  https://whoareyoumadeof.com/blog/dna-matches-on-my-heritage-tutorial/.  I won't have time to do a tutorial.

    GEDMatch

    We will run through a my own brief tutorial. Here is the "official" intro tutorial:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id7JJ1NoTNk.  A more extensive tutorial can be found here. https://nebula.org/blog/gedmatch-tutorial/  For many YouTube videos, go here.  Subscribe to Andrew Lee's channel for all the tutorials.

Legal Issues

You should be aware of legal issues associated with DNA  websites:  https://www.legalgenealogist.com/2022/03/06/the-dos-and-donts-of-dna/

May 9, 2022 Agenda

1. Review managing media: Presentation 
2. Review web clipping:  Presentation
3. Review charts and reports:  Blog Page
4. Review Google Search:  Blog Page
5. Compacting your FTM file:  Blog Page
6. Review Browser Problem:  Blog Page
7. Review MenuBar Options (class demo)

Class 7: Charts and Reports

Class 7 will cover charts and reports.  I won't create special presentations on this topic. 

You can also type "Family Tree Maker" charts reports in Google or your favorite search engine.   

The Help in FTM is very useful and is probably your best bet:  Menubar.Help.Help for Family Tree Maker.  

I will demonstrate some of the reports in class.  You will also be given personal time to try out the reporting features and ask questions.

  

Section 6: Tips and Tricks in FTM

 This section covers miscellaneous tips and tricks using FTM

Google Search

The Google Search engine is one of the "the artificial intelligence applications" useful to the genealogist.  If I have time I will go over each of these functions, but there are some videos for each.

• Google Search Commands  (Cheat Sheet) (Discussion) (YouTube)
• Google Images and Photos 
• YouTube
• How to search for an image you have
• Google Earth is the easiest to use... to walk the streets of today (a quick example in class)
• Google Earth Pro-  This provides even more function, especially if you download the desktop version.  It is most useful for overlaying old maps or even different focus maps (such as property tax info) on top of a photo view of an area. For the versions and to download, go to Google EarthVersions, including Pro .  Hour long YouTube tutorial on using Google Earth Pro for genealogists.  

The Tree Browser in FTM

You can find every tree on your computer or on ancestry using this feature, which is available from the dropdown of the tree icon on the Workspace toolbar.  Tree Browser Presentation.  

Using "Compact File"

What is Compact File?  It is a feature under Tools.  

It is used to "clean up" your database by reconstructing it, removing false links, reestablishing missing links, etc.  (The database is a relational DB, eg MySQL.)  It removes blank, erroneous, and redundant data.

There are two general cases where you should use it:

1. When FTM incorrectly shuts down.  You can get such a message and will be taken to the New Tree Tab of  the Plan workspace. If so, click on the tree you want to open and left click on Compact File.  An intermediate window will display with two check boxes.  Usually you can not check either one and you can click on "Compact."  asking you if you want to back the tree up before continuing and   Usually you can say "no".  The feature will run and provide a summary of results.  Close that window and go back and open your tree the usual way.   See  Recovering from an FTM Failure.
2. When FTM seems to show erroneous trees or just isn't performing as expected.  

The "Workflow"

Here are the steps to being most efficient and accurate when creating a tree

1. Update your FTM template with what you have learned from previous trees
2. Create a new folder for your new tree
3. Start your FTMTemplate.
4. File.Export- gave name for the new tree and make sure you are in the right folder.
5. Go to File and open the saved tree (which will be an .ftmb file type.  (Change the file selection criteria in the lower right so .ftmb is selected.)  Select the .ftmb file and click the "Open" button.
6. Save the generated .ftm file to the same folder.  Your new tree is ready to use.
7. Add the home person by entering information (Menubar.Person.Add Person.Add Unrelated Person.).  
8. Delete the person that was in the Template as your "example."
9. Start your Web Search for the home person.  Add immediate family (parents, children).  
10. Go to as many web sites as you need to to add information.  Pick primary documents or more reliable secondary documents.  
11. Add media from your own or web sources.  Link the media to all relevant people.
12. If necessary, go to the sites that are less reliable to add information.  But keep all the people in the family "clean" by reviewing and merging facts and deleting or "noting" facts that conflict with biology or primary data.  Use the Person.Timeline Tab and add check "Show Family" and, if you think it will help, "Show Historical Events."  Print the Timeline Using the Print icon, or print other reports to validate what you have.  
13. Stay within the Web Search environment when browsing to web sites and content within websites.  If you do that, then you can easily add facts to the person or persons.  Don't forget you can move to the People, Place, or Media workspaces without losing your place in the Web Search Workspace.  
14. As you work with each person, especially while linking, keep the person's facts clean through merging, standardizing places, and linking facts to sources.  I have several YouTube tutorials in the list on the right on how to do that. 
15. When done with the first family, repeat above for the next. 

