Genealogist’s Guide to Tech Galaxy: Join genealogy expert Thomas MacEntee in Salt Lake City!

Genealogist’s Guide to Tech Galaxy: Join genealogy author and educator Thomas MacEntee for a fun and informative week long immersion into the world of genealogy technology!

This segment of British Institute 2023 is possible through the generous sponsorship of MyHeritage!

Over the course of five days, your learn how to tackle almost any family history research issue that involves technology including software and the Internet! With 15 different courses PLUS one-on-one consulting to help answer your own tech questions, you’ll become a tech powerhouse able to break through those brick walls when you return home!

Genealogist’s Guide to Tech Galaxy: What Is It?

As you work through your genealogy research projects, do you sometimes have trouble managing technology? Perhaps you don’t know how to start your journey or the best route to take? What about the tools you need for your online research trip? Confused as to what works best and what should be avoided? And how about keeping up with all the new technologies that can improve your research and propel you into the next orbit? You’ll learn not just what apps, gadgets, sites and applications work best, but how to optimize your research time and efforts.

Genealogist’s Guide to Tech Galaxy: Prerequisites

A basic understanding of computer usage including desktop and laptop as well as how to connect to the Internet. Class will include wireless access and power supply connection for devices so students can replicate online what is covered in each session.

In this track you’ll cover these topics:

• Basic technology including desktop computers, laptops, mobile devices, peripherals (printers and scanners) and how to troubleshoot tech issues.

• Search engine and database searching strategies.

• Collecting and preserving research data

• Using social media to expand your research.

• Selecting applications, websites and tools for specific tasks and projects

Genealogist’s Guide to Tech Galaxy: Class Titles

• 10 Secrets You Should Know to Survive Microsoft Word
  Summary: While Microsoft Word – part of the Microsoft Office Suite – is one of the most dynamic software programs for document creation, various features can quickly turn into frustrating annoyances. Do you have problems with headings that won’t stay put? Margins that seem to change suddenly? Spacing issues? Does text pasted from the Internet get unruly? Learn how to tame Microsoft Word and get it to work for you, not against you! Soon you’ll have no fear of creating complex documents for your family history stories, genealogy research or your business functions.

• After You’re Gone: Future Proofing Your Genealogy Research
  Summary: Have you ever considered what will happen to your years of genealogy research once you’re gone? Learn how to ensure that your hard work carries on. Through a combination of planning, common sense, and new technologies, we’ll review how to create an action plan for preserving your genealogy research.

• Backing Up Your Genealogy Data
  Summary: Participants will learn various methods for backing up their genealogy data including many free online programs such as DropBox, Google Drive, and more! Have you ever experienced data loss when it comes to your genealogy research? Not yet? Well, if not, have you prepared for what might happen if your hard drive fails? What if your laptop is lost or stolen? Learn the basics of backing up all your genealogy data including identifying data, common backup methods and how to use free online programs to help you make sure your data will always be available!

• Building a Research Toolbox
  Summary: Are overwhelmed with the number of online resources for genealogical research? Are you constantly working with unorganized bookmarks or favorites? Printing out lists of websites you use most? Learn how to build a research toolbox that is organized, easy-to-use, and can be accessed from almost anywhere. Participants will learn not only some of the most important online resources for genealogical research, but also how to organize these resources into an easy-to-access and portable virtual toolbox.

• Can I Use That in My Genealogy? What You Should Know About Copyright
  Summary: Are you aware that certain documents and photos that are part of your family history research may be restricted by copyright? Don’t panic – you can still use them in your genealogy! But understand how to determine if an item is copyrighted and how it can and can’t be used. Learn the basics of US copyright law and how you can still use copyrighted items such as documents, articles, and photographs as part of your genealogy research.

• Creating an Indexing Project
  Summary: Many genealogy and historical societies and even individuals own important data records that they want to index and share with the genealogy community but don’t know where to start. Learn about the current options available to create your own community-based indexing project and how to enlist others to help with indexing.

• Did I Get Everything? – Creating a Checklist for Genealogy Research
  Summary: Are you really done with researching that ancestor? Many genealogists think they have a brick wall when, in fact, they just haven’t done a “reasonably exhaustive search.” Learn how to assemble a genealogy research checklist to take your genealogy to the next level. Participants will learn how to identify gaps in their genealogy research and then move to the next level of research. These levels include using genealogy networks, going beyond online research with the help of Family Search Centers and other “offline” resources, and crafting a genealogy research checklist.

• Google Tools for Genealogy
  Summary: Most genealogists are only using 10% or less of the resources behind Google when it comes to research. Learn about the other 90% and how these Google components can be leveraged for better search results. Google is more than just a search engine – it is a wealth of information much of which goes unnoticed by the average genealogist. Besides searching, Google allows you to access maps, books, journals, abstracts, patents and much more. These components may be what is needed to make advances in your genealogy research.

• Google Forms for Genealogists
  Summary: Learn how to use Google Forms which is part of Google Drive – a free application with spreadsheets, word processing and more – to your advantage. While a basic understanding of Google Drive is not necessary, it helps if you know how to access the Google Drive program (see the Google Drive for Genealogists webinar recording). We’ll cover how to create new forms, how to add templates, how to embed forms in blogs and websites, how to share forms, and how to be notified each time a form is competed.

• Managing the Genealogy Data Monster
  Summary: It is so easy to let the large amounts of data involved with genealogy overwhelm you – to the point that family history research is no longer fun! Learn how to tackle the three main problem areas of genealogy data: research data, project data and file data so you can put the fun back in your research! Attendees will learn the basics of working “smarter” instead of “harder” when it comes to managing genealogy data. We’ll cover setting up genealogy projects and tracking them to completion, using a research log to track research, and how to better manage your genealogy data files.

• Smarter Search Strategies for Genealogy
  Summary: Most genealogists begin their research online and often become frustrated with the lack of results. The cause might not be a lack of records at the specific site, but the way you’re performing the search! While basic search techniques work on all the major genealogy sites, you need to power up your search skills to get the most out of niche genealogy websites and uncover those hidden record sets!

• Tech Troubleshooting: What Would You Do?
  Description: Let’s face it. Dealing with technologies used for genealogy research is often a hassle, especially if you’re not a “digital native.” Learn the basics of tech troubleshooting, how to contact a tech vendor and get results, the best ways of finding tech help online, and how to create a “tech troubleshooting protocol” for future problems. We will also cover some of the most frequent tech problems and solve them collaboratively as a group.

• Tools for Translating and Transcribing Genealogy Records
  Summary: Documents – old and new – are a requisite resource for genealogy research. Learn the latest tools and programs available to translate foreign language documents as well as transcribe documents to extract needed information.

• US and Canada Newspaper Research Strategies
  Summary: While online newspaper resources are plentiful for United States and Canada research, finding the best websites and tools to collect data can be a treasure hunt. Learn how to find the best historic newspaper sites (free and paid) and how to properly capture images and text to improve your genealogical research.

• You Can Do This: Photo Organizing and Preservation
  Summary: Are you sitting on a pile of old family photographs and wondering what is the best way to preserve them? What about boxes of family vacation slides, photo negatives or home movies? As more and more Baby Boomers take on the task of organizing family history materials, we’re uncertain about the best way to preserve these memories. And an overabundance of technology doesn’t help!

Genealogist’s Guide to Tech Galaxy: Dates and Times

Meet ‘n Greet, Sunday, 8 October 2023. Classes run 9 – 13 October, 8 a.m. to noon (MST)

Genealogist’s Guide to Tech Galaxy: Pricing

Please see this page for British Institute pricing and discounts.

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