GenealogyWise: The Facbook for Genealogists!

I have discovered a wonderful new social networking site called GenealogyWise. it’s a genealogy social network that some are calling the “Facebook for genealogists.” GenealogyWIse was created by FamilyLink and is a part of the corporation family which includes WorldVitalRecords,

I found GenWise through a blog post by Miriam Robbins Midkiff, and I am going to use her words to tell you about it, because I couldn’t say it better:

The number of genealogists that are joining GenealogyWise are staggering: over 1,600 in less than 72 hours. Mark Tucker, of ThinkGenealogy has been keeping daily statistics on the number of members joined, groups formed, forums started, and blogs and videos added, and they are amazing!

So what’s all the fuss? Like Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, and other social networking sites, GenealogyWise offers a place for genealogists to get to know one another in a safe, free, online setting. Like most social networking sites, users can share as little or as much information about themselves as they wish by adjusting their privacy settings. Users can upload photos, videos, RSS feeds, and blog posts, and create or join focus groups and discussion forums. There are a variety of backgrounds with which users can decorate their own profile pages. Members can chat in a group or private setting.

There are differences, of course. GenealogyWise is focused on gathering and serving genealogists, not the general public. There aren’t any games, status statements (”on my way to the mall,” etc.), or dozens of silly applications. You’re not likely to run into any non-genealogist cousins like you do on Facebook; GenealogyWise is for contacting and networking with those you already know are into genealogy. One of the great applications is event posting; I’ve added the Washington State Genealogical Society’s 2009 State Conference to the growing list of events, which are listed in date order. Genealogy societies would be wise to jump on board and create a user page, list their events, post their blog feeds, and create groups for their members to join.

Miliam also says that having a one-stop shop like GenealogyWise is a great way to meet up with the movers and shakers in the genealogy world. I encourage you to try out enealogyWise. You can see my profile and request to “friend” me there.

I have also created a number of groups. In fact I had a ball doing it, like a kid in a candy shop, and I also joined numerous others. What totally blew me away was how fast people were joining my groups. Twice I had a new member before I even wrote the welcome message! And the number of groups total went up by over 125 in the space of a few hours. Genealogists are finding a home there. I have a whole list of friends already, and I am more comfortable than I ever was on places like Facebook. I have finally found a social networking home, and I can see already that it is going to fill a void that I have felt for a very long time.

Check out the lists I have created, and come on by and join any that strike your fancy, or find a group for the family names you are searching, or make a group of your own. See you at GenealogyWise!

My Groups at GenealogyWise: