Tuesday's Tip: Podcasts

Have you listened to a podcast lately? With so many devices that can be used to transmit a podcast (computer, tablet, iPod/MP3 player, mobile phone), you can listen while you commute to work, exercise, or even tidy up your office. It's a great way to stay current with the latest genealogy news, learn some research tips or interesting history facts, or enjoy an interview of a genealogy rock star!

Here's an overview of the most popular and current genealogy podcasts:

Extreme Genes Family History Radio - http://extremegenes.com/category/podcast-archive/ - Scott Fischer; news, fascinating stories, and interviews

Family History: Genealogy Made Easy - http://lisalouisecooke.com/family-history-podcast/ - Lisa Louise Cooke explains how to do genealogy step-by-step. Hmmm...check out that guest on Episode 3!

Family Tree Magazine Podcast - http://feeds.feedburner.com/FamilyTreeMagazinePodcast - hosted by Lisa Louise Cooke, who takes you behind the scenes to learn more about the topics covered in the magazine

Fieldstone Common - http://www.fieldstonecommon.com/ - Northeast U.S. history and genealogy hosted by Marian Pierre-Louis, well-known house historian

Genealogy Gems Podcast - http://lisalouisecooke.com/podcasts/ - Lisa Louise Cooke - this “queen of genealogy podcasts” (she hosts four podcasts!) features news and lots of interviews (especially at conferences and seminars; as well as videos and rebroadcasts of old-time holiday radio shows. She also had a premium (subscription-based) podcast with additional content.

The Genealogy Guys - http://genealogyguys.com/ - George G. Morgan and Drew Smith; the longest continuous-running genealogy podcast features news, interviews, and answering listener e-mail (tech and research help).

The Genealogy Professional - http://www.thegenealogyprofessional.com/ - are you interested in becoming a professional genealogist? This podcast features pros who outline their experiences and give tips and advice.

The National Archives - http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/rss/podcasts.xml - this is the British National Archives, not the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Lots of fabulous British history here.

If you simply can't get enough podcasts, check out the "10 Educational History Podcasts to Subscribe & Listen To" at MakeUseOf.. Don't forget to check your favorite genealogical or historical society or museum to see if they offer podcasts as well!

Some Genealogical Valentine Treats

Mrs. Harders, unknown location, to Rena Lerfald, postcard, c. 1909 - 1913, unpostmarked; Lerfald-Westaby Postcard Collection; privately held by Troy Midkiff, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Vancouver, Washington, 2010.

Happy Valentine's Day! I'm a little late getting out my greeting and news, because as you all well know, sometimes making family history gets in the way of blogging about it. Yesterday evening, I made a little more family history spending time with my three young nephews while my sister was at work. After baths and cuddles and tucking the boys into bed, I powered up my new netbook with the intention of getting some blogging done in time to post early this morning; however, the wireless signal in the apartment complex was weak and inconsistent. So my posts (including my State Archives Series) will be published a bit later today or tomorrow.

However you're spending Valentine's Day, you won't want to miss the following Valentine treats that have been put together by the genealogical community! The first one is the Valentine's edition of Shades of the Departed, the beautiful and incomparable genealogy, history, and photography e-magazine! Oh, and I did I mention, it's free?

True to their quality standards, the writing and editorial team headed by the footnoteMaven have put together a fabulous issue featuring vintage African-American photos (this is African-American history month, after all!), a sweet fiction piece, an article on what the archival process involves, and much, much more! Plus, it's just so fun to actually turn the pages of this online magazine--go check it out, if you haven't done so--and you can download it for reading again later!

The next treat is from another one of my favorite people, Lisa Louise Cooke. She recently had the privilege of interviewing Lisa Kudrow, with whom you will be familiar from the television show, Friends. If you haven't already heard, Ms. Kudrow is the executive producer of a new genealogy show airing on NBC March 5th, Who Do You Think You Are? Lisa C. interviewed Lisa K. in her latest episode of the Genealogy Gems podcast, which is available to listen to today.

Now if you've never listened to a podcast, don't be intimidated! You don't need an iPod, an MP3 player or any fancy technological equipment. All you need is the computer you're using right now to read this, and either speakers or headphones. Go to this link and look at the little white podcast player in the right-hand column. Click on the play button ( > ) and listen to this fascinating and exclusive interview!

A genealogical Valentine magazine and radio show...or at least the modern versions of such...it doesn't get any better than this!  Happy Valentine's Day!

