www.Leazott.com

The "Down-Low" on "What's Up"!!                                              2015 12 01
Looking Ahead...                                                                                Published Monthly


This Months Biggest News...

Plan your work, and work your plan.
This is true with everything in life. Whenever I've deviated from this logic, I've run amuck.
Building upon last months theme of "Gaining Knowledge", it seems prudent to now look ahead.

Part of "The Plan" as mentioned last month, is for this website to be available for generations to come.
Many problems will arise along the way to be navigated by interested party's, and be addressed.
An apparent issue that has come into light is in uploading the website's updates and monthly changes.
As with any new venture, it's a learn as you go endeavor.

The problem: Computers break down or become outdated from time to time.
This was realized recently, due to a faulty fan in my laptop. What if it had been a critical component!?
It's not only the hardware though. Software eventually becomes incompatable too.
Anyone with less than the newest Windows 10 is bombarded daily with the icon update they installed.

It's now become a concern that newer software may not save data similarly to older versions.
With even one keystroke changed (Or folder name), any picture, link, or icon can become unusable.
It is imperative that the website be saved to a continual/unchanging disc, folder and file name.
The longer we wait, the more difficult it will be to do because of added pages.

The Plan: Make use of the new census storage disc space for the website itself as well!
Since data storage has been increased to 5TB, there is now plenty of room to keep a website within it!

This is all in a USB seperate/stand alone setting that can be run from or copied to another computer!
Which means, if at any time the main terminal should need to be changed-It will not affect any links!
In effect, a website that can be literally handed down from person to person, through the generations!
A working website on plug-in hardware, physically handed to the next generation to continue on!
WOW!!--Talk about "Passing The Baton!!"

There is a LOT of work to do before the full change-over can be made.
What's wonderful about this is that future webmasters need not be technogeeks!
Other technical changes are planned as well, but those are for making webmastering even simpler.

So there you have it, a site-plan that not only will serve your genealogy needs, but your childrens too!
This won't all happen overnight, but the plan is clear.

The census files will not be affected because they are available on CD only at this time.
At some point when online space becomes an option, a web address for downloads will be assigned.
(Plans for that are also in the works!)

All census files are available (Send an email if what you want isn't listed yet).
While far too immense for this website to presently store online, you can order them on media.

When you're ready to add the support to 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.

A New Article Each Month On How To Help Readers With Their Genealogy Studies.
Follow the genealogy lesson links above for all previous lessons.
This Months Lesson: The Search For Life


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!




Monthly Reports...
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


Family Tree Report...

The numbers are 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.

The 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!




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!


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...


Newsletter Signup Page

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.


Sign 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!


Search Engine Feature

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 using the "Photo-File Uploads" link, remember to use words that others might search for.
Your message or image can't be seen if it can't be found. Img0012578 isn't likely to be searched for.


"Share-This" Icons

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.




Future Plans...

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 To Be Updated...
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 Needs 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.
Though it would have to be in conjunction/implemented with it's normal function with the tree.
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 guide the site where you want it to go!

Join in and find our heritage.
It belongs to all of us.
It belongs here.

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


      Massachusetts

Our family. Our website.
Leazott.com