Are you ready for WikiTree’s Scan-a-Thon, the 72-hour image scanning and uploading marathon on January 11-14, 2019? Are your readers?
If you don’t already know what is happening that weekend, read WikiTree Scan-A-Thon: Calling All GeneaBloggers! to catch up. If you’re blogging about the Scan-a-Thon (and we really hope you are!), here’s some information to share with your readers.
No Flatbed Scanner? No Problem
If you don’t have a flatbed scanner, you can use free apps such as Genius Scan or JoyFlips on your smartphone to participate in the Scan-a-Thon.
Greg Slade’s Wikitree post, Scanning Scanning documents and photos with phones and tablets, lists links to articles explore the advantages and disadvantages of various other options that available. Explore the links to find one that’s easy for you to use.
No ancestor photos? Again, No Problem
As I mentioned on my Edge of Snowdonia blog, some may say, “I only have photographs of living people so I can’t participate.” This is not true. You probably have other items of genealogical value to scan or upload, such as the following:
- Letters
- Postcards
- Ephemera
- Funeral Cards
- Primary Documents
Uploading photos: Technical Help and Permission for Use
When it comes to making sure you have permission to upload the photos, WikiTree has the following advice:
Generally speaking, you have permission to upload a photo if:
- you took the photo yourself.
- the person who took the photo gave you permission to share it on WikiTree.
- the image is in the public domain. See Stanford University’s definition of public domain and the Legal Genealogist’s “Copyright and the old family photo.“
You generally do not have permission if you downloaded it from another website.
Before you scan and/or upload any images please check out the Photos_FAQ page for further technical and practical advice.
Encourage Scanners to Join a Team
As with all WikiTree “Thons,” everyone is encouraged to join in and join a team. It can become tedious working on the same task for a long period of time, so take regular breaks. Teams help each other and having a place to discuss with the rest of the team is important.
If you have not uploaded images before why not do a trial run? Remember, with so many people uploading simultaneously, there may be times when things are slow. Think what you are going to do if that image will not upload.
Don’t Forget
However you plan to participate, don’t forget to register for WikiTree members or sign up for non-members. To qualify for GeneaBloggersTRIBE prizes and link your blog post, see WikiTree Scan-A-Thon: Calling All GeneaBloggers!
Above all, have a fun weekend!
Submitted by Hilary Gadsby
© 2019 GeneaBloggersTRIBE
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