Friday, September 21, 2012

Expert Q&A :: Using Trove for research

Trove is good, very good. Virginia James and Mark Raadgever from Trove joined us on Thursday, 13th September to answer questions on using Trove for family history research.

Don't forget our Expert Q&As happen every Thursday night on the Inside History Magazine facebook page.

When: 8:30-9:30pm EST | WA: 6:30-7:30pm WST | SA - NT: 8:00-9:00pm CST | Weekly on a Thursday night

As of 13 September 2012 there are 7,420,297 pages consisting of 72,750,378 articles available to search in just the old newspapers on Trove alone! Please find the transcript of the Q&A and links.

Top tips from Virginia and Mark:

  • Mark: My top tip for anyone using Trove (particularly newspapers) is not to discount the content of newspaper Advertising. Not only do some articles appear in there due to errors in processing, but there may also be other information that is useful. Another useful tip is to use the 'near' search and honorifics if searching for names that are also common words - e.g. "mr john black"~2 - this reduces the 'false positives' you get with these names, particularly if you only have a surname
  • Virginia: I like to start general and then start narrowing from there using facets unless I know exactly what I'm looking for. Searching newspapers is different to searching all of Trove, so I guess using the fulltext:searchterm is the most useful tip. What I mean by fulltext:searchterm is when you're in the search box in newspapers, if you type fulltext:McIntyre it will try to search for exactly McIntyre.

Summary of links from the Trove Expert Q&A:
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Transcript of Expert Q&A - Using Trove for family history research:

Comment: Carmel: Lol and it has been down the lat 24 hours, we were just saying how life can be soooo hard without it!
A. IHM: So true, you really miss it don't you Carmel Reynen - I know we have :)
A. IHM: Trove is working hard to get back online - go to http://dr.nla.gov.au for updates but Virginia & Mark are here at 8:30pm to answer your questions.
A. Carmel: I am guessing someone is tearing their hair out trying to get it up on line. I must say however I would not know near as much about my ancestors and families without Trove. I was not aware of many of the papers that do exist and I have found some wonderful stories. I found a biography about one ancestor living in Fitzroy with things I would not have known about otherwise (even if it did bring on more questions) and then there were family living in Arthurs Creek and people writing stories about tours of the area and talking to my g grandfather then describing the farm they all lived on. It was almost like reading a Jane Austen novel only my ancestors were the characters. Pure Gold
A. Mark: We have an update on the outage - see http://dr.nla.gov.au
A. Carmel: as frustrating it is for all of us that Trove is down, but hey those Techs would be frantic! we are just spoilt
A. Virginia: So glad you guys are being patient with us! It's so frustrating for us too when we can't give you precise answers or exact URLs for you to click on.
A. IHM: We're a civilised, polite bunch here Virginia :)

Comment: Lisa: Just love TROVE,I'm also a TAFE teacher and used it this week to teach my students some searching and filtering techniques. They are a mature class and were just enthralled - the web address was quickly noted for future use . . . Some new converts I think. :)
A. Virginia: @Lisa, That's fantastic! The education sector is one we're trying to reach out to more so it would be good to get feedback on how we could do that better!

Comment: IHM: Welcome everyone, thanks for joining us tonight. Try to keep your questions concise and focused on Trove, that will help Virginia and Mark to answer as many as possible in the hour that we have. They’ve also kindly agreed to answer any questions asked but not answered tonight here tomorrow.
A. Virginia: Hi all!
A. Carmel: hello
A. Helen: Good evening :)
A. Mark: (BTW, Hi all)

Q. Firstly thank you so much for Trove. My question that the red underlining is not dark enough for myself or older people, it would be great if you could darken the references. Thank you?
A. Mark: @Betty Thanks for your feedback on the underlining - We consulted with a number of users (including both older and vision impaired users) before finalising on that as being the best option from what was suggested. The limitations of the software mean that at the moment there is not much we can do. We will note this as a suggestion to be re-examined at some point. You may also find that by changing the zoom of the newspaper page it may become clearer where words are underlined. You can also use the browser 'find' button to find where the word appears in the text on the left, then click on the line that the word is in to jump the page to that point.