WARNING:  Do not just add large batches persons and families from family trees from any secondary source without cleaning up. I very much regret that I  did this for years:  It takes years to clean up.

Another tip:  After a few families, write a story about the people you have added and use the error reports and timelines to confirm data.  

The Reports Workspace

I'll review this in class.  The presentation is :  Step by step guide to FTM Reports.  This presentation does not include the Books option.  I'll cover this very briefly in class. 

Class 6 Agenda

• Review the Schedule:  eGenealogy Introduction
• Review Plan Workspace
• Review People Workspace
• Media Workspace
• Review Place Workspace  (I'm leaving this to show how to set up a blog for your family)
• Review WebSearch Workspace

Continuing:

• Menubar
• File and renaming on Plan Workspace
• Edit 
• Person
• Find Individual
• Find Duplicate People
• Manage Sources
• Manage Repositories
• Manage Historic Facts
• Manage Facts
• Find and Replace

The rest next time.

The Browser Used in Family Tree Maker, and how to fix problems

 The browser in FTM is of the Chromium family, similar to Google Chrome.  However, it is independent of Chrome, not ssharing any of the files of chrome, such as the cache.  That's why sometimes you will go to a web site and that site will pop up a message saying that it needs to store cookies, even though you have been to the same web site using Google Chrome. 

Sometimes the browser will have not work as you expect.  For example, I can think of times when the scissors  function will not work to cut pictures to store in your media.  (By the way, the first thing to check if the scissors function fails to draw the dashed lines around the picture you want to copy is to make sure the Media tab is "in focus" = selected in the "Person from your tree" frame.)  

Whenever the browser does not work as expected, it is best to "clear the cache."  The cache stores all the temporary information the browser uses to display a web page.  But "temporary" is a relative term, since browsers can have information for months or years in the cache if it isn't regularly cleaned out, so it will get a "fresh" copy of the information. 

To clear the FTM browser's cache in Windows: 

1. Close Family Tree Maker.
2. Press Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.  
3. Enter %localappdata% and then click OK. The AppData folder opens in a file management window.  (You don't really have to do #2 if you can see the AppData folder, which is hidden by default, in you File Manager.)
4. Find The_Software_MacKiev_Comp folder and double-click it to open it, then find a folder labeled FTM.exe_StrongName_seih5jkxwe5jgqf34wadynpglkq344as and open that.
5. Right-click the CEF folder and click Delete on the context menu. This will empty the cache.
6. Close the file management window and open Family Tree Maker 2019.

Here is an example of the file structure to the CEF folder:

Note: After clearing the CEF cache, if you were previously signed in to any websites from FTM you will need to sign in to them again. Also, some sites may seem slower at first because images and other content will need time to reload.

Unfortunately, the browser used in Mac computers is Safari.  I have not been given guidance on how to empty the cache, but if the program is simply sharing the existing Safari space, here are the instructions.

1. In Safari, go to the menubar and Click Safari and then Preferences.
2. Click the Advanced Tab and check the box next to "Show Develop menu in menubar"

3. From the menu bar, select Develop.Empty Caches

My List of Personal Favorite Sites

 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>

<setting name="PersonalFavoriteSites" serializeAs="Xml">

<value>

<ArrayOfAnyType>

<anyType xsi:type="xsd:string">Newspapers ; https://newspapers.com</anyType>

<anyType xsi:type="xsd:string">FindaGrave ; https://findagrave.com</anyType>

<anyType xsi:type="xsd:string">

History of Parliament ; https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/

</anyType>

<anyType xsi:type="xsd:string">Geni ; https://www.geni.com/home</anyType>

<anyType xsi:type="xsd:string">

1320-1480IPM ; http://www.inquisitionspostmortem.ac.uk/browse/inquisitions/

</anyType>

<anyType xsi:type="xsd:string">

Families of Ancient New Haven ; https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/48025/?ftm=1

