Sunday, 20 September 2015

Introduction to the Palin Family Website and How to Use it.

As a way of introducing the website to cousins around the world I have sent this out in an email.

I would like to share this with you now.

Yes, I would be more than thrilled to receive any information that you would care to share!!!

I have always stated – the family tree web site is not "mine".  It belongs to all of us descendants and the more people share the richer the site comes for all of us.  


A little history regarding the creation of the web site.  Quite a few years ago I went to a mini family reunion at a cousin’s house and met many cousins there.  They all came with their little bits of information and photos.  I found it all a bit overwhelming and knew I would not remember it all and was busy taking notes.  Months later still trying to remember all the information and sending many emails for clarification, it dawned on me that everyone was in the same boat as I was.  We all just had little bits of information.


The inspiration took hold and I used the Field of Dream concept; If you build it they will come.  We now have cousins from all over the world sending in their bits of information and photographs!



You can send any information to me and I will post it.  The reason that I choose to do it this way is that I verify all information is correct and relevant.  

There was a site that started up about 10 years ago called My Heritage.  The site was a great idea meaning that many people/cousins from around the world could post/add to one family tree.  There was a HUGE problem with this idea.  If someone entered incorrect information - they were the only person who could remove it and regardless of the proof of the error,  they may refuse to correct their mistake.  I had joined a tree on this site and someone else posted my siblings and myself with incorrect dates of birth.  The incorrect information was never removed.


I do have a couple of rules of what goes online.   I do not post any information of live people - their date of birth etc stay hidden.  I do not post children under the age of 20.   I still want that information  to put on my own personal tree - I just don't post it online.  This is for everyone's protection and security.


I also try not to stray too far from the Palin line.  For an example, my mother was born a Palin, so all of her children and grandchildren will be posted.  The great grandchildren do not have the Palin surname and wont be posted. I also do not post in-law trees.  For an example, my father married a Palin and his parents and siblings have no blood connection to the Palin Tree and are not posted.


You can submit your family tree information in any way you choose.  Whether you just send a word document, a gedcom or just type and email, I will be thrilled.  You can attach pictures in the email or if you a computer savvy and have a flickr/shutterfly account just send me a link to that account




There are several ways to browse the family tree.

1. The Family View shows the person you have selected in the center, with his/her photo on the left and notes on the right.  Above are the father and mother and below are the children.
2. The Ancestor Chart shows the person you have selected in the left, with the photograph above and children below. On the right are the parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.
3. The Descendant Chart shows the person you have selected in the left, with the photograph and parents below. On the right are the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Family photographs are organized in the Photo Index. Each Album's photographs are accompanied by a caption. To enlarge a photograph just click on it.  And if there is a magnifying glass at the top right of the picture – it can be enlarge even more!  You can also click on the slide show feature and sit back and enjoy! 

Want to know how you are related to anybody? Check out the Relationships tool.


I use to do a monthly newsletter, but that stopped a couple of years ago and has just resumed to a quarterly newsletter.  Would you like to get on the mailing list?


Welcome to the ever growing family!


You can find the web site here Palin Family



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