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FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Which sites do you recommend for absolute beginner.
Which sites do you recommend for absolute beginner.
Google Photo Albums, no login. Use the Family homepage (ie lepley.consultchris.us) for the list of names. Set a favorite on the family homepage or save the link in a tab somewhere to keep going back to it for the list of available albums. Click the name of interest, then click on the first photo that comes up. I would start there. (See my Youtube video which illustrates these steps on screen)
Next level browsing would be the MacFamily tree.
How? Again, go to the family homepage for the list of names.Click the name of interest. But then, don't click on the picture/album. Scroll down a bit and click the link labeled Mactree or MacFamily tree. Click continue if your browser pops a notice of a redirect to a website www.macfamilytree.com/regalranch/... Everything from there is clickable, and lot of images and documents directly viewable if you scroll down past the dates and facts.
Why? Context. The Google Photo Albums are very convenient to access, however, there is minimal to no opportunity to provide information around why this photo/document is attached to this person. MacFamily tree has all the events, dates, relationships, sources, etc, to detail each item.
Which links work without any login?
Which links work without any login?
Many of the Genealogy Sites do require an account registered with them, even though they are free. However, a few allow browse-only access without requiring a login:
Findagrave
Google Photo Album
MacFamily Tree
newspapers.com - though they are putting a limit to how many free page views. So maybe choose wisely before clicking. And switch devices when you run out of free views.
Newspaperarchive.com - No limit on article views (yet).
Which sites are free?
Which sites are free?
Some of these websites have different tiers of functionality depending on whether a subscription has been purchased. (See Youtube Video for demo)
Findagrave. While to view graves and cemeteries is open to the public, even without an account, other functionality requires a free account. All this functionality is still FREE.
Memorial management. Create a memorial in the case where one hasn't already been created. Suggest edits to memorial data which is missing or incorrect. ie. birthplace
Photo management. Request a photo of a gravestone or add your own photos relevant to the memorial.
FamilySearch. Think of it as a wikipedia but instead of famous places or people, it's for all deceased people. One page per deceased person and everyone contributes what they have to that page for that person. Unlike other sites, it features a single "World Tree" where over a billion users collaborate on shared ancestral profiles rather than maintaining private, individual trees. Beyond records, it offers free tools for preserving family memories, including photo sharing, audio recordings, and private "Family Groups" for living relatives.
Google. Google Photos App with your google account opens up interaction and organization options with these Google Albums. You can comment on the pictures to add what you remember or provide corrections, which will be saved with the photo for reference later. These collaborative albums allow multiple family members to contribute their own scanned images, making it easy to pool resources for specific surnames or research trips.
MacFamily Tree. If you have a macFamily tree account, I can grant your account access to update any of my MacFamily Tree files.
Ancestry.com. Ancestry technically has some functionality available for free accounts. However, the frequent prompts to purchase subscription and other paywall blocks make it quite frustrating outside of viewing someone else's public already completed tree. This is why I've been gradually moving away from storing my research primarily on Ancestry. I use it for research, but then I move what i find over to FamilySearch.
What are the most used Reports/Charts?
What are the most used Reports/Charts?
Cemetery Report. When visiting a cemetery, this report is extremely useful. I have one for each family group I am researching (Lepley, Herbert Kizer, Hook Sparks, etc). For each report, it's organized first by State, then alphabetical by Cemetery name. In each cemetery, I have listed all that group's relatives which are buried there, along with section plot information if known.
Descendant Poster. When browsing names, it is helpful to orient yourself by locating a familiar name.
How to find any of these reports. go to Family homepage (ie lepley.consultchris.us ) and from there Click "Cemeteries" or "Descendant Poster". The report might take a minute to load.
How do I print any of these reports or charts?
How do I print any of these reports or charts?
Once you've landed on the report or chart you want to print, click the pop out button so you can send it to your printer.
Navigating Our Family History: A User’s Guide
Navigating Our Family History: A User’s Guide
I use a variety of specialized tools to publish our family history. While this ensures the data is accurate, secure, and accessible, I understand that jumping between different websites can be confusing.
This guide explains how my files are structured, which tool to use for what purpose, and how to find your way back if you get lost.
1. The "Front Door": Your Starting Point
1. The "Front Door": Your Starting Point
Where to go: [familyname].consultchris.us (e.g., lepley.consultchris.us)
Think of the ConsultChris Family Homepage as the directory or "front door" to all my research. I strongly advise you to start here and end here.
What you will find:
Directories of names (Family Groups).
Links to maps, charts, and research reports.
Direct access to the Research Blog.
Navigation Tip: If you ever feel lost deep in a photo album or external site, simply type the main address back into your browser to return to safety.
2. The News Center: Research Blog
2. The News Center: Research Blog
Best for: Discovering "What's New" without digging through files.
Genealogy is a living, breathing project. The Research Blog is where I share the excitement of the hunt in real-time. This is the best place to visit if you want to know what I am working on right now.
What I post here:
Exciting Finds: A neat story, a rare news clipping, or a "breakthrough" discovery I just made.
Trip Reports: Photos and details from my recent "genealogy vacations" and archive visits.
Site Updates: Announcements when I refresh a report, add a new family line, or upload a new batch of documents.
How to find and follow: Each family homepage has a link to their own Research Blog. To find it return to 1 above. You can read the latest posts directly on the site, or subscribe to get these stories delivered to your email so you never miss a beat.
3. The "Couple Page": The Gateway
3. The "Couple Page": The Gateway
When you click on a name from the main directory, you are taken to a dedicated page for that specific couple. This page serves as a launchpad to all other platforms.
The Main Photo: Clicking the main photo at the top of the page will take you directly into their Google Photo Album.
The Direct Links: Below the photo, you will find customized links taking you directly to that person’s profile on external platforms (FamilySearch, Find A Grave, MacFamilyTree, etc.).
Note: Some sites (like Ancestry or Fold3) may require a login. If a link takes you to a login screen, sign in, and then come back and click the link again to go straight to the specific record.
4. The Visual Archive: Google Photo Albums
4. The Visual Archive: Google Photo Albums
Best for: Browsing pictures easily on your phone or computer.
For each married couple, I have created a dedicated online album containing all relevant photos and documents.
Pros: Very easy to swipe through. No login required.
Cons: Photos lack context. You might see a court document next to a portrait with no explanation of what the document proves.
Getting Back: Every album contains a text slide reminding you of the family homepage URL. Use this to return to the main directory to find other albums.
5. The Research Core: MacFamilyTree
5. The Research Core: MacFamilyTree
Best for: Understanding the "Who, When, and Where" (Context).
This is a dedicated genealogy website where I publish my organized data. It is Browse Only—you cannot accidentally delete or change anything, and no login is required.
Why use it? Unlike the photo albums, this site connects the dots. It links the photos to dates, events, and relationships, explaining why a document matters.
Features: You can view interactive trees, download documents, and explore family facts without restriction.
6. The Cemetery: Find A Grave
6. The Cemetery: Find A Grave
Best for: Locating burial sites and viewing headstones.
This is a free, public website. I have organized our family graves into "Virtual Cemeteries" for each family group (e.g., Lepley, Borger).
What you can do:
View photos and transcriptions of headstones.
See GPS coordinates of specific graves.
Sort the list by name or by cemetery location.
7. The Workshop: FamilySearch
7. The Workshop: FamilySearch
Best for: Collaboration and adding your own knowledge.
Think of FamilySearch as the "Wikipedia" of genealogy. There is only one profile per deceased person in the world, and everyone contributes to it.
My Workflow: I use FamilySearch as my "sandbox." When I find new information, I save it there first. Once verified, I move it to my permanent MacFamilyTree records.
For You: If you want to contribute stories, correct errors, or add photos yourself, this is the place to do it.
8. Printable Reports & Charts
8. Printable Reports & Charts
Best for: Taking information offline or visiting locations.
I have created custom reports for each family group, available via the [Family].consultchris.us Homepage or the "Home" tab in MacFamilyTree.
Popular Reports:
Cemetery Report: Essential for visits. Organized by State -> Cemetery -> Family Name (including plot numbers).
Descendant Poster: A visual tree useful for orienting yourself within the larger family lines.
Vital Records: Reports on veterans, causes of death, schools, etc.
How to Print: When viewing a report, look for the "Pop-Out" button (usually in the top right corner) to open the file in a new window, then select "Print."
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