</anyType>

<anyType xsi:type="xsd:string">

Soc Medieval Genealogy Google Group ; https://groups.google.com/g/soc.genealogy.medieval?pli=1

</anyType>

<anyType xsi:type="xsd:string">

Complete Baronage ; https://archive.org/details/cu31924092524382

</anyType>

<anyType xsi:type="xsd:string">

Burke's Peerage and Baronetage 1914 ; https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_Pf8cAAAAYAAJ

</anyType>

<anyType xsi:type="xsd:string">

Visitations of Cambridge (ukga.org) ; https://ukga.org/browse.php?action=ViewRec&DB=13&bookID=186&page=vii

</anyType>

<anyType xsi:type="xsd:string">

Guide and Index to England Visitations ; https://firstsettlers.genealogyvillage.com/visitations.html

</anyType>

<anyType xsi:type="xsd:string">

Baronia Anglica Concentrata by Banks ; https://archive.org/details/baroniaanglicaco01bankuoft

</anyType>

<anyType xsi:type="xsd:string">

Accepted Genealogy Abbreviations ; https://www.geni.com/projects/Abbreviations-Acronyms-for-Genealogy-The-Accepted/3096

</anyType>

<anyType xsi:type="xsd:string">

Chicheley ; https://www.google.com/books/edition/Genealogical_Memoirs_of_the_Extinct_Fami/OaxCAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1

</anyType>

<anyType xsi:type="xsd:string">

Archtecture and Historical Churches of Cambridgeshire ; https://archive.org/details/architecturalhis00hillrich

</anyType>

<anyType xsi:type="xsd:string">

Inner Temple Bios ; https://archive.org/details/acataloguenotab00hutcgoog

</anyType>

<anyType xsi:type="xsd:string">

History of Middlesex Cty, MA ; https://archive.org/details/historyofmiddles01hurdh

</anyType>

</ArrayOfAnyType>

</value>

</setting>

2022 Class 3 Building a Template Tree

• Finish Accessing Resources
• FTM Overview
• Build the Template Tree
• Video on Using the Template Tree
• Folder of starter icons
• Run through the build process for real

The last power point demonstrates building a template tree.  For convenience, here is the summary of the steps:

1. Start FTM- make sure you are not starting on an existing tree but are starting a new one. (Plan.New Tree.  Enter what you know)
2. Enter a real name or a fictitious name you will always recognize. This person will be deleted from your .ftm tree when you start building a new tree
3. Basic tree setup:
   • Decide on tree naming convention
   • Fill in Menu.Tools.UserInformation
   • Complete Menu.Tools.Options
4. Add your standard sources: Menu.Edit.Manage Sources
5. Edit and add history events: Menu.Edit.Manage Historical Events
6. Add standard Repositories: Menu.Edit.Manage Repositories
7. Edit and add Facts: Menu.Edit.Manage Facts
8. Add standard Media: Workspace.Media
• Decide on naming conventions for media
9. Add your personal categories
10. Add Favorite Search Locations
11. Save file in a special folder as is (Menu.File.Save or Save As)
12. Use the FTM.Menu.File.Backup function to back up the tree as and .ftmb file.  Make sure you have the Backup Location right- it has to be the same folder  in which you created the Template file.

To use the Template:

1. When you are ready to start a new tree, and it is not a tree or a portion of the tree you already have that you are going to export...
2. Use File Explorer or Finder to create a new folder in your genealogy database folder and name it so you will recognize the folder as containing the tree you are going to build.  (clumsy sentence, but that's the rule)
3. Open the _Template folder and copy the folder inside it (Should be called _Template Media) and the .ftm file.
4. Open the folder you created in 2 above. 
5. Paste the _Template Media folder and the .ftm file into the folder
6. Open the .ftm file by clicking on it.  FTM should open the _Template file.
7. Click on the small arrow next to the file name in the top left corner of the FTM window (eg, _Template).  A list of the files you have opened in FTM will appear, with the _Template file at the top.
8. Click on the arrow head to the right of that name.  There will be a Rename option.
9. Click on that option.  Rename the tree to whatever you want the name to be.
10. (Never rename the any .ftm file or Media folder outside FTM; always us this Rename function)
11. Add some individuals to the tree, starting with the home person for the new tree- OR- import an existing tree by whatever means you want.
12. Delete the placeholder people that came with the template.
13. If you imported a .ftm tree or a tree from Ancestry, clean up the Facts and Places using the Manage functions under FTM.Menu.Edit.

2022 Class 5: A Canonical Tree

In mathematics and logic an important concept is "canonical form."  This means that the mathematical or logical concept is written or phrased in a standardized way.  Transferring that concept to genealogy, a canonical tree is a family tree database that meets standards for form and content.  I'm going to take a stab at listing some of these standards.  In future posts, using the term canonical tree will mean that it meets these standards.

By the way, this is a draft and I welcome additions and corrections.

A family tree is in canonical form if:

• For the tree itself
• No two person entries are the same person.
• There are no incorrect links (relationships), such as double links, or links that result in the wrong children being assigned to the wrong parent.
• For the facts list
• No redundant facts in the the Facts list (Lived in vs Residence).
• No orphan facts... these are facts that are imported when a facts are added to a person from an outside source; you didn't create the fact yourself or it isn't one of the default entries.
• For facts associated with a person
• No redundant facts... all redundant facts should be merged and standardized
• A woman's surname should be a maiden name.  Handle multiple marriages through relationships to the husbands.  There are cases where an AKA might be justified.
• Alternate names should be managed through AKA; you can have as many entries as you find are legitimate.
• The preferred name should be the name given to the person at birth.
• Nicknames should be managed through the Nickname fact.
• Titles should be managed through the Title fact.
• All facts should be biologically consistent (Timeline).  If the a date can't be proven through primary or trusted documents, or if the timeline isn't consistent, either give a "trusted" date range or set the preferred date blank and keep any other dates as alternative.
• Any questionable facts can be carried with the person, but should be flagged through action items and notes associated with the preferred fact.
• All facts should have a source.  The source should be graded using the star system in FTM.
• All place names should be in the proper form as defined by the Place List.
• For the Places list
• All place names should have use the correct naming convention for the mapping tool.  For family tree maker, this is {local address, cemetery, etc}, {city or town}, {county or shire, without the word "County" following the name of the county}, {State, skip for UK}, Country in standard form.  Use the place name resolver available with the tool to assure the place name matches the mapping tool.
• For the Media
• All media should be referenced as to source.  Credit should always be given to the source.
• All persons associated with the media instance should be explicitly linked to that media.
• Where possible, all media should be in one of the image formats (eg, .jpg) or in a PDF document.  It is best to put text documents in the Notes of the person.  Convert Word or other document app to PDF. 
• All your own media and creations should be watermarked and copyrighted.
• Don't forget that video and sound media can be associated with a person.  Record your relations' stories in their own words.

2022 Class 4: Detailed Instruction on FTM Features

 This class will run for multiple Class periods, its length depending on the amount of interaction.  I will show the function available in each Workspace and on each Menubar item.  (Menubar items change depending on the current workspace.)  Remember, many features have a right mouse button action list.  If you are on a Mac, turn the right mouse button function on or use a "normal" mouse.

• What a Genealogist's Home Workspace looks like
• Plan Workspace 
• Place Workspace
• Media Workspace
• WebSearch Workspace is the presentation.  Instructions on web clipping can be found here:  https://support.mackiev.com/801595-Using-web-clipping-to-save-information-to-a-tree-in-Family-Tree-Maker.  This is for the 2014 version, but it works the same.

I can provide a link in class to a tree you can download for practice if you don't have your own tree.

2022 Class 4: The People Workspace

 The People Workspace is the one you will use as the starting point and ending point of almost everything your do in Family Tree Maker.  It contains the list of people, the  tree diagram, and a list of all the facts associated with a person.  

I have found two YouTube videos that efficiently and thoroughly present the features of this Workspace.  Given that we are using Zoom and given that I likely would not be able to present the information on this Workspace any better, I am not going to use class time to view the two YouTubes.  You can do so on your own time using the following links (You can also access the videos using the YouTube list to the right of this blog post:

1. Family Tree Maker 2017:  People Workspace Part 1:  The Tree View Tab
2. Family Tree Maker 2017:  People Workspace Part 2:  The Person View Tab

Each video is about 30 minutes long.  They two videos were made for FTM 2017, but very little has changed in FTM 2019. 

