How It Works

It is the power of our community that makes #genchat strong.
Each individual contributes a piece to the puzzle.

What is it, exactly?
On Twitter/X on the 2nd and 4th Friday evening (and on Mastodon on the following Saturday morning), a group of genealogists from around the globe gather together and discuss a pre-chosen topic that has something to do with genealogy, or sometimes just an "Open Mic" session for free-form conversation. These folks have varying backgrounds, skill levels and research focuses that make the conversation interesting, entertaining and incredibly educational. What you will not find is a separation of "hobbyist" and "professional." We are all just genealogists, together.

"Every fortnight, they gather for sixty minutes of rapid-fire conversation about #genealogy: It's #genchat -- the original Power Hour! It's a strange atmosphere (to say the least) that is informative and entertaining fun... and, yes, it's addictive too. Join in, all are welcome. You'll leave with a new group of friends!"
~ @leprchaunrabbit
Kale Liam Hobbes
3 Jan 2014

How It Started: 
On January 1, 2013, a press release announced that Stephanie Pitcher Fishman (now Whittier), Terri O’Connell and Jen Baldwin would be starting a genealogy Twitter (now X) chat.  “Beginning January 25, 2013, they will combine their efforts to bring you #genchat, a Twitter Chat focusing on genealogy related topics, skills and questions.”

. . . #genchat was born. And it is an incredible success.
~ Jen Baldwin, Co-founder of #genchat

Eventually, Jen continued #genchat with the first #genchat website and the @_genchat Twitter handle.  In January 2018, the baton was handed off to Liam Hobbes (@leprchaunrabbit) and Christine McCloud (@geneapleau), and at the end of 2022, Liam retired from co-hosting.   #genchat has continued to this day as the oldest genealogy chat on Twitter/X; and now in 2023, Christine is opening the conversation on Mastodon under the handle @genchat@lor.sh.

How does #genchat work?
For topical chats, the host will pose between 5-6 questions (Q1, Q2, etc.) during each chat. Participants respond to each question (A1, A2, etc.), using the hashtag #genchat.  (no matter what the platform, using the hashtag* is key for us to see your contributions.  For Mastodon, we encourage tagging the bot group @genchat@a.gup.pe for increased visibility across servers.)  The best way for you to learn and gain from these chats is to participate. We have a fair number of "lurkers," and we encourage each and every one of them to engage in the chats!

The chat usually lasts an hour, but participants are free to continue the discussion well after the scheduled time.  You never know when you might come across a relevant resource to share!
​  * Some feel it's best to use the hashtag with Camel Case (#GenChat); some use it without (#genchat).  There really is no one "correct" way, as the word can be seen as a compound word.  Either one will work!

​On Twitter/X:

You can put the hashtag in the search bar and then click on "Latest".  You will need to keep refreshing, however.

On Mastodon:

You can put the hashtag in the search bar and then click on it in the search results.

Depending on your server/instance, this may not bring up all the toots.   In this case, following the account @genchat@a.gup.pe will help.  This is a bot account that boosts every #genchat toot.

Or, if you want to get really fancy & TweetDeck-like:
  • Click on "Preferences"
  • Under "Advanced Web Interface", check the box to "Enable advanced web interface" and hit the "Save Changes" button
  • Click "Back to Mastodon"
  • In the search bar, type in #genchat and click on it; you'll see a new column!
  • Click the upper right corner of the new column and select Pin to keep the column there
  • To add even more columns (such as @genchat@a.gup.pe), simply type that into the search bar to get a new column that you can pin as well
To get out of that mode, just go back to Preference, uncheck the advanced web interface box and save those changes.

​A word about #Treeverne (Twitter/X only, for now)
You may see a mention of #Treeverne in the 30 minutes leading up to a #genchat session and wonder what that is.  
In October 2013, Liam started a half hour lead-in to #genchat, where #genchatters could talk about anything and everything.  "Treeverne Upon the Gene" (Treeverne for short) is his creation:  a virtual Olde English pub, where folks gather and socialize.  Over time, the elements of Treeverne have evolved to include heavy oak doors, a fireplace, a basement where stock is kept, and even a secret time-traveling wormhole behind the bar.  But the focus of #Treeverne has always been a social happy half hour where we just catch up with each other on a personal level.  

Questions?
For more specific questions or instruction, contact the hosts of #genchat for one-on-one assistance.