Legacy News

Watch Geoff Live: Digital Images - free webinar now online for a limited time

Now that was fun! Nearly 1,000 of you joined me today while I talked my way through importing the pictures from my digital camera, organized/tagged them, and published them to the cloud. Along the way we talked about little tips and tricks, including how to use facial recognition, how to create a wall chart, how to create a photo book, and more.

View the Recording at FamilyTreeWebinars.com

If you could not make it to the live event or just want to watch it again, the 1 hour 32 minute recording of Watch Geoff Live: Digital Images is now available to view in our webinar archives for free for the next 7 days. It is also available to our monthly or annual Webinar Members for the duration of your membership. Visit www.FamilyTreeWebinars.com to watch. Members also have access to the 15 pages of syllabus materials.

Special Discount Coupon

The special discount coupon of geofflive that was announced during the webinar is valid for 10% off anything at both www.LegacyFamilyTreeStore.com and www.FamilyTreeWebinars.com through Tuesday, May 14, 2013.

New - Webinar Memberships/Subscriptions

Webinar Members get:

• On-demand access to the entire webinar archives (now 158 hours of genealogy education)
• On-demand access to the instructor handouts (now 419 pages)
• 5% off all products at www.FamilyTreeWebinars.com (must be logged in at checkout, and yes, you can also use the 10% off webinar coupon above for a total of 15% off)
• Access to all future recordings for the duration of their membership

Introductory pricing:

• Annual membership: $49.95/year (that's about the cost of 5 webinar CDs)
• Monthly membership: $9.95/month

Click here to subscribe.

Register for our upcoming webinars (free)

• Land Records Solve Research Problems by Mary Hill. May 15.
• Ten Hidden Resources Every Genealogist Should Know by Lisa Alzo. May 22.
• Google Search Strategies for Common Surnames by Lisa Louise Cooke. May 24.
• The New Frontier in Genetic Genealogy: Autosomal DNA Testing by Ugo Perego. May 29.
• The Genealogy of Your House by Marian Pierre-Louis. June 5.
• Get What You Came For: New Search Options Let You Target Obituaries, Photos, Passenger Lists, Births, Marriages, and More by Tom Kemp. June 12.
• Next Exit: Your New Jersey Ancestors by Thomas MacEntee. June 14.
• How Knowing the Law Makes Us Better Genealogists by Judy Russell. June 26.
• Canadian Ports of Entry: Ship Passenger Lists, Immigration Records, and Border Crossing Records by Kathryn Lake Hogan. July 10.
• Research in the Old Line State: An Overview of Maryland Genealogy by Michael Hait. July 17.
• Top Ten Techniques for Finding More in Library Catalogs by Barbara Renick. July 19.
• Top 21st Century Genealogy Resources - A Baker's Dozen by Tom Kemp. July 24.
• Direct Your Research with City Directories by Maureen Taylor. July 31.
• Captured For All Time: Recording Family Voices to Preserve and Pass Down by Marian Pierre-Louis. August 7.
• Digital Research Guidance, Research Logs, and To Do Lists: FamilySearch, Research Wiki, and Legacy FamilyTree by Geoff Rasmussen. August 14.
• Colonial Immigrants: Who They Were and Where They Came From by Mary Hill. August 28.
• Getting the Most from Your Records: Putting Them Through the Wringer! by Linda Geiger. September 4.
• More Blogging for Beginners with DearMYRTLE. September 6.
• You Use WHAT for Genealogy? by Thomas MacEntee. September 11.
• Don't Be an Audio Hog: Free and Easy Ways to Share Your Audio Files by Marian Pierre-Louis. September 18.
• Using Church Records to Identify Ancestors by Mary Hill. October 23.
• Using Court Records to tell the Story of our Ancestors' Lives by Judy Russell. October 30.
• Ancestry Trees Can Jump Start Your Research by DearMYRTLE. November 1.
• Researching with Marian! Creating a Research Plan with YOUR Research by Marian Pierre-Louis. November 6.
• Researching Your Ohio Ancestors by Lisa Alzo. November 13.
• Mind Mapping Your Research Plans and Results by Thomas MacEntee. November 20.
• How Computers & Gadgets are Changing Genealogy by Barbara Renick. December 4.
• Overcoming Lost Records Using Technology by Karen Clifford. December 18.

Click here to register.

See you online!

Creating a Website with Legacy Family Tree AND announcement from GenDexNetwork.org

If you have used Legacy Family Tree to create your genealogy website, it's now easier for others to find you with the new GenDexNetwork.org announcement below.

But first, creating a website in Legacy is easy. Go to Internet > Create Web Pages, select your options, and click the Create Web Pages button. Since the website is created/saved on your computer, you can preview it before you ever upload it to your web space (which you are likely already paying for, just ask your Internet Service Provider for details on uploading your files to your web space).

Notice on the Other tab, there is an option to create a "GENDEX genealogical index." With this selected, Legacy will create a special file that you can share with GenDexNetwork.org, and thus make it easier for others to find you and your ancestors.

Below is the announcement from GenDexNetwork.org:

GenDexNetwork.org is a completely free genealogical index (GenDex) which indexes family trees on the internet. The first GenDex was operated by Gene W. Stark from 1994 until 2004. It was begun when computer indexing for genealogical information was in its infancy. Since its inception on April 4th, GenDexNetwork has already indexed over 9,250,000 records.

GenDexNetwork.org is fully compatible with Legacy Family Tree's gendex output. It is specifically for genealogists who want to publish their family trees by themselves and who don't wish to give their data to a third party. It only indexes the GenDex file that remains on your own website. Each name in the search results is linked directly to the family tree page of your website for this person.

GenDexNetwork.org doesn't display your ancestor's detailed data, but brings the visitor directly to your own family tree website. It connects the family trees to make one huge database. Clicking on a name in the search results immediately takes you to the same person on a family tree web page with their genealogical data.

You will find the site easy-to-use and very easy to add your gendex.

Hold a Virtual Family Reunion or a Company Meeting with Google Hangouts

Yesterday's company meeting reminded me of how fun Google Hangouts can be. With each of our Legacy Family Tree employees armed with a web camera, Internet connection, and free Google+ account, we were able to meet together even though we were spread across 9 cities and 2 countries.

Google Hangouts are fun, and they are pretty easy to use. First, you need a Google+ Account. You'll also need a webcam. I use the Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910.

Then, over at http://plus.google.com, click on the Start a Hangout button and invite your friends to join you.

Our family recently held our first-ever Virtual Family Reunion at Christmas time using Google Hangouts. There were 7 families online from 5 different cities. With 20+ grandchildren online at the same time, you can imagine it was a little hard hearing everyone, so we took turns by having all families click on the mute button, except for the one whose turn it was to talk. Each family then talked about their latest happenings and sang a Christmas song. Sure was special to be able to share my holiday with my parents and five siblings, even though we couldn't physically all be in the same place. The great thing is that I recorded our hangout and will have it to replay.

Our recent webinar speaker, DearMYRTLE, has been making use of Google Hangouts for her weekly shows. She will be broadcasting live from the Family History Library next week. Read more about it here. Or watch the recording of Dan Lynch's A Closer Look at Google+ webinar here.

So if you are reading this article, or you have participated in one of our Legacy Family Tree webinars, you have enough tech experience to take it to the next level. Have fun!

YouTube Your Family History, free webinar by Devin Ashby now online

If you love technology, family, and genealogy, you will love today's webinar, YouTube Your Family History. FamilySearch's Devin Ashby gave a fantastic presentation about sharing and preserving our family history through the use of video, including publishing to and using YouTube. Its recording is now available to view in the webinar archives.

View the recording

If you could not make it to the live event or just want to watch it again, the 1 hour 30 minute recording of YouTube Your Family History is now available to view in our webinar archives indefiniately. Visit www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/webinars.asp to watch. Click here to download the handouts.

Special discount coupon

The special discount coupon of youtube that was announced during the webinar is valid for 10% off anything in our online store through Monday, February 11, 2013.

Register for our upcoming webinars (free)

• Pre-1850 U.S. Research Methodologies by Karen Clifford. February 13.
• Making the Most of Canadian Census Records by Kathryn Lake Hogan. February 20.
• Annie Moore of Ellis Island - A Case of Historical Identity Theft by Megan Smolenyak. February 27.
• Behind the Cheese Curtain: A Look at Wisconsin Genealogy Resources by Thomas MacEntee. March 6.
• Blogs: Easy-to-Make Web Pages by DearMYRTLE and Carrie Keele. March 8.
• Breaking Down Your Irish and Scottish Brick Wall in the New Poor Law Records of Scotland by Judy Wight. March 13.
• Evidence: Guidelines for Evaluating Genealogical Evidence by Linda Geiger. April 3.
• That First Trip to the Courthouse by Judy Russell. April 10.
• A Treasure Trove of Irish Websites by Judy Wight. April 17.
• What's New at FamilySearch by Devin Ashby. April 24.
• Researching your Roots in Rhode Island by Maureen Taylor. May 1.
• Blogging for Beginners with DearMYRTLE. May 3.
• Land Records Solve Research Problems by Mary Hill. May 15.
• Ten Hidden Resources Every Genealogist Should Know by Lisa Alzo. May 22.
• The New Frontier in Genetic Genealogy: Autosomal DNA Testing by Ugo Perego. May 29.
• The Genealogy of Your House by Marian Pierre-Louis. June 5.
• Get What You Came For: New Search Options Let You Target Obituaries, Photos, Passenger Lists, Births, Marriages, and More by Tom Kemp. June 12.
• Next Exit: Your New Jersey Ancestors by Thomas MacEntee. June 14.
• How Knowing the Law Makes Us Better Genealogists by Judy Russell. June 26.
• Canadian Ports of Entry: Ship Passenger Lists, Immigration Records, and Border Crossing Records by Kathryn Lake Hogan. July 10.
• Research in the Old Line State: An Overview of Maryland Genealogy by Michael Hait. July 17.
• Top Ten Techniques for Finding More in Library Catalogs by Barbara Renick. July 19.
• Top 21st Century Genealogy Resources - A Baker's Dozen by Tom Kemp. July 24.
• Direct Your Research with City Directories by Maureen Taylor. July 31.
• Captured For All Time: Recording Family Voices to Preserve and Pass Down by Marian Pierre-Louis. August 7.
• Digital Research Guidance, Research Logs, and To Do Lists: FamilySearch, Research Wiki, and Legacy FamilyTree by Geoff Rasmussen. August 14.
• Colonial Immigrants: Who They Were and Where They Came From by Mary Hill. August 28.
• Getting the Most from Your Records: Putting Them Through the Wringer! by Linda Geiger. September 4.
• More Blogging for Beginners with DearMYRTLE. September 6.
• You Use WHAT for Genealogy? by Thomas MacEntee. September 11.
• Don't Be an Audio Hog: Free and Easy Ways to Share Your Audio Files by Marian Pierre-Louis. September 18.
• Using Church Records to Identify Ancestors by Mary Hill. October 23.
• Using Court Records to tell the Story of our Ancestors' Lives by Judy Russell. October 30.
• Ancestry Trees Can Jump Start Your Research by DearMYRTLE. November 1.
• Researching with Marian! Creating a Research Plan with YOUR Research by Marian Pierre-Louis. November 6.
• Researching Your Ohio Ancestors by Lisa Alzo. November 13.
• Mind Mapping Your Research Plans and Results by Thomas MacEntee. November 20.
• How Computers & Gadgets are Changing Genealogy by Barbara Renick. December 4.
• Overcoming Lost Records Using Technology by Karen Clifford. December 18.

