Press Release: New Genealogy Gems App for iPhone and iTouch

Note: I am very happy to share this press release from Lisa Louise Cooke about her brand new iPhone and iTouch app. She is the author of the wonderful Genealogy Gems Podcast. She is also a very talented speaker (I know from experience because I've seen two of her classes and they were phenomenal!). She is one of my genealogy idols and an incredibly fun person to be around. While I haven't tried this product out (only because I don't have an iPhone or iTouch), I know that Lisa only puts out quality products and puts her hard work into every project she does.

Press Release:

SAN RAMON, Calif. – January 4, 2009 - The Genealogy Gems Podcast, the #1 podcast in the genealogy category in iTunes has launched the first ever genealogy podcast app for iPhone and iTouch (in partnership with Wizzard Media). The Genealogy Gems Podcast app provides users with streaming genealogy audio and video on the go, and exclusive Bonus Content.

A free “online genealogy radio show,” The Genealogy Gems Podcast has provided innovative research strategies, family history expert and celebrity interviews, and genealogy news since 2007. These “gems” of genealogical information inspire family history researchers of all experience levels and helps them make the most of their valuable research time. The new app provides one more way for the popular podcast to reach it’s worldwide audience.

“Mobile technology is the wave of the future,” says Producer and Creator Lisa Louise Cooke. “At Genealogy Gems we strive to be out in front bringing the highest quality genealogy education to those seeking to enrich their lives through family history research. The app makes this possible on a whole new level.”

The app streams all the episodes (including show notes!), and new episodes are downloaded automatically. Bonus content on the new app includes exclusive material such as audio files and custom genealogy themed wallpaper, as well as Cooke’s 20 page pdf e-book 5 Fabulous Google Research Strategies for the Family Historian. New bonus content will be added as episodes are published. Cooke says users have much to look forward to, “There’s always something new coming to your iPhone and iTouch with the Genealogy Gems Podcast app!

About Genealogy Gems

Genealogy Gems is one of the leading producers of online quality genealogy-related media. Also found at the Genealogy Gems Web site http://www.GenealogyGems.TV , recognized as one of the 101 Best Web Sites for Family History 2009: The Family History: Genealogy Made Easy Podcast, the Genealogy Gems TV Channel at YouTube, the Genealogy Gems News Blog, Genealogy Gems Premium Membership including exclusive podcasts and videos, and The Genealogy Gems Podcast Toolbar.

Lisa Louise Cooke is the author of Genealogy Gems: Ultimate Research Strategies, and national genealogy speaker. She also produces and hosts The Family Tree Magazine Podcast, teaches online webinars, and writes and produces videos for the magazine.

Media Contacts:

Genealogy Gems

Lisa Louise Cooke, Producer and Creator

Phone: (925) 272-4021

Email: genealogygemspodcast@gmail.com

Website: http://www.GenealogyGems.TV

My Genealogy Reading List

As part of Amy Coffin of the We Tree blog is challenging bloggers one week at a time in her 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy. Each week, a new blogging prompt will be given that will help sharpen our genealogy skills.

Challenge #1 says: "Go to your local public library branch. Make a note of the genealogy books in the collection that may help you gain research knowledge. Don’t forget to check the shelves in both the non-fiction section and the reference section. If you do not already have a library card, take the time to get one. If you have a genealogy blog, write about what you find in your library’s genealogy collection."

Here are the books that I am planning on checking out:

• Social Networking for Genealogists b"y Drew Smith (you probably know him from The Genealogy Guys Podcast). I've been meaning to read this book for a while. So this week, I am going to check it out.
• Secrets of Tracing Your Ancestors by W. Daniel Quillen. I want to expand my genealogy education this year just to make myself a better genealogist. This book has a great title that just pulls me in and I am bound to learn something. (A new edition of this book is currently available for pre-order from Amazon and will be available on February 2, 2010)
• How to Trace Your Family Tree in England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales: The Complete Practical Handbook for all Detectives of Family History by Kathy Chater. It is about time that I get over my fear of tracing my Welsh and English ancestors. I have them documented in America, but I really want to finally jump across the pond.
• The Genealogist's Question and Answer Book, 1st Edition by Marcia Yannizze Melnyk. Once again, this book seems like a perfect read as I am trying to expand my genealogy education.
• The Weekend Genealogist: Time Saving Techniques for Effective Research by Marica Yannizze Melnyk. As someone who has little time for genealogy during the school year, this book is a must read.

