A

a. About (or circa, in Latin), often used in front of uncertain dates.

AG (Accredited Genealogist) Designation conferred by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). In 1964, the Genealogical Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints established the Accreditation Program for Genealogists to credential genealogy researchers through comprehensive written and oral examinations that require the use of the highest professional genealogy standards and ethics. Administration of the program was transferred to an independent testing organization, the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen), in 2000.

aggregator (also called feed reader, news reader, RSS reader) Software or web application that collects syndicated web content such as news headlines, blogs, podcasts, and vlogs (video blog) in a single location for easy viewing.

ahnentafel “Ancestor table” in German—a format is more than a century old. A way of listing a family tree, it includes the full name of each ancestor, with dates and places of birth, marriage, and death. The ahnentafel format organizes this information along a numbering scheme. If an individual’s number in the table is X, then the father’s number is 2X in the table; the mother is 2X + 1. So, all males in the table are even numbers and all females are odd numbers. If you are #1 in the table, your father is #2 and your mother is #3. Your father’s father is #4, your father’s mother #5, and so on.

allele (DNA) One of two alternative forms of a gene that is located at a specific position on a specific chromosome.

Ancestral File (AF) A searchable collection of genealogical data submitted to the LDS archives in GEDCOM format to help genealogists coordinate their research.

Android An open-source operating system for smart phones and tablet computers developed by Google as an alternative to iOS.

anonymous FTP (File Transfer Protocol) The process of connecting to a remote computer, either as an anonymous or guest user, to transfer public files back to your local computer. (See also: FTP and protocol.) Anonymous FTP is usually read-only access; you often cannot contribute files by anonymous FTP.

app A self-contained program to accomplish a particular function; a software application, especially as downloaded by a user to a mobile device.

Atom A syndication format written in eXtensible Markup Language (XML) language used for web feeds and as a publishing protocol (APP is the acronym, but it is referred to as “AtomPub” for short) for creating and updating web resources. It is a form of “push” technology that allows the user to retrieve information without the problems of e-mail and web browsing.

B

backbone A set of connections that make up the main channels of communication across a network.

BCG Board for Certification of Genealogists.

blog A “web log,” or journal, is a website where someone posts regular articles and information for public use and reading. The articles may contain commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. “To blog” is to write and maintain such a site.

browser An Internet client for viewing the World Wide Web.

bulletin board A way of referring to online message systems where you must log onto the site or Internet service provider (ISP) to read and post messages. Also called a message board, forum, or discussion board.

C

cadastre A survey, map, or some other public record showing ownership and value of land for tax purposes.

catalog A search page for the Web within an edited list, not the whole Internet.

CG Designates a Certified Genealogist by the BCG.

CGI Designates a Certified Genealogical Instructor by the BCG.

CGL Designates a Certified Genealogical Lecturer by the BCG.

CGRS Designates a Certified Genealogical Record Specialist by the BCG.

chat When people type messages to each other across a host or network, live and in real time. On some commercial online services, this is called a conference.

client A program that provides an interface to remote Internet services, such as mail, RSS feeds, Telnet, and so on. In general, the clients act on behalf of a human end user (perhaps indirectly).

cloud (the) An often-used metaphor for the Internet because of how it is shown in computer network diagrams of cloud computing and because it is a way to express the complex infrastructure the Internet conceals.

cloud computing Internet-based development and use of computer technology.

collateral line A family that is not in your direct line of ancestry but of the same genealogical line. For example, if you are descended from Patrick Henry’s sister, his direct descendants are your collateral line.

compression A method of making a file, whether text or code, smaller by various methods. This is so the file will take up less disk space and/or less time to transmit. Sometimes, the compression is completed by the modem; sometimes, the file is stored that way. The various methods to do this go by names (followed by the system that used it), such as PKZIP (DOS), ARC (DOS), TAR (UNIX), STUFFIT (Macintosh), and so forth.

conference A usually large gathering with discussions, lectures, exhibits, and perhaps workshops. Genealogy conferences are held around the country every year.

