| Are you the family historian? Maybe you have | | | | want to preserve. |
| been working at compiling family trees and | | | | A family blog with a domain name is one way to |
| genealogy information. Perhaps you have talked | | | | go. However, it will probably not have the ability |
| to older family members and gathered stories | | | | to have the GEDCOM or family tree charts. How |
| from the past. To me, these are treasures that | | | | secure is it? Is the site protected so you don't |
| cannot be replaced. My obsession, I guess you | | | | lose your valuable information? This may be one |
| would call it, is to preserve all of this information - | | | | good reason to pay a fee for the site. You may |
| the photos, stories, and genealogy facts. I worry | | | | be paying for the security and safety of the |
| what would happen if there was a fire or some | | | | content. Study different websites carefully before |
| other disaster that would destroy things that | | | | choosing. Make a chart for yourself comparing the |
| could never be replaced. | | | | sites before you decide. |
| This is where some type of publishing comes in. | | | | What to Put on the Family Website |
| You could put it all into a book. There are several | | | | - Photos with captions |
| options in different price ranges. But in this article, | | | | - Written content - family stories, narratives, |
| let's talk about publishing a family website. If you | | | | journals |
| type "family websites" into Google, it will bring up | | | | - Documents - scanned copies of birth, marriage, |
| quite a few places that you might want to take a | | | | and death certificates, letters, other valuable |
| look at. Some are free or low cost. Usually you | | | | information |
| pay a fee for more options. Before deciding on a | | | | - Photos of family heirlooms and written history |
| family website, here are some things to consider. | | | | of them or information about them. |
| Privacy | | | | - Audio recordings |
| It is up to you and your family as to who you | | | | - Video recordings |
| want to allow access to the site. You probably | | | | - Family tree chart |
| don't want to have it public. But you may want to | | | | - Reunion information and plans |
| allow several family members to be able to post | | | | Benefits of a Website Compared to a Book |
| stories or upload pictures to it. Some sites also | | | | A website and book each have benefits. There is |
| have a message board where members can | | | | no reason not to have both. The advantage of a |
| communicate with each other. This is nice if you | | | | website is that you can do more with it. You can |
| have members living far apart. Everyone can | | | | continually add to it and update, and other family |
| keep in touch easily. | | | | members can contribute also. You can have live |
| Site Options | | | | audio and video. You can regularly communicate |
| What does the site offer? I prefer one that | | | | with others in your family. |
| enables you to upload photos, write stories, and | | | | When deciding upon a family website, remember |
| keep a family tree chart. Some sites provide the | | | | to search and carefully consider your options. Plan |
| ability to add a small photo image to each name | | | | the content for your site, and invite family |
| on the family tree. A GEDCOM file enables you to | | | | members to work on it with you. You will be |
| share genealogy data or transfer from other | | | | creating a legacy for your children and |
| services. If you can upload photos, you can also | | | | grandchildren that will be priceless. |
| scan and upload valuable documents that you | | | | |