Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness Wiki
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==Welcome to the Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness Wiki==
  
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<font style="font-size:88%">'''&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [[Find-A-Volunteer|Find a Volunteer (USA / Worldwide)]]''' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;'''[[Latest Wiki News]]''' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[[{{PAGENAME}}#Useful Links|'''Useful Links''']]</font>
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The original Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness (RAOGK) website was the brain child of Bridgett Schneider. Shortly before her death in 2011, she had a computer disaster and the site has been down since. Before the RAOGK site went dark, the global organization consisted of over 4,000 volunteers in every U.S. state and many international locations. The RAOGK wiki is dedicated to Bridgett's memory, to continue her efforts, and to bring back a site researchers and volunteers dearly loved and miss.
  
   
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== ==
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The way RAOGK worked was that volunteers agreed to do at least one free genealogy research task per month in their local area as an Act of Kindness. The RAOGK volunteers agreed not to charge for their research time; however, researchers were required to reimbuse the volunteer for expenses incurred in fulfilling the research request (e.g., copies, printing fees, postage, film or video tape, parking fees, gasoline, etc.).
  
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<!--LEFT COLUMN BEGINS HERE-->
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*On state pages, volunteers would indicate what services they would perform -- e.g., courthouse/public records lookups, library research, tombstone research, etc. -- and what expenses (never their time) they expected reimbursement for.
  
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<mainpage-leftcolumn-start />
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*Similarly, researchers would locate a volunteer by going to a state page and selecting a researcher from a list of counties and based on the volunteer's description of services they would perform.
  
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{{PortalBox
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|title-header=Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness
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|title-content=The <font color="00008B"> '''{{PAGENAME}}'''</font> provides a place where volunteers offer to provide research time (without charge) to researchers who need "boots on the ground" genealogy help in a distant location. While volunteers perform research services without charging for their time, they do incur expenses that they may ask reimbursement for: copies, gas, parking fees, postage, etc. (The minimal charge for the volunteer's expenses is a lot less than it the cost to travel to the area and perform the research yourself.)
   
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The <font color="00008B" > '''{{PAGENAME}}'''</font> is a collaborative ''genealogy research '''community''' wiki'' for both researchers and volunteers. Anyone can edit the wiki to correct typos, misinformation, update links, update volunteer information, provide additional information, etc.
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Wiki members can:
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*Discuss any aspect of the site and
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* Ask questions at the [http://raogk.wikia.com/wiki/Forum:Index <u>Forum</u>] or on an article's [http://raogk.wikia.com/wiki/Help:Talk_pages <u>"Talk" page</u>.] (The Talk page button is at the top of each page.)
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*Communicate with individual members and/or volunteers by leaving a message on their Message Wall or send a wiki email. (Be sure to [http://raogk.wikia.com/wiki/Help:Signature '''sign and date'''] your contributions on a Message Wall or Talk page, so others know "who to talk to" and whether your message is still of current interest.)
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*Participate in chat sessions.
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*Click the '''Follow''' button below for pages that interest you. Then, if the page changes, you get an email alert.<br /><br />
   
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Explore the wiki and enjoy!
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==='''<font color="blue">Historical Background Info</font>'''===
  
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(If you're new to wikis, be sure to visit the [[Getting Started with Wikis]] page.)
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For now, see the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random_Acts_of_Genealogical_Kindness Wikipedia] article about RAOGK.
  
   
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}}
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(In time, when all the state and international pages are restored, this section can be modified.)
  
