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Last Updated December 12, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n<\/header>\n Ancestry 50% Off Gift Memberships for Black Friday (Gift to Anyone, Even Yourself!)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re one of the 175 million people around the world who use Pinterest every month, you probably already know that there\u2019s a lot to love.\u00a0<\/span>Maybe you think of Pinterest as a great place to collect clever home decor ideas or as the best spot to peruse beautiful images of tasty food (who doesn\u2019t?) \u2013 but did you know that Pinterest is so much more than that? It may be the free genealogy tool you\u2019ve been missing.<\/span><\/p>\n Though it\u2019s often characterized as a social media site, it\u2019s been better described as a \u201ccatalog of ideas\u201d (by its CEO) or, even more astutely, as a visual search engine. <\/span>The hybrid nature of Pinterest is what really makes it a one-of-a-kind experience. <\/span>Part search engine, part organization tool, and part social media site \u2013\u00a0<\/b>there are many useful features to be taken advantage of.\u00a0<\/span>As a family historian, you can harness this awesomeness for your own purposes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Head over to Pinterest,<\/span>\u00a0then enter your email and a password \u2013 or log in with your Google or Facebook account:<\/span><\/p>\n Make Instant Discoveries in Your Family Tree Now Imagine adding your family tree to a simple website and getting hundreds of new family history discoveries instantly.<\/b><\/p>\n MyHeritage is offering 2 free weeks of access to their extensive collection of 20 billion historical records, as well as their matching technology that instantly connects you with new information about your ancestors<\/b>. Sign up using the link below to find out what you can uncover about your family. Discover New Genealogy Records Instantly<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Note: Once you\u2019ve created your account, you can use Pinterest in your web browser or download the mobile app, available\u00a0for Apple and Android, to use it on your phone or tablet.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n When you log in for the first time, you\u2019ll answer a few quick questions, choose from a general list of interesting topics you would like to follow, and then be given the option of installing a Pinterest \u201csave button\u201d in your browser. This may seem like something to just skip and think about later \u2013 but don\u2019t!<\/p>\n Having the save button makes it super easy for you to gather ideas from anywhere on the web and organize them on your personal boards.<\/strong> And while many sites will allow you to pin images via their own save button (which appears as your mouse hovers over an image), many more do not. So, if you want to take full advantage of the power of Pinterest as you roam across the vastness of the internet \u2013 it\u2019s a good idea to get the browser extension right out of the gate.<\/p>\n Okay, so now that you\u2019re all set up with an account, you\u2019re probably wondering \u2013 what next? How is using Pinterest going to improve my family history research?<\/p>\n The answer is a multi-faceted one \u2013 so let\u2019s break it down by looking at the three major sides of Pinterest, and how each of these elements can\u00a0benefit you as a family history researcher:<\/p>\n 20 Billion Genealogy Records Are Free for 2 Weeks Get two full weeks of free access to more than 20 billion genealogy records right now. You\u2019ll also gain access to the MyHeritage discoveries tool that locates information about your ancestors automatically<\/b> when you upload or create a tree. What will you discover about your family\u2019s past?<\/p>\n Claim My Free Record Access Now<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n We all know the massive power of the search engine when it comes to finding answers to a wide array of questions, and genealogy research is certainly no exception. But Pinterest puts its own spin on the search engine by making it\u00a0a primarily visual experience.<\/p>\n While not entirely unique, Pinterest\u2019s search engine differs from similar search engines \u2013 like Google image search \u2013 in that it offers up results tailored to answer questions simply and\u00a0directly.<\/strong><\/p>\n The comparison below demonstrates this difference: using the search terms \u201cfree genealogy sites.\u201d We searched both Google images and Pinterest. While the Google search turned up some very helpful images, the ability to quickly scan for the most relevant results is limited.<\/p>\n The Pinterest search, however, returned results that are designed to be useful at a glance. Pins are intended to make it clear to the viewer what they can expect from clicking on an image Whether it\u2019s an article telling you how to find millions of immigration records or a list of 101 free genealogy websites, the genius of Pinterest makes these topics easily accessible.<\/p>\n The usefulness of this clever visual search goes beyond tracking down helpful articles or lists of free genealogy sites -from volumes of historical photos to clever genealogy crafting ideas and oodles of research helpers \u2013 there is a ton to be found here for the family historian. You might even find images about your own ancestors or the town that they lived in.<\/p>\n Note: You can search for other people\u2019s boards in order to find collections of relevant information all in one place. Type in the name of the topic you are interested in \u2013 for example, American Civil War \u2013 and choose \u201cBoards\u201d from the dropdown menu at the end of the search bar.