Popular Social Networks for Genealogy

Blogs

Many blogs help with learning the basics of genealogical research, learning more about a particular product, ancestral line or geographical area, and provide the latest news about happenings in the family history research industry or products used.

• African American Genealogy Examiner
• Ancestry
  
• ChicagoGenealogy
  
• Cyndi's List
• DearMYRTLE'S
  
• FamilySearch Blog
• GeneaMusings (Randy Seaver)
• Full list of genealogical blogs (over 3000) at Geneabloggers.com
• Descendants N Ancestors ® Newspaper
  
• Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter
  
• Family Matters
• FamilySearch
  
• Fold3
• Kim's Genealogy
  
• Midwestern Microhistory
• Louisiana Genealogy
  
• Olive Tree Genealogy
• Renee's Genealogy Blog
• Runaway Slave
• Saving Stories
  
• Scottish Genealogy News and Events
  
• Small Leaved Shamrock
  
• Steve's Genealogy
• Touch the Elbow - Blogging the Civil War
  
• Tracing the Tribe: The Jewish Genealogy Blog

Forums

In a genealogical forum, you can ask a specific question about an ancestor or a product used in family history research.  It is helpful if questions are posted in the area related to a particular discussion, or community members can start a new discussion related to their query.  Find out the rules as a forums member.  For example, some forums allow attachments and some do not, and it is not proper to advertise products in a forum post or spam forum members.  That is one sure way of getting blocked from a forum. Those who answer posts can be professional genealogists or enthusiasts who have a good working knowledge of the topic.

• Genforum

Groups

Many groups exist with members who have a common interest which focus on a particular research topic or geographical concentration.  Members of a group can learn from the wide range of replies and questions that are asked, post questions, and learn about specific interests when general information is shared that benefits the group.  Groups require registration.

Yahoo Groups:  Genealogy Club1, Ancestor Hunters, BlacksInGenealogy

Message Boards

Message boards are set up to allow family history researchers to post a comment or question online and others more knowledgeable about a topic or product respond to the query. Message boards can also be used to post information about your ancestors and that information then becomes searchable by others.

Family Tree Circles  Connect with your circle of family tree researchers.

Genforum

Networks

A network is made up a very large community where members having a common interest connect with each other to communicate.  Special interest groups can also be found within networks where members can join to collaborate with one another. The following networks have members who belong to special groups relating to genealogy within the network.  Some of the groups within networks are listed below.  The expertise of the group can range form expert to novice.  All are there to share ideas and resources.

• Facebook (Registration required)
  

Facebook Groups:  US Genealogical Sites!, General Genealogical Sites!, Great International Genealogical Websites!, Family History Library, FamilySearch Indexing, Genealogy, Guild of One-Name Studies, Heritage Genealogy Corner, Ancestorville Genealogy, International Genealogy, British Isles Genealogy, AfroAmerican Genealogy, Genealogy Links for Research, Saving Stories

• LinkedIn (Registration required)

LinkedIn Groups:
* Digging Up Family Roots Genealogy
* Family History Detective
* FamilySearch.org Users
* Genealogical & Historical Research
* Genealogy Consultancy
* Genealogy Linked

• Guild of One-Name Studies

* History Enthusiasts Group

Twitter Members/Groups:

• Twitter (Requires registration.  Search the usernames below to follow)
  

Acadian Genealogy, afrigeneas, alabamapioneers, AncestryDotCom, AncestryComAu, AncestryInsider, a3Genealogy, CatawbaHistory, CyndisList, CivilWarHistory, DearMYRTLE, dickeastman, DutchGen, FacesOfAmerica, FamilyTreeMagazine, findmypast (UK), GenealogyGems, generationstv, GuildOneName, lacemeteries, LCAfricana, megansmolenyak, ncgenealogy, OneGreatFamily, oregon_history, OurGeorgiaRoots, Polish Origins, Renee Zamora, rootstelevision, SlaveryDatabase UKGenealogy, uscivilwar, WDYTYA,

Podcasts

Free podcasts can be accessed to receive instruction and information about the latest products and news in the genealogical industry. Many professional genealogists offer helpful information about resources and techniques via podcasts.Notice of scheduled podcasts are delivered to email account free or can be accessed on blogs.  Some provide the opportunity for callers to participate live and ask questions of experts.

• Family Tree Magazine
• Genealogy Gems Podcast- Your Family History Show
• BlogTalkRadio  (Topic: Genealogy)
• The Genealogy Guys
• Under the Tree (African-American)

Trees

Several repositories for genealogical findings can be found on the interest today.  Members who join a repository where trees are shared share information they have compiled on their own family.  Many of these repositories are free, and members can link to information on deceased family.  Repositories provide a place where members can store a vast about of data permanently.Some of the repositories have additional features that they offer.

• Ancestry Family Trees
• Family Pursuit
• FamilySearch FamilyTree (requires free sign-in)
• Genes Reunited ($)
• Genetree
• Family Genealogy
• World Connect Project
• Geni

Wikis

A wiki is an encyclopedia where research is shared and beginners benefit from knowledge the community contributes.  With community contributions, a wealth of specialized knowledge is always readily available by searching.  A wiki is not the proper format for posting questions.

• FamilySearch Research Wiki
  
• Ancestry
• We Relate
• Familypedia
• ISOGG Wiki (International Society of Genetic Genealogy)

Social Genealogy Articles

• Social Genealogy. More resources

For more information see The Power of Community

See also

What to do with the genealogy and family history I collected