I am so excited to head to the library on Monday or Tuesday to check these books out. All of these books are thankfully in stock at my local library.

Note: I have a store on Amazon.com in which I recieve a small percentage of the sale when you buy something from Amazon by clicking through my links. I am not trying to push you to buy these books. But if you are going to buy these books anyway, then why not do it through the links provided on this blog. You pay the same price as if you had bought it by going straight to Amazon.com.

Disclaimer: None of the authors of these books have asked me to promote their books. In fact, I haven't even promote their books. I haven't met any of the authors (with the exception of Drew Smith).read these books yet - so I cannot provide a review. None of the authors have paid me or given me any products to promote their books.

What Are Your Genealogical Priorities?

With New Years Day right around the corner, there is lots of talk in the air about resolutions. Some of us cringe when we hear the word, others of us get excited for the challenge. Some of us refuse to make any resolutions and some like to call them "goals". Whatever your preference in dealing with New Years Resolutions, I highly suggest that you at least take a look back on your genealogy progress from 2009. Are you satisfied with your progress? Or do you wish you had done more?

The key to being satisfied with your genealogical work is to make sure that your genealogical tasks are reflective of your genealogical priorities. But what are your priorities?

Each person's answer(s) will be slightly different and the reasons for those answers will be different. The answers come from why you do genealogy in the first place. There are no right or wrong answers.

So for 2010, I am challenging you to....

• Really examine that priority list to make sure it goes with what matters to you - and that you aren't listing things just because you think you are "supposed" to.
• Make a list of tasks that go with those priorities. Don't be afraid to be a little ambitious and list some things that intimidate you or are a little difficult.
• Now for each of those tasks, break them down. Make each task into smaller, manageable pieces.
• Ready for the fun part? Give yourself rewards a long the way. Those rewards will give you some motivation.

So what does your priority list look like? What are some of those tasks you are going to take on in 2010? Feel free to leave your answers in a comment or write a separate blog post and post the link in the comments section. I'm excited for your answers!

My Twelve Days Of Christmas

I saw Kimberly Powells post on the 12 days of Christmas - genealogy style. Then I saw Randy Seaver's version of the 12 days of Christmas - genealogy style. So I was inspired to write my own version.

On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:

12 Old Family Photos

11 New Family Stories

10 Pension Records

9 Census Records

8 Land Deeds and Patents

7 Lost Cousins

6 Message Board Postings

5 Family Bibles

4 Newspaper Obituaries

3 Draft Cards

2 Society Memberships

....And One Complete GEDCOM database!

Setting Goals For 2010

With the holiday season right upon us, all of us are running around like crazy people! Between going to the mall to shop for gifts, cleaning the house because the relatives are coming over, putting up the mass amounts of decorations, and trying to get all of that holiday baking done - we are all pretty overwhelmed with busy. In my case, I was neck deep in finals and just trying to survive the remainder of the semester.

But this doesn't even leave time for genealogy for most of us. Yet, I am shocked at how some of you Geneabloggers get so much done! (My theory is that some of you have clones...).

Since I've been out of school, I've been enjoying lots of genealogy catch up time (and lots of much needed sleep). But I have so many genealogy things to do and so little time to do it. So I've decided to make some clear goals for 2010:

1. Break down the George Rogers brick wall once and for all. Not only would this give me huge satisfaction since he is my most challenging ancestor - but this would also make my Aunt Deb very happy since George Rogers is the one that she wants to know about the most.
2. Research back to a Revolutionary War ancestor. I have two *probable* ancestor who fought in the Revolutionary war, but I am having a lot of difficulty in proving the relationships and getting documents.
3. I want to start some research on my boyfriend's family tree. I've heard so many stories, so now it is time to
4. I want to start telling my little cousin, Audrie more about our ancestors. She is only 7, but I want her to know more about her ancestors and get her acquainted with seeing old pictures and hearing old stories.
5. I want to connect with more of you genealogists! I love talking to you, learning from you, and joking around with you guys. You are all so much fun!
6. My presentation at the SCGS Jamboree 2010 in Burbank, California is going to be AWESOME. I want it to be educational, fun, and interactive. My goal is to have everyone walking away with a smile on their face.

2010 is going to be a big year for me. I'm going to be graduating with an A.A. degree in June. Then I will be doing a genealogy presentation for the first time the same weekend. Finally, in August I will be turning 21 - and be starting school again at a university! Yep - 2010 is going to be a good year.