First Ever Genealogy Podcast App for iPhone/iTouch Now Available!

SAN RAMON, Calif. – January 4, 2009  -  The Genealogy Gems Podcast, the #1  podcast in the genealogy category in iTunes has launched the first ever genealogy podcast app for iPhone and iTouch (in partnership with Wizzard Media).   The Genealogy Gems Podcast app provides users with streaming genealogy audio and video on the go, and exclusive Bonus Content.

A free “online genealogy radio show,” The Genealogy Gems Podcast has provided innovative research strategies, family history expert and celebrity interviews, and genealogy news since 2007.   These “gems” of genealogical information inspire family history researchers of all experience levels and helps them make the most of their valuable research time.  The new app provides one more way for the popular podcast to reach it’s worldwide audience.

“Mobile technology is the wave of the future,” says Producer and Creator Lisa Louise Cooke.  “At Genealogy Gems we strive to be out in front bringing the highest quality genealogy education to those seeking to enrich their lives through family history research.  The app makes this possible on a whole new level.”

The app streams all the episodes (including show notes!), and new episodes are downloaded automatically.  Bonus content on the new app includes exclusive material such as audio files and custom genealogy themed wallpaper, as well as Cooke’s 20 page pdf e-book 5 Fabulous Google Research Strategies for the Family Historian.  New bonus content will be added as episodes are published.  Cooke says users have much to look forward to, “There’s always something new coming to your iPhone and iTouch with the Genealogy Gems Podcast app!

About Genealogy Gems

Genealogy Gems is one of the leading producers of online quality genealogy-related media.  Also found at the Genealogy Gems Web site http://www.GenealogyGems.TV , recognized as one of the 101 Best Web Sites for Family History  2009: The Family History: Genealogy Made Easy Podcast, the Genealogy Gems TV Channel at YouTube, the Genealogy Gems News Blog, Genealogy Gems Premium Membership including exclusive podcasts and videos, and The Genealogy Gems Podcast Toolbar. 

Lisa Louise Cooke is the author of Genealogy Gems: Ultimate Research Strategies, and national genealogy speaker.  She also produces and hosts The Family Tree Magazine Podcast, teaches online webinars,  and writes and produces videos for the magazine.

Media Contacts:

Genealogy Gems

Lisa Louise Cooke, Producer and Creator 

Phone:  (925) 272-4021

Email:  genealogygemspodcast@gmail.com

Website:  http://www.GenealogyGems.TV

Dr. Tukufu Zuberi Guest on Episode 63 of Genealogy Gems Podcast

This is one of several press releases I've received in the past week or so. My apologies: I've been remiss on posting them in a timely manner.

Dr. Tukufu Zuberi is heading in to his seventh season with the hit PBS television show History Detectives. And through the years, many stories he has investigated have stood out to him. But when asked for a favorite, one in particular came immediately to mind.

"It was a story about Sam - the first black ventriloquist dummy to appear on Broadway. It led me to do the genealogy of this dummy. Where did it come from? Was it related to Charley McCarthy?"

Zuberi laughs at the thought, and yet it was a fascinating adventure to track Sam down to a shelf in the kitchen of the daughter of the man who had operated him on the vaudeville stage at the turn of the century.

But of course in addition to Sam's genealogy, Zuberi has much to say about the journey we are all on to discover our own family history.

Listen to episode 63 of The Genealogy Gems Podcast to hear host Lisa Louise Cooke chat with Zuberi and learn more about how you can hear Tukufu speak in person at the Southern California Genealogical Jamboree at the Friday night banquet on June 26, 2009. (EPISODE LINK: http://genealogygemspodcast.com/index.php?post_id=453515)

The Genealogy Gems Podcast Announces Exclusive Interview with Darby Hinton

San Ramon, CA - March 3, 2009 -

On the newest episode of The Genealogy Gems Podcast Lisa Louise Cooke's guest is a man who started "living history" from a very young age!

Darby Hinton was just 7 years old when he signed on to play Israel, the son of Daniel Boone (played by Fess Parker) in the 1960s hit TV series "Daniel Boone."

"You know I really grew up doing it even before I knew what I was doing. It was just a way of life," Darby tells Lisa.

Most recently he has been producing a new television series pilot starring his own family called "Hinton Living History" where he hopes to show American families how inexpensive and fun it can be to get out and participate in historical reenactments across the country.