D

database A set of information organized for computer storage, search, retrieval, and insertion.

default In computer terms, the “normal” or “basic” settings of a program.

directory 1. A level in a hierarchical filing system. Other directories branch down from the root directory. Also called a “folder.” 2. A type of search site where editors choose the websites and services in the catalog instead of a robot collecting them indiscriminately. http://www.dmoz.org is one example.

domain name The Internet naming scheme. A computer on the Internet is identified by a series of words, from more specific to more general (left to right), separated by dots: www.microsoft.com is an example (See also: IP address.)

Domain Name Server (DNS) A computer with software to translate a domain name into the corresponding numbers of the IP address. “No DNS entry” from your browser means a name such as www.firstlast.org wasn’t in the Domain Name Server’s list of valid IP addresses.

downloading To get information from another computer to yours.

E

e-mail An electronic message, text, or data sent from one computer or person to another computer or person.

F

Family Group Sheet A one-page collection of facts about one family unit: husband, wife, and children, with birth and death dates and places.

FHC Family History Center, a branch of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, found in a local LDS parish.

Firefox A popular web browser. Originally called “Netscape.”

firewall Electronic protection against hackers and other unauthorized access to your files while you’re connected to a network or the Internet.

flame A message or series of messages containing an argument or insults. Not allowed on most systems. If you receive a flame, ignore that message and all other messages from that person in the future.

folksonomy Categorizing things by common use, social networking, or other informal process. Based on the word “taxonomy,” the practice and study of the classification of things or concepts, including the rules that underlie such classification, combined with the adjective “folk,” or of the common people.

forensic genealogy Using techniques such as DNA, knowledge of history and geography, and other science and technology tools to establish genealogical facts.

forum A set of messages on a subject, usually with a corresponding set of files.

French Revolutionary Calendar The French Revolutionary Calendar (or Republican Calendar) was introduced in France on November 24, 1793, and abolished on January 1, 1806. It was used again briefly during the Paris Commune in 1871.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) Enables an Internet user to transfer files electronically between remote computers and the user’s computer.

G

gateway Used in different senses (for example, mail gateway, IP gateway) but, most generally, a computer that forwards and routes data between two or more networks of any size or origin. A gateway is never, however, as straightforward as going through a gate. It’s more like a labyrinth to get the proper addresses in the proper sequence.

GEDCOM The standard for computerized genealogical information, which is a combination of tags for data and pointers to related data.

genotype A person’s complete genomic sequences.

Gregorian calendar Introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 and adopted by England and the colonies in 1752, by which time it was 11 days behind the solar year, causing an adjustment in September 1752.

H

hacker Originally, someone who messed about with computer systems to see how much could be accomplished. Most recently, a computer vandal.

hangout Video conference with two or more people using Google apps and technology. A hangout may be private or public, and can be recorded and posted to a site such as YouTube.

haplotype A collection of alleles arranged linearly along a person’s DNA molecule.

hashtag A form of folksonomy using a pound sign (#) before one word to designate the topic of your Multimedia Message Service (MMS) message, tweet, or status entry.

host computer In the context of networks, a computer that directly provides service to a user. In contrast to a network server which provides services to a user through an intermediary host computer.

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) A coding system to format and link documents on the World Wide Web and intranets.

hub A computer that collects e-mail regionally and distributes it up the next level. Collects the e-mail from that level to distribute it back down the chain.

I

IGI The International Genealogical Index, a database of names submitted to the LDS Church.

Instant Message (IM) A type of text communication that requires users to register with a server. Users build “buddy lists” of others using the same program and are notified when people on their buddy list are available for chat and messages.

institute A week-long set of courses on a specific area, usually held at the same site every year, with class size ranging from 15 to 30 students, allowing personalized instruction. Genealogical institutes are held yearly in many sites in the United States and other countries.

Internet The backbone of a series of interconnected networks that includes local area, regional, and national backbone networks. Networks in the Internet use the same telecommunications protocol (TCP/IP) and provide electronic mail, remote login, and file transfer services.

Internet Service Provider (ISP) A company that has a continuous, fast, and reliable connection to the Internet and sells subscriptions to the public to use that connection. The connections may use TCP/IP, shell accounts, or other methods.

intranet A local network set up to look like the World Wide Web, with clients such as browsers, but self-contained and not necessarily connected to the Internet.

iOS The mobile operating system for smart phones and tablets for Apple products.

IP (Internet Protocol) The Internet-standard protocol that provides a common layer over dissimilar networks, used to move packets among host computers and through gateways, if necessary.

IP address The alpha or numeric address of a computer connected to the Internet. Also called “Internet address.” Usually, the format is [email protected], but it can also be seen as ###.##.##.##.

J

Julian calendar The calendar replaced by the Gregorian calendar, which had also fallen behind the solar year.

K

Keychain Apple’s password management system.

L

LDS Accepted abbreviation for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormons.

list (Internet) Also called “mail list” or “mailing list.” Listserv lists (or listservers) are electronically transmitted discussions of technical and nontechnical issues. They come to you by electronic mail over the Internet using listserv commands. Participants subscribe via a central service, and lists often have a moderator who supervises the information flow and content.

lurk To read a list without posting messages yourself. It’s rather like sitting in the corner at a party without introducing yourself, except it’s not considered rude online. In fact, in some places, you’re expected to lurk until you get the feel of the place.

M

mail list Same as list.

marker (DNA) A gene or DNA sequence with an established location on a chromosome that can be used to identify individuals or species.

metadata Data about data. When you add keywords to your webpage or a hashtag to a post, that is metadata about the page or post.

microblogging The posting of very short entries or updates on sites such as Twitter, Pinterest, or Facebook, usually with a smart phone or tablet.

MMS A protocol for sending instant messages to a smart phone; “texting” is the most common synonym.

MNP (Microcom Networking Protocol) Data compression standard for modems.

modem A device to modulate computer data into sound signals and to demodulate those signals to computer data.

moderator The person who takes care of a message list, newsgroup, or forum. This person takes out messages that are off topic, chastises flamers, maintains a database of old messages, and handles the mechanics of distributing the messages.

MOOC A Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) is an online course (usually college level but not always) with open access on the Web and unlimited participation.

Mozilla A nickname for Netscape or “Firefox” in its latest form. In the early days, Netscape’s mascot was a little dragon-like creature called Mozilla.

mtDNA The DNA inherited only from the mother’s side of the family.

N

navigation bar A set of words and/or images that appears on every page of a website, with links to other sections or pages of the same website.

NEHGS New England Historic Genealogical Society, founded in 1845. The website is http://www.newenglandancestors.org. Published quarterly since 1847, The New England Historical and Genealogical Register is the oldest and most respected journal of American genealogy.

NGS National Genealogical Society, United States.

NIC (Network Information Center) An NIC provides administrative support, user support, and information services for a network.

O

offline The state of not being connected to a remote host.

online The state of being connected to a remote host.

OPAC Acronym for Online Public Access Catalog, a term used to describe any type of computerized library catalog.

P

PDF (Portable Document Format) An Adobe-copyrighted format that allows a document to be saved to look a certain way, no matter what computer is used to display it. The computer, however, must use Adobe’s Acrobat reader (a free program) to display the file.

pedigree chart The traditional way to display a genealogy, the familiar “family tree,” where one person’s ancestors are outlined. Other formats are the fan chart, decadency chart (starts with the ancestor and comes down to the present), and timeline.

