Monday, April 8, 2013

Google Alerts


Source: www.google.com.au

alerts can help you find your relatives.




You never know what information that you will find by doing a name search on your relative and/or the town that they lived in.

My Tips:
  • Don't stop at the first page of search results,  keep looking through the pages
  • Create alerts and receive emails when new information is added to the internet
How to create an alert:

1.  Go into More - Even more - in the top toolbar of Google search screen


2.  Scroll Down to Google Alerts


3.  Insert preferred search results and preferred frequency of email alerts.


I can't finish this post without mentioning a couple of other "G" websites that I use for family history research:

GENUKI - UK & Ireland Genealogy.  The site provides "a virtual reference library of genealogical information of particular relevance to the UK and Ireland. It is a non-commercial service, maintained by a charitable trust and a group of volunteers".

Gould Genealogy - I subscribe to their regular updates and news about genealogy and family history, primarily for Australians.  Additionally, I have purchased many items from them to assist me with my research. 


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28 comments:

  1. Google is your friend. Must look at this tip.

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    1. 20 years ago, we wouldn't have heard of Google. Now it is a recognised word. Today, everyone knows what it means to Google something.

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  2. I can see what I will be doing all of next winter. Looking for more info on my family. Thanks for all your great information.

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    1. Good luck with your research. Have fun googling :)

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  3. This is such a good idea. I'll have to pass this on to my Mum, who is researching our Family Tree for us all. Good stuff! :0)

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  4. thanks, these sound like interesting sites :)

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    1. The internet has made research a lot easier but there is so much more available than can be found on the internet.

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  5. That was very cool and helpful advice and I appreciate it!! Hmmm, whom do I wish to search for? I have a bunch of people in my family I would like to find some information on!! I love it! Thank you/gracias...that was my post today! www.sandysanderellasmusings.blogspot.com

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    1. Good luck. I hope that you can find some information :)

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  6. This is an interesting tip -- I guess I never gave much thought to whether anyone in my family tree would get updated online. But anything is possible.

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    1. You will be surprised. Not all new records will pop up but many do, depending on how they are indexed.

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  7. Thank you for this tip, Sharon - I must give this a try as it is new to me. I like your punchy posts in this A-Z series - you made a good choice of theme.

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    1. Thank you Susan.
      I don't have the time to do lengthy research posts for the challenge so this was a quick alternative.

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  8. Love the blog, Sharon :) The internet knows everything! ;)

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    1. What did we ever do without it! Just don't believe everything you read :)

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  9. I search Google daily (I am a copywriter), but have never used the Google Alert function. Good tip!

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    1. I love it when I pick up a new tip or hint from others. Glad that you have learnt something :)

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  10. For the past few years my dad has been very involved in researching our family history. My siblings and I even got him one of those
    'research your ancestors via DNA' kits for Christmas. I will certainly be sending him the link to your blog to make sure he knows about all the tips and techniques you are using.

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    1. That is something that i am interested in too. We supposedly have aboriginal blood but can't be sure as the birth certificate states "father unknown". The DNA test would be the only way to prove the rumour.

      Did your father find out anything interesting?

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    2. The results were actually pretty disappointing because they stopped at like 50,000 years ago. So it really felt like they would be basically the same results for anyone, or at least anyone with ancestors from any part of Europe. The information presented was very interesting and informative, it just felt generic.

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  11. Sharon, after spending six years as a debate mom for high school debate, I've appreciated the resource of Google Alerts. Besides all the research my debate student gleaned from specifically designed Alerts, I've put the tool to good use in genealogy too, so I have to agree with your assessment.

    However, lately my Google Alerts have gone silent. Perhaps, since you're writing this from the perspective of Google Australia, it may be different where I am, but I'm wondering, like other Google products, if this one may be slated for the chopping block. After all, they are on the cusp of getting rid of Google Reader. Your post prompts me to check out whatever happened to my Google Alerts notifications...

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    1. I am still receiving alerts. As you would know, they are not always helpful but many are.

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  12. Good tips!

    Blogging A to Z Challenge http://www.shellygoodmanwright.com/apps/blog/show/25492250-g-is-for-guilty

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  13. I have used Google Alerts in the past, but haven't been active with them (adding new ones, etc.) in some time. Thanks for the reminder!

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    1. When doing my family history, I am always adding something new. I have quite a list now :)

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  14. Great resources! I'll be checking out GENUKI in an attempt to learn more about my Irish heritage.

    www.solotravelgirl.com

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    1. Good luck with that! I was once told that you spend more time looking for Irish records than you do finding information about your Irish ancestors!

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