Click here to register.

See you online!

Reading a Legacy QuickGuide or PDF book on your tablet or smartphone

With the popularity of genealogy books and Legacy QuickGuides in PDF format on the rise here at Legacy Family Tree, many of you are asking if they can be transferred to your tablet or smartphone for reading. The answer is yes!

What is a PDF?

PDF stands for Portable Document Format. A PDF is an electronic file that you can view on your computer, tablet, or smartphone. This is the major difference between a PDF file and a printed book. While it is difficult to completely replace the feel of a printed book, a PDF book offers many advantages:

• Portability - a PDF book can be read on your laptop, PC (or Mac), your tablet, or your smartphone
• Searching - you can search for any word or phrase in a PDF book
• Printing - you can print selections of a PDF book, or even copy/paste your favorite quotes into your word processor for further review
• Cost - since there are no physical materials (like paper) involved, PDF books are often much cheaper, although not usually free - the author and publisher still need to recoup their costs and make a little money
• Delivery - after purchasing a PDF book from our online store, you are sent the email with the download instructions within one business day (but usually much faster than that).

Legacy QuickGuide™ PDF Titles

Our Legacy QuickGuides are the newest addition in our Legacy Family Tree product line. Each guide contains four pages of valuable information and the best web links covering a variety of genealogy research topics. They are written by genealogists and family historians who are experts in subject areas. The first seven are now available from our online store. Each Legacy QuickGuide can be viewed on your PC, tablet, or smartphone.

• Canadian Genealogy by Kathryn Lake Hogan
• Finding Your Female Ancestors by Lisa Alzo
• Genealogy for Kids by Jennifer Holik
• Land and Property Records by Jennifer Holik
• New York Genealogy by Thomas MacEntee
• Researching Your Loyalist Ancestors by Kathryn Lake Hogan
• Slovak Genealogy by Lisa Alzo

PDF Books at LegacyFamilyTreeStore.com

We also offer an expanding number of PDF books with my very own, Digital Imaging Essentials, being the newest in the library. All books can be read on your computer, tablet, or smartphone.

• Legacy Family Tree 7 User's Guide
• The Official Unofficial Guide to Using Legacy Family Tree by Geoff Rasmussen
• The Legacy Family by Mark Lang
• Digital Imaging Essentials by Geoff Rasmussen
• Online State Resources for Genealogy by Michael Hait
• Family History Toolbox by Paul Larsen
• Using Google Power to Connect to Your Ancestors by Paul Larsen
• The Guide to FamilySearch Online by James Tanner
• Crash Course in Family History by Paul Larsen
• The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy by Val Greenwood
• Finding Italian Roots by John Coletta
• In Search of Your German Roots by Angus Baxter
• The Digital Family History Guidebook by Marlo Schult

Viewing the PDF on your tablet or smartphone

After purchasing and downloading the PDF book or Legacy QuickGuide, you are able to view the book on your computer really easily, through the use of Adobe Reader. 99.9% of computers already have it installed, but if you need the latest version, visit http://www.adobe.com/go/getreader/

Transferring the PDF to your tablet or smartphone takes a little more effort. If you have the cable the connects your device to the computer, it should be pretty easy. It is usually a USB cable that connects the two together. Once connected, navigate to the file on your computer, copy it (right-click, then select copy) then paste it to your device (right-click, then select paste). Personally, I copied the PDF to my USB drive, then inserted the USB drive into my tablet. 

If you use Dropbox, you will find it very simple to transfer the files to your mobile device. Just copy the PDF to your Dropbox folder on your PC, and it will show up in your mobile device's Dropbox folder. Of course, you will need to install the Dropbox app on your tablet or smartphone first.

Finally, you will need to install the Adobe Reader app on your mobile device. Just navigate to the store (Play Store on Android devices) and search for and install this app. You will then be able to view any PDF book or Legacy QuickGuide with you - wherever you are!

