Digital Public History: Family History and Genealogy

Abstract

This chapter looks at the use of digital resources in family history. In-creasingly, family history is being supported by digital means, and participantsare often leaders in terms of using online and digital tools in their historical inves-tigations. The digital tools that family historians use are becoming more sophisti-cated, and the types of information that are being included are becoming moreinteroperable and shareable. Family history is a global, enormously popular pub-lic history activity. It is undertaken around the world and for the most part online,using digital tools and engaging users in networks and online communities. As itsdigital tools evolve and develop, the practice of family history will similarly evolve.More and more, the practice of family history is being undertaken on websites andusing the software provided by major international information companies, and it isimportant to take into account the tension between individual usage and that sup-ported in this commercialised way.