Years ago, I followed and browsed hundreds of genealogy blogs each week. Some focused on the blogger's own family's history; some explained technical aspects of genealogy; some discussed researching specific geographic locations or ethnic groups; some examined old family photos; some documented particular cemeteries; some profiled military ancestors; and on and on.
I didn't read every post, but I skimmed whatever caught my eye and sometimes found myself marveling at somebody's unexpected discovery. Found myself cheering for bloggers who found elusive ancestors, following along as bloggers visited graveyards or ancestral villages in search of new connections, hoped bloggers would finally get their hands on something that confirmed long-held hypotheses.
From genealogy bloggers, I learned so many new tips and tricks that helped me with specific websites or software or research resources or translation challenges. Along the way, I enjoyed getting a sense of each blogger's personality, interests, and family history background.
That was then, this is now
Today, after removing bloggers who haven't posted anything at all in 2023, my feed is down to just 45 genealogy blogs--some of which have only a handful of posts so far this year. In addition, I periodically dip into selected blogs written by Geneabloggers members. But here again, some bloggers have ceased posting in recent years or post quite irregularly.
I know there are bloggers who've transitioned to videos and podcasts rather than writing individual blog posts. Also some have chosen a deep dive into more interactive social media and cut back on blog posts.
Meanwhile, the world of social media has been fragmented in recent months by the ongoing turmoil on Twitter/X and the emergence of competitors such as Mastodon and BlueSky and Threads and ... [fill in the blank with latest and greatest]. Thankfully, Facebook genealogy groups continue to offer advice and assistance when participants need local knowledge or research suggestions. Although I'm not on Instagram, some genealogy folks love the platform. I'm on Pinterest but only to pin my blog posts.
Why read? Why blog?
Despite all the alternatives, I believe genealogy blogs are still relevant. In fact, I hope blogging (or family history websites) will be making a comeback. The genealogy community is strong and vibrant and generous with help and ideas. I can't count the number of times I've learned about a new technique or specialized resource from a blogger, and as a result, made a fresh discovery or gained fresh insight.
With a genealogy blog, I can write what I like, whenever I feel like writing, and it's available for you whenever you feel like reading. Nobody is restricting the length of my blog posts or the topics or how many posts I can write. Nobody is throttling your ability to follow my blog or read any post. I get blogging ideas from my own research, from the brickwalls I face or the discoveries I make, from posts by other bloggers, from comments by readers, and from prompts such as the #52Ancestors series from Amy Johnson Crow.
As I've said in the past, for privacy reasons, I don't name living relatives. If I want to mention a relative who's alive and kicking, I might refer to "Cousin B" or "Philly Cuz." My personal choice is to avoid posting family history info that might cause distress or harm to someone still living. So far as I know, there are no bigamists or murderers in my family tree, but if I discovered one and a descendant was still alive, I wouldn't blog about that situation.
And, as a reader pointed out in a comment, blogs are excellent cousin bait, today and tomorrow. Posts are available 24/7 whenever anyone is searching for a surname or ancestral town that I've mentioned at any point in the past.
I've been on this genealogy journey for 25 years, and blogging about it for nearly 16 years (my Sweet Sixteen blogiversary is in a few days). If you're a genealogy blogger, I thank you for helping me along on this journey and inspiring me to keep digging. If you're not blogging, maybe this is a good time to begin?
Marian, I also think blogs are still relevant, simply for cousin bait. After 9 years of blogging, I get all kinds of comments on past posts that are from distant cousins who appreciate finding new family information.
ReplyDeleteVery good point! I also continue to be contacted by cousins and FAN club members who find old posts and are happy to exchange info.
DeleteTotally agree! I keep finding new cousins this way.
DeleteTotally agree, Marian!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading and commenting!
DeleteI definitely think written Blogs are still relevant. Video content creation is here to stay, but not everyone "learns" that way or enjoys get their information that way. And I agree it is great cousin bait!
ReplyDeleteAgree, Jenny, that some people prefer print to video...including me. And blogs are definitely super cousin bait!
DeleteI so agree with all your points. I've been blogging since 2011 and try to make a post 2-3 times a week, more if I find something interesting to write about. I'd never thought to put my posts on Pinterest, but I have saved some on the Wayback Machine at the Internet Archive.