Windows 8, Part 3 - Should You Upgrade?

It has now been almost two weeks since I upgraded to Windows 8. I wrote about the ordering, downloading, installation, and running Legacy here and here. With these two weeks of experience, I can offer a better recommendation on whether to upgrade to Windows 8 or not.

First of all, it was a pretty simple process to upgrade on my main computer. But on my laptop, I had to first uninstall several programs before the installation would continue. These programs were pre-installed utilities on the laptop which I have never used. Other than that, it was a pretty painless process.

Once I really began using Windows 8, I ran into some pretty big problems - mostly inconveniences that should be expected when upgrading to a new operating system. I had to uninstall several important programs including Quicken (all my finances) and Camtasia (my webinar video production software). I actually had to upgrade to the newer version of Camtasia also, as my version did not support certain aspects of Windows 8. This new version removed some of the functionality that I used to have, and I am still trying to learn how to best produce new videos.

I now usually switch to Desktop mode, which gives me the same look and feel as Windows 7, except that it no longer has the Start button. I have learned several helpful keyboard shortcuts, and have learned how to customize my Start screen to group similar tiles.

All in all, Windows 8 appears to be optimized for tablets and touch screens, but not so much for my Windows-7-way-of-doing-things mind. I feel that I have not yet gained anything by upgrading my PC and laptop, other than to be able to say that I have made the plunge.

Having said all this, I cannot wait for the Microsoft Surface Pro tablet to become available in early 2013. I currently use an android-based tablet (the Asus Transformer Prime) and love it! I can access the Internet, my email, calendars, e-books, and so much more. With the Families app I can view all of my Legacy Family Tree data. Microsoft just released its competitor, the Microsoft Surface tablet, which can probably do most of these things too (I don't think Families runs on it yet though). The Surface runs the Windows RT operating system, which is a stripped-down version of Windows 8, and you cannot run all of your current Windows programs on it. The Surface Pro will include the full-blown version of Windows 8 which will allow me to run any Windows software - including Legacy Family Tree! I cannot wait to be able to have my entire Legacy software with me on my tablet. Mobile Magazine wrote a nice review of this recently.

So should you upgrade to Windows 8?

Probably not, unless you have a touch screen monitor or the Windows Surface tablet. You really won't gain anything but a few headaches and new things to learn if you have a PC. Next year, however, will be a new story when the Surface Pro arrives.

What about you? Have you upgraded? Why or why not?

Windows 8, Part 2 - Running Legacy Family Tree

After my successful Windows 8 installation just minutes ago, the first thing I checked was its compatibility with Legacy Family Tree. It runs perfectly! No problems at all.

I can launch Legacy from the normal desktop mode, or from Windows 8's new Tile Mode. Here is what it looks like:

I have not yet done any customization. On the left are the default tiles, and on the right are my most popular apps/programs. Clicking once on the Legacy icon, Legacy opened as expected.

This is going to be fun! I'll keep you posted on what I learn.

Windows 8, Part 1 - ordering, downloading, and installation

This morning I ordered Windows 8 and began its download. While I write this article my download is 35% complete, with a little over 7 minutes remaining. So far the process has been very simple. For those interested, here's the step-by-steps:

1. At http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/download-shop, I clicked on the Buy Windows 8 button. It downloaded a small file which launched the compatibility wizard.

2. It found 54 apps and devices which were compatible, and 9 that I needed to review:

3. It showed the list of what was compatible, and what was not.

4. It asked me what files I wanted to keep. Of course I selected the first option.

5.Next I was presented with the opportunity to purchase Windows 8 Pro. At $39.99 it was a bargain compared to previous upgrade prices.

6. The next screen:

7. Filled in my billing address:

8. And my payment information:

9. They accepted my credit card, and presented me with my Product Key. I clicked on the View Receipt link and printed it. I was also emailed a copy.

