Probably not surprising but Facebook, one of the world’s dominant social media platforms is also a great platform for pursuing family history. You can join various Facebook Groups to help you advance your research. For example, there are Facebook Groups dedicated to:
- Ethnic groups (e.g., Slovenian)
- Specific surnames (e.g., McCracken)
- Local historical societies (e.g., Marmora Historical Society)
- Specific geographic areas (e.g., Alsace-Lorraine, France)
- And much more
For example, in my family, my great-great-grandmother was a McCracken. So, I joined the McCracken group. Through this group, I learned that the McCracken surname originated in southeast Scotland, and I have now connected with other McCracken researchers. Still working my way to cracking the “Brick Wall” that is Mary Anne McCracken.
I also joined the Facebook group for the Banbridge Historical Society in Northern Ireland near where my father’s family originated. Recently, I posted an old family photo of the storefront of my grand Uncle Samuel’s cycle shop. A chap commented on my post that he knew the place and had enjoyed his first cigarette at 11 years of age on the hood of a car with his Uncle Fred. That is, until his mother arrived on the scene. I have now corresponded directly with my newfound cousin and just learned that he has a sister living only 25 miles from me here in North America.
The story gets better. A year later, I posted an old photo of a man on a motorcycle surrounded by a group in men in “Roaring Twenties” attire. No name on the back of the photo but the man had a slight resemblance to my grandfather. A chap responded to this posting and suggested that I post the photo on a related group entitled “Banbridge Back in the Day”. Lo and behold, after posting the photo here, another gentleman responded with two old newspaper articles describing the inquest into the death of the motorcycle man who was shot attempting to run a roadblock near Banbridge circa 1921 operated by the Special B militia. Subsequently, I was able to secure the entire inquest records and the official investigation into the death of my ancestor.
Give it a try! I know that you will find some new and useful resources to add to your genealogical toolkit. Try searching for items where you need some help.
Ron Gilmore
Email: rvg3@me.com
Website: https://rgenealogy.ca