I recommend also viewing the hour long video demonstrating the use of FTM 2019: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80aMSEXNs_4&list=PLn7SFqi9nFfzvh4FRmMvMfhIzM83CYyUa&index=6

These three videos should provide a solid understanding of FTM features.  

It is one thing to know the features, another to use them productively, creating an accurate genealogy.  In general, that can only come with practice AND by watching other YouTube videos that describe genealogy best practices.  Several such videos are in the YouTube list to the right of this post. 

I will use the class time to very briefly show the People Space features, but then I will go back to actual demonstrations of FTM use- putting the features together in productive workflows.

2022 Class 4: Thoughts on Tree Naming Convention

 You may have just one tree or you  may have dozens.  I have found that it is best to keep the size of your database below 10,000 individuals.  If you can rationalize a smaller number of individuals, that is better.  

• The advantage of smaller trees is computer performance and your ability to "get your head around the tree"
• You can always split a large tree into smaller trees by cutting the branches at according to some rule.  My rule is to cut the branches of my larger trees at a specific generation; ie a date, such as around 1870. 
• Another advantage of smaller trees and cutting branches at some date is that you can turn over management of that branch to someone else, someone that is in that branch.  (You are going to have to find someone to take over your work sometime.)
• I use the "Follow Tree" icon I made as a media item to indicate that the descendants of an individual can be found in another tree.  I use the custom "Tree Name" fact to name the tree to go to. 
• The primary disadvantage of smaller trees is that, when you find someone in a document or in a search and want to add that information, you have to find the individual.  Which tree contains that individual?  In ancestry.com, if you make a tree public, then you can do a search on ancestry for the individual using the Public Tree Search and (hopefully) your tree will find any tree you own with that person in it near the top.  I have a request in to permit search of your private trees.  
• There are ways to export tree contents to Excel.  I do have a macro that will provide a standard excel spread sheet and that can be used to find all such spread sheets and create an Excel Book for search.  This is very technical and not recommended at this time.

My personal naming convention has these features:

• I mirror all my trees to ancestry, so it keeps my master list  (of course I can always go to the list of files (I have one folder per tree on my computer.)
• My hobby started with the objective of creating an electronic version of a published genealogy, published in 1934, including all the primary sources as media, and updating the result to the present.  So my trees begin with the primary root person of the book:  B0001, Gov Leete Desc, as named in ancestry.  Every other tree associated with the book has the name Bxxxx, First Name Last Name, where the xxxx is the ancestry file number defined in the 1934 book.  
• For the ancestors of Gov Leete, I named the file B0001, Gov Leete Anc
• As I find other individuals to trace, I name the tree Txxxx, First Name Last Name and then either Desc, Anc, or nothing, indicating I'm going in both directions.  The xxxx is a sequential number and has no relation to anything other than the list of my trees. 
• The reasons for the Txxxx at the beginning include more easily recognizing my trees on ancestry and ability to use the short form of the tree name when creating reports. 
• The above rules apply to trees on ancestry.  On FTM, I add the string ftm{version}, such as ftm191, to indicate the version of FTM used to manage the tree.  (When FTM changes versions, the format of the database can change and usually the "password" FTM uses to access the database changes.  So I need to know to go through a conversion process when the FTM version changes. 

2022 Class 2 Ancestry.com and Configuring Resources

Objectives

• Overall computer preparation recommendations
• Browser Configuration, including extensions and addons, bookmarks
• User
• Password Manager
• OneNote
• Ancestry.com commercial site:
• guest or trial access
• features
• access help
• Ancestry.com library site
• Access
• Embed in FTM

Class Lecture

Lecture Notes: Configuring and Accessing Genealogy Resources

Class 2 How to Print Just the Part of the Web Page You Need

Often, when searching for information, you will find it on a web page, but there is a lot of other stuff on the page: ads, headers and extraneous information; the stuff you don't want.  Well, there's an app for that!  It is called Print Friendly, and there is a version for whichever browser you use.   Try it on this page.