10. Then it began the large download.

 

It's now at 96%, with 28 seconds to go. I'll keep you updated on what I learn today. If I do not write another article in the next couple of hours, it's because I either 1) uninstalled Windows 8, 2) really liked it and am still playing, or 3) went to my 5th grader's awards assembly at the school. I know I'll do number 3, but am unsure about #s 1 or 2.

What about you? Have you installed Windows 8 yet?

...a few minutes later...

Oops, I spoke too soon. I ended with this screen:

Just prior to this, my AntiVirus program gave me a warning. Maybe this software interfered with the download and installation. Most software installation procedures recommend to disable AntiVirus and Firewall software prior to installation. I'm going to do that now and see if it makes a difference for my second try. Back to work....

9:25am Update...that seemed to do the trick. It is now in the process of "getting files ready."

Hmm...which should I choose. Let's go with the first one. I wish there were a "what does this mean" link next to each option:

Next, agree to the license terms. I know...boring...but I wanted you to see the entire process:

OK, I guess I won't be able to write anymore until installation is done. See you soon!

10:46am update - just got back from my son's award's assembly. He got straight A's and made the Principal's List!

When I returned home, the installation wizard asked me a few questions about my favorite colors and preference selections. I'm now working with Windows 8! It has both a desktop mode (which looks identical to Windows 7, but without the Start menu) and the Tile mode. I'm nervous for the Tile mode, mostly because it's so new and different, but am looking forward to exploring. So far so good.

Tell us about your experience below. Have you made the upgrade yet? Why or why not?

Windows 8 available Friday, October 26

The major new upgrade from Microsoft, Windows 8, will be available for your computer or tablet starting Friday, October 26, 2012. While I am usually first in line to upgrade to the latest and greatest, I may hold off a little while on this one. But again, I might not.

Windows 8 is so completely different than what we are used to - it does not even have a Start button anymore. And since it is optimized for computers and tablets with touch screens, many early testers recommend to stick with Windows 7 if you do not have a touch screen or tablet.

Legacy Family Tree works well on Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro. It does not (now) run on tablets running Windows RT. For a comparison of the three versions of Windows, click here. Or take a tour of Windows 8 here.

Having said all this, you will probably find me at the computer store early Friday morning. What about you? Are you taking the plunge, or will you wait for a while? 

Register for our next 2 webinars - Use Your Digital Camera to Copy Records and Getting Started with Heritage Collector software

Join us this Friday, September 14 and next Wednesday, September 19 for two terrific webinars:

Getting Started with Heritage Collector Software (a Legacy add-on for your photos) with Kathleen Bitter. Whether you are just getting started with organizing your digital photos or have been using the Legacy add-on software, Heritage Collector, to manage your digital collections, you will benefit from this three-class series, taught by Heritage Collector's Kathleen Bitter. You may attend all three or pick and choose what suits your needs. Register once and you are registered for all three classes. September 14/21/28. Class details at the registration screen. Click here to register.

Use Your Digital Camera to Copy Records by Mary Hill. Learn how to use your digital camera to copy records from microfilm, original sources, books and manuscripts. Know what settings to use on your camera, learn about mega pixels, and how to get the best images possible in various circumstances. Wednesday, September 19, 2012. Click here to register.

Here's how to attend:

1. Register at www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/webinars.asp today. It's free!
2. You will receive a confirmation email containing a link to the webinar.
3. You will receive a reminder email during the week prior to the webinar.
4. Calculate your time zone by clicking here.
5. Make sure you have the latest version of Java installed on your computer. Check at www.java.com.
6. Check your GoToWebinar connection here by clicking on the "Test Your GoToWebinar Connection" link.
7. Click on the webinar link (found in confirmation and reminder emails) prior to the start of the webinar. Arrive early as the room size is limited to the first 1,000 arrivals that day.
8. Listen via headset (USB headsets work best), your computer speakers, or by phone.

We look forward to seeing you all there!