"I've had this fascination with history, and it just got to me that the kids just didn't care about it," says Darby. "So what I'm trying to do now is to not only get them away from the computer games and off the couch, but to show other families how they can go do it."

In this episode Darby shares what it was like being a child actor, working with folks like Walt Disney and Vincent Price. In upcoming episodes Lisa and Darby will climb the Hinton family tree, and talk about the family history TV series that's in the works.

"It's such a pleasure having a guest like Darby Hinton who evokes memories of my own youth growing up in the 1960s," says Lisa. "And this episode is also very special to me because with this 60th episode, The Genealogy Gems Podcast celebrates it's 2nd birthday!"


About Genealogy Gems
Genealogy Gems is a multi-media resource for the genealogist providing audio podcasts, videos, blog, e-newsletter and online family history research resources:

The Genealogy Gems Podcast is a free audio show available on the Web at www.GenealogyGems.TV and through iTunes. Host Lisa Louise Cookes provides genealogy research strategies, expert and celebrity interviews, and creative ideas for sharing and displaying family history.

Genealogy Gems Premium Membership offers listeners complete access to all features of the website including members-only podcasts and videos, Message Forum, Newsletter Archive, Genealogy Puzzles, and Behind the Scenes information. Monthly and Annual subscriptions are available.

The Family History: Genealogy Made Easy podcast is a free weekly show that walks new and experience family historians alike comprehensively through the research process, featuring national genealogy experts.

Lisa Louise Cooke is also the host of the The Family Tree Magazine Podcast. She is the author of the book Genealogy Gems: Ultimate Research Strategies, and a national genealogy speaker.

I'm a Guest at Family History: Genealogy Made Easy

This week I am honored to be a guest on Lisa Louise Cooke's new podcast venue at the website Personal Life Media. Family History: Genealogy Made Easy is a 30-minute weekly show which Lisa hosts and is targeted toward those who are new to genealogy research. In the first part of each show, Lisa interviews someone who is experienced in family history research to share their tips. Then in the second segment, she demonstrates the next step in the research process.

All you need are speakers or a set of headphones to plug into your computer to listen to Lisa's terrific shows!

New Genealogy Podcast, Familiar Voice!

I don't know how Lisa Louise Cooke does it: she's a wife, mother, homemaker, and creator of the free Genealogy Gems Podcast, which just this year added Premium Memberships (subscription-based). The Members-only area contains videos, podcasts, a forum, and also a newsletter - all of which Lisa creates or maintains. She also maintains a blog and a website, keeps busy with her own genealogy research, is active on Facebook, and enjoys doing creative things like cake decorating and needlework. Additionally, she began hosting Family Tree Magazine's free monthly podcast. She attends genealogy conventions, workshops, and seminars to promote her podcasts and interview interesting and well-known people in the genealogical world. I'm sure I've missed describing several of the many things that this busy woman is involved in...it's so hard to keep up!

Now Lisa's familiar gal-next-door voice with her tidbits of genealogical how-tos, tips, and techniques, along with fascinating interveiws can be found at the Personal Life Media website, which consists of free blogs and podcasts for every area of your personal life. Lisa's Family History podcast can be found under the both the History and Hobbies categories, or directly here. Additionally, an audio player can be downloaded from Lisa's Genealogy Gems Newsletter Blog here and added to any personal page, including iGoogle homepages (where I've currently got mine!), Facebook, or MySpace pages. This audio player will play not only any of Lisa's podcasts from all her locations, but other Personal Life podcasts as well!

You may also subscribe to any of Lisa's podcasts via iTunes. Don't have an iPod? Well, neither do I; my teens and I all own various models of Sansa MP3 players, and my husband has a Creative Lab MP3 player. These--like any MP3 player--all work with iTunes as well (a free program). If you don't know how to use iTunes, you can find Lisa's great video tutorial on the Family Tree Magazine website here.

No iPod or MP3 players? Still not a problem! As long as you have speakers or headphones for your computer, you can listen to any podcast directly from each one's site.

Expand your genealogical knowledge and listen to one of Lisa's many podcasts today!

Genealogy Gems Podcast Announces Exclusive Interview with Tim Russell

The Genealogy Gems Podcast Announces Exclusive Interview with Tim Russell of the Prairie Home Companion Radio Show and Movie

San Ramon, CA - August 15, 2008
In the 50th episode of the Genealogy Gems Podcast, Lisa Louise Cooke chats with Tim Russell of the radio show and movie A Prairie Home Companion about his passion for family history.

