50 genealogy blogs you need to read in 2013!

Inside History’s 2nd Annual Genealogy Blog Awards are here! With the help of geneablogger Jill Ball, we’ve compiled our best 50 blogs from around the world. Get ready for “a glorious and unforgettable ride”. Drum roll, please…

What makes a geneablog great? Many people’s responses to this question via Twitter and Google+ have guided the choices here for Inside History’s 2nd Annual Genealogy Blog Awards.

The suggestion that most struck a chord was from Caroline Pointer who wrote, ‘Ones that take me on a glorious and unforgettable ride. And all the other stuff everyone else suggested.’ Our respondents looked for elements such as accuracy, commitment, consistency, content, originality, photographs, tone and writing style, while a few people touched on the technical aspects of a blog like a clean appearance, and no junk ads. Alona Tester suggested, ‘useful bits like blog archives [and] search, subscribe and share buttons’. Blogs that are easy to find, access and navigate rated highly here; blogs are a collaborative medium so bloggers need to make it easy for readers to interact with their audience. The relevance of these features varies from blog to blog depending on their style and purpose.

Surprisingly, no-one suggested passion, which is an extension of commitment. When examining the blogs for this list, commitment from an institutional or commercial blog, or passion from a personal blog rated highly. A blogger does not have to post daily to have commitment, but it needs to be on a regular basis be it daily, weekly or monthly. Readers also need to know what to expect, and this should be communicated in an About page on a blog. Other static pages such as calendars, contact details, disclosures and other relevant information also add value. Originality was the feature that received the most mentions and this has been a big factor in determining the awards. In the words of one respondent, we were looking for blogs that contain more than ‘simply press releases’. It’s great to see new blogs being launched all the time in the geneablogging world, and some of these are included here, such as Irish Genealogy News and Jax Trax.

The following list of Inside History’s top 50 blogs for 2013 is divided into categories and is listed in alphabetical order rather than rank or order of merit. So without any further ado, let’s reveal which blogs from around the globe made it onto our must-read (and must-follow) list for 2013…

Institutions:
Stay up to date with what some of our leading institutions are doing when it comes to family history. Here are a few that we like to read:

1. Archives Outside, archivesoutside.records.nsw.gov.au
2. Australian War Memorial, www.awm.gov.au/blog
3. Dictionary of Sydney, trust.dictionaryofsydney.org/category/blog
4. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland, blogs.slq.qld.gov.au/jol
5. Kintalk, Auckland City Libraries, kintalkfamilyhistory.blogspot.com
6. Manly Families, Manly Library, manlyfamilies.blogspot.com
7. Moonee Valley History, mooneevalleyfamilylocalhistory.blogspot.com.au
8. Perth History Centre, community.perth.wa.gov.au/historycentre
9. Public Record Office Victoria, prov.vic.gov.au/publications/blog
10. National Library of Australia, blogs.nla.gov.au/the-eloquent-page
11. The National Archives, blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Organisations Want to be the first to know when new records or techy features are released? Here are our favourite blogs from genealogy organisations:

12. Ancestry.com.au, blogs.ancestry.com/au
13. Billion Graves, blog.billiongraves.com
14. FamilySearch, familysearch.org/blog
15. findmypast.com, blog.findmypast.com
16. Geneanet Genealogy Blog, genealogyblog.geneanet.org
17. Gould Genealogy and History News, www.gouldgenealogy.com
18. Legacy Family Tree, news.legacyfamilytree.com
19. MyHeritage Blog, blog.myheritage.com

Niche topics and societies Some blogs are smaller in scope, but have a largesse of informative posts on the topic at hand. Here are some examples:

20. Genealogists for Families Project, genfamilies.blogspot.com
21. Local History Newslink, Maitland NSW, localhistorynews.blogspot.com
22. The Empire Called and I Answered, empirecall.blogspot.com
23. Genealogical Society of Victoria, genealogyworld.blogspot.com.au
24. Ku-ring-gai Historical Society, kuringgaihs.blogspot.com

Personal genealogists As every researcher knows, family history is a labour of love, whether it’s a hobby or a career. Here are our favourite personal blogs:

25. Anglo-Celtic Connections, anglo-celtic-connections.blogspot.com
26. A Rebel Hand, rebelhand.wordpress.com
27. Auld Genealogy, auldgenealogy.blogspot.com.au
28. Australian Genealogy Journeys, ausgenjourneys.blogspot.com
29. Backtracking, boobookbacktracks.blogspot.com.au
30. Chloe Okoli, chloeokoli.com
31. Dear Myrtle, blog.dearmyrtle.com
32. Family History Across the Seas, cassmob.wordpress.com
33. Family History Fun, scotsue-familyhistoryfun.blogspot.com
34. GenBlog, genblogjulie.blogspot.com
35. Genealogy’s Star, genealogysstar.blogspot.com
36. Geniaus, geniaus.blogspot.com
37.Jax Trax, jackievanbergen.blogspot.com
38. Kylie’s Genes, blog.kyliesgenes.com
39. Lonetester HQ, www.lonetester.com
40. Mad about Genealogy, madaboutgenealogy.com
41. Now and Then, lynnwalsh.wordpress.com
42. Strong Foundations, shazlex.blogspot.com.au
43. Stumbling Through the Past, stumblingpast.wordpress.com
44. Western District Families, mywdfamilies.wordpress.com

Professional genealogists We love these blogs that offer a regular glimpse into the work being done in the family history world:

45. British Genes, britishgenes.blogspot.com
46. Shauna Hicks, diaryofanaustraliangenealogist.blogspot.com
47. Geneabloggers, geneabloggers.com
48. Irish Genealogy News, iirish-genealogy-news.blogspot.com
49. Jayne Shrimpton, jayneshrimpton.tumblr.com
50. The Family Recorder, thefamilyrecorder.blogspot.com

Issue 13 giveaways announced :: findmypast - SBS WDYTYA

And the winner is...... Congratulations to G. Muth of Salisbury Downs, SA you've won our Issue 13 giveaway with findmypast. Good luck with your search!

Win a findmypast World Collection subscription valued at $249.95! 

Here’s your chance to win access to  the 1.5 billion records on findmypast! The prize is a 12-month subscription to its World Collection, which means you can search records from across Australia, New Zealand, the US, the UK and Ireland, all from one site! Read about how findmypast can help with your research on page 48.

To go into the draw for this terrific prize, simply tell us the year your earliest ancestor arrived in Australia or New Zealand. 

Send your answer by 31 December to cass[at]insidehistory.com.au or post it to findmypast giveaway, PO Box 406 Erskineville NSW 2043.

=======================================================

And the winners are......... Congratulations to the 5 winners of the WDYTYA Series 4 DVD sets:

[1] K. Gaspari, Chadstone, VIC

[2] M. Kemp, Ashmore, QLD

[3] L. Walker, Deception Bay, QLD

[4] J. Wright, Narre Warren South, VIC

[5] J. Purnell, Rochedale South, QLD

Win Series 4 of Who Do You  Think You Are? on DVD!

It’s the television series we all love, and if you’re like us you’re already counting down the days until Series 5 debuts on our screens in early 2013. In the meantime, here’s your chance to relive all the detective work, drama and emotion of Series 4. See comedian Shaun Micallef discover his Maltese connections, journalist Kerry O’Brien learn about his Irish links!

To go into the draw to win one of five DVDs of series 4, valued at $29.95 each, simply tell us which celebrity episode you loved the most from any  of the Australian series so far. 

Send your answer by 31 December to cass[at]insidehistory.com.au or post it to SBS giveaway, PO Box 406 Erskineville NSW 2043.

ISSUE # 7 COMPETITION WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The entries have gone into the draw and the winners are! Congratulations to:

[1] Ultimate FMP subscription package winner:

• C. Sackville, Canterbury, VIC

[2] Little Branch gift set:

• N. Rigney, Alexandria, NSW

[3] Double conference pack to In the Shadow of War - Australia 1942:

• G. Annand, Yarrawonga, VIC

Thanks to our supporters - find my past, Little Branch and Military History and Heritage Victoria - for making our giveaways possible!

For more information on giveaways, click here. Stay tuned to our facebook page, over the coming weeks we'll be featuring some of the photo entries submitted to the ultimate find my past package competition. I know we loved receiving the photos and the hearing the amazing stories behind them!

Remembering the attack on HMAS Kuttabul

Next year is the 70th Anniversary of the sinking of HMAS Kuttabul. On 31 May 1942 three Japanese midget submarines launched an attack on vessels in Sydney Harbour, shaking the Australian population to the core. This audacious attack struck the converted ferry HMAS Kuttabul with a torpedo and 21 men were killed.

