For all of you (including me!) who hoped that someday the Pedigree View would arrive at MyHeritage - that day is finally here. No more endless scrolling or zooming in and out to navigate up and down your tree. Well, the Family View is still there if you really want it, but you're going to love the fresh new look and functionality of the Pedigree View. You'll find it in the upper right of your online tree:

Legacy or MyHeritage???

Although I'm referring to and loving the new Pedigree View in my MyHeritage online tree, don't worry, I'm still using my Legacy Family Tree software for my main tree (which has had a Pedigree View from the beginning, although it's no longer as "pretty" as the MyHeritage Pedigree View). And while I manually update both, I'm looking forward to the upcoming Sync tool between the two (optional of course).

I'm glad I have my tree in both places and had a great experience with it this last Saturday. My Dad called me and asked if I remembered the full name of one of his cousins (he just met another Rasmussen and wondered if they were related). I wasn't home so didn't have access to my Legacy files, but I did have the MyHeritage mobile app on my phone. I opened the  app, clicked on the Tree icon, and quickly navigated to and found his cousin. I was able to easily do this because I had my tree online at MyHeritage (in a private tree that only I have access to). So there's advantages to using both.

Learn more in this blog post by MyHeritage.

As of 1 January 2018, Pinterest has over 175 million users.  Are you of them? Maybe you use Pinterest to save new recipes or to try DIY projects you want to tackle.

But….

Do you use Pinterest to augment your genealogy research? To collaborate with other researchers? If not, you may be missing out on a valuable asset in your research.

Pinterest users go to Pinterest to:

1. Be inspired.
2. Solve a problem (and genealogists have lots of “problems” to solve!).

What is Pinterest?

Initially, Pinterest started out as more of a visual bookmarking site. It still is, but Pinterest now functions very much like a search engine.

Used creatively Pinterest can be one of the best tools in a genealogist’s toolbox.  Virtual bulletin boards can be created on whatever subject the pinner chooses. Genealogy researchers can create themed boards based on their research interests.

Examples include:

• Location based research boards.  Example: North Carolina Genealogy or Irish Genealogy
• Genealogy topic boards. Example: DNA & Genealogy or Tracing Female Ancestors
• Surname Boards. Example: Talbott Genealogy

 Pins can then be pinned to the relevant board on the user’s page.

Sample North Carolina Pinterest Board

Think about Pinterest in an old school way.  Remember the corkboard bulletin board you had in your bedroom as a teenager?  You used thumbtacks to put up pictures, programs, corsages from a dance.

You pinned things on your bulletin board you wanted to remember for nostalgic reasons or for things you needed to remember coming up.

Pinterest can do the same thing. Only in Pinterest you can have as many bulletin boards as you like organized to fit your needs! Even better, you can share your bulletin boards and pins with others.

Sample Pinterest Boards

Pinterest as a Search Engine

Pinterest can be used as a search engine and this is where its power as a genealogy researcher’s tool really is. Just as you perform a search on Google, you can perform a search on Pinterest.

Type your search term(s) in the search box.  Pins related to your search term or keywords are displayed.  For example, if you are currently researching Irish ancestors, type “Irish genealogy” into the search bar at the top of the page.

A small portion of the search results for “Irish Genealogy” on Pinterest.

Results for the Irish genealogy are displayed. Click on the pin to get more details.

At this point you want to do one of  two things (or both):

1. Click on the image (again) to go to be taken to the webpage for that information
2. Save the pin to your board (ie.to a virtual bulletin board you have created) to review later.

Pinterest users can also search using hashtags such as #genealogy or #familyhistory.

Other Great Ways To Use Pinterest in Your Genealogy Research

As mentioned above, Pinterest can function as a visual bookmarking platform and a search engine. There are other ways Pinterest can benefit you as a genealogy researcher.

• Collaboration –  Group boards can be created allowing you to collaborate with other genealogy researchers and pinners on a topic of mutual interest.
• Follow Your Favorite genealogy bloggers and genealogy industry leaders – In Pinterest you have the ability to “Follow” other pinners including your favorite bloggers and industry leaders.
• Wish Lists – Are you saving up for more genealogy reference books? Create a board centered around your wish list.
• Research travel plans – Pin links to lodging, research repositories and local historical sites to reference as you plan your genealogy research trip.

