More Gloomy News -- A Genealogy Society Could Fold -- Maybe it's the weather (it's raining as I write this!)

Source: Flickr

Sorry for more gloomy news.  I’m attributing it to today’s weather – rainy!

Earlier today I posted about a library closing its genealogy room -- Sadly, Another Genealogy Room Has Closed ...

I also read this piece last week, Genealogy society could fold, which states ...

Age and a declining membership could signal the end of Norfolk’s local genealogical society.

The Norfolk chapter of the Ontario Genealogical Society will hold a critical meeting in Delhi Sept. 16 to discuss the future of the organization. A vote is planned on whether the chapter should fold or suspend operations.

I suspect that anyone who is associated with a genealogical society has noticed the same phenomenon.  I know that our own society suffered such a situation a few years ago (I gave a talk at FGS in Birmingham titled 19679 - The Evolution of the Wake County Genealogical Society - Diane L. Richard) and again just this past summer meetings had to be convened to ask -- To continue or not?  Will individuals step forward to take on critical responsibilities? What are the next steps?

After all, most genealogy societies need volunteers to function and people seem to be putting their volunteer time towards other activities and/or do not see the value of belonging to a genealogy society.  Additionally, our world of genealogy research is changing at what seems warp speed sometimes, though the basic premise remains the same, how we access information has changed tremendously.

Genealogy a la carte published the results of a recent survey under the title “Survey results indicate people leave societies because little value offered” which presents the top 10 reasons respondents gave for why they don’t renew their membership.  Do click on the link at the end of the page to go to the 2^nd part of the post.

I shared this with a long-time board member of a local genealogy society. We discussed how our society had/has been affected at one time or another by all of these and unfortunately we still feel we are “fighting an uphill battle.” Part of my dialogue [done through instant messenger – hence the lack of proper sentence structure ] included the following ...

Unfortunately, done are the days when a local genealogy society was the only and main game in town -- think of all the choices people face when combined with all the online stuff & webinars & tv shows etc -- it's become a daunting environment on many levels ... and, who knows what the answers are?!?! Can any genealogy society today do it all -- be social, have relevant meetings, great publications and have that be valued by the community?!?! Time will tell ...

Is a local genealogy society at risk in your area?  What might you or others do to keep it going?

What is your society doing to remain vibrant and relevant?  A must-join group?

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copyright © National Genealogical Society, 3108 Columbia Pike, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22204-4370. http://www.ngsgenealogy.org.

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The Customer Experience – Why It Matters in Genealogy -- Guest Blogger, Thomas MacEntee

 

by guest blogger, Thomas MacEntee

The genealogy industry has traditionally been a somewhat “sleepy” trade. However that industry is on the verge of explosive growth thanks to the Internet, social media and national television exposure via Who Do You Think You Are? and Genealogy Roadshow. While some may bemoan the changes and the need to monitor many different points of entry to the genealogy market, others are scaling their resources to take advantage of the newcomers and addressing their needs.

The days of genealogy societies and businesses acting as if they were run out of a church basement, a kitchen table or as a weekly neighborhood coffee klatch no longer serve the needs of today’s genealogy enthusiasts. Yet, this doesn’t mean these groups have to “go corporate” and lose that sense of small town approachability. The smart use of modern tools with an old-fashioned approach to customer service can be a formula for success.

Customer Service Meets Social Media

Savvy organizations are using social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter for their customer service needs. Yes, there are risks in handling inquiries in such a public manner and from time to time you will encounter an irate customer who just can’t be satisfied. But for many companies and membership groups, the transparency that customer service via social media provides and the goodwill that it builds is worth not just the risk, but the tasks involved with handling customer service inquiries online. 

Here are some tips:

·       Manage expectations. If your organization can’t field requests on weekends or after hours, make sure this is clear both on your website and on your social media platforms. Most people don’t expect an immediate response but they usually hope to hear back within 24 hours. A fast response time is always impressive, but don’t let those quick responses set the bar for unrealistic expectations.

·       Check platforms frequently or set up alerts. Make sure you check your business or organization’s Facebook page and other social media platforms at least once a day. Nothing says “stale” and “unresponsive” like a posting made by a customer or potential member that sits there for days or weeks. Use notification services built in to each platform to receive email or text message alerts when others post or ask a question.

·       Be human. What works for the big corporations can work for the small business owner or society in genealogy: come across as human and not an automaton. This means having conversations via social media with your customers. Go out of your way to thank customers for their patronage. Tell customers to have a great weekend or holiday. There can be many “persons” managing a social media account but there should be a unified “voice” in all communications.