   
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{{clr}}
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==Getting Started at RAOGK==
  
   
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{{template:Portal (blank)
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'''Welcome to this Wikia, and thank you for your contributions! [http://raogk.wikia.com/wiki/Special:UserLogin <u>We invite you to log in and create a user name.</u>]'''
  
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<!---Do NOT delete the line of code below!--->
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|left-content=
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{{portal-box
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|title=USA Volunteers
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|color=rgb(172, 225, 175)
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|content=
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{{template:USA_Volunteers}}
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}}
   
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<!---Do NOT delete the line of code below! Sets up RIGHT column of Boxes--->
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[http://raogk.wikia.com/wiki/Help:Why_create_an_account <u>Creating a user name</u>] is free and takes only a minute ''and'' it gives you greater '''anonymity''' if that is your wish. In addition, it is easier for other contributors to ask you questions and help you.
  
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|right-content=
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*Of course, we hope you continue to make contributions, even if not logged in.
  
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*If you are new to Wikia or wikis in general, please visit the [http://raogk.wikia.com/wiki/Random_Acts_of_Genealogical_Kindness_Wiki:Community_Portal <u>Community portal</u>] for an outline of some of the main parts of the site and links to pages that show you how to edit.
  
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*Discussion of any aspect of the site, and enquiries, can be made at the [http://raogk.wikia.com/wiki/Forum:Index <u>Forum</u>] or on the [http://raogk.wikia.com/wiki/Help:Talk_pages <u>"discussion" page</u>] associated with each article. Please [http://raogk.wikia.com/wiki/Help:Signature <u>sign and date</u>] your contributions there, so that readers know "who to talk to" and whether your message is probably still of current interest.
  
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==Research Request Guidelines==
  
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Before requesting research help from a volunteer, please read the [[Research Request Guidelines]] page.
  
   
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{{portal-box
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==Info for Volunteers==
  
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|title=International Volunteers
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|color=rgb(216, 191, 216)
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|content=
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{{Template:International_Volunteers}}
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}}
   
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Before volunteering, please read the [[Info for Volunteers]] page.
  
   
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}}
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Suggestion for Volunteers: Volunteers may want to create a free email with gmail, hotmail, or yahoo to use only for your RAOGK correspondence, possibly even creating a username with RAOGK in it -- e.g., RAOGK_username@provider.xxx.
  
   
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==Wiki Basics==
  
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Here are some links for basic wiki editing ... yes, '''you''' can actually edit your entry/information on the wiki page. You can '''bold''', ''italicize'', change the content of your description of services.
  
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You can also Follow pages. Suggestion: Click the Follow button below the page where your services appear. Then, anytime the page changes, you'll get an alert.
  
   
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<mainpage-endcolumn />
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# First, please [http://raogk.wikia.com/wiki/Random_Acts_of_Genealogical_Kindness_Wiki#Getting_Started_at_RAOGK create a wiki account] and
  
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<!--LEFT COLUMN ENDS HERE-->
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# Sign in to the RAOGK wiki.
  
   
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<!--RIGHT COLUMN BEGINS HERE-->
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<blockquote>Once you create an account, you'll have your own personal User page. You can also create a Sandbox subpage, where you can play with wiki text.</blockquote>
  
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<mainpage-rightcolumn-start />
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[[File:Header-poll.png|link=]]
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The wiki name may change soon. Vote for the wiki name you like best ... '''or''' ... <font color=blue>''suggest'' a wiki name by emailing a [mailto:raogk_mcowan@yahoo.com '''Wiki Admin'''])</font><br />
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<poll>
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WIKI NAME SUGGESTIONS -- please vote
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Volunteer Genealogic Acts
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Volunteer Genealogic Acts of Kindness
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Volunteer Genealogic Angels
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Volunteer Genealogy Exchange
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Volunteer Genealogic Research Angels
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Volunteer Genealogy Services
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Other (I'll email the [mailto:raogk_mcowan@yahoo.com Wiki Admin])
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</poll>
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==Comments, Suggestions, Concerns==
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<font color=blue>'''Questions? Concerns?''' </font><br />
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* Leave a message on the <font color=red>'''Talk'''</font> page or contact a [mailto:raogk_mcowan@yahoo.com '''Wiki Admin'''].<br />
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:(Click the '''Talk''' button ... located beside the '''Edit''' icon at the top of the page.)
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*Post your comment at the [http://raogk.wikia.com/wiki/Forum:Watercooler?t=20120302213302 <u>Watercooler</u>]
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*Get technical help or feedback from the [http://raogk.wikia.com/wiki/Forum:Help_desk?t=20120527092023 <u>Help Desk</u>] or from [http://community.wikia.com/wiki/Special:Contact/feedback <u>Wikia Community Central</u>]
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*Learn to use Wikia, make wiki edits, or modify your wiki account: [http://raogk.wikia.com/wiki/Special:Contact <u>Contact Wikia</u>]
   
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==Important Wiki Links==
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The wiki has two ways to add/edit text:
  
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See [[{{PAGENAME}}#Useful Links|'''Useful Links''']] (scroll to bottom of the page) for both general and wiki links:
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* Graphical User Interface (GUI) ... defaults to the Visual tab
  
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* Wiki Basics
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* Advanced Edit/Formatting (uses wiki "code") ... click the Source tab to access the Advanced editor
  
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* Help Files and FAQs
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* Researchers -- General Guidelines
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* Info for Volunteers
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* Useful Links
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* Special {{PAGENAME}} Links
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<br />
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[[File:header-news.png|link=]]<br />
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See the '''<u>[[Latest Wiki News]]</u>''' for such topics as:
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* Change to Wiki "Skin"
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* Wiki "Redesign" for Improved Navigation
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* New Wiki Poll ... suggest a new wiki name
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* Blogs Activated
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* Forums ... threaded discussions (coming)
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<br />
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[[File:Header-blog.png|link=]]
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{|align="center" style="text-align:left;"
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|<div align="center">[[File:Refresh_blog.png|left|link={{fullurl:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|action=purge}}]]</div>
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<bloglist count=4 summary=true summarylength=200 timestamp=true>
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<title>Refresh</title>
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<type>bloglist</type>
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<order>date</order>
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<category>Blog posts</category>
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</bloglist>
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|}
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<mainpage-endcolumn />
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<!--RIGHT COLUMN ENDS HERE-->
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{{clr}}
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<!-- RETURN TO FULL PAGE format -->
   
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Switch to:
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===<font color="blue">GUI editing</font>===
  
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<font style="font-size:88%">'''&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [[Find-A-Volunteer|Find a Volunteer (USA / Worldwide)]]''' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;'''[[Latest Wiki News]]''' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[[{{PAGENAME}}#Useful Links|'''Useful Links''']]</font>
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Click the Edit link (pencil icon) beside a topic. The editor defaults to the GUI editor / Visual tab.
  
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<!--Template:pageback puts in the top navigation to other main pages on the wiki. -->
   
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{| align=center border=0 cellpadding=3 cellspacing=3 style="border: 1px solid #E0E0E0; background-color: #F8F8F8"
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The GUI editor has a button bar with buttons (left to right) for:
  
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|-
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* Bold
  
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| style="font-size: 80%" | This page uses content from the English '''[http://www.werelate.org/wiki/Portal:Basic_Layout_with_Instructions WeRelate.org Portal Instructions]'''. The original content was at '''[[Wikipedia:{{{1}}}|{{{1}}}]]'''. The list of authors can be seen in the [http://www.werelate.org/w/index.php?title=Portal:Basic_Layout_with_Instructions&action=history '''page history''']. As with Wikia, the content of WeRelate is available under the [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License].
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* Italic
  
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<noinclude>The text of this template comes from a similar template at the [http://family.wikia.com/wiki/template:enWP Familypedia Wiki]. The list of authors can be found [http://genealogy.wikia.com/index.php?title=Template:EnWP&action=history here].</noinclude>
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* Add a link
  
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|}
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* Insert/remove bulleted list
  
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* Insert/remove numbered list
  
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* Increase indent
  
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* Decrease indent
  
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* Paragraph format – normal, heading 2, heading 3, heading 4, heading 5
  
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* Align left
  
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* Align center
  
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* Align right
  
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* Undo
  
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* Redo
  
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+ more –
 
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** Underline
  
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** Strikethrough
  
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** Signature
  
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'''To delete a row in a Volunteer table''' ... i.e., if you don't want to volunteer anymore.
  