Now It’s Your Turn!

• Create your own Pinterest account. (It’s Free!)
• Use the search bar at the top and start exploring genealogy related pins.

Lisa Lisson is a genealogist, blogger and Etsy-prenuer who writes about her never-ending pursuit of ancestors, the “how” of genealogy research and the importance of sharing genealogy research with our families. Specializing in North Carolina and southern Virginia research, she also provides genealogical research services to clients. In researching her own family history, Lisa discovered a passion for oral history and its role in genealogy research. You can find Lisa online at Lisa Lisson.com.

Join us and the founder of one of genealogy’s most successful companies, Gilad Japhet, for an intimate view into his brainchild, MyHeritage.

Join us and Gilad Japhet for the live webinar Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at 2pm Eastern U.S. Register today to reserve your virtual seat. Registration is free but space is limited to the first 1,000 people to join that day. When you join, if you receive a message that the webinar is full, you know we've reached the 1,000 limit, so we invite you to view the recording which should be published to the webinar archives within an hour or two of the event's conclusion. 

Or register for multiple webinars at once by clicking here.

Not sure if you already registered?

Login to view your registration status for this webinar (available for annual or monthly webinar subscribers).

Test Your Webinar Connection

To ensure that your webinar connection is ready to go, click here.

Can't make it to the live event?

No worries. Its recording will be available for a limited time. Webinar Subscribers have unlimited access to all webinar recordings for the duration of their membership.

About the presenter

MyHeritage is the brainchild of tech veteran and experienced genealogist Gilad Japhet. His entrepreneurial vision and passion for family history have grown MyHeritage from a garage startup into a world-leading consumer web company  with tens of millions of users around the world. Before founding MyHeritage, Gilad left his mark at BackWeb Technologies and at BRM Technologies, where his roles as Head of Product Management and leader of the anti-virus research unit, respectively, were instrumental to these companies' successes.

 

Over the last decade Gilad has been the driving force behind our mission to make family history easy and accessible for all with a range of award-winning products. He has led MyHeritage through significant acquisitions, and the forging of partnerships with industry peers.

 

Gilad also invests his own time in various pro bono initiatives, utilizing the technologies and network he’s built at MyHeritage for the greater good. Achievements range from tracing hundreds of heirs of stolen properties or looted artworks and providing them an opportunity to reclaim their family's property, to personally getting involved to solve genealogical mysteries and reunite families. It’s these activities that have earned him the nickname “Sherlock Holmes” in the genealogy space.

 

A proud dad of three, Gilad’s sense of adventure has led to many trekking expeditions off the beaten track. Whatever you do, don’t challenge him to a game of chess.

 

Add it to your Google Calendar

With our Google Calendar button, you will never forget our upcoming webinars. Simply click the button to add it to your calendar. You can then optionally embed the webinar events (and even turn them on and off) into your own personal calendar. If you have already added the calendar, you do not have to do it again - the new webinar events will automatically appear.

Webinar time

The webinar will be live on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at:

• 2pm Eastern (U.S.)
• 1pm Central
• 12pm Mountain
• 11am Pacific

Or use this Time Zone Converter.

Here's how to attend:

1. Register at www.FamilyTreeWebinars.com today. It's free!
2. You will receive a confirmation email containing a link to the webinar.
3. You will receive a reminder email both 1 day and 1 hour prior to the live 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.
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!

The recording of "Researching Your Oregon Ancestors” by Tessa Keough is now available to view at www.FamilyTreeWebinars.com for free for a limited time.

Webinar Description

A dozen tips for researching your ancestors who made the 33rd State their home. A bit of history, the best websites, and the places to include if you plan a research trip to the Beaver State.

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 14 minute recording of "Researching Your Oregon Ancestors” is now available to view in our webinar library for free for a limited time. Or watch it at your convenience with an annual or monthly webinar membership. 

Webinar Memberships/Subscriptions

Webinar Members get:

• On-demand access to the entire webinar archives (now 697 classes, 932 hours of genealogy education)
• On-demand access to the instructor handouts (now 3,104 pages)
• On-demand access to the live webinars' chat logs
• 5% off all products at www.FamilyTreeWebinars.com (must be logged in at checkout)
• Access to all future recordings for the duration of their membership
• Chance for a members-only door prize during each live webinar
• Access to register for bonus members-only webinars
• Ability to view which webinars you are registered for
• Use of the playlist, resume watching, and jump-to features

Introductory pricing:

• Annual membership: $49.95/year (currently 50% off until August 20, 2017)
• Monthly membership: $9.95/month

Click here to subscribe.

Register for our upcoming webinars (free)

Print the 2018 webinar brochure here.

See you online!

Every Friday we're pleased to offer Legacy Family Tree Webinar subscribers a new bonus webinar just for them!   This Friday enjoy "Beyond The Obituary: Finding Alternative Sources for Your Ancestors' Deaths" by Shannon Combs-Bennett. If you're not a member, remember the webinar previews are always free.

Beyond The Obituary: Finding Alternative Sources for Your Ancestors' Deaths

Death certificates and obituaries are the go-to for researchers, but what if you cannot find those. Learn where else to look for death dates and other death tid-bits for your ancestors in this presentation.

About the Presenter

Legacy has several built in features to help you with your research. The first is Hints. Legacy directly interfaces with some of the most popular websites and will generate research hints for you based on the information you have already entered. On the main toolbar go to Options > Customize > View > Option 8.13 to turn the Hints on.

(click image to enlarge)

If you are going to use the Hints I suggest that you go ahead and check the box to display the icons. You can use the Search feature in Legacy to find create a list of hints but this will make them more visible to you. Now click the "Select Background Hints" button. I can't get everything in one screenshot so there are two.

(click image to enlarge)

(click image to enlarge)

To view the hints from MyHeritage, FindMyPast and GenealogyBank you must have subscriptions with them. Without a subscription you will be able to see the hints but you won't be able to access them. If you don't want to see these, turn off hinting for any service that you don't have a subscription for. You can leave them on if you are curious to see what sorts of resources those services have that might be of interest to you. The FamilySearch hints are free but you must have a FamilySearch login. Also, you will only see FamilySearch hints for those people in your file that have FamilySearch IDs (FSID). To learn more, consult Legacy 101 - FamilySearch. 

You notice that I have "Find matches for living people" selected. If you decide to check this box please read the following two articles:

MyHeritage Records Matches (Living People)

MyHeritage Smart Matches (Living People)

When you see a Hints icon on one of the screens, hover your mouse over it and you will get a quick synopsis of what hints are there.

(click image to enlarge)

If you right mouse click the icon you will get the Hints window (If you left mouse click you will be taken to the Options menu).

(click image to enlarge)

If you double mouse click the hint it will open the website in a browser window so that you can check the matches. This is only a quick overview of Hints so please check the Help file for more information. You will see a Help button on all of the Legacy screens.

The second research help is the Research Guidance module. You can access it from the main Toolbar or from the Research Guidance icon.

(click image to enlarge)

When you access the Research Guidance module you will see four tabs. The first tab is Review Timeline. Legacy evaluates your person of interest's timeline and then suggests resources for you to check. You can remove things from the person's timeline if you need to. For example, if your person lived in Mississippi his entire life and you entered a week-long trip to Florida as an event you might want to take that off of the timeline.

(click image to enlarge)

 The next tab is the Preliminary Survey. This tab includes all of the things you should be checking on every person. These suggestions are more generic. You will see tabs for Lineage-Linked databases, Surname Message Boards and Mailing Lists, Locality Message Boards and Mailing Lists, Genealogies and Local Histories (Local Histories is one of my favorite things!). Notice that you can mark things as done and the date you last searched will be displayed.

(click image to enlarge)

The Suggested Sources tab is the meat and potatoes of the Research Guidance module. You have six tabs based on your goal. There are icons to tell you which sources are online, which are online but are subscription based, which are online but you have to order the actual record, and those that aren't online. If the source is online there is a direct link to access it. If the source is not online you will be provided with complete contact information. You can mark sources as ignore (just this once or always), you can place the source on your To-Do List, and you can mark things as done. You will also see tips for each source over on the the right. If a source can be found at multiple repositories you will see a full list at the bottom. Sources are ranked so that you can look at the most promising sources first. In the screenshot things are a bit squished but you will have more room on your screen.