·       Monitor the chatter. Besides checking in at the social media platforms you manage, also use Google Alerts (http://alerts.google.com) to be notified via e-mail when there is new information about your organization posted to the Internet. Also create a separate alert for each product such as a publication.

Pro-Active Customer Service – Is There Such a Thing?

Think about it: if we see genealogists as consumers and customers, then we know that they will at some point need to take advantage of a vendor or society’s customer service. This could initially be in the pre-customer stage when they have questions about a product or joining as a member.

Do you have a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section on your website? Doing so can minimize the emails and phone calls you will answer for prospective customers. Do you have a “welcome” mat for new users or consumers even if it consists of an automated e-mail greeting? Do you check in with the newcomers to understand their needs? Do you ask for feedback after a given period of time?

Customers: Keep Them Coming Back

Remember that the customer or member that renews on a regular basis and can quickly see the value of your products and services is the best kind of customer. You only have to look to the “big muscle” in genealogy – Ancestry.com – to understand how important it is to not just attract new users, but to keep the current users happy and using the Ancestry services.

Your best customer will be one who not just continues using your services, but is willing to engage with your customer service mechanisms and, more importantly, tell others in the genealogy community about their experience.

© 2013, copyright Thomas MacEntee

Bio: Thomas MacEntee is a genealogy professional specializing in the use of technology and social media to improve genealogical research and as a means of interacting with others in the family history community. For more information visit http://hidefgen.com.

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PAL-AM Conference, 2-4 June 2011

NGS subscribing organizations Palatines to America (PAL-AM) and the Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society (WPGS) want to remind you of the 2-4 June 2011 National conference being held in Pittsburgh PA.

Palatines to America (PAL-AM) is a German genealogy society dedi-cated to the study of an-cestors from all German speaking lands. The society takes its name from the fact that some of the earliest German- speaking immigrants to the American colonies came from a region in present-day Germany known as the Palatinate and were called Palatines.

The Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society is a non-profit organization of amateur and professional genealogists and historians who are dedicated to the study of the preservation of local and family history. The geographic area encompassed by the society includes the 26

counties west of Centre County. Any WPGS member who can validate an ancestor who lived in any of the twenty-six counties prior to December 31, 1810, can be accepted into the First Families of Western Pennsylvania.

Check the conference brochure for further details.

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copyright © National Genealogical Society, 3108 Columbia Pike, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22204-4370. http://www.ngsgenealogy.org.

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Republication of UpFront articles is permitted and encouraged for non-commercial purposes without express permission from NGS. Please drop us a note telling us where and when you are using the article. Express written permission is required if you wish to republish UpFront articles for commercial purposes. You may send a request for express written permission to UpFront@ngsgenealogy.org. All republished articles may not be edited or reworded and must contain the copyright statement found at the bottom of each UpFront article.

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Internet Radio and Webinars by FGS

Internet Radio and FGS

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announces the debut of My Society, the first Internet radio show dedicated solely to genealogy societies. Broadcast weekly each Saturday at 1:00 pm Central, My Society will host discussions of genealogy society topics with a variety of guests including well-known genealogists and genealogy community leaders. This unique media outlet can be accessed at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mysociety.

Each week, My Society will focus on a selected topic relevant to genealogy society management and the role societies play within the genealogy community. Future topics will discuss increasing membership, developing a social media and Internet presence, member services, and more. In addition, each episode of My Society will spotlight a member society of FGS and discuss their various programs and offerings. Using the Blog Talk Radio platform, listeners will not only be able to hear a live broadcast, but they will also be able to call in and speak with the show's host and guests to discuss their own genealogy societies.

Social Networking for Genealogy Societies
 

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announces its new series of genealogy society management education delivered online in webinar format. As part of its new online education initiative, FGS will offer webinars both free to the public and to its member societies via the popular GoToWebinar® platform which can accommodate up to 1,000 participants. FGS members will also have access to recorded webinars and syllabus materials at the members-only section of the FGS website at http://www.fgs.org.
 
The first webinar, Social Networking for Genealogy Societies, will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2011 and is free to the public. FGS Board member Thomas MacEntee will demonstrate how genealogy societies are currently leveraging the power of Facebook, Twitter and blogs to expand their online presence and recruit new members. Register at https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/401693254.

Future Webinar Topics

FGS plans to offer a wide variety of webinars focusing on society management topics over the next few months. Some of the most recognized names in genealogy education including D. Joshua Taylor, George G. Morgan and Drew Smith will develop and deliver these presentations in a convenient online setting. Topics will include:

• Administration and Member Services: Joining a Genealogical Society; How to Promote Volunteerism in Your Society; How to Create a Member Handbook; Developing an Excellent and Cost-Effective Educational Programs for Your Society; and Using Bylaws to Focus and Motivate Your Society.