ReplyDeleteEven when I don't comment, I read your posts and appreciate your photos in particular. TY for posting your comment here!
DeleteI totally agree, Marian. I have been doing genealogy for over 40 years and have been blogging since 2008. Recently I had an email from somebody in Poland who had found my blog on a Polish research site and she recognized one of my great-grandmothers as part of her Polish line. We have been corresponding and she has taken me back another 4 generations on my mother's paternal side. I would never have thought I would get a lead on this particular line as I had next to nothing on that great-grandmother. It was my blog that led this Polish 6th cousin to me!!
ReplyDeleteWow, quite a wonderful breakthrough--all because of your blog! Congrats.
DeleteI love this post! Fantastically put! I definitely agree with all your points! Yes, definitley still relevant for all the same reasons that you mentioned. I also have limited time to read so many blogs of all the ones out there nowadays, but skim and read the ones that catch my eye. :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think from the headline of a blog that the topic isn't relevant to my interests, but it turns out there are techniques or websites that I should know about because, well, ya never know! TY for reading and commenting.
DeleteI have noticed the same decline of active family history bloggers that you have (and I'm one of those bloggers whose posts are not as frequent as in the past). It almost seems like its heyday was a decade ago--it felt like there was more of a community then--but I hope there's a revival and an increase of family history bloggers. Like you, I've learned so much from others that I otherwise would not have known. Great post, Marian.
ReplyDeleteAgree that the heyday was maybe a decade ago, but given the crazy situation in social media today, I'm hoping for a revival because of the community feeling and ability to put forth a story in our own words. Thanks for leaving a comment.
DeleteI definitely still think genealogy blogs are relevant - I have learned so much from fellow bloggers. It's also a great way for writers like me who need a deadline (I'm still working f/t) - even if no-one reads my post, keeping my blog up-to-date gives me a reason to sit and write.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your taking the time to read and comment! Our blog posts are available today 24/7, so readers can find us whenever they wish, not necessarily soon after we post.
DeleteHere here! I could not agree more. I will celebrate my tenth blogiversary next April and still have so much to write! I have met cousins, had readers send me family photos and artifacts, and made family history discoveries through writing/research for blog posts. The next step is to turn all these posts in to a family history book(s) — and blogging helped me get the writing done. Happy Blogiversary to you and thanks so much for this post!
ReplyDeleteCousin bait is one of the best reasons to blog...and our readers are very kind to share info, artifacts, more. TY for leaving me a comment!
DeleteAbsolutely agree! Though I post infrequently, it's the connections I make on old posts that help in ongoing research!
ReplyDeleteYes, even quite old posts draw comments, for which I'm grateful. Thanks so much for reading and leaving a comment for me.
DeleteWhile the radio has been eclipsed by television, I still enjoy the radio. Likewise, while blogging is a shadow of its former glory, largely supplanted by social media. For example, Facebook genealogy groups are far more active, robust, and immediate. Despite that, I still follow quite a few blogs, including genealogists. Gail Dever, of https://genealogyalacarte.ca/, has a great weekly round-up of current blog posts. In fact, that's what led me to this blog post.
ReplyDeleteBack in its heyday, I never blogged myself because it felt like the field was saturated and there was no need, space, or niche I could or needed to fill. Now that blogging is the equivalent of print newspapers, I've actually started one, as part of Amy Johnson Crow’s 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge (https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/52-ancestors-in-52-weeks/). I have stuck with it for almost two years.
So to me, the short answer is "yes".
Good points. I find FB genealogy groups to be very active, as you say, and filled with folks who are happy to help. Congrats on your genealogy blog, and many thanks for taking the time to write a comment on my blog.
DeleteI wrote a post recently on why I haven't been blogging as much in the past almost-four years. My inspiration and motivation (my mom) died, and I guess I was primarily writing for her. This year, I've been working on a huge project labeling and organizing photos to pass on to my kids. Since I plan to travel to see them next month and deliver them in person, that's been my priority. I do think I will get back to more regular blogging after that.
ReplyDeleteYour kids will be delighted to have photos not only organized but captioned! That's a huge accomplishment. TY for commenting here.
DeleteI sincerely hope that the art of genealogy blogging is still alive and well Marian otherwise what else would I do!
ReplyDelete