Options:

10 Things I Can’t Live Without

Following in Thomas MacEntee’s footsteps,  I have decided to create my own Meme.

The Meme is called 10 Things I Can’t Live Without.  The goal is to write a list of 10 things related to genealogy that you can’t live without.

Here’s my list of 10 things, in no particular order:

  1. My Laptop, Toshi. (Yes, my laptop has a name!)  I don’t know what I would do without a computer.  I am seriously addicted to my computer and love it as if it were my baby.
  2. The Internet. I love the internet.  I am online all the time and love being able to connect with people from all over the world.  The internet is a beautiful thing.
  3. RootsMagic 4.  I have tried many a genealogy program, and this one is by far my favorite.  Bruce Buzbee, the owner and creator, is also one of the nicest guys on the planet.
  4. Ancestry.com While there are times when Ancestry.com frustrates me or does something that I disagree with, I also couldn’t live without it.  Ancestry.com was the first genealogy website that I went to.  I also greatly enjoy doing my genealogy in my comfy pajamas at any time – day or night.
  5. Footnote.com I love Footnote’s military databases.  It is great to be able to see the images of the pension files.  I couldn’t live without it.
  6. Blogs. I love blogging and I love reading other people’s blogs.  I learn so much from other genealogists and I love the inspiration it can give me.  The Geneablogger community is a great one to be a part of.
  7. Facebook. I am a Facebook addict.  I love the sense of community that I have with other genealogists.  With Facebook, I have the opportunity to interact with my friends on a genealogy and non-genealogy level.
  8. Twitter. I love the link sharing and information that I get from Twitter.  Its a great resource for genealogists.
  9. Mozy. I sleep better at night knowing that my genealogy files are safe and backed up.  The first 2 GB are free and you can get unlimited storage for only $5 a month.  Talk about a deal!
  10. Family History Centers. Now that I can drive, I am loving going to the two local family history centers to do research.  I love meeting the people there and looking at the microfilm.  It is so much fun and informative.

Honestly…I could definitely go on and on.  This list could easily be very long.

I’m curious – what are the 10 things you can’t live without?

Popularity: 9% [?]

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

12 Comments so far »

  1. by Roz, on 07.09.10 @ 7:30 am

     

    I would definately add my Ipod to this list.

    Because i can use to block out unwanted back ground noise – such as traffic from outside, or other people chatting.

    Also, i would add various other websites, such as ancestry.co.uk (i am a uk based researcher after all), cityark.medway.gov.uk (Most of my ancestors are based on the opposite side of the country to me, so this source of parish records is fab), freebmd, findmypast, as well as family search and so on …

  2. by Jamie Mayhew, on 07.09.10 @ 8:56 am

     

    Like the iPod I’d add my iPhone. I carry my genealogy with me with these apps: Mobile Tree which connects to my new.familysearch.com trees, FamViewer that has my database from Legacy, and Ancestry.com Tree to Go that links to my Ancestry trees. I’m ready to access my data any time and any place. And I can make phone calls too.

  3. by Eric, on 07.09.10 @ 11:14 pm

     

    My list would be almost identical, except I haven’t played with Mozy or footnote.com yet. But lack of experience keeps me from being able to replace those with something else. Oh, and my netbook isn’t named Toshi!!

  4. by Jenna, on 07.11.10 @ 12:20 pm

     

    Google!! Google would be in my Top 3 after laptop and internet. I don’t remember what using the internet was like before Google and all it’s gadgets!!

  5. by Alanna Fant, on 07.12.10 @ 3:59 pm

     

    I love this entry! You’ve inspired me to write my own Meme.
    Great job Elyse!
    Alanna Fant´s last blog ..Amy WifeMy ComLuv Profile

  6. by Nancy, on 07.13.10 @ 9:07 pm

     

    I had to chuckle when I saw that you’d named your computer Toshi. My daughter had a Toshiba which she also named, pronounced like this: TOW-sha-buh. I think in naming her computer she was hoping it would work out like naming a car: research (according to what she’s read) indicates that people who name their cars are in fewer crashes. But, sadly, TOW-sha-buh died. I know this has very little to do with your list. I like your list. I think I should make a list, too.
    Nancy´s last blog ..Unable to Find AbelMy ComLuv Profile

  7. by Martin Hollick, on 07.16.10 @ 1:37 pm

     

    Yours is a very modern list. Only ten years ago, your list would contain only three items. Fifteen years ago, and you’d only have one. Yours is a list completely dependent on Internet genealogy. Nowhere do I see books, journals, memberships, original records (of any kind), etc. I guess it’s the difference of liking the A-Rod Yankees or the Dimaggio Yankees.

  8. by Elyse, on 07.16.10 @ 4:38 pm

     

    Well, I did mention Family History Centers and while I could have expanded the list to include microfilm and microfilm readers, but the Family History Center has these things so it seemed redundant to list it.

    I do use the internet a lot in my research and I use things like Facebook, Twitter, and Blogs to learn about new resources and methodologies. It keeps me up to date on genealogy happenings. Thats why I like it.

  9. by Teena in Toronto, on 07.18.10 @ 8:50 am

     

    I too am addicted to Facebook :)

    Happy blogoversary :)

  10. by Judy Webster, on 07.24.10 @ 10:42 pm

     

    A very interesting discussion. Genealogy is certainly easier and more fun if you have a computer, email, the Internet, and the ability to visit local libraries or LDS Family History Centres – but a lot can be accomplished without them. Just ask any genealogist who is a full-time carer or physically unable to get out and about.

    I am often without a computer for a week or so, but I can still work on my family tree if I have the ten things listed on http://genie-leftovers.blogspot.com/2010/07/10-things-i-cant-live-without.html,

  11. by 10 things I can’t live without « My Family History Research, on 07.25.10 @ 1:07 am

     

    [...] 25, 2010 by My Family History Research Following the discussion on Genealogy Leftovers and 10 things I can’t live without, the below is my list of 10 things related to Genealogy I couldn’t live [...]

  12. by Geniaus, on 07.25.10 @ 6:30 pm

     

    Thanks, Elyse for this meme. I have posted my contribution at http://geniaus.blogspot.com/2010/07/10-things-i-cant-live-without-to.html

    I now look forward to reading all the other posts and discovering new resources and tools to help me solve my genealogical jigsaw
    Geniaus´s last blog ..10 things I can’t live without to support my genealogy addictionMy ComLuv Profile

Comment RSS · TrackBack URI

Leave a comment

Name: (Required)

eMail: (Required)

Website:

Comment:

CommentLuv Enabled
« »