www.Leazott.com

The "Down-Low" on "What's Up"!!                                              2015 09 01
Expanding Our Knowledge...                                                  Published Monthly


This Months Biggest News...

Storage space for data has been this websites growing problem for some time now (Pun intended!)
Huge news has happened!! 5TB of dedicated space has been aquired strictly for storing census files!!

For the Computer Impaired... That's 5000 Gigabytes!
For the Technogeek.............. That's 5120 Gigabytes!

With any large endeavor there are always obstacles to overcome, especially in the first few years.
As a family tree website, there are a LOT of space requirements needed. Some are obvious, some not.

At hand right now is the issue of United States Census file storage.
These are necessary to anyone needing to know for certain who existed and where they were.
They're the most widely accepted verification tool we have available to us in its original viewable form.

So far to date, only about 300GB were able to be used for storage (A large amount in its own right).
A fairly reasonable assessment shows approx 15,000GB or 15TB are needed - Just for census files!
Additional space will be needed for pictures and documents as they arise (Plus the tree and calendar!).

The 5TB of storage space helps with roughly 1/3 of the minimum necessary requirements.
Data can be stored indefinitely and then transfered as necessary whenever site needs grow.
Though not a permant solution by any means, it's still a tremendous step in website advancement!

In just a few days, data will begin to flow into storage, and transfer experiments will follow.
Though there's no way to tell until completed, this should hopefully hold most of the census years.

Quoting from the previous newsletter...
The ability to verify with actual historic documents and show them is how a site differs from a page.
With this in mind, the next logical step is to show as many actual recorded documents as possible.

It's absolutely essential that these be available internally instead of depending on another website.
Although at this moment you may find anything you need on the web, it's not always that simple.

Storing info or pictures on public sites is sometimes risky. You can eventually lose access to them.
Websites get sold, traded, change their format and content designs or just plain go out of business.
Being under another administrators rule is something no independant website can bear effectively.
This one is no different.

While far too immense for the ability of this website to store online, you can order them on media.

When you're ready to add support and do your own verifying, purchase the census files on CD's.
Because verifying is the key to accuracy, and accuracy is what makes your tree valid.
Good luck, have fun and enjoy!



Genealogy 101  The Basics...

Genealogy: A line of descent traced continuously from an ancestor.

For the most part, there is very little that can be done do to improve any original documents found.
What can be improved upon, is the knowledge of those who will leave documents for the future.

Whether a novice or expierienced, all of us need some direction and reminders from time to time.
And that's what this section is about... Simple reminders for us all about the basics.

With that in mind, it leads us to the next phase of the newsletters future:
How To Help Readers With Their Genealogy Studies.



This Months L-Page...

This months subject: Louis Lizotte 1793-1877.
Wondering who that is? You can join first, then read it here.

L-Page characters are chosen each month in connection with others being added to the family tree.
This way, we see how the family relationships grew, and the roles they played within their families.
As a bonus, the family tree flow-chart grows each month without having any gaps or "orphan pages".

If you haven't gotten it already, Download The Family Tree Software In The Geneology Section.
Follow along every month for new stories, and add the subjects to your tree!



The Newest L-Games...

Youngsters too small for computers can still learn about their family history tree!
It's a fun way to learn about family information that might have otherwise slipped by.
Play online if you've already joined. If not, just print the PDF's for crayons & highlighters.

Various topics relating to learning genealogy and the family tree plus associated information.
Each month a new variation or topic is added. Previous games are also left for newcomers.
There's already word search and crosswords with multiple choice quiz's soon to come!!

Be sure to leave some feedback about it for creating ones with more difficulty or easier needs.



Software Downloads List...

Each month, another good piece (or pieces) of usable software will be highlighted.
Topics vary. They may be related to genealogy, computers, websites, or for just plain fun!

Several primary software downloads used for this site are available in the download section.
With these you can build your own family tree to view either at home or on your own website.

Click here for a brief rundown on each of the highlighted selections!
If you've a particular need or interest, make a suggestion in the guestbook!




Improving The Website...

Every month, many new features are added to the website and older ones improved upon.
This section is a chance to brag a little and bring attention to the months accomplishments.
It's just one way to make sure all the hard work doesn't get forgotten or missed by visitors!

Sometimes, it may take days and days just to make a very small item work properly on the web.
Although users may not notice at all, it's a real sense of accomplishment to overcome these obstacles.
So this is the section where they get to shine!


New Pages Added...

The Genealogy 101 Lessons Page has been created after it's initial publishing in the newsletter.
It became apparent while still in it's infancy that this is something in need of its own section.
Having it's own page also allows for links to keep previous issues available for review at any time.

You won't want to miss this section-Ever!
There's a new topic each month in a progressive method recording your own genealogy and tree.
These are basic guidelines written in easy to follow, common sense workable methods.
Written for anyone of any age that wants some guidance in this kind of hobby/endeavor!


Also new this month...
Several new pages are "under construction", but being shown here anyway.
These are all spin-offs from last months new page "Research Help".

