PUBLISHING YOUR GENEALOGY ON THE INTERNET THE EASY WAY

by Gerhard Ruf, gruf@byu.edu

COPYRIGHT 1998-2008

     This class will introduce you to publishing your genealogical information on the Internet. We will demonstrate some simple methods for sharing your information through available online services, like the RootsWeb Surname List and WorldConnect. We will also give a brief overview of publishing on your own web site with complete control, and at other services that assist you in the printing and sale of genealogical books.

  1. WHY Publish?
    - Share your information (especially if it's well researched)
         Genealogy (We'll focus on this today.)
         Journals
         Family Stories
    - Find others working on common ancestral lines
    - Find lost cousins for a family reunion
    - Bring the family closer together
    - Publishing on the Web is not permanent. It may be easily updated, or removed.
     
  2. HOW is it done?
    - Roots Surname List (1,210,000+ surnames) http://rsl.rootsweb.com/
            Select which surnames you want to list.
            Determine the range of years and locations for each surname.
     
    - Provide your data in a GEDCOM file to a service which will publish it for you.
    These sites require free registration.
    Consider privacy issues.
        WorldConnect - (536,000,000+ names) at RootsWeb.com
            Upload the complete GEDCOM file.
            Use options on site to limit what is viewable or downloadable.
        Pedigree Resource File - (200,000,000+ names) at FamilySearch
            Limit your GEDCOM file as it is created.
            When the new FamilySearch web site becomes available you will be able to use that to allow others access to your data.
        WeRelate.org - A Wiki site WeRelate.org
            Upload your GEDCOM file for display.
            Add pictures and other images.
            Add documents.
        Family Trees at Ancestry.com Ancestry.com/myancestry
            Begin with a GEDCOM upload or start entering data.
            Add pictures and other images.
            Add documents.
     
    - Some genealogy programs will create web pages for you and upload them automatically to that company's or your own web site.
        FAMILY TREE MAKER - http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/?Welcome=992161189
            create your own genealogy home page and/or participate in the World Family Tree
     
    - Nearly all genealogy programs will create web pages directly for you, but you must upload them to a web site of your choosing.
        LEGACY FAMILY TREE - http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/
        PERSONAL ANCESTRAL FILE - http://www.FamilySearch.org
        ROOTS MAGIC - http://www.RootsMagic.com/
     
    - Create and maintain your own web site. (This may be as simple as just listing your surnames and locations or providing access to all or part of the information you and your family have researched.)
     
  3. There are many helps available along the way.
    - See Cyndi's Genealogical Web Page Construction Kit at
        http://www.cyndislist.com/construc.htm
     
  4. Steps in Creating Your Own Web Page (not for the faint hearted)
    Find Space On A Web Server To Store Your Web Pages.
    Create Your Home Page.
    Create Your Genealogical Web Pages
    Check your pages and links with your Web browser (Open File).
    Transfer all files and subdirectory structure to your service provider.
    Test your web pages for accessibility and correctness.
    Publicize your Home Page.
     
  5. Another Option - Publish Your Own Book in Printed Form.
    You may use PAF 5.2 or other genealogical programs to prepare a copy of the information you have entered. See Users Guide section, How to Print Books, pg 130-1.
    Use a Word Processor like WordPerfect or Microsoft Word or Publisher to prepare your book.
    Select a printer and publisher
    Some online publishers allow you to build and sell one book at a time.
        Lulu.com is a poplular "Print On Demand" website.
        Google the phrase "Print On Demand". Begin by reading the article at wikipedia.org.
     
  6. A Few Selected Resources
    Cyndi's Genealogical Web Page Construction Kit
        http://www.cyndislist.com/construc.htm
    Print and Publish with Ancestry Press at Ancestry.com
        http://ancestrypress.ancestry.com/
    Printing and Publishing Family History - Heritage Makers
        http://www.HeritageMakers.com/
     

A FINAL THOUGHT
     The rewards of publishing are commensurate with the effort put forth.

If you have questions or comments on the above please contact me at gruf@byu.edu

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This page was last updated 21 Jun 08.