Western Australian Genealogical Society Inc.

• Items of general interest from the Computer World
  
• Keeping your computer safe and healthy from viruses, malware, scams and spam
• Genealogy programs – who’s using which one, problems, queries
• Genealogy sources, like CDs, websites, mailing lists, etc.
• Open forum – queries, comments, successes, problems
• WAGS/CIG business
  
  Followed by a session using the big screen; either a demo of a pay-site or a website that may not be well-known, or a workshop/presentation/demo of some technique or genealogy software.

For information on Email Scams, Phishing, Netiquette, Newsgroups, Mailing Lists, and Free Software Downloads, have a look at our:    Hints and Tips Online    

Problem report

If you're having a problem with your computer or software and you'd like to have it discussed at the next CIG meeting, please use this simple form  problem_report 20.50 Kb to log the problem. You can copy the form into your email program, fill it in and email it to us (see contacts) or just bring it along to the meeting.

Contacts: Co-convenors

Mike Murray:               (08) 9339 8078
Email:                       Convenors - Computer SIG  

Committee (CIGCOM): Chris Loudon, Alastair Honeybun, Ian Dew 

Next Meeting/s - Have a look at:

WAGS Event Calendar

Computer SIG Events List 

Sat 12 May 2012 - 11 am start, finish by 1pm (library opens at 1pm)

A few things planned for this meeting: as well as the normal agenda items, Mike will revisit the new developments in DNA testing and look at Ancestry's new DNA offer; Chris will show us the new members only database of WA BDMs; Alastair will review some new South African online records; Ian will give us some insights into Malware and security.

And there's always time to ask questions and offer opinions. 

WAGS Computer Interest Group Forum

If you would like an answer to a burning question on any topic of interest discussed at any of the Computer Interest Group Meetings, perhaps on an aspect of Computers and Genealogy, a Genealogy software program, or particular website that we have visited, post your question on the WAGS CIG Forum. One of our members will answer as soon as possible.

WAGS Members are already registered and just need to log in to post a message. Members of the public are also welcome, but need to register before being able to post, read the Forum FAQ's to find out how.

April 2012

We reviewed the recent AFFHO genealogy congress in Adelaide - a couple of dozen of us went there. Alastair showed us the new familysearch site and how to use it. Mike showed some of his favourite blogs.

CIG minutes Apr 2012 71.08 Kb

March 2012

After a quick look at some interesting things, Mike rushed off to Mandurah and Chris spoke about Drop-box, Skype and other communications tools. 

CIG minutes Mar 2012 45.80 Kb  

February 2012

During a short AGM  the following positions were filled: Convenor: Mike Murray; CIGCOM members: Ian Dew, Alastair Honeybun, Chris Loudon. We developed a list of topics to be featured over the coming year (see minutes attcahed). Looked at a few websites and demonstrated some of the new material that has appeared in the big websites such as ancetry and familysearch.

  CIG minutes Feb 2012 44.72 Kb 

December 2011

A few websites, a preview of Mike's Top Ten Tips for finding lost ancestors (to be presented at the Adelaide Congress in March), a demonstration of the (free) tools that Alastair uses to manipulate images (census, newspapers), followed by lunch to finish off the year.

  CIG minutes Dec 2011 33.00 Kb   

Please Note: WAGS does not recommend any particular Genealogical program. Whatever you choose, make sure that the program supports the import and export of GEDCOM files.

Many of the programs listed here are used by WAGS members; have a look at the various features and select one that suits you best. Most can be purchased on line and many have trial or demo versions freely downloadable. Most of these programs have User Groups on the Internet to help solve problems and get the best out of the program.

A recent survey (well, a few years ago now...) of the Computer Interest Group members showed that most members use one of the following popular programs (listed alphabetically, not in order of preference)

• Ancestral Quest: www.ancquest.com A versatile genealogy program ideal for the beginner and yet powerful enough for the most advanced genealogist. An unregistered 60-day trial version is available on-line.  
• Brother's Keeper: www.bkwin.org This shareware program will help you organize your family history information and let you print a large variety of charts and reports. BK6 works with Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista. There is no charge to download BK so try it out.
  
• Clooz: www.clooz.com Described as an electronic filing cabinet. You can download the programme or a demo version.  
• Custodian Software: www.custodian3.co.uk A series of databases with pre-defined forms for the Family Historian to store genealogical information.