<\/em><\/p>\n Perhaps one of the best-loved, and most useful, resources on Pinterest for those of us tracking our ancestry is the printable. The visual nature of the Pinterest search is perfect for hunting down a wide variety of fun and free printables to aid your genealogy research. A quick search for \u201cgenealogy printables\u201d will yield loads of helpful family history tools, such as:<\/p>\n FormsChartsFamily TreesTemplatesChecklistsQuestionnairesPostersFamily Book PagesWorksheetsScrapbook PagesVintage Maps<\/p>\n Now that you\u2019ve begun to discover the treasure trove of genealogy help that is the Pinterest search, it\u2019s time to create some boards for saving all of these awesome resources for future reference.<\/p>\n Start by choosing a pin that you would like to save for later. Once you\u2019ve clicked on it for a larger view, select the red \u201csave\u201d button in the upper right-hand corner. Next, click the red plus sign to create a new board, choose a great name for it (be as broad as \u201cgenealogy\u201d or specific as \u201cfamily tree crafts\u201d) and hit \u201ccreate\u201d!<\/p>\n Note: Don\u2019t forget to add a description to your board (by opening your board\u2019s settings and filling out the description field) so that viewers know what it\u2019s all about and to help others locate it in the search!<\/em><\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve created a board or two, you\u2019re well on your way to taking full advantage of Pinterest for your family history research! Now let\u2019s move on to the next element of this site that\u2019s bound to come in handy for family history.<\/p>\n Wondering how Pinterest can help you become a more organized family history researcher? Well, there are a couple of answers to this question.<\/p>\n First, think of Pinterest as the ultimate bookmarking tool.<\/strong> If you use the bookmarking feature that\u2019s built into your internet browser, you\u2019re probably aware of how tough it can be to zero in on that exact how-to article or research site \u2013 the one that you know<\/em> you saved sometime last year hiding in a mile-long list of other bookmarks.<\/p>\n Now imagine a list of bookmarks (aka your Pinterest board) that look like the one below: full of easy-to-identify links to your favorite genealogy sites and resources. Everything you saved for later is clearly displayed, ready for you to jump right in.\u00a0 Note: Like what you see above? That\u2019s Family History Daily\u2019s Pinterest board dedicated to Free Genealogy Resources \u2013\u00a0and there\u2019s more where that came from: we\u2019ve got boards for Genealogy Organization, DNA for Ancestry, and a lot more.\u00a0Check us out on Pinterest here.<\/em><\/p>\n In order to take Pinterest\u2019s organizing power to the next level, start creating boards based around different elements of your research. Here are a few ideas to try out:<\/p>\n Create a board for a specific surname<\/strong> you are researching and let it be a place for all things related to this branch of your family. From photos of family members to details about where they may have lived, the kinds of work they did, or even how they dressed and what they ate \u2013 it all adds up to a richer, more detailed picture of your ancestor(s).Make a board devoted to a specific place or time period<\/strong> that\u2019s relevant to your family\u2019s history. For example, if your great-grandfather met your great-grandmother in San Francisco in the 1920\u2019s, create a board showcasing the history of San Francisco or highlighting features of the 1920\u2019s in America.Create boards based around certain resource\/record types<\/strong> like vital records, newspapers, census or tax records, immigration records, church records or genealogy books.Make a board devoted to free family history tools<\/strong>, resources, and records or one just for genealogy tips and how-tos.Create a board to collect recipes for traditional foods<\/strong> that your ancestors may have eaten \u2013 everything from basic evening meals to fancy foods reserved for special occasions.Make a memorial board<\/strong>: use it as a place to honor an ancestor or family member by showcasing what you know about that individual\u2019s life \u2013 the people, places or things that they loved and the things that made them who they were.Create a board featuring all the places you would like to travel<\/strong> for your family history research, or for all the places you have been!<\/p>\n You might be wondering: where am I going to find all these great pins? There are a few different ways you can begin to build Pinterest boards \u2013 ones that expand, display, and organize your research \u2013 let\u2019s look at the options:<\/p>\n 1. Repin:<\/strong> The quickest and easiest way to add great pins to your boards \u2013 whether it be old photos, links to record collections, or educational materials (like family history help and how-to articles or handy genealogy\u00a0infographics) \u2013\u00a0 is to take advantage of the volumes of information already on Pinterest by using the search function. Adding other people\u2019s pins to your boards is called \u201crepinning.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n 2. Pin from the Web<\/strong>: Another great way to find relevant material for your boards is to pin directly from the web.<\/strong> If the site you are wanting to save from has their own save button installed, you can pin content by simply hovering over any image, clicking the save button when it appears, choosing from the images available (sometimes you\u2019ll have a few options), and then selecting which board you\u2019d like your pin to go to. You can also do this by locating a Pinterest share button at the bottom of an article or page.<\/p>\n However, sometimes the site you\u2019re wanting to save information from doesn\u2019t facilitate pinning itself \u2013 this is where you\u2019ll want to use your own \u201csave button\u201d installed in your browser.\u00a0<\/strong>This process is essentially the same as the other method: hover over an image, click the save button, choose your board, and pin it.