Facebook can
be used in many ways for genealogy. Connecting
with cousins you knew (hi, Emily!) and cousins you didn’t know but have learned
of through genealogy (hi, Jackie!).
It can be used for sharing information a little at a time. I have a special Facebook page for my 2nd great grandfather. Every few weeks or months, I post something on his page. It’s chronological, so it starts with his birth and a picture of his birth record from Scotland. I believe I am up through the 1930 census now.
It can be used for sharing information a little at a time. I have a special Facebook page for my 2nd great grandfather. Every few weeks or months, I post something on his page. It’s chronological, so it starts with his birth and a picture of his birth record from Scotland. I believe I am up through the 1930 census now.
But my
favorite new way to use Facebook is for the places. Most of my ancestors were not in cities. They were in small towns—some so small that
they no longer even exist. Some so small
that the same families (although future generations) still live there.
When I first
joined Facebook, I saw a page or group for the town I grew up in “You know you grew up in x, if…” Lots of postings on history and how it used
to be. Hmmmmm… So I started joining those pages for the
small towns my ancestors came from. The
towns were often too small to even have a Facebook page yet, but I was
patient. In June, a page came up for the
small town of Russell, Iowa. I posted pictures
of my family that came from Russell. A
few were of the 2nd great grandfather that I made the page for. I posted a newspaper article of him in the
centennial parade. The queen was Leota
Taylor and Leota’s granddaughter commented with excitement. I posted our five generation picture and
received this: “I remember well your
Great-Great-Grandfather Conner. He lived
a very long life and was known, loved and respected by the whole town. He always appeared to be a happy person. Even in his advanced years, I never saw him
without a smile on his face." I posted
pictures of the Price family and of the house they lived in. I
learned from the people in the group who lived there after and that the house
is no longer standing. One man even said
that his grandparents lived there after mine.
A wealth of information
for which I am very grateful. Old photos
of the town and the people in the town.
Historical information that wouldn’t be found in a book.
Go find your
ancestral town Facebook pages. One more place to get puzzle pieces that tell
your families’ hiSTORY.
Great idea Debbie! I will look also for the towns! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWow! Wonderful stories! Thanks for sharing how you're using Facebook for your genealogy. Great ideas, Debbie.
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie, great blog as usual,
ReplyDeleteJackie x
Love this idea! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDelete