Julie Goucher ~ Anglers Rest

Copyright – Julie Goucher 2019

Today’s tip is write or talk about your study. Over the years, I have heard many members say that they rarely hear from others with an interest in their surname.

Why would you unless you actively share with the wider genealogical community that such as study exists? Why not share about your study via any or all of this non-exhaustive list:

• Members can host a website on the Members Website Project platform as I have shared before, some of which have the added benefit of a blogging platform built in.
• Profile page which sits on the main Guild website and is effectively a platform that you can leap frog to other sites
  • Website
  • DNA Project
• Social media channels
  • Twitter
  • Facebook Group or page
• Articles
  • Journal of One-Name Studies published by the Guild
  • Genealogical magazines
  • Journals of County, State genealogical societies
• Talks and Presentations
  • Webinars
  • Societies and groups

And come back tomorrow, for our final Surname Tip.

Copyright – Julie Goucher 2019

Today our tip is to look in more detail at the Members’ Website Project, which you can read about HERE. As I said a day or so, it is free of charge to members, although the Guild will gladly accept donations!

The only cost is the TNG Licence, should you opt for that method. The fee is payable to the Guild which is passed on to the developer. It is a one off fee and around $33 or £27 depending on the exchange rate.

There are a variety of options available to members and the best bit, is that they can be customised suiting your own preference. There is a full list of sites available and you can visit a selection from the list HERE the most common thread is the use of TNG coupled with WordPress or use as a TNG site. I have personally opted for TNG only.

As I frequently say to those on the One-Name studies courses, start with a website from the beginning, and don’t be like me, with a large amount of material that needs to be digitised. You can update as often as you wish.

Copyright – Julie Goucher 2019

Today tip builds on from yesterday’s; exploring the preservation options available to Guild of One-Name Studies members’. It is likely no secret, that I especially like the Members’ Website Project (more on that later in this series!), but today I want members’ to find a little time to explore the other preservation options; they are:

 – The Library options

– FamilySearch

The Guild has numerous deposits from members within the library facility. The library page can be found HERE and there is the option to upload newsletters etc relevant to your study from the web page. You can also search what other members have deposited.

FamilySearch has provided a facility for Guild members to upload a GEDCOM file to their site, the difference is, when compared to other GEDCOM’s uploaded, is that there can not be edits made, only the author of the GEDCOM can do that.

This  is not a case of one size fits all – members can benefit from as many preservation options as they would like.

Why not explore the library options and contact the Librarian with any questions – remember though that the Guild runs on entirely volunteers, so a response might not be immediate!

Copyright – Julie Goucher 2019

Today’s tip is to encourage members of the Guild to register a study or a surname interest.

A study provides opportunities for members, such as access to Marriage Challenges or the Members’ Website Project. You can also request a Profile page which is a page on the main website about your study name. Search for Orlando and see the Profile page I have created.

A profile page is a great benefit. It provides a platform for your study that is indexed by search engines and allows members to link to DNA Project, websites, blogs and others links. You can add photos – images even video.

My Orlando profile could do with a glance over and perhaps the odd tweak! My Butcher profile, is in need of an update and it will receive it during 2020.

Copyright – Julie Goucher 2019

One of the member benefit’s that I like the most that is offered by the Guild, is the indexes. Each time a surname search is done of the website, the results will not only show if a study has been registered or a surname interest, but also how many instances there are of the surname in the Guild indexes.

Most of the indexes are for members only, but there are two that are public, and I will talk about those early in 2020.

The index data is provided by members. I have contributed material from certificates that I own and other material.

The marriage indexes are especially good, as they often provide links between studies or links between a study and a member who might have contributed material from their own family, thus saving the cost and trouble of purchasing the certificate.

Why not try a surname search and see how many instances there are of the surname in the indexes.

Copyright – Julie Goucher 2019

Do you have a social media presence that you can use to share and promote your surname interest?

A number of members have groups for their surname. I have an Orlando Facebook Group and I am the first to admit, it is not as active as it might be. I aim to change that in the forthcoming year.

Alternatively, I have a presence on Twitter and that has the header image representing my Butcher and Orlando One-Name Studies.

Equally though, sharing information and data from your studies via a blog is a great way to share the experience and perhaps tap into connections with other researchers.

As a way to increase the amount of traction with others, an informal Facebook Group has been formed for the GOONS (Guild of One-Name Studies) Blog Challenge

As members blog about individuals from their study they will share the links with the Blog Challenge group which is public. Hopefully members have the ability in their blog set up to share that via social media – this post for example is being shared via Twitter, which is then hopefully Re-Tweeted etc.

The more frequently you write about your study, the more other genealogists will be aware of the study and will then spread the word of the studies existence.

Copyright – Julie Goucher 2019

Today’s tip is, if you are a member, to join the Guild’s members only Facebook Group

Non-members and members can follow the Guild’s Facebook page

The members’ group is quite active with a variety of discussions from great sites to visit and explore, to advice and support with software, knowledge etc.

The group has members from across the globe, meaning that we can bridge the miles that separate members.

Why not join us in the various discussions.