"I've always been interested in history, I guess. I'm the only one in (my) family who has expressed some interest in roots and where we all came from."

With his interest in history, it's fitting that Tim has a career that hints of a bygone era - that of a radio show actor.

"We're kind of the last stand for that. But I think Garrison's (Keillor) writing is a prime example of why it should somehow continue. Because it's a great medium. It really puts your imagination to work...and that's why we enjoy it. For the most part, we're doing things live and that gives it a little extra ZING!"

Tim also gives the inside scoop on what it was like to work with the likes of Meryl Streep, Woody Harrelson, and Lily Tomlin on Robert Altman's movie set.

Also in this 50th episode Lisa does a bit of genealogical daydreaming with fellow genealogy podcasters The Genealogy Guys, DearMYRTLE, and Mike O'Laughlin among others.

Genealogists can listen to Genealogy Gems Podcast Episode 50 free at:
http://genealogygemspodcast.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=368870.

------------------------
About Genealogy Gems:

Genealogy Gems Podcast is an audio show available FREE on the Web at www.GenealogyGems.TV and through iTunes. Host Lisa Louise Cooke provides genealogy research strategies to help listeners get the most out of their research time, and creative ideas for sharing and displaying their family history.

Genealogy Gems Premium offers listeners complete access to all features of the website including members-only podcasts and videos, Message Forum, Newsletter Archive, Genealogy Puzzles, and Behind the Scenes information. Monthly and Annual subscriptions are available.

Lisa Louise Cooke is the host of the Genealogy Gems Podcast, and The Family Tree Magazine Podcast. She is the author of the book Genealogy Gems: Ultimate Research Strategies (Lulu.com $15.98), and a national genealogy speaker.

The Genealogy Gems Podcast
Lisa Louise Cooke
Producer and Host

www.GenealogyGems.TV
Email: GenealogyGemsPodcast@gmail.com

Family Tree Magazine Launches Podcast

From Diane Haddad, editor of Family Tree Magazine:

Family Tree Magazine Podcast Offers Genealogy News and Tips

Now you can hear about the best genealogy tools and tips by tuning into the free, monthly Family Tree Magazine Podcast.

In this online radio show, host Lisa Louise Cooke—creator of the popular Genealogy Gems podcast—takes you behind the scenes to learn more about the topics covered in Family Tree Magazine. Each 30-minute episode features interviews with genealogy experts and Family Tree Magazine editors on using genealogy Web sites, records and resources. Plus, editor Allison Stacy gives you sneak previews on upcoming issues and managing editor Diane Haddad delivers the scoop on the latest genealogy news.

You can listen whenever it’s convenient to you by visiting the FamilyTreeMagazine.com podcast page at http://www.familytreemagazine.com/podcast/.

I heard about this new Family Tree Magazine podcast through Lisa Louise Cooke's podcast, Genealogy Gems, and since I'm a big fan of Lisa's podcasts AND a big fan of the magazine, I went and listened to the FTM podcast. It was well done, of course, and I look forward to many more in the future!

What's a podcast? Remember how you loved to listen to your favorite radio show as a kid? Well, podcasts are like radio shows, only they are offered through the Internet. There are podcasts for nearly every subject under the sun, and you can use Google to find podcasts for history, quilting, gardening, or whatever your second-favorite hobby may be (genealogy being your number one favorite, of course!).

By the way, you don't need an iPod or an MP3 player to listen to a podcast. All you need is a pair of speakers or headphones plugged into your computer and you can listen. If you have dial-up for your Internet connection, you probably will need to download the audio file to your computer first (instructions below), then listen to it with Windows Media Player, Quick Time, Real Player, or whatever you have on your computer, rather than listening to it straight off the Internet. There are many genealogy podcasts, and links to them can be found at Cyndi's List here.

Instructions: I've found that using Firefox (my browser of choice) does not allow me to download the podcast easily. So I connect to the Internet using Internet Explorer and go to the podcast site. At the bottom of each of the site notes for each podcast is usually a link that says "download." Right-click and chose "Save Target." Decide where you want to download the file (I have created a podcast folder in "My Music"). After the file has downloaded, go to the file wherever you have stored it on your computer. Double-left-click on the podcast file for it to start playing. If you have a little trouble getting it going, or want to choose which player will play the file for you, right-click instead on the file and choose the player you prefer.

"Using Podcasts to Further Your Genealogy" is on the list of computer classes we will be offering EWGS members in our new lineup for 2009 - 2010!