LFPL Day 2012 -- Saturday, April 14 “Publishing Your Family Genealogy: It’s Easier than You Think!”

Presented by Rick Kincaid, [email protected], (502) 897-0585

I. Introduction - General overview or guide to what’s involved in producing a quality family history

a. Not like a specific step-by-step “how to” guide or cookbook recipe

b. Many individual workshop presentations could be devoted to topic

. Definition of “publish” – to make public; to convey or transfer information to those who do not have it; to prepare and issue (printed or otherwise reproduced textual or graphic material, music, computer , etc.) for sale or distribution to the public

d. Many different formats reflect modern technological advances

II. Why Publish Your Family Genealogy?

a. Information of interest to others – share information with other family members

b. “(Family) History has no value unless it’s shared.” (Rick Bell)

c. Encourage collaboration with other family genealogy researchers

d. “Genealogy without documentation is mythology!”

III. When to Publish?

a. “JUST DO IT – NOW!”

b. Never the right time – waiting for the perfect time may take decades!

c. Begin NOW to prepare your manuscript (then edit, revise, update and complete research gaps before completing final draft

IV. Genealogy Publishing vs. Family History Publishing

a. Recent trend is away from publishing traditional genealogy reports (pedigree charts, etc.) and toward family history (contextual stories about out ancestors’ lives reflecting socio-economic times, political conditions, etc.)

V. Traditional Genealogical and Publishing Standards Have Changed

a. Broader audience – families, other genealogists and researchers in other related fields

b. Research standards are higher and typically documented more thoroughly

c. Research problems tend to be more complex – often no single document a relationship (“Proof Standard” relies on “building a case” from many documents) VI. What Makes a Quality Family History?

a. Quality research – thorough, recent, and based on a variety of primary sources

b. Well-organized, understandable, attractive presentation

c. Uses a recognized genealogical numbering system

d. Documents all facts and relationships fully

e. Expresses information accurately, indicating the likelihood of conclusions

f. Goes beyond records and research and places people in context

g. Includes illustrations and visuals, such as maps, charts and pictures

h. Features a thorough index

VII. Utilizing Modern Genealogical Software

a. NO RECOMMENDATION of the “Best Genealogy Program” – Everyone has different needs, preferences and requirements

b. List the features you desire in a program – Prioritize them and update frequently

c. Compare “Publishing” features of top genealogical programs:

1. Maker ($39.99) 2. Legacy ($29.99) 3. Roots Magic ($49.99) 4. ($29.99) 5. ($46.50) 6. ($59.00) 7. (PAF) (Free!)

d. Check publishers’ websites; video tutorials, demonstrations, user groups, message boards, etc.

e. Download free 30-day trial versions (where applicable)

VIII. Advantages of The Master Genealogist (TMG)

a. Records any and ALL sorts of data, not just traditional

b. Includes as much or as little as you desire in reports

c. Links multiple people to events with “witness” feature, not just one or two

d. True narrative reports in real narrative format

e. Report output directly into word processor file formats for professional publishing

f. Highly flexible website creation with companion program “Second Site” g. Kentucky-Indiana Personal Computer Users Group (KIPCUG) – TMG/Genealogy Users Group (now working on publishing family histories of members)

IX. Creating the Family History

a. Define the project – What & When to Write; What & When to Publish (Set realistic deadlines!)

b. Conduct literature search – Don’t waste time & money replicating what’s already in print

c. Begin writing by focusing on a single family unit before moving to another

d. Review research and facts for quality and accuracy

e. Write narrative on parents and then the children (Document facts!)

f. Incorporate contextual information and describe what their lives were like

g. Define index entries and create the index

h. Add illustrations, maps, charts, pictures, etc. (last step!)

X. Modern vs. Traditional Genealogy Publishing

a. “Self-Publishing” is norm

b. YOU are responsible for ALL aspects of whatever publication format you choose (writing, editing, financing, production, printing coordination, marketing, distribution, and ALL business arrangements)

XI. Which Format – Electronic (Digital) or Printed or Both?

a. Preparation is SAME regardless of format

b. Many printers now routinely offer BOTH

c. Adobe InDesign/Creative Suite Design Premium is industry standard

XII. Print Formats

a. Simple Photocopy (Office Depot, Staples, FedEx Office/Kinko’s)

1. Saddle-stitched or stapled (16-20 pages) 2. Comb-bound (300 sheets) 3. Coil or spiral-bound (250 sheets)

b. Think in terms of “Signatures” or forms (typically 4-up/8 pages or 8-up/16 pages)

c. Short-run printers (under 5,000)

d. Printing quote – specs

XIII. TechSoup.org

a. Technical products/software clearinghouse for non-profit donations

b. Eligible 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations and libraries (requires IRS determination letter)

c. Nominal administrative charge only

XIV. Copyright.gov

a. Copyright filing: $35.00 online; $50.00 by mail.

b. Information: Phone (877) 476-0778 or (202) 707-3000.

XV. International Standard Book Number (ISBN.org)

a. After publication, purchase ISBN number for each format and barcode for each printed title

b. Single ISBN: $125 (10 ISBNs: $250); Barcode: $25.00

Bibliography

“Producing a Quality Family History,” by Patricia Law Hatcher, CG; Ancestry, Inc., 1996.

“How to Find the Best Genealogy Program,” by Richard Eastman (August 20, 2001) http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~atpc/genealogy/eastman/best-software.html

Genealogy Software Reviews http://genealogy-software-review.toptenreviews.com/ppc- index.html?cmpid=74103&s_kwcid=TC|17114|genealogy%20software||S|p|7400169146

Kentucky-Indiana Personal Computer Users Group www.kipcug.org The Genealogy SIGs have presentations on using The Master Genealogist software. TMG is a full-featured database that can help you research, organize and publish your family history. Each session has a short Q&A. For examples of reports, check www.genealogy-family.com. Interactive census forms are available on this site.

Genealogy II SIG - Meets 3:00-6:00 PM on the 2nd Thursday at the LFPL-Jeffersontown Branch Library, 10635 Watterson Trail. In June and July each year we will revert back to the original 6:30 PM meeting time.

Genealogy SIG - Meets 6:30 PM on the 3rd Monday at the LFPL-Eline Branch Library at St. Matthews City Hall at the corner of Grandview Ave. and Fairfax Ave., 3 blocks south of Shelbyville Rd. Contact SIG LEADER Susan Moore at [email protected]

www.techsoup.org Determine eligibility for non-profit software products

www.adobe.com InDesign 5.5, Creative Suite 5.5 Design Premium

http://www.familysearch.org/eng/paf/ Personal Ancestral File (v. 5.2.18.0)

http://tmg.reigelridge.com/ (Terry Reigel, author of “A Primer for The Master Genealogist.”)

http://ss.johncardinal.com/ (John Cardinal, developer of “Second Site” website companion for TMG.)