(click image to enlarge)

The last tab is the To-Do List (no screenshot). If you have added things from the Research Guidance to the To-Do List you will see them here along with any other To-Do tasks you have added on this person. For more information about the To-Do List please consult the Help file and the Legacy User's Manual.

The third research help are the built in Internet Searches. On the main toolbar go to Search > Search Internet. You will find 32 of the most popular genealogy websites in a drop down list. Notice that Legacy auto populates the fields for the search. The fields that the particular website uses in its search will be editable to you, if you want to tweak the parameters. The greyed out fields are not used by that website. When you click Search a browser window will open to that website and the search will be conducted. You can also add additional websites to the drop down list. You will find the instructions in the Help file (click Customize Searches and then click the Help button on that screen).

(click image to enlarge)

There are special search routines for Find a Grave and for FamilySearch. You will see these on the main Search toolbar. Please see Legacy 101 - FamilySearch for more information.

(click image to enlarge)

If you click the little down arrow thingie next to the Find a Grave icon you will see a specialized menu just for this website.

(click image to enlarge)

FamilySearch and Find a Grave have enhanced searching because there are fields just for these numbers. Bonus tip: On the Individual's Information screen you will see that the field names are underlined which means they are hot links. You can mouse click these as a short cut for a search.

(click image to enlarge)

Legacy's goal is to not only give you research help but to also allow you to access as many of those suggested sources from within Legacy itself which will save you time.

View a compilation of all Legacy 101 articles. 

Find tech tips every day in the Facebook Legacy User Group. The group is free and is available to anyone with a Facebook account.

For video tech tips check out the Legacy Quick Tips page.  These short videos will make it easy for you to learn all sort of fun and interesting ways to look at your genealogy research.

Michele Simmons Lewis, CG^® is part of the Legacy Family Tree team at MyHeritage. She handles the enhancement suggestions that come in from our users as well as writing for Legacy News. You can usually find her hanging out on the Legacy User Group Facebook page answering questions and posting tips.

The recording of today's webinar, "Verifying Information You Find Online” by Marian Pierre-Louis is now available to view at www.FamilyTreeWebinars.com for free for a limited time.

Webinar Description

When we have brick walls and other challenging genealogical puzzles we search anywhere for clues that can help us. That can include online trees and other information with unknown sources. This presentation will demonstrate how to verify the information as true or not.

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 30 minute recording of "Verifying Information You Find Online” is now available to view in our webinar library for free for a limited time. Or watch it at your convenience with an annual or monthly webinar membership. 

Webinar Memberships/Subscriptions

Webinar Members get:

• On-demand access to the entire webinar archives (now 695 classes, 929 hours of genealogy education)
• On-demand access to the instructor handouts (now 3,100 pages)
• On-demand access to the live webinars' chat logs
• 5% off all products at www.FamilyTreeWebinars.com (must be logged in at checkout)
• Access to all future recordings for the duration of their membership
• Chance for a members-only door prize during each live webinar
• Access to register for bonus members-only webinars
• Ability to view which webinars you are registered for
• Use of the playlist, resume watching, and jump-to features

Introductory pricing:

• Annual membership: $49.95/year (currently 50% off until August 20, 2017)
• Monthly membership: $9.95/month

Click here to subscribe.

Register for our upcoming webinars (free)

Print the 2018 webinar brochure here.

See you online!

The recording of today's webinar, "Get the Most from the MyHeritage Search Engine for Historical Records” by Daniel Horowitz is now available to view at www.FamilyTreeWebinars.com for free for a limited time.

Webinar Description

MyHeritage SuperSearch™ is a versatile tool for beginners and advanced genealogists alike. In this webinar, you will learn how to leverage this search engine and the more than 8.5 billion historical records it includes to expand your family history research.

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 30 minute recording of "Get the Most from the MyHeritage Search Engine for Historical Records” is now available to view in our webinar library for free for a limited time. Or watch it at your convenience with an annual or monthly webinar membership. 

