SAVING FACE(BOOK)

Social media plays a role in many people’s research. Genealogists form research-related Facebook groups or Twitter chats. And professionals and experts take to social media to share advice or fun finds. (We’ve got a list of some of our favorites here <www.familytreemagazine.com/websites/best-social-media-for-genealogy>.)

Family history information is shared on social media in less formal ways, too. Maybe a cousin has sent you photos, records or key details about your ancestor’s life via Facebook Messenger. Or perhaps you or a relative has participated in a challenge like Amy Johnson Crow’s “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks” <www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/52-ancestors-in-52-weeks>.

Given all those applications, you’ll likely want to save or archive material from your or someone else’s social media account. In addition to photos and posts, you might also want to “clip” comments and replies to them, where others may have shared information.

But social media platforms aren’t genealogy websites, and aren’t designed to be archived.