The NERGC conference in Portland, Maine hasn't even started yet and already announcements about new products and services are appearing. Here is an announcement from the New England Historic Genealogical Society, followed by some of my own comments:
Announcing DavidLambertBlog.com, genealogical thoughts from the NEHGS Online Genealogist
The new online genealogist service at the New England Historic Genealogical Society has become very popular in just a few short months. Visitors to our library in Boston have long enjoyed the personal attention of our expert staff genealogists and now, David Allen Lambert, longtime NEHGS staff member and genealogist, brings that personal service and expertise to the virtual world via the Online Genealogist. David answers questions and offers advice on research methods and sources to help members and non-members get re-energized in their research.
David has now taken another step to share his expertise with others. With assistance from the New England Historic Genealogical Society, David has launched DavidLambertBlog.com. In this new electronic tool, David will write about his interactions with genealogists, post answers to questions he's helped others with, and relate his personal and professional musings about genealogy in general and New England genealogy in particular. He will also offer numerous suggestions about how to research ancestry, based primarily upon his recent experiences. This week, David will attend the New England Regional Genealogical Conference in Portland, Maine, and plans to issue daily reports bringing his readers his insider's perspective of what's happening at the conference. If you're unable to make the conference yourself, check out the blog to see it from David's point of view.
Blogs (web logs) are becoming increasingly popular. David's blog will give you access to the professional insights of your very own online genealogist. It will also provide a more responsive inside look at what's going on in the genealogical community, what the hot topics are, and where NEHGS members' interests lie. Blogs encourage dialog between author and readers by way of a "comments" feature visible to all readers. It's a great way to share knowledge and build community.
Dick Eastman, NEHGS Assistant Executive Director of Technology and notable genealogy blogger himself, suggests this is "another example of an experienced genealogist using today's technology to share his expertise." He adds that he is not aware of any other genealogical societies that sponsor blogs at this time.
Participate in this innovative way of reaching genealogists around the world by visiting DavidLambertBlog.com to read more. We encourage you to leave a comment or two during your visit. Point your web browser to http://www.DavidLambertBlog.com and make it a regular stop on your genealogical journey.
Comments from Dick Eastman:
I just have to add a bit more than the brief quote above. I have known David for about ten years and have had the pleasure of being a co-worker of his for the past year and a half. I also have an interest in blogs and have written about the topic many times.
I must say that this new blog sounds like an excellent idea. I know that David is an expert genealogist specializing in New England topics, American Indian research (especially Eastern tribes) and also is NEHGS' "resident guru" on researching military records. I know that he has taught me much just in casual conversation as well as in several formal seminars he has conducted where I was able to attend.
I expect that his new blog will be an extension of David's seminars and conversations. As mentioned above, he will be sharing his thoughts as he works in his role as Online Genealogist at NEHGS. In fact, as I write these words, one announcement and the first three articles have already been posted to the blog. I expect this blog will grow into a great genealogy resource. It is now on my daily "must read" list.
As mentioned in the announcement, you can read David Lambert's new blog in any web browser at http://www.DavidLambertBlog.com. In addition, if you are using an RSS newsreader to read blogs, you can add David's new blog by specifying the address of http://davidlambertblog.com/wp-rss2.php.
