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The Socket Connection

October 2009
Tracing Ancestry with the Web
Use free and paid sites to discover your family history.

Back in the early 19th century family histories were important to establish status. Wealthy people proudly recorded and displayed ancestry to prove their importance. Those who had little or no money had no records, and were even ashamed of their ancestors at times.

This type of value is no longer placed on genealogy. But wouldn't it be neat to know if your great-great-great grandfather was a painter, a farmer or a jazz musician?

Welcome to the age of the Internet. You can find that type of information online. Not all of it is free, and not all of it is true. But if you have the time you can find some golden nuggets about your family's past.

Why search for family history?

First, determine your motivating factor in the search. Some families have mysteries in their past or missing links in their family memory. Others put histories together as presents for family members or friends. Or maybe you just want to do it for yourself as a hobby. All of these are pretty great reasons.

Remember that genealogy searches will not tell you about your relatives' personalities, what their hopes and dreams were, or other personal information. To uncover those details, step away from the computer and go visit an older relative. That type of information is usually best found in memories and photo albums, not online.

Collect information

To start building your family tree you will have to do some personal research. First, look for wills, death certificates, birth certificates or other documents. See if you can find a family Bible or other book with handwritten records.

If you don't have records or an idea of where to find them, begin with yourself. Use your name, birthday, birthplace, spouse's name and children's names, whatever you can think of. Look for all the documentation you can find. This will increase the accuracy of your search and help weed out some of the inaccurate information you may find online.

Paid vs. free services

Genealogy searches do not have to cost any money. Visit sites like www.interment.net to gather information on birth and death dates. Then visit www.rootsweb.com to look for surnames with the information gathered and to create a family tree that can be printed (and even framed). (Hint- when using the free sites, you will have to sift through a couple advertisements - that's why they are free!)

You can also use search engines such as Google to look for more information. Try searching for names in quotation marks, like "John Doe" and provide additional information when available to narrow your search, such as "John Doe, Columbia, MO."

Depending on your motivations and timeline you might wish to pay for an online subscription to sites like www.ancestry.com or www.genealogy.com. Services that require payment do a lot of the work for you and make the search easier and more accurate. Subscriptions typically range from $10 to $30 per month.

Verifying information

You probably already know that not everything you read online is true. As with any online research, be sure the information you find is credible. Stick with reputable Web sites, and consider using a paid service if accuracy is a priority.

Also, look for sources. They should be at the bottom of the Web page or directly following the provided information. If information is not obtained from a primary source, do a little detective work to verify the information provided.

If you are still unsure, speak with relatives. They usually have records of family members or can verify certain facts from memory.

Get started

Now that you know the basics of online genealogical research, go get started! You're likely to discover some very interesting details about your family and have fun doing it.






Dear Techie:

What is RSS and how do I use it?




        
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In This Issue


Dear Techie: What is RSS and how do I use it?
Browse updates from your favorite Web sites and blogs in one central location.

High-Speed DSL Specials
Check availability in seconds.

Socket on the Move
Find out where we've been lately, and where you can find us next!

Socketeer Spotlight: Tia Stratman
Meet Socket's You-Make-the-Difference-Award winner for September.

Sites of the Month
Three Web sites to check out in October.

Comments and Suggestions
Let us know how we're doing!


(c) 2009 Socket. All rights reserved.

Dear Techie: What is RSS and how do I use it?

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) was designed to save time. Instead of visiting multiple Web pages to view frequently updated content, you can use RSS feeds to view the updates from a centralized reader. RSS readers are special programs or Web sites that compile updates from your favorite sites for you.

An RSS feed updates every time there is new information on a Web site, so you can catch up on updates during your free time. For example, you can use RSS to read the latest entries on your favorite blogs, catch up on news headlines or find up-to-date shopping deals.

Many of your favorite Web sites probably already have an RSS feed. If you want to find more, search online for your favorite hobby, author or anything you are interested in to find more sites to add to your reader.