• Marketing: Developing a Publicity and Marketing Plan; Methods for Promoting Your Society's Meetings; Developing a Social Media Plan; Creating a Facebook Page; Creating and Using a Twitter Account; Your Society's Next Generation: Reaching Out to New Communities; and Creating an Effective Press Release.

• Technology: How to Attend a Webinar; How to Host a Webinar; Google Docs for Societies; Google Forms for Societies; Backing Up Your Society Data; Creating a Free Website for Your Society; and Creating a Blog for Your Society.

• Finances and Fundraising: Complying with IRS Filing and Reporting Requirements for Your Non-Profit Society; Society Fundraising Through Affiliate Marketing; and How to Set Up and Use a PayPal Account.

We are extremely excited about this series and are committed to helping genealogy and historical societies improve their operations and expand their membership reach.

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Middle TN Genealogical Society's Annual Awards Program -- 12 May 2011

What: Middle TN Genealogical Society's Annual Awards Program with Award for best article in 2009/2010 presented by Paul R. White. 

Where: Nashville, TN, FiftyForward Knowles Senior Center, 174 Rains Ave., (across from State Fairgrounds).

When: 12 May 2011, 1:00 pm, 

Event Speaker: Mr. White, Nashville attorney and genealogist, has authored several books on various genealogy and historical subjects.  He spends leisure time as an antique automobile enthusiast belonging to many of their societies.  In his spare time, he conducts legal workshops at TSLA and is actively pursuing his certification with the Board of Certification of Genealogists. 

For more information, please contact sueatmtgs@comcast.net or check out our website www.mtgs.org   Come and enjoy Mr. White, a man of many dimensions.

There is no charge for this event.  Refreshments served.

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Pass It On: Personal Archiving Day at the Library of Congress, April 30, 2011 -- FREE Public Program

Pass it On: Personal Archiving Day at the Library of Congress is a free public event taking place on Saturday, 30 April, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The event will provide information about preserving personal and family photographs in both digital and non-digital form.  No reservations are needed.

Library staff will be on hand to talk directly with individuals about how to manage and preserve their pictorial treasures.  There will also be videos and printed information available.

The event will take place in Room 119 of the Jefferson building, located at 1st Street S.E., between Independence Avenue and East Capitol Street. For information about visiting the Library see http://www.loc.gov/visit/. For security reasons we ask attendees not bring collection materials to the event.  No appraisals will be provided.

Pass it On: Personal Archiving Day at the Library of Congress celebrates Preservation Week (April 24-30). This joint initiative of the Library of Congress, the American Library Association, the Institute for Museum and Library Services, and others, highlights libraries and other collecting institutions as excellent sources of preservation information. Pass it On: Personal Archiving Day at the Library of Congress is co-sponsored by the Office of Strategic Initiatives and Library Services. 

“It is a great pleasure for us to be able to help families preserve their photograph collections,” said Laura Campbell, Associate Librarian for Strategic Initiatives.  “Digital technology in particular provides new challenges and opportunities to keeping photographs accessible over time and across generations.”

Dr. Deanna Marcum, Associate Librarian for Library Services, says ”Many of the collections currently held by the Library of Congress came originally from personal collectors  It is in the best interest of the Library to help families preserve memorabilia that help trace the history of our communities and nation.”

A 50-second video preview of the event is available.

To learn more about the event and to sign up for free digital preservation updates, please visit http://www.digitalpreservation.gov/.  To learn more about preservation visit the Preservation Directorate Website at http://www.loc.gov/preserv/.

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(AP) Archives, Ancestry.com post-Civil War files online

(AP) – 6 April 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Archives and Ancestry.com published newly digitized Civil War records online for the first time Wednesday, allowing users to trace family links to the war between North and South.

Nearly 275,000 newly published pages are among the most heavily used documents for research in the National Archives' Civil War holdings, curators said. The pages contain about 3 million names of those who enlisted for a draft from 1863 to 1865, though only about 40,000 were drafted to fight.

Archivists estimate 17 million Americans have an ancestor who fought in the war. Many may not know about their family ties.

Tracing genealogy is becoming a fast-growing hobby and even "fashionable" with a Friday night TV show devoted to celebrity family histories, said Josh Hanna, executive vice president of Ancestry.com. The company sponsors the NBC show and invested $100 million in digitizing historical records.

