We're cheerleaders for family history research and storytelling—not for platforms. Here's why we've chosen to build our community on Substack. We want you to understand what we value and why.
Every platform is just another coffin with fresh polish. Today it is Substack tomorrow it will be something else. The only thing that outlives the platform is the work itself and most of that ends up rotting in the paper graveyard.
Well, hello there, Dead. You make a fair point. Platforms come and platforms go. Looking back on our digital past, there's absolutely no reason to believe that a darling platform today will be here tomorrow. With a professional history dating back to the early 80s, I agree with you there.
From my perspective, platforms are like restaurants. They pop up and become the hub of social activity for a while, then quietly recede into the darkness.
The question is what to do about it.
It requires an appreciation for the platform's business side. Factors like its business model and funding will tell you what the platform is likely to do.
Similarly, I think it's up to us as individuals to maintain an "archiving mentality." That means that in addition to backing up current work in progress, we should also be archiving…
- completed posts of our own (text, audio, video, images, everything)
- our subscriber list
- AND posts of others we find interesting and influential.
For collected material about my family, I use a combination of Substack (which creates a multimedia newsletter for my cousins) and an archiving platform called WeAre.xyz. I talked about this in Projectkin.org/private-podcasting.
That's a lot of what we talk about in MissionGenealogy. You'd be very welcome to join us.
I like your “archiving mentality.” It’s the same instinct that keeps me crawling through courthouse basements and cemetery mud. Substack is just my current shovel. Whether it lasts or not, the real work is making sure the stories and ghosts I dig up don’t vanish when the next platform dies.
MissionGenealogy sounds like my kind of haunt. Thanks for the invite! I’ll check it out.
Oh Jennifer, you're amazing. Let's see if we can't rally a crew among Kiwis and Aussies over the coming weeks. I'm more than happy to do a second session.
If it's helpful right now, you may find more answers in the Tips I wrote for Projectkin Tips: Projectkin.substack.com/s/tips-tech-tools. The video tour was outdated, so what you see here in MissionGenealogy was an edit out of the Tour I did back in January for Projectkin.
The three "levels of Substack" posts might be helpful as well. For you, I'd recommend 2 (useful tips) and 3 (about designing). I should think Part 1 is old hat to you (it's mostly about account types.)
Again, keep in mind that was written in December 2023, so I can think of several things that are out of date. Since then, Substack has introduced some "advanced" design components for websites, for example. You're also welcome to shoot me questions in DMs.
Thank you I will check it out, and also will spread the word. I'll do a shout out to Projectkin on my blog, in my end of month post, and hopefully we might get a few Aussies to join.
Come to think of it, that’s a tad inconvenient for you in Australia, eh? What if we had another one the following morning for you, would that be interesting? (Sept 11, 9 AM AEST, 7 AM AWST)
I am looking forward to joining you in this Genealogy Mission. I'd also like to say thank you for the overview of how Substack works. I've been blogging on Wordpress for about 12 years and have recently come to Substack,. Your article has answered my questions.
Every platform is just another coffin with fresh polish. Today it is Substack tomorrow it will be something else. The only thing that outlives the platform is the work itself and most of that ends up rotting in the paper graveyard.
Spot on. You’ll be among friends. 🪦
Well, hello there, Dead. You make a fair point. Platforms come and platforms go. Looking back on our digital past, there's absolutely no reason to believe that a darling platform today will be here tomorrow. With a professional history dating back to the early 80s, I agree with you there.
From my perspective, platforms are like restaurants. They pop up and become the hub of social activity for a while, then quietly recede into the darkness.
The question is what to do about it.
It requires an appreciation for the platform's business side. Factors like its business model and funding will tell you what the platform is likely to do.
Similarly, I think it's up to us as individuals to maintain an "archiving mentality." That means that in addition to backing up current work in progress, we should also be archiving…
- completed posts of our own (text, audio, video, images, everything)
- our subscriber list
- AND posts of others we find interesting and influential.
For collected material about my family, I use a combination of Substack (which creates a multimedia newsletter for my cousins) and an archiving platform called WeAre.xyz. I talked about this in Projectkin.org/private-podcasting.
That's a lot of what we talk about in MissionGenealogy. You'd be very welcome to join us.
I like your “archiving mentality.” It’s the same instinct that keeps me crawling through courthouse basements and cemetery mud. Substack is just my current shovel. Whether it lasts or not, the real work is making sure the stories and ghosts I dig up don’t vanish when the next platform dies.
MissionGenealogy sounds like my kind of haunt. Thanks for the invite! I’ll check it out.
See you all in the 10th!
Hello Barbara. A 9am timeslot works for me. However 3am isn’t too difficult
Oh Jennifer, you're amazing. Let's see if we can't rally a crew among Kiwis and Aussies over the coming weeks. I'm more than happy to do a second session.
If it's helpful right now, you may find more answers in the Tips I wrote for Projectkin Tips: Projectkin.substack.com/s/tips-tech-tools. The video tour was outdated, so what you see here in MissionGenealogy was an edit out of the Tour I did back in January for Projectkin.
The three "levels of Substack" posts might be helpful as well. For you, I'd recommend 2 (useful tips) and 3 (about designing). I should think Part 1 is old hat to you (it's mostly about account types.)
Again, keep in mind that was written in December 2023, so I can think of several things that are out of date. Since then, Substack has introduced some "advanced" design components for websites, for example. You're also welcome to shoot me questions in DMs.
Thank you I will check it out, and also will spread the word. I'll do a shout out to Projectkin on my blog, in my end of month post, and hopefully we might get a few Aussies to join.
Huzzah! 🪃 Right back at ya! Drop us the link when you do and we'll do our best to help send new folks your way too. That's how we roll.
I fought the lion 🦁 so you don’t have to. 😎 Let’s do this! First one is scheduled for September 10… (https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIsd-qsrTsrGNIWKVnpNnb__gvFY79eH2SB#/registration)
Come to think of it, that’s a tad inconvenient for you in Australia, eh? What if we had another one the following morning for you, would that be interesting? (Sept 11, 9 AM AEST, 7 AM AWST)
I am looking forward to joining you in this Genealogy Mission. I'd also like to say thank you for the overview of how Substack works. I've been blogging on Wordpress for about 12 years and have recently come to Substack,. Your article has answered my questions.
Barbara Tien does such a great job of explaining all the nuances of Substack. I'm excited about her upcoming Office Hours for Mission: Genealogy.