Certainly a related topic to any family tree, and may be of some use while researching your ancestry.
These are not yet a priority, and are going to take some time, but seemed noteworthy of mention.
The cemetery listing pages seem destined to become an ongoing project, but may be of some use.
Tombstone Abbreviations, Tombstone Symbols, Statue Meanings
Cemetary Listings By Location, Cemetery Listings By Surname


Last but not least...
The Demo Pages have been brought up to date with some views of site features.
More details below, but since it's new, it needs to be known!


Family Tree Report...

Starting this month the numbers have been posted only on the Report Page.
This is so it will be easier to maintain and not confuse people if one doesn't get updated.

This page will give you a basic understanding of what goes into the tree and how to use it.
Numbers grow each month, and are reported on that page along with important items.
There are also links to tree and calendar demo's as well as the published tree.


Census Report...

The Census Page gives you an idea of just how many there really are and which ones are available.
Lists of information about census year, state, size, quantity, etc can be a bit lengthy for newsletters.

More census files are made available for purchases each month, usually in a progressive order.
All are available on CD, with option for "Thumbdrives" and other media at an added cost.
Having your own set of these is the most exciting way there is to verify your finds!


Demo Links...

The Demo-Links-Page is now available for online viewing!
So far there are links for Census, Family Tree & Calendar, Maps, and Email Control Panel demo's!
Take a look at the one's already posted, and the list of what will soon be available as well.

Click the link above, use the header dropdown menu tabs "Join Us/Demos", or the icon at the right.
If there are certain sections you'd like to see, pease feel free to suggest them in the guestbook.


Please Help Donation Buttons...

Don't feel pressured, and if you can't afford to contribute, don't sweat it...
There's a lot that goes into the maintaining and improving a genealogy site.
Any and all help is truely appreciated!


Homepage Design...

The homepage had been in need of a more flowing way to convey information.
Although not perfected, it's much better for illustrating what the sites intentions are.
Hopefully those that find it take the time to read and further their understanding.
Quicklinks were also added for convience. Other things will be added as necessary.




Site Feature Reminders...


A Newsletter Signup Page Has Been Added!!

The newsletter continues to be available here, but sometimes an email reminder is handy too.
Due to server resources, Newsletters are emailed only to those that have joined this site.

While I'm thrilled that others might like to read about our stories and progress, it costs money.
Those interested enough to join should be the ones to benefit from their support (Thank You!).


Visitor Survey Page

The survey page is placed in the "News & Info" tabs, and open to visitors for responses.
Basic one-click yes/no answer format with an optional block for things to add if you desire.
Visitors can help decide what's important enough to put on the website-Even what questions to add!
Please take a look, it's very fast and big help for us all.


Send Comments Through The Guestbook!!

Your help and suggestions are very much appreciated, and this should help make it easy for you!
It'll be added to the upper right of most pages for easy access whenever you're reading articles.
Use it often!


The Search Engine Feature Has Been Added!!

The feature will become more and more useful as L-Pages and family history items are added.
The Family Tree section has it's own separate search/sort features.

When adding documents, remember to use words that others might search for.
Your message or photo can't be seen if it can't be found. Img0012578 isn't likely to be searched for.


The "Share-This" Icons Are On Every Page!!

While you're viewing these pages, you can share them with other family members.
Share any page at any time to any social network, or email the page sfrom the same links.
Give them a try and help spread the word!! The more that know, the more it grows.



Here's What's Been Planned For The Future...



This list will stay on the newsletter, and be added to or subtracted from as needed.
Mostly as a "To Do" list, and something to be accountable to for making progress!
They're listed in no particular order of importance or lineup.
As the ideas or needs came into focus, they were written in...
Of course, with effort later to add new ones near related ones for train of thought.

Some items may be quick to get accomplished, while others may take longer...
Many may not even work out at all.
But we'll cross those bridges when we come to them.


Email Address Purchase Page Needs Updating...
It needs to tell more about the product details, and payment links.
It works fine as it is, go ahead and use the checkout.
But we all like for things to be simple and easy, don't we?
As time goes by, it'll get there.


Some Page Menu Changes Are Planned...
Probably a re-ordering of pagelinks in the menu column will be the result.
This should make it very easy to look at, email & share pages with each other.
One step at a time... Some have already started...


The "Events" section could use a good calendar...
Searching for some online for an entire day yielded nothing but "snooper programs"...
Many were loaded & installed only to find they were the 30 day, monthly fee or other junk types.
If anyone knows of a good event calendar that can be used for websites, please speak up!
Thanks.

Update:
The Family Tree Calendar "might" be able to fill a second use-Uncertain results yet.
If it becomes a popular enough to become a priority, more time will be allocated to it.
Any results will be posted in the "What's been done section"...


Possibly a higher quality blog may be created so users can better interact...
Somewhere down the line possibly... Does anyone know of a good software program?
One with file attachment and other capabilities that users might want.
File uploading for picture sharing, email responses to their posts, etc.... Something fun!
If you know of a good software for this, send an email or post it on the guestbook!


As ideas and knowledge grow, so will the site-Let's have some input!

All I can do is implement the ideas....
You are the ones that can help guide the site where you want to go!

Please join in and help us all to find our heritage.
It belongs to all of us.
It belongs here.

So that's the down-low on what's-up!
Thanks for reading,


      Massachusetts

Our family. Our website.
Leazott.com