Category Archives: Technology

Genealogist’s review of the CZUR Aura Pro scanner for documents

Posted on October 20, 2020 by Gail Dever

Genealogical societies, historical societies, and other organizations who need a scanner for high-volume scanning projects may want to take a look at a review of the CZUR Aura Pro scanner. Ben Dawson, co-chair of Ontario Ancestors’ London Middlesex Branch, wrote … Continue reading →

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University of Connecticut to expand handwritten text recognition

Posted on July 15, 2020 by Gail Dever

The University of Connecticut Library and the School of Engineering are working to develop new technology that applies machine learning to handwriting text recognition that will allow researchers to have improved access to handwritten historic documents. Handwritten documents are essential … Continue reading →

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Add the free Snipping Tool to your genealogy toolbox

Posted on September 24, 2019 by Gail Dever

One of my favourite genealogy gadgets on my computer is the free Snipping Tool for Microsoft Windows. It can take screenshots of an open window, rectangular areas, a free-form area, or the entire screen. I use the tool to snip … Continue reading →

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Facebook groups can now screen new members

Posted on May 15, 2017 by Gail Dever

The next time you submit a request to join a Facebook group, you may be asked to answer up to three questions. In the case of the Genealogy à la carte group, the short questionnaire will help speed up the … Continue reading →

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Lisa Louise Cooke demonstrates how to use new Google Earth Chrome

Posted on April 25, 2017 by Gail Dever

On Earth Day 2017, Google launched Google Earth Chrome, and Lisa Louise Cooke gives a tour of the new product in her seven-and-a-half-minute YouTube video, How to Use Google Earth Chrome – Google Earth Tutorial. It’s incredible to look at … Continue reading →

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Better quality translations on Google Translate

Posted on March 8, 2017 by Gail Dever

Lately, it has seemed Google Translate’s translations from French to English have been pretty good about 90 percent of the time. I wasn’t sure if the translation methodology had improved or if I was becoming more tolerant of odd phrasing. … Continue reading →

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Canadian Louis Kessler takes third place in RootsTech Innovator Showdown

Posted on February 12, 2017 by Gail Dever

Congratulations to Winnipeg genealogist and programmer Louis Kessler who received the Third Place Judges’ Choice Award in the RootsTech Innovator Showdown in Salt Lake City, Utah on Friday. Mr. Kessler received a prize worth $26,000 in cash and AWS credits for … Continue reading →

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Twile family history timeline now free to all

Posted on February 8, 2017 by Gail Dever

Access to the Twile website is now free to anyone who wants to build a visual, interactive timeline of their family story. While the website is aimed primarily at family historians, it is also designed to encourage the rest of … Continue reading →

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How to search for free digitized historic images on Google Books — fast

Posted on July 31, 2016 by Gail Dever

In her latest video, Tech Tip: Google Books Image Search for Genealogy and Family History Research, Lisa Louise Cooke demonstrates a fast and easy way to find old photos and maps on Google Books. After watching this short video, which is … Continue reading →

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Colourize your photos instantly with this free tool

Posted on July 21, 2016 by Gail Dever

To be honest, I almost didn’t finish writing this blog post. Yesterday, I discovered an online tool to colourize my old family photos — and I have been distracted ever since. My newest toy is a free, very easy-to-use tool … Continue reading →

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