How to get started

You will first need to determine how you would like to read your updates. You will need to use a reader to compile all your feeds in one place. Some readers are Web-based, while others are downloaded to your computer. Popular options to check out include Google Reader, Bloglines and SharpReader.

Once you have installed or signed up for a reader, you're ready to start adding feeds. Visit your favorite Web sites and click on the RSS feed logo in the address bar to subscribe. The RSS feed logo looks like this:


After subscribing to feeds, you can go to your RSS reader to see all updates in one convenient location!

Mark Thrasher, Technical Support Representative
support@socket.net

Have a question for Dear Techie? Send it to editor@socket.net.


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High-Speed DSL Specials

If you haven't checked for High-Speed DSL lately, it's a great time to try! Socket is running great customer-only specials - just ask for your customer discount.

We can run a FREE line check in just seconds to find out if High-Speed DSL Internet is available to your specific home or business location. Even if you've checked in the past, it's a good idea to give us a call again, since service areas change constantly.

Just call one of our friendly customer service reps at 1-800-762-5383 or fill out a Pre-Qualification Form online at www.socket.net/prequal.

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Socketeers on the Move

Socket employees filled 18 bags of trash cleaning up Clark Lane in Columbia on Saturday, August 29. The trash pickup is part of Socket's commitment to help keep the streets of Columbia clean. The company has adopted a spot of roadway on Clark Lane between Hwy. 63 and Paris Road.

Socketeers also had a good time passing out balloons and tattoos at the St. James Grape and Fall Festival on Saturday, September 12. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to see us!

In October, you can find us at the Jefferson City BIG Expo on Thursday, October 8. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by the show at the Firley YMCA to say hello to our local people.

To view more pictures, or to find out more about where we'll be next, visit www.socket.net/community.



Socket volunteer Scott Dean carries a bag of trash to be discarded.

A local Jefferson City man stops at the Socket booth to talk to Business Account Representative Chris Hill at the 2008 Jefferson City BIG Expo.


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Socketeer Spotlight: Tia Stratman, Marketing Representative

Tia Stratman was chosen as Socket's You-Make-the-Difference-Award winner for the month of September. She joined Socket in June 2008 as a marketing intern and was hired just three months later as a full-time marketing representative.

Tia graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in journalism. At Socket, she coordinates appearances at local events, as well as assisting with advertising design and placement. She also produces Socket's employee newsletter and pitches in on a variety of other marketing projects.

Tia was nominated for the award by a co-worker who wrote, "Give her a new project and she's on it. Present her with a problem and she'll figure out more than one solution. And on top of it all...she cares about Socket's growth, customers and Socketeers."

"I am lucky to work for a company full of people who care about each other," said Stratman. "I appreciate the opportunity to learn and grow each day."

Outside of work, Tia enjoys anything crafty. She's dabbled in painting, sewing, scrapbooking and knitting, among other hobbies. She also has a one-year-old cat named Winston.

Socket's You-Make-the-Difference Award is given monthly to the employee who best exemplifies Socket's Core Values and Beliefs. Recipients of the award are nominated and voted on by their peers. To view other winners, visit www.socket.net/ymtd.


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Sites of the Month

Three great Web sites to check out in October:
  • Halloween Safety (www.halloween-safety.com)
    Visit this Web site before October 31 for important safety tips for everything from costumes to pet care.
  • Visit MO (www.visitmo.com)
    Find great fall festivals and events to attend throughout Missouri on this Web site. You can even find coupons for great Missouri events and attractions.
  • Popcorn.org (www.popcorn.org)
    October is National Popcorn Poppin' Month! Visit this site for fun popcorn facts and delicious recipes.
Do you have a great Web site to share with others? Send it to editor@socket.net.


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Comments and Suggestions

We are listening...

Disclaimer: This publication provides general information about the subject matter covered. Before acting on any information contained in this publication, please consult with one of Socket's technical or customer service representatives at 1-800-SOCKET-3 to determine its applicability to your particular situation.


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© 2009 Socket Holdings Corp. All rights reserved.