Q. Is there any way of contacting people who have tagged something, I usually put my initials and the family name I am researching, if someone else is looking for that same family how can we find them?
A. Julie: @Carmel Reynen Top question re contacting people who've tagged family history articles. Would be great to contact people researching the same family.
A. Mark: @Carmel & @Julie - at the moment we don't provide people with the ability to see who has added a specific tag to the article. You may be able to find this out by checking the profiles of people who have corrected the text to see if they've added the tag. Otherwise, you can post a comment asking people researching that family to contact you (I'd recommend setting up a free email account because you may get a bit of spam). Otherwise, you can try posting in the forums (http://trove.nla.gov.au/forum) asking people who are interested to contact you.
Q(b). IHM: Thanks Virginia James, can users raise development suggestions like Carmel Reynen & Julie Boxsells direct with the Trove team? How would they raise the suggestions?
A. Virginia: Great question Ben! We love getting suggestions for improvements! The best way is to send them through the contact us form. That way we never lose them and we can also let people know if it's a suggestion already on the list. I know it looks like we might not be doing anything with the suggestions, but believe me we have a long list of enhancements that we want to tackle when we have resources available. Right now our biggest improvement on the go is to make the Help and About pages better, hopefully including a search function so people can search for answers to the questions they need help with! And by 'questions' I mean the sorts of questions like 'How do I search for an exact name?' or 'How do I find theses on a specific topic', or 'How do I change my password.'
A. IHM: Thanks Virginia, here's the contact form link for everyone :: http://trove.nla.gov.au/contact
A. Mark: The mockups that I've seen for the help pages are looking good!
A. Tanya: Love the idea of using questions to answer questions. They will help you before you even realise you've been helped!
A. Virginia: @Tanya, Well, we're hoping the new help functionality will be able to answer the questions before people have to ask us for the answers! We often get repeats of the same sorts of questions so we want to be able to provide the answers more easily for people!

Q. Is there a way on Trove to select a paper straight up rather than going through the growing list to find the publication you want to search?
A. Mark: @Chez Leggatt - If you are asking about the advanced search page, the you can use the browser 'find' function to search for the newspaper (this will find it in the list). Otherwise, you can select the 'view all titles' link from the Trove newspapers homepage, find the newspaper in this list, then select the 'Search only this title' box that appears underneath the search box in the top right-hand corner of the page. You can bookmark this newspaper page so you can simply return to that page rather than going through the homepages.
A. Chez: Hmmm Mark...I will test out if that will do what I am looking for once you are up and operational again..thankyou!! I ♥ Trove btw!!

Q. I can't seem to access death notices for Northern Star Lismore.
A. Mark: @Esma - have you tried browsing through the pages of the newspaper or checking in the advertising section? You may also be able to find them by searching for 'death' in addition to your other search terms.
Q(b). Esma: Are Campbelltown or Camden NSW newspapers being added to Trove?
A. Mark: There have been a couple of questions about whether newspapers from particular areas are available. As the NLA site is currently down we can't link to our list, but a copy of it can be found at http://www.gouldgenealogy.com/2012/07/update-on-troves-historical-australian-newspaper-digitisation-program/ . If titles you are interested in are not on this list, please suggest them at http://librariesaustraliaref.nla.gov.au/reft100.aspx?key=TrNDP

Q. From Hillary Lowden: What is the schedule for materials from the Bendigo Advertiser to be loaded on Trove?
A. Virginia: To answer Hillary's question, we're happy to say the Bendigo Advertiser is starting to com online as we speak (well, once we're back up that is!) and it will progressively have more available online in coming months. The process takes awhile unfortunately.

Q. I am also interested in Avoca, Ampitheatre Maryborough area not sure what was available there but are there plans for there.
A. Mark: There have been a couple of questions about whether newspapers from particular areas are available. As the NLA site is currently down we can't link to our list, but a copy of it can be found at http://www.gouldgenealogy.com/2012/07/update-on-troves-historical-australian-newspaper-digitisation-program/ . If titles you are interested in are not on this list, please suggest them at http://librariesaustraliaref.nla.gov.au/reft100.aspx?key=TrNDP