Webinar Memberships/Subscriptions

Webinar Members get:

• On-demand access to the entire webinar archives (now 694 classes, 928 hours of genealogy education)
• On-demand access to the instructor handouts (now 3,100 pages)
• On-demand access to the live webinars' chat logs
• 5% off all products at www.FamilyTreeWebinars.com (must be logged in at checkout)
• Access to all future recordings for the duration of their membership
• Chance for a members-only door prize during each live webinar
• Access to register for bonus members-only webinars
• Ability to view which webinars you are registered for
• Use of the playlist, resume watching, and jump-to features

Introductory pricing:

• Annual membership: $49.95/year (currently 50% off until August 20, 2017)
• Monthly membership: $9.95/month

Click here to subscribe.

Register for our upcoming webinars (free)

Print the 2018 webinar brochure here.

See you online!

Tuesday's Tips provide brief how-to's to help you learn to use the Legacy Family Tree software with new tricks and techniques.

Changing Languages (Intermediate)

Legacy is available is 18 languages. There are several more in development. To see them go to Options > Select  Language:

(click image to enlarge)

Switching languages here will switch the entire interface. It will NOT translate any data that you have inputted. 

WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! If you switch languages will lose any custom Event Definition Sentences that you have added. You will get a warning message about this when you switch. If you need to switch but don't wan't to lose your custom sentences, create a COPY of your file, switch using the copy and do what you need to do there.  

(click image to enlarge)

I have switched Legacy to German. You will see that the Toolbar and all of the labels are now in German. 

(click image to enlarge)

If you are bilingual you can also add the additional help files you need.  HERE are the instructions.

The ability to switch the Legacy interface between languages is nice if you are bilingual but if you are only wanting to generate reports and charts in another language there is an easier way.  All of the Legacy Chart Reports, the Questionnaire Report, and Legacy Charting can be switched from language to language. You might want to do this if you are corresponding with someone in another country and you want to send them a report in their own language. You can also generate blank reports and questionnaires for their input. 

(click image to enlarge)

(click image to enlarge)

(click image to enlarge)

For the other available reports you will need to switch the interface. Again, if you have custom Event Definition Sentences, create a COPY of your file, use the copy to switch to the language you need, and then create your reports.

Find tech tips every day in the Facebook Legacy User Group. The group is free and is available to anyone with a Facebook account.

For video tech tips check out the Legacy Quick Tips page.  These short videos will make it easy for you to learn all sort of fun and interesting ways to look at your genealogy research.

Michele Simmons Lewis, CG^® is part of the Legacy Family Tree team at MyHeritage. She handles the enhancement suggestions that come in from our users as well as writing for Legacy News. You can usually find her hanging out on the Legacy User Group Facebook page answering questions and posting tips.

When we have brick walls and other challenging genealogical puzzles we search anywhere for clues that can help us. That can include online trees and other information with unknown sources. This presentation will demonstrate how to verify the information as true or not.

Join us and Marian Pierre-Louis for the live webinar Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at 2pm Eastern U.S. Register today to reserve your virtual seat. Registration is free but space is limited to the first 1,000 people to join that day. When you join, if you receive a message that the webinar is full, you know we've reached the 1,000 limit, so we invite you to view the recording which should be published to the webinar archives within an hour or two of the event's conclusion. 

Or register for multiple webinars at once by clicking here.

Not sure if you already registered?

Login to view your registration status for this webinar (available for annual or monthly webinar subscribers).

Test Your Webinar Connection

To ensure that your webinar connection is ready to go, click here.

Can't make it to the live event?

No worries. Its recording will be available for a limited time. Webinar Subscribers have unlimited access to all webinar recordings for the duration of their membership.

About the presenter

With our Google Calendar button, you will never forget our upcoming webinars. Simply click the button to add it to your calendar. You can then optionally embed the webinar events (and even turn them on and off) into your own personal calendar. If you have already added the calendar, you do not have to do it again - the new webinar events will automatically appear.

Webinar time

The webinar will be live on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at:

• 2pm Eastern (U.S.)
• 1pm Central
• 12pm Mountain
• 11am Pacific

Or use this Time Zone Converter.

Here's how to attend:

1. Register at www.FamilyTreeWebinars.com today. It's free!
2. You will receive a confirmation email containing a link to the webinar.
3. You will receive a reminder email both 1 day and 1 hour prior to the live 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.
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!