Share Genealogy Information Using Google Docs and Spreadsheets

There are so many services on the internet for genealogist to share their information with others most don't even know where to start. Then there are major concerns as to who do you want seeing your information, do you want it public or only just a selected few viewing, do you want individuals making corrections within the information you have put in? So many questions to answer but if you want to just allow a selected individuals or a whole family to view your information and add or correct then there is an easy program right at your finger tips, Google Docs and Spreadsheet!

The Google Docs and Spreadsheet is the ideal resource for an individual that just want to keep them selves notes to the genealogist wanting to communicate with family researchers. You can even go as far as letting certain people view certain documents while other people are viewing something totally different at the same time. This way you can keep individuals from seeing the whole account. You can even inter instructions for individuals to see in order for them to know exactly what you want them to do. If there is a problem or someone has a question you can talk to them from the chat tool plus you can see who is viewing the information right then.

Sounds pretty good, right! So exactly how do you use Google Docs and Spreadsheets? First you have to set up a Google account. If you don't have one don't worry it's free. Google Docs and Spreadsheet is found in Google Docs, that is at docs,google.com. Once you are there you can choose from several things but I'm mainly talking about the docs and spreadsheet that you can choose who you want to let view your work.

You can share documents, store and create information with access from any computer know matter where you are. Once you have your information set up all you have to do is send emails to the individuals you would like to share the information with, if any. The greatest thing about this is that it is Free! You don't have to spend $50 to $90 dollars on a genealogy program, plus learn how to run and inter information. Some genealogy programs on the market are very confusing!

Now, Google Docs is still a fairly new service that Google is offering so you might see messages about interrupted service but don't let that stop you. Google is constantly working to make their programs better. One thing to point out is that spreadsheets and docs are to different things but you have access to both within the same program. If you have spreadsheets all ready made in Excel then you can import them into the spreadsheet program with .cvs file or even with .xls. You can also download the spreadsheet if you made it online, to your computer. This is always a good idea; always back up your work!

The emails that you send out to individuals to view your information are sent by Google but your email address is the return address for them to see. In order for them to see your information they will have to have a Google account but that is easy and make sure you tell them it is free, people love the word "free."

Let them know that there is a chat feature on the right-hand-side of the screen and that you are there to chat with them about changes or concerns they might have. One thing to keep in mind and that is when you have two or more individuals looking and/or editing the same information at the same time, a chat with all concerned would be a good idea. If two individuals edit the information at the same time, who ever enters the information last will overwrite the other person's information they entered.

There are easy tools that Google offers for your convenience, like the charts for your spreadsheets. They have a basic few to choose from like scatter and pie but thing will be getting better as Google advances there program over time. My advice would be if you are courteous about this, play around with the program first to get the feel of how the features work, save, import and export, send an email to a friend or family member. Let them know what you are doing first before you send the email!