Legacy Mobile Version 1.1 Available
The newest version of Legacy Mobile (v.1.1) is now available for iOS on the App Store. We heard your feedback and made some improvements you were looking for.
Here’s what you’ll see on the latest version of the app:
Bug fixes. Some of these bugs would make the app crash or the keyboard to lock up (not allowing people to add information in). We caught a bunch of these annoying little errors and fixed them for this version!
Navigation Bar and a History Management button on Family Tree view.
We realized navigating through the family tree was kind of tricky, so we added some forward and back buttons that work similar to your browser’s buttons.
In between these buttons, we also added a history management button that brings up the people you recently viewed for easier navigation between family records.
Information downloading from Family Search won’t keep you from viewing your family tree.
In the previous version, you had to wait until the information from Family Search loaded in order to navigate around your family tree. Now, all you will see are little loading indicators for places in your tree that are downloading from Family Search.
Tree View Hints.
Still feeling a little lost in the app? We added some hints in the family tree view to help you sort things out. Once you use the app a few times, these won’t appear anymore.
More options for adding/editing events.
Now you can add more life events in to an individual’s record! There are a bunch of new options: Adoption, Adult Christening, Baptism, BarMitzvah, Census, Christening, Cremation, Divorce, Funeral, Moves, and much more!
If you haven’t already, download this version from the App Store and try out the latest and greatest Legacy Mobile Features!
New iOS App Version Available
The latest version of the iOS App (Version 3.1) is available on the app store. Make sure you check the app store and download it on your device! Besides some minor bug fixes, this new version of the app has two brand-new features!
Transcribing from the app. This feature allows you to transcribe those headstones that are practically impossible to read from a photograph. This way you can look at the stone from all angles and even run your fingers along the indents to ensure that the correct information is transcribed!
Watch this video to find out how to use it (don’t miss the “magic” feature at the end!):
Adding new images to records already on BillionGraves. Have you seen a record on BillionGraves that needs to be updated (for instance, a new date has been added to the headstone or the first image didn’t have all the information on the headstone)? This feature allows you to make those corrections!
See how it works on this short video:
These are just two of the many ways we are improving the BillionGraves mobile app. We hope to get these new features out for the Android app soon. We’ll keep you posted as more improvements become available!
Why BillionGraves Uses GPS-Encoded Photos
Many people have been asking us lately why they can’t submit photos taken with traditional cameras to the BillionGraves database. The BillionGraves database is unique in that it contains GPS information.
By adding GPS data to each headstone image, cemetery and location data is attached to the image. This means that when you are researching your ancestors, you’ll be able to search for the transcribed headstone, see an image of that headstone, find out where in the world that headstone is located, and learn more about the cemetery it was found in. This wealth of information will make a big difference in your research.
GPS Makes Visiting the Cemetery Easier
Along the same vein, the GPS data allows you to visit a cemetery in person and walk directly to the headstone you want to view in the cemetery. The free Mobile Records Search on your iPhone or Android device is handy for finding the headstone you’re looking for. So if it’s your first time in a particular cemetery, you’ll be able to find that headstone in no time. And if you’ve been to that cemetery dozens of times? No more counting trees, memorizing certain fence posts, or documenting the number of paces to find your loved one.
You Can Find Other Relatives Buried in the Same Cemetery
Another advantage of keeping the GPS information with the headstone images is that it allows you to see all other headstones located in that cemetery. How great is it that you can see direct neighbors of the headstone you’re researching? This is a huge help in making valuable family history connections. You’ll be able to find relatives you didn’t know existed.
Not all GPS’s are Created Equal
What about cameras with GPS data in them? We’ve looked into using those photos, and the GPS is neither accurate nor reliable enough to use in our database. With our phone app, we can verify that users are in a cemetery, and because of this, information about cemeteries and locations is standardized in our database. So, at this time, we aren’t accepting photos from cameras, even if they have GPS.
You Can Still Add Additional Photos to BillionGraves Records
What if you have a photo of a headstone for a record that already exists? You can add that photo to the record! From the History tab on any Records View, you can add both personal histories and any additional photos of the person or the headstone. These photos do not have to be GPS encoded, since they are tied to the BillionGraves record with the GPS encoded headstone photo. This is a great way to create a robust record for your ancestors.
Thanks for your participation in BillionGraves! If you have additional questions, contact support.
Group Effort
Our records continue to grow, and we couldn’t be more appreciative of our volunteers! We hope you’re having a great month capturing and transcribing images.
Have you gone out to the cemetery with a group yet? As you know, we highly recommend it. Not only does the picture-taking go faster, but it’s great to spend time with others in a worthy cause.
One BillionGraves user, Michael McCormick, headed up an event with his university church group. He tells us that at the end of each school year, the group likes to have some kind of gathering to celebrate. “Traditionally, we get together and have a BBQ,” he says. “Someone mentioned that we should do a service project as part of the closing social. A few people suggested ideas, and I suggested BillionGraves.”
A bit of training before the group gets started.
So the group, excited for this unique service project, headed to the cemetery on April 9.
BillionGraves 2.1.1 iOS Update
A new update is available from the iTunes store for your iPhone or iPad. This update fixes a bug that caused problems with uploading photos. With this update, you should expect a smoother upload process. Go get the update today from the iTunes App Store.