By the way, a hint on using this blog:  If you just type the URL of this blog, http://olliegenealogy.blogspot.com, you will get a web page that, if you try to print, contains several blog entries.  That can be aggravating.  To print just one blog entry, first click on the title of the blog entry.  That will show another web page with just that entry.  Then use Print-Friendly.

2022 eGenealogy: Course Description and Prologue

Class Identifying Info

• Course Title: eGenealogy
• Course Number:  CPT362
• Term: Spring, 2022
• Day and Time: 9:00 Mondays, 8 weeks
• Classroom Location:  Zoom

Instructor Information

• Name: Duane Leet
• Telephone: 864.457.6669 (text is best)
• email:  leeteleetlink@gmail.com

Course Information

The unabridged version of the Course Description in the OLLI Furman course catalog is:

Have you been able to use the internet to efficiently research your genealogy? Or maybe you have used a genealogy site such as ancestry.com with mixed results: both conflicting and redundant information that seems to be more of a hindrance than a help. Do you feel frustrated at not being able to effectively or efficiently organize you family pictures and memorabilia?  Have you used the Family Tree Maker program that runs on your computer? Did you know it can link seamlessly to your online databases? Did you know there are many useful tools hidden in Family Tree Maker that compensate for the weaknesses of online tools? How about publishing family stories or even more complete histories suitable for sale on Amazon.com as eBooks. Do you know the ropes? Would you like to learn about the DNA matching function?   This will be a Zoom class, allowing you to work from your own computer during the class.  Classroom time will be evenly divided between basic techniques, hints, and tips, and classroom lab, where you can use Family Tree Maker and internet resources. Bring your enthusiasm for genealogy and participate. Both Mac and Microsoft users are welcome. Note:  If you don't have Family Tree Make 2019, you will be provided with a link to receive a deep discount for the application.

I teach seven primary tool sets.  

• The first three have to do with genealogy research:  Internet browsing with an internet search engine, record exploration with the Ancestry.com web sites, and genealogical tree construction and modification using Family Tree Maker and various online databases.  
• The fourth tool set are YouTube tutorials.  
• The fifth tool set is for publishing your results.  These results can be in the form of "straight" genealogy charts, books or, in today's market, multimedia presentations via Youtube, ebooks, and web sites.  
• The sixth tool set are websites that help you analyze and use your DNA results to facilitate your genealogical research.
• The seventh tool set are social media sites for correspondence, asking and answering questions, and continued guidance as you pursue your hobby.  We will be using https://www.ancestorian.com, as the social media site and Teamviewer for personal one-on-one guidance, and the Olli eGenealogy blog..

OllieGenealogy blog

• This blog supports courses in Genealogy taught at   Olli Furman.
• The "e" in eGenealogy is for "electronic," to emphasize that the focus will be on using internet and computer resources.
• YouTube provides a function called Playlist that supports building a class playlist of YouTube videos.  The eGenealogy course playlist is here. Save this link in your browser favorites.  OR  this same set of videos is available on the right side of this blog, labeled  YouTube eGenealogy Playlist.
• An in-class demo will go into detail on using the blog.
• Typically, a blog entry will correspond to a teaching section, which corresponds roughly to a single class.  However, there will be exceptions.  Furthermore, as questions occur that are of general interest, I will post the questions and answers on the blog.
• Feel free to comment or ask questions in the comments field below each post.  Note that those comments will be viewed by those who have access to the site.

Prerequisites

These are the important prerequisites:

• You must know how to use and manipulate files and folders. For Microsoft operating systems, an example Youtube tutorial on this skill is:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzEjaD0SljM. If this tutorial doesn't help, go to the browser search or address bar and type something like: "YouTube Windows x Files and Folders." Pick a title that seems best for you. Once in YouTube, other options will be displayed on the right side of the browser page. For Apple operating systems, an example Youtube tutorial is  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tpOoRKWjeI.   For an Apple device, this link is probably most helpful: https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/organize-files-using-folders-mh26885/mac.  It is not a video, but it seems to work best for me.  Otherwise, follow the search instructions above. 
• You must know how to use a browser.  Experience with any browser is sufficient.  As with the previous requirement, Youtube provides an endless selection of tutorials on whichever browser you favor. "Google" the browser name plus "Youtube user instructions" or something similar.
• You must be able to learn a new application, Family Tree Maker https://www.mackiev.com/ftm, and a new web site ( https://www.ancestry.com). 
• You are strongly encouraged to have a license to Family Tree Maker 2019.  