Q. My question (apart from one already lodged) is:
The other night I was correcting, and there was a loud bang, a flash of light and dust everywhere. When I picked myself up, I realised I had just been passed by the wonderful Friends of Penrith Library. As they seemed to be travelling faster than the speed of sound, I suspect there was more than just one person peddling at the same time. If I register a historical society for a few people who just want to try/aren't game to register themselves, can more than one person use the same user-name at the same time?
A. Virginia: @Linda, To answer your first question about how many people are actually registered to correct text, we have a total of 70,000 users registered but only 3,761 are actively correcting text.
A: Linda: Seventy thousand. I am in awe! Even almost four thousand actively correcting is a fair-sized miracle. Thank You!
A. Virginia: @Linda, and to answer your second question... at the same time? Hmmm... I'm not sure! Mark might know that one better but I would imagine it would cause difficulties!
A. Mark: @Linda - I'm not sure about having multiple users logged in on one account simultaneously, it may work, but I haven't experimented with that yet.
A. Mark: @Linda if you want to experiment and let us know, that would be great :-)
A. Linda: Hi Mark, Had just begged my beloved for his computer, and was about to experiment (I admit I have registered one society identity, but not tried), and Tove is, unfortunately, still down. I shall get back to you once it has settled into its normal very reliable state. :)
A. Mark: @Linda - when you've done some experimenting let us know
A. Virginia: @Linda, I agree with Mark! It would be useful for us to know if it's possible so we can let other groups know if they ask us!

Q. What would be your TOP research/search tip for genealogists using Trove? (One each) :)
A. IHM: lol, that's our question Helen Leggatt - good one though :)
A. Mark: @Helen - My own top tip for anyone using Trove (particularly newspapers) is not to discount the content of newspaper Advertising. Not only do some articles appear in there due to errors in processing, but there may also be other information that is useful. Another useful tip is to use the 'near' search and honorifics if searching for names that are also common words - e.g. "mr john black"~2 - this reduces the 'false positives' you get with these names, particularly if you only have a surname
A. Virginia: @Helen, I'm a bit different to Mark... I like to start general and then start narrowing from there using facets unless I know exactly what I'm looking for. Searching newspapers is different to searching all of Trove, so I guess using the fulltext:searchterm is the most useful tip.
Q(b). IHM: Hi Virginia James, can you explain fulltext:searchterm a little more
A. Virginia: BTW, what I mean by fulltext:searchterm is when you're in the search box in newspapers, if you type fulltext:McIntyre it will try to search for exactly McIntyre. (Mark can elaborate if I'm slightly off on that one. He's the newspaper expert.) :)
A. Chloe: Hi all! I just tuned in and would like to second what Mark just said about looking in the Advertising section. I have been looking there lately and there is heaps of potentially useful info as well as lots of curiosities. I enjoy the latter!

Q. is there any programs to get papers that have never been microfilmed? Also with all the fuss of newspapers going digital these days does anyone know what will happen to these in the future?
A. Virginia: @ Carmel, I'm not personally aware of any programs to keep or archive papers that haven't been microfilmed, but Ben got a question from someone who has kept some papers from a certain period that was wondering if they'd be of interest to Trove. I'd love to be able to provide the exact link but if you do a search for 'donating' or 'donation' on the NLA website when it's back up you can find information on donating materials to the NLA. I'm sure the State Libraries would also be interested in collecting old issues of newspapers.
Q(b). From Noreen Malone: In the 1991 Floods I kept our local Daily Newspaper for about 2wks would these be of any interest to Trove?
A. Virginia: Thanks Ben, that's the one! I hope Noreen sees this and is able to contact the NLA or State library about donating the issues!
A. Mark: @Carmel - with the microfilming of newspapers that are not currently available on microfilm, ANPlan, which involves all the State Libraries, as well as the National Library, is managing this process. It is possible to digitise from the hardcopy of newpapers, but this is a more expensive process. With newspapers going digital, that is more a question for the Web Archiving team...
A. IHM: Wanted! Australia's missing newspapers. What's in your shed or under the bed? Old newspapers tell the stories of their times, through ads, photos, obituaries, classifieds. Contact National Library of Australia: http://www.nla.gov.au/anplan/about/collect.html
A. Virginia: @Carmel, I think Mark and I have interpreted your question in different ways, which is a good thing, because I was thinking about what would happen to the digitised copies as well and was hoping a digital master would be kept!