Pedigree Resource File (PRF) Genealogical information submitted by users of FamilySearch.com.

phenotype The individuality that is formed by the combination of genes and environment.

phishing Posing as a legitimate company to fraudulently gain access to a consumer’s data or financial information.

plat (v.) To draw a map of a piece of land by the description of a deed. (n.) The map of a piece of land as defined by the deed.

podcast A media file (sound, perhaps video) that is distributed to users though a “push” system such as syndication (Really Simple Syndication, or RSS) or downloaded from a site. Like “radio,” this can mean either the content or the medium. A podcast is played with a program such as Windows Media Player, iTunes, or RealAudio.

post (n.) An entry in one’s blog (“My post is on the use of Endnote for genealogy.”). (v.) to display an entry to one’s blog, status line, or website. (“He didn’t post that yet.”)

PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) A type of Internet connection.

protocol A mutually determined set of formats and procedures governing the exchange of information between systems.

push A communication protocol where the request for a given transaction originates with the creator of content, and the user receives it with a special client (See: Atom and RSS). E-mail is a “pull” technology; RSS readers use “push” technology.

Q

query A request for genealogical information. To be effective, it must have at least one name, one date, one geographical location, and your contact information.

R

register style A format for a genealogy created for the NEHGS publication. It is a narrative style that assigns each ancestor a superscript number representing a generation. The first ancestor (the “primary”) is 1, and each descendant of the primary individual is assigned a consecutive number; children are assigned lowercase roman numerals as well as Arabic numbers. The result looks much like an outline, as we were taught to do when learning how to write a research paper.

remote access The capability to access a computer from outside another location. Remote access requires communications hardware, software, and actual physical links.

research log A record of what sources were searched, where they were found, and what they contained.

RSS Really Simple Syndication is a family of web feed formats used to publish frequently updated content, such as blog entries, news headlines, or podcasts. Atom is a similar format. They allow the user to retrieve content without the problems of spam and pop-ups that often accompany e-mail and web browsing.

S

search engine A program on the World Wide Web that searches parts of the Internet for text strings. A search engine might search for programs, webpages, or other items. Many claim to cover “the whole Internet,” but that’s a physical impossibility. Getting more than 40 percent of the Internet is a good lick.

seminar An educational event highlighting the interaction and exchange of information, typically among a small number of participants. Genealogy seminars (sometimes called workshops) are often held by local organizations.

server A computer that allows other computers to log on and use its resources. A client (see the previous definition) program is often used for this.

shareware The try-before-you-buy concept in microcomputer software, where the program is distributed through public-domain channels and the author expects to receive compensation after a trial period. Brother’s Keeper, for example, is shareware.

signature A stored text file with your name and some information, such as names you’re searching or your mailing address, to be appended to the end of your messages. Your signature should contain only ASCII (text-only) characters, no graphics.

SMS The data system used to send text messages from one mobile phone to another.

social bookmarking A way to share, organize, search, and manage bookmarks for website resources.

social networking A rather redundant term for the interaction of users of services such as Facebook, Twitter, and others, where people connect as “Friends” or “followers” to share links, thoughts, messages, and files.

Social Security Death Index (SSDI) A searchable database of records of deaths of Americans with Social Security numbers, if that death was reported to the Social Security Administration. It runs from the 1960s to the present, although a few deaths prior to the 1960s are in it. The records give full name, place and date of death, where the card was issued, and birth date. Many websites have online searches of the SSDI, some with Soundex (see the following definition).

Soundex An indexing system based on sound, rather than on the spelling of a surname.

spider A program that gathers information on webpages for a database, usually for a search engine.

study groups People creating their own online course on a subject. They “meet” via video chat and help each other. Often, there is a leader, but sometimes not. You could think of it as a small open online course (instead of a MOOC).

sysop The system operator (manager) of an online community, or forum. The sysop sets the rules, maintains the peace and operability of the system, and sometimes moderates the messages.

