When I first joined Facebook, I was not a huge fan — to say the least. I thought it was a complete waste of time.
Then, a couple of years ago, I did an about-face. I discovered genealogy groups on Facebook.
Genealogy groups are where genealogists from all walks of life, from beginners to experts, come together to share, learn, and collaborate.
On Facebook, I have seen people receive research tips, obituaries, photos, and translations of documents — often within a few hours. Equally, I have witnessed top genealogists — and regular folks like I am — offer personal advice on technology, blogging, new resources, and research techniques.
My love affair (too strong?) with Facebook increased even more last year when Katherine R. Wilson produced her list of genealogy groups and pages on Facebook. When I sent Ms. Wilson a few suggestions for her list that included Quebec genealogical societies, she said that she only includes English-language groups. She suggested I create a Canadian list that includes English and French-language groups. So, I did.
I have now produced the first edition of Facebook for Canadian Genealogy, a list of groups and pages that can help genealogists researching their ancestors who lived in Canada. In addition to listing genealogical societies, I have included historical societies, national and provincial archives, museums, United Empire Loyalist groups, and special interests.
So, how do you follow Facebook groups and pages? You must first be on Facebook. After that, click on a page or group in the Facebook for Canadian Genealogy list that interests you. If it is a page, you will be able to follow it by clicking the Like button in the page banner. If it is a group, you must ask to join by clicking on the Join button and wait to be accepted.
Not the right page or group for you? You can easily Unlike a page. In the case of a group, click on Joined and scroll down to Leave Group.
I encourage you to share Facebook for Canadian Genealogy, but please give me credit. I also appreciate receiving suggestions for the list. Every couple of months, when there is a sufficient number of additions, I plan to issue an updated list.
You may download Facebook for Canadian Genealogy here.
Good morning Gail. I read your blog post about Facebook with interest this morning. I am the Communications Chair of the OGS’s Irish Palatine Special Interest Group and I would like your permission to reproduce your entire post (credited of course) in our final issue of our quarterly newsletter, the Irish Palatine Post for our members. I would also like to add your list to our website.
Thank you.,
Wonderful list! Thank you so much, Gail. Here’s a link to the Whitby (Ontario) Archives Facebook page. The staff there are incredibly helpful. https://www.facebook.com/WhitbyOntarioArchives
Thanks, Donna!
Oh Gail, I have resisted Facebook for so long, but your list is making me reconsider! I have noticed that some of the research lists I belong to have been much less active lately. I guess Facebook is the future.
Initially, I was a very reluctant user of Facebook. Then, when I learned how it could help me with my genealogy research, I changed my attitude. If not interested in using Facebook to keep up with family and friends, you could use it solely for genealogy and your friends could be your genea friends.
Gail,
Thank you so much for sharing. I am so excited to use it. I’m fairly new to genealogy, as I just started a year ago and I’m just beginning to realize how many resources are available.
Gail,
I want to let you know that your blog post is listed in today’s Fab Finds post at http://janasgenealogyandfamilyhistory.blogspot.com/2014/11/follow-friday-fab-finds-for-november-14.html
Have a great weekend!
Thanks!
So glad you’re following through on this! I’ll link to your Canadian list – can you please link to my English-language list?
Great idea! I have linked it to the next edition and will take a look at the best way to link it to the current one. Thanks for the suggestion and link.
Linked! 🙂
http://socialmediagenealogy.com/genealogy-on-facebook-list/
I will be liking this on Facebook as I have an ancestor that I believe was born in Liverpool, Nova Scotia and since Liverpool no longer exists (according Google), I will be needing direction on where to go look for birth information once I have accurately pin pointed her birthplace.
Great list, I am telling my family history group about it at our meeting tonight and shared a link to your post from my blog.
I hope your group and readers find the list useful. Thanks for letting me know.
What a great resource. Very extensive listing, that I sure appricate. It will make searching Canda records so much easier. Thank you so much.
Watch for a second edition in about mid-January.
Useful tool, Gail. Thanks!
There is also (in Ontario) the Lanark County Genealogical Society at https://www.facebook.com/LCGS1920.
Please note that (in Ontario) the listing for the Mayholme Foundation page needs to be moved up alphabetically.
Thanks, Lise! Most helpful! I expect to post the second edition in January.
Six years ago I was looking for my connections to a family in Ontario. I had my great grandmother’s maiden name but on searching ancestry.ca could not find the connection. I decided to search fb to see if the name could be found there. I found two. One in Germany which (although I believe is part of my tree) and another which seemed more of a likelihood since in Ontario. It belonged to an elderly lady whose nephew put me into contact with another woman in Brampton who had been doing research years before the Internet. I visited her that summer and had a great afternoon finding out some very interesting information of two branches of my tree.a