How It Works

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

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 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 has continued to this day. It is now the oldest genealogy chat on Twitter!

How does #genchat work?
We usually have between 6 - 8 questions (Q1, Q2, etc.) on each chat, depending on the topic. People can respond to each question (A1, A2, etc.), or to each other, as they wish, and at any time during the chat, using the hashtag #genchat. See Liam’s excellent blogpost on how best to follow #genchat!

What is it, exactly?
On alternating Friday evenings, a group of genealogists from around the globe gather together and discuss a pre-chosen topic that has something to do with genealogy. 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

Is this a lecture?
Absolutely not. Often, the topics are chosen because we want to learn more too. We pre-gather a collection of resources, links, and other ideas that we think may contribute to the conversation, but they are often not needed; the participants take the topic, embrace it, and have a lively hour of discussion without anything else from us. If someone comes up with an appropriate question, by all means, put it out there! 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 everyone of them to engage in the chats! The more people we have contributing, the better the chat will be. (If you see a topic you are especially interested in, know a lot about or have other expertise in, please email us! We’re always open to suggestions and the opportunity to co-host.)

What can you learn?
So much! Many have blogged about their success with a new online resource that was shared with them, a technique they had not tried before, or even just the friendships built along the way.

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

Want to give it a try?

Join us! We would love to have you, and all will be welcomed with open tweets! You can find the schedule right here on the #genchat website as well as badges for your own blog or website.