Speaker for the Dead: A Genealogy Blog
Meet the Elite Podcast – a cautionary tale
In early January I answered a phone call, though I’m always suspicious of telemarketers. The human on the other end politely introduced themselves and said they were interested in interviewing me for a podcast segment on genealogy. Ok, they had my interest, and I decreased my apprehension. They explained the […]
How I Write for Genealogy
What is your genealogy end product? Is it creating a six-generation pedigree chart? Or an as-far-back-as-you-can-get Ahnentafel chart? Maybe it’s building a tree that can be printed on banner paper and hung on a wall. For me, my end goal is usually a written narrative of a person’s […]
Writing and Publishing
Writing and Publishing with an LGBTQ Twist
Having concluded my series on LGBTQ Genealogy and LGBTQ Genealogy and Software, I find myself at a crossroads, contemplating the next topic for blogging. One idea that intrigues me is delving into the art of writing itself. What is my process for […]
LGBTQ Genealogy – Part 13a
Medical Records
During a recent LGBTQ Genealogy presentation in Ohio, a participant reminded me of an additional genealogical record source that could provide insights into LGBTQ history – medical records. Similar to the discussion on Police and Prison Records in Part 13, medical records are generally not accessible to the […]
LGBTQ Genealogy & Software – Part 6
LGBTQ Genealogy and Software – A Conclusion
Our families often have configurations that extend beyond the traditional two-parent model. Adoptions, step-relationships, remarriages, children born to unpartnered parents, and non-biological connections are just a few examples of the diverse ways people come together to form a family. However, the genealogical software currently […]
Digitizing Records
Preserving Records from the California Genealogical Society
I enjoy genealogy research because it brings forgotten stories back to life. Piecing together a person’s life story using online databases with document images is energizing. One clue leads to another and with luck you’ll come to know who that ancestor was.
Genealogy has been […]
LGBTQ Genealogy & Software – Part 5
GEDCOM
Last month, we delved into the possibility of having more LGBTQ-friendly genealogy software. A software that goes beyond DNA connections and embraces the concept of Family History. A system that acknowledges families with more than two opposite-sex parents, recognizing and weighing the importance of all parents beyond just biological […]
LGBTQ Genealogy & Software – Part 4
Constellations: Designing Inclusive Genealogical Software
In an ideal world, genealogical software should be as diverse as the families it seeks to document. If I could design the perfect software, one that embraces the inclusivity of LGBTQ+ experiences and all family structures, it would be aptly named Constellations. The core philosophy of […]
LGBTQ Genealogy & Software – Part 3
Modernizing Genealogical Software for Inclusive Family Histories
Genealogical software has played a pivotal role in documenting family histories, but the evolution of family constellations has outpaced the capabilities of most applications. In this blog post, we’ll explore the current state of genealogical software, focusing on same-sex relationship documentation and the […]