Social media sites like Facebook and Instagram have made it possible for people worldwide to connect in ways never before imagined. Reconnecting with distant cousins in throughout the world, sharing photos of your family history, and providing names of your ancestors are just a small example of what can be done with the magic of social media.
But that's just one way to incorporate modern technology into your ancestral quests. Now you can add Pinterest to your virtual toolbox for genealogical research.
So for those of you already addicted to 'pinning', here's a way to turn that addiction into a noble pursuit by finding helpful genealogy tips at the same time.
What Is Pinterest?
Pinterest is a social website that allows users to create virtual 'pin boards' to collect and save images of just about anything: fashion, photography, home décor, cooking, etc. It's like an online scrapbook of your favorite things.
Say you like to collect recipes. Back in the day, you might clip recipes out of magazines or copy them onto cards to be filed in your recipe box. Pinterest makes this easier for you.
You simply go to your computer, log on to Pinterest, search recipes, and then 'pin' to your pin board (like a virtual file, or recipe box) all the recipes you want to collect. You can do the same with family history. Typing in the words 'genealogy' or 'family history' will instantly bring up hundreds of links that will inspire you. Now all you have do is file them into neatly organized pin boards.
Pinterest and the 2014 BYU Genealogy Conference
At the 2014 Conference on Family History & Genealogy at BYU, Valerie Elkins, a family history specialist, blogger, and avid pinner, shared how she collects and saves genealogy-related pins. She warned that to make the most of your time you must stay focused on the task at hand or you can easily get distracted (Oh look! A cute outfit!).
Helpful Pinterest Tips
Here are some of the most helpful tips for that Valerie recommends for pinners:
- Create specific boards. If you file everything under the broad title 'Family History', it will be difficult to find exactly what you want later. Subcategories such as 'Archives', 'Reunions', or 'Photography' will help refine your searches.
- Check out to see what other people are pinning. Follow genealogy enthusiasts who have collected useful pins and 'raid' their boards, making your finding time shorter and more productive.
- Just pin it! You can always delete things later that don't fit the bill. Chances are if you go looking for that specific pin you passed by earlier, you won't find it.
- Just do it! Don't pin things and then never follow up on those wonderful ideas. (There are people who actually do that. You know who you are.)
Pinterest and Family History
Pinterest is not just for fashionistas or foodies anymore. Of course, as with any other social media site, time spent there can easily turn into frivolous time wasted, but think how you can utilize this technology to help you organize your family history files.
The familysearch.org website has made it easier for people to share their memories and stories on social websites by adding icon buttons to their pages. If you've uploaded family photos to your 'Memories' page, click on the photo and you will see that icon buttons appear below it.
Along with the Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus buttons, there is now a Pinterest button to help you file your memories online. What does it say? 'Pin it', of course.
How has social media helped you in your family history? Share your ideas and thoughts with us!
