What's a good podcast?

I recently emailed Thomas MacKentee of the Geneabloggers podcast about my idea for how to tell if you're listening to a good podcast.

You see, I had just been listening to the recent Geneabloggers podcast and just realised how to tell if I'm listening to a good podcast. Whenever I'm listening to a good podcast, such as Geneabloggers, Genealogy Gems or Genealogy Guys to mention a few, I always turn off my iPod for a few minutes when I cross a busy road. The traffic noise makes it harder to hear what is said on the podcast so I feel the need to switch off so I dont miss out on any of the good stuff. I suppose it's a good idea for safety reasons too:)

I wonder if there are other indicators that people have noticed in terms of how to tell if they're listening to a good podcast rather than a ho-hum one?

Genies Down Under - Episode 2

The Genies Down Under podcast released Episode 2 on 1 November 2011.

The title of the podcast is: Free stuff for genies: It fell off the back of a truck.

This podcast includes tips, tools, tricks and traps for accessing free stuff on and off the internet for family history research like;

• pedigree charts
• ancestral charts
• family group sheets
• free magazines
• free articles

In this episode, you’ll find answers to these questions:

What free stuff can I access online for my family history research?

What free stuff can I access that isn’t online for my family history research?

If I’m a bit short of money, how can I still keep going with my genealogy?

If you have any comments about this podcast, or if you have suggestions for future podcast episodes, feel free to email me at geniesdownunder@gmail.com

Access the podcast through iTunes:

http://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/genies-down-under/id467595597

or go straight to the Genies Down Under website and listen from there:

http://www.geniesdownunder.com.au/podcasts.html

Genies Down Under pocast LAUNCHED

This weekend, the Genies Down Under podcast was launched.

The Genies Down Under is a podcast about genealogy - with an Australian twist. Hosted by me, Maria Northcote, the podcast includes tips, tools, tricks and traps for genealogists researching Australian family histories.

By listening to the podcast, you’ll be provided with some tips to get going with your research, some tools and resources to use, some tricks to save time and make your research fun, and I’ll also tell you about some of my mistakes so you can avoid these traps when you’re doing your own research.

There’ll be lots of family history stories and ideas on how to get to know your own ancestors - beyond just their names and dates.

Listen to a one minute promo about the podcast:

Subscribe to the podcast at: http://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/genies-down-under/id467595597

Also, here is my website for Genies Down Under: http://www.geniesdownunder.com.au/

So, I’d like to offer you a big warm Aussie invitation to join me for the very first episode of Genies Down Under.

But for now, I’ll say seeya from Maria, a genie down under.

Genies Down Under - Podcast coming soon

In September 2011, the Genies Down Under Podcast will be launched. Stay tuned for fun tips, tools, tricks and traps for Australian genies from the Genie Down Under, Maria Northcote.

Who Counts? The Census

Confused about the purpose of the census? Wondering what the census can do for family history researchers?

The Census is one of the most valuable resources for family historians - whether your researching your family's whereabouts in Australia, the UK or the US, or in other countries. The UK and US have many intact census records from years back. Sadly, many of the Irish census records were destroyed in a fire in 1922. There are some census records available for Australian historians but our historical census records in Australia are not always as comprehensive as we would wish them to be. The one hour podcast called "Who Counts? A history of the census" will give you a good run down of some facts and figures about the census and its purpose. Some funny anecdotes are also scattered throughout this podcast that provide additional entertainment.

The contents of the podcast are described as:

"So today on Rear Vision we compare the Australian census with the British census of the nineteenth century, and the census in the USA - mandated in the constitution and posited as central to nation-building and politics."

Check it out, at: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/rearvision/stories/2011/3279033.htm

So what's this blog about?

The purpose of this blog is to share some of the tips, tricks and traps I have learned about over the years while researching my family’s history. I’ve made mistakes, enjoyed some success and have found some useful resources and strategies that I’d like to share.

Because I live in Australia, much of the information on this blog will be relevant to those who live in Australia or have Australian, Irish, English and Welsh ancestors.

I hope you enjoy reading this blog and please email me with any feedback or questions: geniesdownunder@gmail.com