A MILLION PAGEVIEWS ON MY BLOG ~ Truly a BIG day!

In January 2010, I wondered 

“would anyone would read what I wrote?”

You never know unless you try. So, I began. Tentatively, and with only a small hope that anyone would read my posts. Here is my very first post Blogging about family research - Day 1

Some years I've been more productive in terms of posts and others, not as much. But, I’ve managed to publish 660 posts. I’ve received 2,188 comments on those posts and have replied to every one.

Cousin connections have been made and furthered my research and theirs.

The support of our blogging community has been a huge part of my success.  Shout outs to the following bloggers for promoting my posts in their “Best of” series.

Randy Seaver of Geneamusings  (by far my top supporter and a very big thank you)

Jana Iverson Last in Jana’s Genealogy and Family History (I miss your Friday Finds posts)

Gail Deaver in Genealogy á la carte

Jo Henn in Climbing my Family Tree

Miriam Robins in AnceStories

Julie Cahill Tarr in Julie’s Genealogy & History Hub

Let’s look at what posts have been my ALL TIME most read. 

Here are the TOP 10 and how many “hits” they’ve had

DIGITAL FOLDER ORGANIZING & NAMING MADE EASY-Updated 3 Apr 2019 – 47,947

ADDING SIBLING LINKS TO FINDAGRAVE – 32,937

TUESDAY’S TIP–How to Determine Which War Your Ancestor May Have Participated In – 6,954

PHOTO DUPLICATION REQUESTS ON FAMILY SEARCH – PLUS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT LEGACY AND EVERNOTE – 6,925 (NOTE – this service has been discontinue)

MICHIGAN DEATH RECORDS ONLINE–Where can you find them? – 8,421

INTERMENT RIGHTS for Ancestor’s burial plots ~ How to gain ownership – 6,254

MY TRIP TO SCOTLAND–WHAT I DID RIGHT AND WHAT I DID WRONG – 5,975

HOW I AM KEEPING TRACK OF DNA CORRESPONDENCE–Update from last November’s post – 4,491

A CHECK BOX ON ANCESTRY and HOW I FINALLY LOCATED THE 1870 CENSUS FOR MY 3rd GREAT GRANDPARENTS – 3,785

ANCESTOR WALL OF PHOTOS ~ It’s finished–Here’s how I did it – 3,593

THANK YOU to all the readers who have made this journey possible.  I’m not done yet. Here’s to more discoveries and more connections.

Disclaimer – I do realize that some of the stats on all of our blogs reflect “hits” from people who are not necessarily readers, but trollers etc. Since we cannot distinguish those in our total numbers….as they say, it is what it is.

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2021   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

CELEBRATING MY 10th BLOGIVERSARY ~ WOW!! 10 years of blogging–and still enjoying every minute–where have I been and where am I going?

Who would have thought that I’d still be blogging after 10 years?  Not me, that’s for sure.  But, I am still enjoying finding and telling stories about my ancestors.  I absolutely love the feedback and connections I’ve made.

Blogger keeps track of comments, but once you have over a thousand, they quit counting.  I am happy to say I went over a thousand a few years ago.  THANK YOU!  Not only do I read every comment, I also reply to every single one.  You all make me smile with your questions and your input.  Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment.

Let’s look back at some highlights from the last decade.

 

Two of my blog posts have stayed at the top of the count for most read.  They are:

• DIGITAL FOLDER ORGANIZING & NAMING MADE EASY with 30,856 pageviews

• ADDING SIBLING LINKS TO FINDAGRAVE with 24,624 pageviews

I’ve been contacted by cousins I never knew existed because they found my blog from doing a search on Google or seeing a link on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.

 

Speaking of those traffic sources – which one stands at the top? 

• That would be Facebook – where I connect with many of my readers
• Followed by Google, Cyndi’s List and Pinterest

In 10 years I’ve written 582 blog posts.  Considering I didn’t get serious about writing until the fall of 2013 (only 22 posts for the three years 2010, 2011 and 2012). I’ll divide 582 by 7 which means I’m averaging about 83 posts a year.

Want to see my first post from January 12, 2010?  Here’s the link to Blogging about family research - Day 1 It’s fun to look back at those first posts and see how far I’ve come.

• I’ve redesigned my blog several times over the years, creating new headers and new tabs.
• I’ve learned a LOT by reading other blogs, which I still do regularly.
• Attending conferences and seminars has allowed me to meet other bloggers, many of whom I greatly admire. 
• I’ve helped other genealogists start their own blogs.
• I’ve taught classes about the importance of getting your stories out there with blogging being one way to do that.

(Click on this image to enlarge it)

Left to right - my previous blog header, my genie office where it all takes place and my very first published blog book

So, it’s been a great 10 years.  Enough of looking back, let’s look ahead.

We can’t know what the future holds for any of us.  I plan to keep telling my ancestor’s stories and bringing them to life.  By sharing their names and something about their lives, we honor and remember them.

 

There’s a lot more to find out there.  After 17 years of researching I still have brick walls.

 

DNA has added a new tool for us and learning about it has been my focus for some time now.

I applied to the Mayflower Society this year and am writing about my journey to become a member.

My hope is that I will continue to write stories of interest.  That I will connect with more cousins.  And that my readers will keep coming back for more.

 

Words cannot express my appreciation for every one of you.

So here’s to another 10 years!  Cheers!

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2020   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

A NEW MILESTONE ON MY BLOG ~ Thank you to everyone who reads my posts!

This is a day I am proud to share with all of you.

 My blog posts hits have reached the 500,000 mark today!

Thank you to every reader.  Thank you to all the other bloggers and readers who have recommended my blog posts to others.

I’m so proud to be a member of the genealogy blogging community.  When I wrote my first blog post in 2010, I wondered who would ever read what I wrote.  I was hit and miss on posting, with only 22 posts in the first 3 years.

In September of 2013 I got serious and realized if I was going to “do this” then I should post regularly and see what happens.  In the 5 years since then, I have written 455 posts.

Along the way I have met and made wonderful friends in the blogging community.  I have been contacted by cousins who have found my blog as they searched for their family.  It’s been a FANTASTIC experience and a wonderful journey.

I don’t plan on stopping any time soon because new discoveries within my family are being made every day.  With all the DNA testing we have even more chance of making connections.

To anyone out there who has considered writing their own blog, I highly recommend it.  It’s a wonderful way to share family stories and also research tips.

 

A BIG shoutout to my fellow bloggers/friends.  Too numerous to mention, you know who you are.

Call me “smiling in Ramona.”

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2018 Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION