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Genealogy and the Modern Internet

Session One: setting up a personal database and primary steps in using same

During this session, students will be guided, if necessary, through the steps for setting up an alternate browser for use in research. They will also be guided through the steps in setting up a popular freeware genealogical database, if they currently do not own and use a fee-based version.

As of this date, more Americans favor the use of the Chrome browser over that which is usually the factory-installed brand for Windows machines, i.e. Internet Explorer. If students wish to add another browser to their electronic device, they will be shown the steps to do this task. To view the latest statistics on browser-use, click here.

And also as of this date, the once popular freeware genealogical database known as PAF is no longer available from its sponsor, the Church of the Later Day Saints. This program was entitled Personal Ancestral File. Reasons for this are found here. The LDS offers links to replacement databases, most of which are fee-based. Links to these other recommendations are seen here.

Students of this LSCGG course will be encouraged, if they do not currently own a genealogical database, to install on their own device a legacy copy of PAF 5 (versatile but complex) or a copy of Family Tree Builder (user-friendly). Executable files and PDF copies of a user's manuals for both of these freeware programs are available on the CD that is part of this course's handout booklet. Instructors will guide the class through the necessary steps for installing one of the two, that one to be decided upon by the students, themselves.

After students have available both a browser as well as a database, they will be encouraged to begin their own family tree building by filling out some of the paper forms that are available in their handout booklet. Using this basic information, students will use the installed database to begin building their own digital family history.

Session Two will be designed to assist the student in becoming an efficient user of a browser.

Students are asked to fill-out and return a Session One "question sheet." A PDF copy is available here.