Q. From Dyonne Adams: What is the schedule for materials from the New England regional newspapers to be loaded on Trove?
A. Mark: @Dyonne Adams - Unfortunately we can't provide a schedule for materials for New England (or any specific region) newspapers to be loaded into Trove. The digitisation process does take time, and unfortunately we can only digitise a certain number of newspapers each year. If the titles are on the list of selected titles, then they should be in Trove by June, if not, then they first need to be prioritised etc. If you can organise funding for the title/s to be digitised then they will get done quicker!
A. Dyonne: Inside History Magazine, thanks for asking the question re New England newspapers...do you happen to know what they mean by organising funding?
A. IHM: You're welcome Dyonne Adams, anytime :) Funding was discussed in our 1st Q&A with Trove - see http://ow.ly/dGlsZ - and some societies etc have started seeking donations to fund the digitisation and load of their local newspapers to Trove. There's also more at http://www.nla.gov.au/ndp/get_involved, when the NLA sites are back up. Also, Linda Barraclough is in the process of raising funds so she may be able to help :)
A. Dyonne: oh excellent, i'll look tomorrow when the site is up and running...Again, thanks :)

Q. Mark I am with the Ballarat and District Genealogical Society and we have gained funds to have some of our historic newspapers digitised, which are already up on line. We had someone contact us about having their papers done. Who should I direct him to?
A. Mark: @Carmel - There are a couple of links on the page to suggest a title that they should read first. They should probably contact their State Library to discuss the options, and they can also use the Trove contact form - http://trove.nla.gov.au/contact - which we will forward to the relevant people.

Q. We're nearly at the end & you've given us your top tips. So can you tell us your favourite find on Trove? And if you've looked up your own families.
A. Virginia: I know I have a few favourite finds on Trove, mostly little things I come across when I'm searching for something to Tweet about; they're usually funny or strange stories in the newspapers, or gorgeous photos contributed to our Flickr group.
A. Mark: My favourite find in Trove is something found when working on getting the Digitised Newspapers up and running - a series of articles about monkeys that escaped from a zoo in Brisbane, including a photo in one of them...I believe the title of the article is 'The Truant'...Search for 'escaped monkey' in the Courier Mail, 1933-1934...
A. Carmel: I found a biography of my 3x g grandfather which was such a great find. Also my grandmother was born in Arthurs Creek. A couple of people went there as a holiday and spoke of running into a local and the conversation that followed. this was my great Grandfather, the following day they went to the farm and described the scene. It was like reading a novel and my family were the main characters.
A. Virginia: @Carmel, Wow! That must have been so amazing for you to find!
A. IHM: Love your story Carmel Reynen - that's why we should all travel the paths our ancestors took, you'll never know who or what you'll find :)
A. IHM: Trove: Australia in Picture flickr group :: http://www.flickr.com/groups/pictureaustralia_ppe
A. Carmel: These are treasures I would never have found if it were not for TROVE. actually when I recommend Trove for people, I tell them to google Trove, think of it as a treasure trove as it is full of treasures.
A. Mark: @Carmel - that is a great way to think of it!
A. Virginia: @Carmel, Awesome! That's actually how Trove got it's name... a treasure trove. :)
A. Chez. Thanks that was great..my best find so far...a write up on my Great Great Grandfathers 80th Birthday celebration and then his Obituary a couple of years later with the report of his death too....comments made in these articles gave me an insight into the man....

Comment: IHM: Thanks again to Virginia and Mark for joining us tonight! You can ask questions at http://trove.nla.gov.au/contact and get updates on the system at http://dr.nla.gov.au. Now give them a round of applause :)
A. Linda: Applauding - Thanks Virginia and Mark
A. Virginia: You're most welcome, Ben et al! I think Mark and I get a kick out of these sessions.
A. Mark: You're welcome everyone - I do enjoy these sessions
A. Virginia: Night everyone! Feel free to send any more questions through to us via the contact form and cross fingers we're up tomorrow!

Comment: IHM: We’ll publish the questions, answers and links from tonight’s session in a blog post soon. We’ll be here again next Thursday, 20th September from 8:30 – 9:30pm, with our next expert. Tim Sherratt will be answering questions on today’s toolkit for the digital historian including his Trove tools :: http://discontents.com.au.

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Read the previous Expert Q&A transcripts:
[1]  Thursday, July 26 :: How to get the best from Trove Australia
[2]  Thursday, August 16 :: How to get the best from BDM Certificates
[3]  Thursday, August 23 :: Getting the most from NAA
[4]  Thursday, August 30 :: Interpreting photographs for family history
[5]  Thursday, September 6 :: How to get the best from Ancestry.com.au

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