www.Leazott.com

The "Down-Low" on "What's Up"!!                                              2016 01 01
A New Year Dawning...                                                                Published Monthly


Happy New Year To All!!

The new year is now upon us and marching forward whether we are ready for it or not!
As such, it seems the right thing to do, is to keep in stride with it accordingly from the start!

The primary reasons people visit the site are Family Tree Info, Genealogy Lessons, and Census CD's.
Website features and functions will also continue to be a priority for ease of use and general flow.
Logically, it makes sense to spend more time in those areas.

The Goals This Year, though few in number, represent a massive undertaking in manhours.
Genealogy 101 Lessons that are helpful in advancing the readers ability to do their own research.
Family Tree Members to be added from the private database to the published tree on a weekly basis.
Census CD files to be added to the available purchase index as an ongoing mission until all are listed.

The Format has been opened to all for the Newsletter Archives and the previous Genealogy Lessons.
For the most part, the entire website will continue to be "Open Content" with several exceptions.
The Family Tree, Census CD's, and Email Accounts are private purchases for obvious reasons.

All census files are available (Send an email if what you want isn't listed yet. See a demo here).
While far too many for a website to store as downloads, you can order them on CD's or other 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...

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: Verifying

Whether novice, enthusiast or professional, we all need guidance and direction from time to time.
And that's what this section is about... Simple reminders about family tree and genealogy basics.


The L-Pages...

This months subject: Louis Lizotte 1793-1877.
Follow along every month for new stories, and be sure to add the subjects to your tree!

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".


The 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.

Monthly topics relating to learning genealogy and the family tree plus associated information.
There are word search and crosswords, with trivia and multiple choice quiz's coming soon!!


Software Downloads...

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.



Monthly Reports...

Family Tree Report...

The Tree Report gives a clear understanding of what goes into the tree and how to better use it.
Numbers grow each month, and are reported monthly along with other important info.

There are also links to tree and calendar demo's as well as the published tree.
Data has been added to the demo for you to explore to understand its operation.


Census Report...

The Census Report 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 too 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!


New Pages...

Page ideas are posted here whenever they're inserted.
If you have an idea for a topic, send an email describing it!

"Projects" is a new page added to the Census CD's tab showing more ways to use the CD's!
In the future there will be pictures added to the descriptions for visualizing them as well!
For now, it's a way of helping you get more uses from the CD purchases you make!
Definitely worth a look!

"Searching" is another new page under the Census CD Tab/Section.
There seems to be a need for some initial instructions on how to use the CD's.
It explains the basic differences between a database search and a search for documents.
Worth the two minutes of reading so you understand!

"Research" is a complete section of its own, and presently has several exciting new pages emerging.
These topics are related to any family tree, and should be of use while researching your ancestry.
They are investigation spin-offs, ongoing and under construction, but noteworthy of mention.
Tombstone Abbreviations, Tombstone Symbols, Statue Meanings



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 where even minor adjustments get to shine in the spotlight for their 15 minutes of fame!


Some Page Menu Changes Were Made...

A re-ordering of pagelinks in the menu dropdown columns links was planned, and have been made.
This should make the flow easier to understand with certain items of interest grouped together.
Take a look, explore a little and post any improvements you can think of on the guestbook.


Page Flow Improvements...

In order to help users feel more comfortable as well as self oriented, the quicklinks were updated.
No matter which page you're on, the same quicklinks will be in the same order at the right side.
Though this might seem like a small thing, after several hundred pages, it's worth noting here!


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 is being tweaked for  a more flowing way to convey information.
Although not perfected, it's much better for illustrating what the sites intentions are.
Any input would be welcomed!



Site Feature Reminders...


"Share-This" Icons

While you're browsing the pages, share them with other family members in case they're interested.
Share any page at any time to any social network, or email the pages from the same links.
Help spread the word among family!! The more that know, the more it grows.


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

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.


Future Plans...

Considered a "To Do" list for website progress.
They're listed in no particular order of importance or lineup.

Some items will be accomplished quickly, 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 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?
In time, it'll look better and have more product details, and payment information.


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