The reason for these prerequisites is past experience with this course: You will not be satisfied with the course material if the instructor has take class time or lab time to teach basic computer skills. If you don't have these skills, you might feel the course is way over your head, even though the genealogy-related skill set is not difficult. So, if you feel insecure about your computer skills, go through the Youtube tutorials or your do your own research. If you continue to feel insecure, you should probably drop the course.

Expectations

• Attend every class on Zoom.  Each class builds on the last. 
• Read the corresponding material on the blog.  Browse over the material before class.  
• Practice the material presented in one lecture before the next.  In general, the material presented is not difficult to learn.  But you will be at the end of a firehose, with many features presented with each class.  If you don't faithfully practice them between classes, you will forget them.  This is not a recreation class; it's a skill-building class.  You will get your money's worth if you practice the skills.  
• I expect each student to make one or more appointments with me for a one-on-one session of 1-2 hours.  It would be best if we have at least two of these sessions during the semester.  I will provide personal guidance on your genealogy and the trees or documents you are have.  The tool we will use for these sessions is https://teamviewer.com.  (personal use) 
• More in the next section...

2022 Class 1: Introduction

Agenda

The OLLI Furman eGenealogy course material will be accessed through this blog:  https://olliegenealogy.blogspot.com.  (Note the “s”) Through the blog you can link to a sequence of Power Point presentations (stored as PDFs) that provide both outline and detail to each topic I discuss.

This first class will cover these topics:

• Personal introductions all around
• Zoom Installation and Protocol
• eGenealogy:  Course Intro
• Using the Blog
• Ancestorian
• Teamviewer (view video in playlist)

Reiterating the tools

• Ancestry.com (web-subscription and library edition- free)
• Family Tree Maker (desktop), obtained through the link provided to you.
• Browser Search (web and on line).  FTM has its own Chromium browser that works like the Microsoft Edge browser or Chrome, without all the personal information exposures.
• For DNA:  23andMe, myFamilyTree, Ancestry DNA, Gedmatch.com
• A picture editor (and scanner if you need to get the pictures into electronic form).  
• Google Maps (web) and the Places Workspace in FTM
• A backup method for your data and trees (Recommend Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox, Box etc so that you can recover data and also work in locations where access to your own computer is not possible.  If you buy FTM, they provide a backup method, but you have to access the data through FTM.  If you are concerned about security, use a flash drive as backup, or use your operating system backup manager or Box.  (I can provide private meetings to help with this.)
• A password manager.  You need one because your data sources are spread across many web sites that require passwords to access. The password managers imbedded in today's browsers are NOT recommended because access to your passwords is available on the web by using your usual email or browser password.  Those passwords are typically/almost always not strong enough to protect access to a password manager.  Lastpass is my choice.  This link is to the free version, which works on one type of device.  If you want Lastpass to work on your smart devices and computer, you will need to purchase a Personal license.) 
• Several different ebook websites, many free
• Ancestorian for ongoing help with research.
• Teamviewer for personal help

Security, Privacy and Ownership

• Internet security is the new excuse for relatives not providing information.  (If they only knew!)  Facebook, Linked In, and other social networking sites are alternative sources of information. :-).  I recommend you personally staying off these sites otherwise, because of personal information concerns.
• The legal terms for ancestry.com  In general, always read the small print through to the end

Class 2: Pre Homework

I encourage relatively "targeted" family trees.  It is better to have well-targeted, small to moderate sized trees than one or more large trees.  (The reason is as much technical as it is semantic:  big trees are unstable and your program will have a high frequency of unexplained crashes.)  Ask me in class what my organization is.

Each tree will be constructed from a template tree, which contains a number of things you will want to standardize between all your trees.  This standardization, using Family Tree Maker 2019, is the theme of the next two lectures.

One bit of standardization that will require some work on your part is to establish a list of relevant: 

1. Family names
2. Places
3. Timeframes

The historic events include wars, formation or dissolution of government entities (eg, counties, states), epidemics, social events, and perhaps even some key pivotal events involving your family members.

Please start building lists that you can use to enter the necessary information into the FTM tables.  Sign up for or create Ancestorian groups. Bring the lists to class, since they will need to be entered in FTM.