How Facebook Can Benefit Your Genealogy Research

How Facebook can Further your Genealogy Research

Utilizing Facebook as a genealogical tool might seem odd to many people. A recent article in Family Tree Magazine stated that “70% of Americans used social media in 2017… and more than half of that number use Facebook.” What other tool would give you such broad access to other people? What other tool would help you break through a brick wall, decipher records, date photographs, seek advice, request obituaries and newspaper clippings, interact with distant relatives, find information on an ancestor and, maybe even a photograph? The possibilities are endless!

Let’s explore the many ways Facebook can benefit your research ~

#1 – Connect with your DNA matches who may post old family photos on their page.

#2 – Create a ‘surname’ or ‘family’ group page and share information, research and photos with distant relatives. There are 3 different types of group pages: Public: anyone can find it and join; Closed: will show up when people search for it but they must ‘join’ to see posts; and Private: only for those who are invited to join.

#3 -  Break through a brick wall by seeking advice and help from other genealogy buffs on various pages such as Random Acts of Genealogy, DNA Detectives and Free Obituary Lookups, to name a few. Post your question and other followers will offer advice and share their experience. Many will even assist by searching for a record you might be looking for or a newspaper clipping.

Use the search feature at the top of the page (see below) to find a previous post that may answer your generic question(s).

#4 – Seek advice or request help translating a record from a group page that specializes in a specific area of genealogy research such as ‘German Genealogy’ or ‘German Translation of Records.’ There are many groups for every country that you might be searching in. Post your question for other followers to respond to.

#5 – Join an established ‘Family Association’ group or page to interact with distant relatives and share information.

#6 – Follow Ancestry.com , FamilySearch.org, FindMyPast.com and MyHeritage.com Facebook pages to keep abreast of the latest news, search tips and sales on their websites.

#7 – Join a group or follow the pages of libraries, museums and genealogical societies for the areas where your ancestors lived. Use the site’s ‘search feature’ to search for your ancestors’surname. My search resulted in 24 postings for Tanguay family members.

*Tips when joining a group ~

~ Read the group guidelines so you’ll know the proper information and questions to post.

~ Type in your ancestor’s surname in the ‘search feature’ to find a previous post or photo about your ancestor.

~ Before you post a random question, use the site’s ‘search feature’ to see if that question has already been answered.

~ Post specific well thought out, brief questions with pertinent details for the best success in receiving a helpful response.

~ Browse through the questions posted daily to help others and to pick up tips from others in the group.

Additional Helpful Resources ~

How to Use Facebook to Boost your Genealogy Research – A Case Study: https://www.psychogenealogist.com/blog/2017/3/18/how-to-use-facebook-to-boost-your-genealogy-research-a-case-study

Using Facebook for Genealogy: https://fromshepherdsandshoemakers.com/2016/07/19/using-facebook-for-genealogy/

Legacy Tree - Why you Should join a Genealogy Facebook Group: https://www.legacytree.com/blog/facebook-genealogy-group

Family Tree Magazine – Using Social Media for Genealogy Research: https://www.familytreemagazine.com/index.html%3Fp=27469.html