T

tablet computer A mobile device, often with Internet connectivity, that runs smaller programs than a desktop.

tag A notation of keywords to associate with a resource, page, message, tweet, blog post, or status. Often preceded by a pound sign, but not always.

tag cloud Also known as a word cloud, this is a weighted list shown in a visual representation of user-generated tags, or simply the word content of a site. The more often a tag appears in the resource, the larger the word appears in the visual depiction.

tagline A short, pithy statement tagged on to the end of an e-mail message. Example: “It’s only a hobby, only a hobby, only a….” Taglines are rarely seen on commercial networks, such as AOL, MSN, and CompuServe.

taxonomy The science of finding, describing, classifying, and naming things, especially organisms, in a hierarchical system.

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) A combined set of protocols that performs the transfer of data between two computers. TCP monitors and ensures correct transfer of data. IP receives the data from TCP, breaks it up into packets, and ships it off to a network within the Internet. TCP/IP is also used as a name for a protocol suite that incorporates these functions and others.

Telnet An Internet client that connects to other computers, making yours a virtual terminal of the remote computer. Among other functions, it enables a user to log in to a remote computer from the user’s local computer.

terminal server A computer that connects terminals to a network by providing host Telnet service.

thread (message thread) A discussion made up of a set of messages in answer to a certain message and to each other. Sometimes, worthwhile threads are saved in a text file, especially on Yahoo! groups.

Tiny Tafel (TT) A standard way of describing a family database so the information can be scanned visually or by computer. All data fields are of fixed length, with the obvious exceptions of the surnames and optional places. Many TTs are extracted from GEDCOMs.

Trojan horse A type of malicious code. This is usually a program that seems to be useful and harmless. In the background, however, it might be destroying data or breaking security on your system. It differs from a virus in that it rarely propagates itself as a virus does.

U

upload To send a file or message from your computer to another. (See also: download.)

USB (Universal Serial Bus) A connection to a computer. Unlike a parallel port (where your printer probably plugs in) or a serial port (where your modem probably plugs in), a USB port enables you to “daisy-chain” peripherals. If you have a USB printer, modem, and CD-ROM drive, you could plug only one into the USB port, and the rest connect by USB cables in a chain (in theory, say, computer to modem to printer to CD-ROM). In practice, however, sometimes it’s a little tricky to get them in an order that makes all the peripherals happy.

V

video chat Audio and video interaction in real time between users at different locations using a computer, tablet, or smart phone. Examples of software to do this are FaceTime, Skype, and Google Hangouts, and those systems are often used as verbs for the activity (e.g., “I Skyped with my grandkids at Christmas”). Most often, video chat is one-to-one communication, but not always.

videoconferencing Audio and video interaction in a business setting with three or more participants at different locations.

virtual seminars (webinars) A presentation, lecture, workshop, or seminar that is transmitted over the Web. The format is interactive—the presenter can give, receive, and discuss information. However, often a webinar (and the comments from attendees) is saved and available as a webcast.

virus A program that installs itself secretly on a computer by attaching itself to another program or e-mail and then duplicates itself when that program is executed or e-mail is opened. Some viruses are harmless, but most of them intend to do damage, such as erasing important files on your system.

vital records The official records of birth, death, marriage, and other events of a person’s life.

vlog A blog that uses videos for posts instead of text and/or pictures.

VOIP Voice Over Internet Protocol, or phone calls using the Internet instead of phone lines or towers.

W

web feed (or news feed) A data format used for providing users with frequently updated content, usually in RSS form.

webinar See: virtual seminar.

wiki A website or other online resource that allows users to add and edit content collectively.

workshop See: seminar.

World Wide Web (WWW or the Web) A system to pull various Internet services together into one interface called a browser. Most sites on the Web are written as pages in HTML.

worm A computer program that makes copies of itself and spreads through connected systems, using up resources in affected computers or causing other damage.

X

XML eXtensible Markup Language, or XML, is a specification developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). It is designed especially for web documents. It allows designers to create their own customized tags, enabling the definition, transmission, validation, and interpretation of data between applications and between organizations. Most “push” technology on the Internet is written in XML.

Y

YDNA The DNA inherited only from the father’s side of the family.