"Family history, I can tell you as someone who's been doing this for 15 years now, used to be a hell of a lot harder than it is today," Hanna said. "It's become much faster, easier and cheaper to actually do a lot of this research."

At the Archives, filmmaker Ken Burns revealed a family discovery he made from the Archives records shortly after his 1980s PBS series, "The Civil War." He learned that his great-great-grandfather Abraham Burns was a Confederate soldier, which he called a "stunning discovery."

[Check out the PBS page]

"He was 5-feet, 4 inches tall and had gray eyes, which I suppose is perfect for a Confederate," Burns said of the details he gleaned from the documents. "He stated to a copyist ... that he was a blacksmith in life and had been 'forced' to join the Confederate Army, which I don't think is quite accurate."

Burns said he traced his ancestor's capture in the newly created state of West Virginia in 1863 and how Abraham Burns was sent to a prison camp until the war ended. Burns thought all records disappeared after his great-great-grandfather was released.

Some of the newly digitized files show, however, that the once enemy captor later applied for a federal pension. That wasn't unusual for Confederate soldiers, Burns said, as most white citizens were welcomed back into society after the bloodiest war.

"This is not just the story of generals and presidents but a bottom-up story of so-called ordinary people who fought on both sides," he said, calling the Archives digitization project a lesson in democracy. "This place is really the ground zero for coming to terms with it."

New York TV anchor Cheryl Wills, who wrote a book about her great-great-great-grandfather Sandy Wills escaping slavery to fight with the U.S. Colored Troops, said she discovered her family connection about 150 years after the Civil War ended.

"I was just goofing around on the Internet — I had no idea what I would find," Wills said.

What she found, though, was an extensive story about how Sandy Wills was sold into slavery at age 10 and later enlisted in Kentucky to fight with five other slave boys who were like brothers. She framed a copy of his military discharge paper.

Later findings weren't so proud. Wills said she found a pension application from Sandy Wills' widow, Emma Wills, which showed a pattern of discrimination against black widows. She was required to fill out a deposition to try to prove where she was born as a former slave and hired a lawyer to try to claim a pension.

"Look at her humble X on the bottom," Wills said, pointing to the signature line. "It kills my heart to see that X because that's government-imposed illiteracy. ... She just put her mark."

The family history was long forgotten, though, until Wills found the records online.

Newly published Civil War documents also include the names of some famous Americans who enlisted for the draft, including a 27-year-old Andrew Carnegie, A. Montgomery Ward and future President Grover Cleveland.

The digitization project is part of a five-year deal with Provo, Utah-based Ancestry.com worth millions of dollars. The public will have free access beginning Thursday for a week before a subscription is required to access the records.

Archives spokeswoman Susan Cooper said the federal agency doesn't have the money or staff needed to digitize all records itself.

Ancestry offers a 14-day free trial before requiring a paid subscription of $12.95 to $19.95 per month. The company has about 1.4 million subscribers who can search about 2 billion names.

Ancestry provides digital images of each record to the Archives free of charge, along with index metadata. After five years, the Archives can use the index and digitized records without any restrictions.

Burns said it's a "win-win" partnership for digitization that would not have otherwise happened in times of a tight federal budget.

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Free Access Week, 7-14 April 2011 – Civil War era records – Ancestry.com

We’d heard the rumors and now we’ve confirmed.  Ancestry.com is offering free access, 7-14 April, 2011, to its Civil War era records in honor of the start of the civil war, 12^th April 1861, and the associated sesquicentennial of the Civil War (150^th Anniversary).  This is a great collection of both Union and Confederate-related records – too many titles for us to list here.  And, with free access, go check them out yourself!

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Chronicling America ... More and More Newspapers!

MORE NEWSPAPERS ADDED: 165,500 historic newspapers added to Chronicling America

Last week the Library of Congress added more than 165,500 historic newspaper pages to the Chronicling America Web site. This update includes new titles from Nebraska, Louisiana, Hawaii, Utah, Texas, and Virginia, as well as many issues added for existing titles. The site now includes more than 3.4 million pages from 457 titles published between 1860 and 1922 in 22 states and the District of Columbia. Also, take a "sneak peek" at upcoming changes to the site by clicking on the "beta version" links and use the Feedback [+] button to let us know what you think

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Chronicling America is produced by the National Digital Newspaper Program, a partnership between the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress.... Read more about it!

Editor: If you have not yet checked out this collection of freely available digitized newspapers, you are in for a treat.  It has high quality graphics and an easy-to-use search interface.  It’s also a great place to learn what newspapers are extant for a community and what repositories hold archival copies.  It’s my go-to-place for historical newspaper research!

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