Free International Research Group on Skype

We are excited to announce the creation of an online international research group sponsored by Rootsonomy, and we would like to invite you to join! This new community is called Rootsonomy Research Group and is being created to help you and others:

• Collaborate via instant messages on your family history research
• Ask questions of professional genealogists
• Share knowledge you have gained from your own research
• Learn from the experiences of others

Q: How do I join? 

It's a simple two-step process to join the Rootsonomy Research Group:

1. Download the Skype program at Skype.com and register for an account.
2. Send an e-mail to Rootsonomy@gmail.com requesting access.  Be sure to include your Skype username.

That's all you need to do.  It's that easy.

Q: What is Skype?

Skype is a leading chat program that allows interaction and communication between individuals or groups. You can learn more or download the software at Skype.com.

Q: What are the benefits of joining?

Joining the Rootsonomy Research Group will enable you to have your questions answered by a professional genealogist.  You will also be able to collaborate with other researchers.

Q: Will there be a cost to join?

You have hopefully noticed that Rootsonomy loves to help people.  One way we do this is by giving away as much as we can.  Membership in this group is free and you can come and go whenever you like.

Q: How does this group compare to other online communities?

Skype is a chat program that allows for more detailed communications and interaction between individuals or groups of users than what is provided by other social communities.  Unlike e-mail or Facebook, Skype allows groups to participate together in group discussions.  It also allows for sending documents that others can review in order to help evaluate records, and if desired, live video discussions or screen sharing are also enabled.

Q: Who will answer the questions I post?

Questions will be answered by the other members of the group.  Membership is open to everyone and includes the professional researchers who make up the Rootsonomy research firm. 

Q: What kind of questions will that person answer?  For example, will he or she tell me who my paternal great-great grandmother was?

Yes, if you provide sufficient information, it may be possible to get specific answers to your questions.  At a minimum, you will receive advice on how you can conduct the research to provide the answers you are seeking.

Q: What days of the week and hours of the day will this community be accessible?

You can post your questions at any time, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

Q: Who will moderate this group?

The primary moderator will be Jan Edwards, who achieved distinction as one of the leaders in launching the FamilySearch Skype research community and is one of the lead researchers for Rootsonomy.  Other members of Rootsonomy will also help monitor the discussions.