<\/p>\n 3. Create Your Own Pins:<\/strong>\u00a0Perhaps the coolest way to add pins to your boards is to create them yourself. It may sound a bit complicated but it\u2019s really quite easy \u2013 not to mention that it\u2019s a critical step towards creating boards that truly reflect your family\u2019s story. Start by clicking the plus sign on the bottom right-hand side of the screen, this will open a window like the one shown below.<\/p>\n Now, upload your image (this could be a family photo, scanned record, screenshot etc) then \u2013 and this step is optional \u2013 add a URL that you want your image to link back to (your family site or online tree, for example).<\/p>\n Don\u2019t forget to add a description \u2013 not only does this tell others what your pin is about, it could also help other family historians on Pinterest who are looking for information on a specific person, place, or thing. Include names, dates and locations as well as the source of the image you used whenever possible.<\/strong>\u00a0Then, simply choose a board for your pin and you\u2019ve done it!<\/p>\n Note: When it comes to organizing your research using Pinterest boards, don\u2019t forget to take advantage of the \u201cadd section\u201d feature at the top of each board. This allows you to further organize your boards by adding different sections to each of them.<\/em><\/p>\n Want to learn more about how to organize your research? Read about using\u00a0Trello, Google Keep or Evernote for genealogy.<\/p>\n Now that you\u2019ve got some beautiful genealogy boards underway, are you ready to find out another great way that Pinterest can improve your genealogy research?<\/p>\n While we know that Pinterest is so much more than a social site, this element remains an important part of what makes it such an amazing tool for family history research. Unlike many other research and organizing tools, Pinterest allows your work to easily be shared with family, friends, and other family historians.<\/p>\n While Pinterest users do have the option of creating boards that are private (choose \u201csecret\u201d in the board\u2019s settings, then give access to specific people by inviting them to view your board), most boards are able to be viewed by anyone on Pinterest. This means that anyone interested in your research can simply visit your profile page, view your boards and repin helpful information to their own boards.<\/p>\n Wondering what else you can do with the social side of Pinterest? Here are some of your options:<\/p>\n Invite family to collaborate<\/strong> on a specific board with you by entering their username or email in the collaborator area of your board\u2019s setting and clicking invite.Follow friends, family, or your favorite family history sites<\/strong> (like Family History Daily,\u00a0the US National Archives or FamilySearch) by going to their profile page and clicking \u201cfollow\u201d in the upper right-hand corner.Follow individual boards<\/strong> devoted to topics you\u2019re interested in by visiting the board and clicking \u201cfollow\u201d in the upper right-hand corner.Have a question for another user? Message them<\/strong> by going to your notifications, choosing \u201cinbox,\u201d and entering the person\u2019s username.Share a pin, board or profile with your friends<\/strong> by clicking the arrow in the upper left-hand corner of any pin or at the top of any board or profile. This will give you the option to share it via facebook, twitter, or as a message directly to your contacts.<\/p>\n Well, there you have it! From tracking down useful information to organizing your research to sharing it all with your family and friends, Pinterest just might be the genealogy research tool you\u2019ve been missing! So get out there and start pinning!<\/p>\n By Kate Jackson, Family History Daily Associate Editor and Enthusiastic\u00a0Pinterest Manager<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Why You Should Start Using Pinterest for Genealogy Right Now (and How to Do It) Last Updated December 12, 2019 Ancestry 50% Off Gift Memberships for Black Friday (Gift to Anyone, Even Yourself!) If you\u2019re one of the 175 million people around the world who use Pinterest every month, you probably already know that there\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":512,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[2],"class_list":["post-511","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-genealogy-guides","tag-db"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/511","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=511"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/511\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":520,"href":"https:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/511\/revisions\/520"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/512"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=511"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=511"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=511"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}First, let\u2019s talk about how to get started with Pinterest (if you haven\u2019t already) by creating an account.<\/span><\/h6>\n
![\"Pinterest](\"http:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/pin-1.png\")
<\/picture><\/noscript><\/p>\n![\"Pinterest](\"http:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/pin-2-1.png\")
<\/picture><\/noscript><\/p>\n#1\u00a0 \u2013 Pinterest as a Visual Search Engine for Genealogy<\/h6>\n
![\"Pinterest](\"http:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pinterest-for-Genealogy-Research-Organization-and-Sharing.-Pinterest-vs-Google-visual-search.png\")
<\/picture><\/noscript><\/p>\n![\"Pinterest](\"http:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/pin9.png\")
<\/picture><\/noscript><\/p>\n#2 \u2013 Pinterest as an Organization Tool<\/h6>\n
![\"Pinterest](\"http:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2018-03-01-at-3.28.39-PM.png\")
<\/picture><\/noscript><\/p>\n![\"Pinterest](\"http:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/pin-6.png\")
<\/picture><\/noscript><\/p>\n#3 \u2013 Pinterest as a Way to Share Your Genealogy Research<\/h6>\n