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# Sign in to the wiki.
  
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# Once in the GUI editor, find your name in the table.
  
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# Right-click the link for your name.
  
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# Select Row
  
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# Select Delete Row.
  
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# Fill in the Edit Summary field, indicating why you are deleting your entry.
  
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# Click the Publish button.
  
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'''To hide a row in a Volunteer table''' ... i.e., if you are taking a vacation, family issues, etc. where you can't accept research requests for a period of time..
  
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# Sign in to the wiki..
  
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# Coming ... rest of instructions
  
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'''To add a row in a Volunteer table''' ... i.e., if you want to volunteer for research.
  
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# Sign in to the wiki.
  
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# Coming ... rest of instructions
  
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===<font color="blue">Advanced Editing</font>===
  
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Click the Source tab to access the Advanced Editor. The Advanced Editor is similar to using Word Perfect and peer into the reveal codes.
  
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The Advanced editor shows the coding applied behind the scenes when someone creates/modifies something with the GUI editor.
  
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For anyone with HTML experience, you can also use most HTML codes.
  
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The Advanced editor has the following buttons to assist in formatting:
  
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* Bold (highlight your text and click this button)
  
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* Italic (highlight your text and click this button)
  
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* Internal link (links to a page w/n the RAOGK wiki)
  
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* External link (links to a internet page)
  
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* Level 2 heading
  
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* Embed a file
  
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* Link to a file
  
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* Mathmetical formula
  
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* Ignore wiki formatting
  
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* Insert your username signature and timestamp (for signing an edit)
  
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* Insert a horizontal rule (use very sparingly)
  
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===<font color="blue">'''User Page'''</font>===
  
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If you created an account on the RAOGK wiki, you can create your own user page by typing: "User:username" in the wiki search field.
  
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* Your user page is linked in the top right. More importantly, others will see links to your user page from various places which assist wiki collaboration. This includes the “Recent changes” and “page history” displays (See Help:Tracking changes).
  
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* You can also link to your user page within text of a wiki page, which is mainly useful on talk pages when you sign your name.
  
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A user page is a page about a wiki user. Think of it as a “profile” page, where you can leave describe info about yourself, if you desire. You can also use your user page as a scratchpad to try your hand with wiki editing.
  
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* [http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:User_page User Page(s)]
  
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===<font color="blue">'''Sandbox Page(s)'''</font>===
  
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See the following articles about wiki editing. Wiki editing is NOT hard.
  
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If you've used Word and created documents with Heading 1, Heading 2, Heading 3, Heading 4 ... wiki uses the same thing for the major headings and subheadings.o Wiki editing is similar to using the GUI buttons in Word 2007.
  
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* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Cheatsheet Wikipedia Checksheet]
  
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* [http://familypedia.wikia.com/wiki/Wiki_Tips,_Tricks,_Links Wiki Tips and Tricks]
  
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==Useful Links==
  
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* [http://www.familypedia.wikia.com/wiki/Familypedia:Tombstone_Cleaning_Tips,_Tricks,_Techniques Tombstone Cleaning, Tips, Tricks, Techniques]
  
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* [http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/index.html?year=1793&country=1 Perpetual Calendar]
  
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* [http://www.rootsweb.com/~pabutler/javascrp/tombston/ Birthdate Calculator]
  
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* [http://www.paulsadowski.com/birthday.asp Fun Birthday Information]
  
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==Latest activity==
  
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<activityfeed/>
  
 
[[Category:Browse]]
  
[[Category:Browse]]

Latest revision as of 01:49, 5 January 2015

Switch to:               Find a Volunteer (USA / Worldwide)        Latest Wiki News        Useful Links

Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness

The Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness Wiki provides a place where volunteers offer to provide research time (without charge) to researchers who need "boots on the ground" genealogy help in a distant location. While volunteers perform research services without charging for their time, they do incur expenses that they may ask reimbursement for: copies, gas, parking fees, postage, etc. (The minimal charge for the volunteer's expenses is a lot less than it the cost to travel to the area and perform the research yourself.)

The Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness Wiki is a collaborative genealogy research community wiki for both researchers and volunteers. Anyone can edit the wiki to correct typos, misinformation, update links, update volunteer information, provide additional information, etc. Wiki members can:

  • Discuss any aspect of the site and
  • Ask questions at the Forum or on an article's "Talk" page. (The Talk page button is at the top of each page.)
  • Communicate with individual members and/or volunteers by leaving a message on their Message Wall or send a wiki email. (Be sure to sign and date your contributions on a Message Wall or Talk page, so others know "who to talk to" and whether your message is still of current interest.)
  • Participate in chat sessions.
  • Click the Follow button below for pages that interest you. Then, if the page changes, you get an email alert.

Explore the wiki and enjoy! (If you're new to wikis, be sure to visit the Getting Started with Wikis page.)

Questions? Concerns? Leave a message on the Talk page or contact a Wiki Admin.
(Click the Talk button ... beside the Edit icon at the top of the page.)


USA Volunteers
International Volunteers

Click a Country link below to access a list of volunteers who perform research services in that Country.






Questions? Concerns? Leave a message on the Talk page or contact a Wiki Admin.
(Click the Talk button ... beside the Edit icon at the top of the page.)


Header-poll The wiki name may change soon. Vote for the wiki name you like best ... or ... suggest a wiki name by emailing a Wiki Admin)

Comments, Suggestions, Concerns

Questions? Concerns?

  • Leave a message on the Talk page or contact a Wiki Admin.
(Click the Talk button ... located beside the Edit icon at the top of the page.)

Important Wiki Links

See Useful Links (scroll to bottom of the page) for both general and wiki links:

  • Wiki Basics
  • Help Files and FAQs
  • Researchers -- General Guidelines
  • Info for Volunteers
  • Useful Links
  • Special Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness Wiki Links


Header-news
See the Latest Wiki News for such topics as:

  • Change to Wiki "Skin"
  • Wiki "Redesign" for Improved Navigation
  • New Wiki Poll ... suggest a new wiki name
  • Blogs Activated
  • Forums ... threaded discussions (coming)


Header-blog

Refresh blog

Refresh

Rajsingh12 Rajsingh12 • 24 September 2016
0

my india ancestors

Read Full Post
Jawoods Jawoods • 6 December 2013
0

Johann/John Ferrenburg

I am trying to find out all I can about John/Johann Ferrenburg. It seems that when he moved to the U.S. he started going by John, but originally his name was Johann. I don't have very much information…

Read Full Post
CL Carlisle CL Carlisle • 14 September 2013
2

Today was a great day!!!

Yes today was a GREAT day with out a doubt.  Helped someone find their family and I dont know who was more excited about it, them or me.  LOL But I always get excited when I can track down stuff for …

Read Full Post
CL Carlisle CL Carlisle • 9 September 2013
1

VOTAW research

If you or someone you know or have contact with is researching the VOTAW surname feel free to send them my way. Have quite a bit collected on the line and adding more daily. Am hoping to have a site …

Read Full Post
See more >

Switch to:               Find a Volunteer (USA / Worldwide)        Latest Wiki News        Useful Links

This page uses content from the English WeRelate.org Portal Instructions. The original content was at [[Wikipedia:{{{1}}}|{{{1}}}]]. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Wikia, the content of WeRelate is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

The text of this template comes from a similar template at the Familypedia Wiki. The list of authors can be found here.

Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.