It is believed that the 21 Naval Ratings whom lost their lives aboard the ill-fated HMAS Kuttabul were unwitting victims aboard a target, not of the Japanese choosing. The intended target of Midget Submarine M24 during this Japanese raid was the American Heavy Cruiser; U.S.S. Chicago which had been spotted by a Japanese observation plane launched by the ‘mother’ submarine I-24 the previous day. Unfortunately any other large allied vessel was fair game. However a former harbour ferry, converted into a Naval Depot ship would not be worth wasting a torpedo on, especially when each midget sub only carried two torpedoes each.

Findmypast.com.au is looking for the descendants of the men that perished on this vessel. On 31 May 2012, a commemoration ceremony will take place to remember the 21 men who lost their lives on this day. We would like to connect the descendants with the organisers, so that they can be involved in this special event.

Gary Traynor, Project Officer of the Kuttabul Commemoration Project commented: “The loss of any serviceman during a time of war is tragic, and no single sacrifice deserves to be classed as more important than another. What sets this small group of men apart, is the fact that their loss took place in what was considered at that time, to be a relatively safe haven in Sydney Harbour. The names of these 21 sailors have been recorded on a few small memorials, however very little else is known about them. On the 70th Anniversary of their death, it is hoped that their unwitting part played in this attack upon Sydney Harbour will be remembered and their story told.  Making contact with the descendants of each man is a fundamental part of this commemoration, for nobody can tell the story of their ancestor, better than the families who still remember and mourn their loss. We have been so pleased to work with findmypast.com.au to help us to make contact, and have already had some success”.

Emma Kelly, Marketing Executive at findmypast.com.au: “This commemoration is such a wonderful opportunity to honour these brave sailors that lost their lives serving their country. We are so pleased to support this event and find as many descendants of these fallen men as possible.”

With the support of the Royal Australian Navy, this special ceremony will honour the lives lost during this tragic event. The proceeds of this commemoration will go to Legacy Australia, who cares for widows and orphaned children of servicemen and women who have lost their lives as a result of military service.

Please email findmypast, if you are a descendant of one of these men or if you have any information.

HMAS Kuttabul in Sydney Harbour after the Japanese midget submarine attack

ISSUE # 7 COMPETITION GIVEAWAYS

The traditional present for 1st anniversaries is paper, so we’re giving away a gorgeous writing set, military conference tickets and subscription vouchers to findmypast! Help us celebrate our first birthday and don't miss out on our Issue # 7 giveaways. Hip Hip Hooray!

SO, WHAT CAN YOU WIN?!

[1] Win the ultimate findmypast subscription package

Here's your chance to win access to the millions of records on findmypast, as well as feature in Inside History! The findmypast subscription package is valued at $315, and includes a 12-month subscription to findmypast.com.au, 12 months access to its UK sister-site, findmypast.co.uk and 12 months access to the newly launched findmypast.ie. That's a total of 750 million records at your fingertips! Plus, just by entering, your family photo could feature in the "One Picture" section of Inside History in an upcoming issue.

To enter the draw for this great prize, simply send us your favourite family photo, and 100 words on why it's a treasured image. Either send it to us by email to cass@insidehistory.com.au or send a photocopy to findmypast Giveaway, PO Box 406 Erskineville NSW 2043 by 5pm December 27, 2011.

Remember, don't send original photos as they will not be returned. If your family photo is selected to appear in Inside History, we'll contact you to arrange for a high-quality scan of the image.

[2] Little Branch gift set

The very talented ladies at Little Branch are inspired by romantic poets, bleached summer dresses, over-blown roses and water-stained novels, just to name a few. Recycled and upcycled materials are key to their collections, and their cards are the ones you want to save in a shoe box for generations to come. To celebrate our birthday, Little Branch is giving one lucky reader a writing set, 10 sheets of wrapping paper and 10 matching gift cards, all in the wildly gorgeous Rosette design, valued at $116!

To enter, simply tell us the name of the design they're giving away, and sent your name and contact details to Inside History, Little Branch Giveaway, PO Box 406 Erskineville NSW 2043 or email cass@insidehistory.com.au by 5pm December 27, 2011. For more beautiful designs, visit Little Branch.

[3] Double conference pack to In the Shadow of War - Australia 1942

In the Shadow of War - Australia 1942 will bring to Melbourne prominent Australian, Japanese and American military and social historians to examine the critical period from 1942, when it appeared that Australia was under direct threat of invasion. The conference, organised by Military History and Heritage Victoria [MHHV], will be held in Melbourne over April 21 and 22, 2012 and will initiate the inaugural Military and History Week in Victoria. MHHV and Inside History are giving away a conference pack valued at $540! The winner will receive 2 x two-day passes to the conference, plus two tickets to the gala conference dinner. For more information about the event, visit www.mhhv.org.au.

To enter, simply tell us what capital city the conference will be held in, and send your name and contact details to Inside History, MHHV Giveaway, PO Box 406 Erskineville NSW 2043 or email cass@insidehistory.com.au by 5pm December 27, 2011.

Issue 7; Nov-Dec 2011 is now available!

Inside History is for people passionate about Australian and New Zealand genealogy, history and heritage. In our Issue 7; Nov-Dec 2011:

• Our preservation special looks at how to care for mementos, and how you can help conserve a piece of Australia’s history 
• It’s our first birthday! You could win up to $970 in prizes, including the ultimate findmypast subscription package
• Looking for the lost grave of an ancestor? Read our guide first
• What heritage roses in cemeteries can reveal about your family
• She has my face! How award-winning author Hazel Edwards caught the genealogy bug
• Plus, take a tour around Tasmania’s stunning – and historic – Maria Island

And there's so much more – in fact, 76 pages of terrific features, practical information on family tree research, chances to network with other genealogists, competitions and product reviews. On sale now.

Missed an issue of Inside History? Our back issues are now on sale! Just $7.50 per issue (plus $2 postage). Sale ends December 31!

Issue # 7 is available in newsagents nationally from Friday, 4th November. To find out where in your state, click here. You can also request us at your local newsagent, and we'll make sure that the next issue - our summer issue [Issue # 8] is sent there for you!

Authors to look out for in Issue # 7:

• Genealogist :: Jill Ball @geniaus
• Historian :: Mark Dunn
• Author :: Hazel Edwards @muirmoir
• Academic :: Alison Elliott
• Journalist :: Miranda Farrell
• Historian :: Karen Filewood
• Genealogist :: Megan Gibson
• Journalist :: Paula Grunseit @PaulaGrunseit
• Australian genealogist :: Barbara Hall
• Family historian :: Neil Hall
• Journalist :: Alice Johnson
• New Zealand genealogist :: Helen Leggatt @GenealogyJourno
• Historian :: Jayne Shrimpton @JayneShrimpton
• Military historian :: Neil Smith
• Journalist :: Kirsten Wade @kirstenwade
• New Zealand genealogist :: Mark Webster @macnzMark

Have a sneak peak inside our new magazine; Issue # 7; Nov-Dec 2011.

ISSUE # 3 COMPETITION GIVEAWAYS

[1]  Subscription package to Find My Past worth $350
This is an Inside History giveaway not to be missed! Valued at $350, the package includes a 12-month subscription to www.findmypast.com.au plus 12 months’ access to its hugely successful UK sister-site, www.findmypast.co.uk.

• access to more than 50 million records covering Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands
• 650 million UK records (including the 1911 census) 
• the records available range from cemetery records and electoral rolls, migration and criminal reports, to military records, almanacs and government gazettes.  

Competition closes 5pm, 26 April 2011.

[2]  In Bligh's Hand by Jennifer Gall

 Win a little piece of history. In Bligh’s Hand brings to life the events of the infamous mutiny in 1789, and the subsequent 47-day voyage taken by Bligh and 18 of his crew as they struggled to reached a safe haven. Beautifully illustrated and fascinating to read, author Jennifer Gall has reconstructed the historic events through pages from Bligh’s own notebook and his list of mutineers. Make this book on Australian history yours forever!

Competition closes 5pm, 26 April 2011.

[3]  Double passes to Not Just Ned at the National Museum of Australia

The National Museum of Australia's latest exhibition explores the history of the Irish in Australia. Journey back to the first arrivals in 1788, the infamous Kelly gang, past politicans, artists and rebels, to the present-day winners of the Rose of Tralee. And we have two double passes up for grabs.

Competition closes 5pm, 19 April, 2011.

For more details on all these terrific prizes, grab a copy of issue 3 of Inside History.http://www.findmypast.com.au/