Cairns & District Family History Society Inc finally has a vibrant new website up and running, ready for visitors!
The former website served its purpose very well for many years, mainly as a static information site.
But in current times, websites need to be more interactive and incorporate social media as well, so it was definitely time for a makeover. Website development tools and content management systems and utilities have become so much more user-friendly in recent years, so we’ve given it a go!
We have incorporated:
- a new blog
- social media share buttons for each post and page
- social media follow icons in our footer
- interactive Google Maps on our Contacts and About us pages to help people locate us physically
- automated eNewsletter sign-up forms
- mobile device responsive design
- updated pages for the McLeod Street Cemetery pioneer headstones that are accessed from the QR code blocks installed at the gravesites, to make them easier to read on mobile devices
- automated backups
- search engine optimisation tools
- a sitemap, and
- the potential to add more new features.
Access to the site can also be managed to allow committee members to add or draft their own blog articles, edit page information, add media and documents, etc.
When I was asked if I would be interested in helping to update or rebuild the CDFHS website, of course I said ‘yes’!
It wasn’t long before we had the header and theme designed, and a demo site uploaded. Over subsequent weeks we updated/added content, and sought approval from the committee to go ahead. Then we restructured the emails and did a few other tweaks. Last week I installed the new site on the existing hosting, and now just have a few minor things to refine and backend jobs to complete.
Here is our new product… we hope you like it!
Unfortunately we didn’t get to report anything special for #NFHM2014, but we were certainly working very hard behind the scenes right throughout August. Hopefully our use of newer technologies will help us be more organised to plan some special events for #NFHM2015!
Now that we have the foundation, we can work on adding and improving content, and we encourage members to submit articles and news items for publication.
In the last few weeks, CDFHS has a new committee, new emails, a new website, new mailing list, new newsletters, new blog, new social media, and some new members… so it should be an exciting year ahead! Share and follow to help us get started 🙂
You’re looking pretty schmick. Congratulations to those who have worked on the makeover.
Thanks from everyone Jill! A team effort… now to work on creating some ongoing content 🙂
I am interested in finding more information on my great, Grandmother, Janet Marion Anderson who married Joseph Harris in Irvinebank, Qld around the very early 1900’s. My grandfather is Hughie Reid who moved to Cairns from Watsonville. He married my grandmother, Grace Harris both of Watsonville, Qld. The families, Harris, and Reids are from Cornwall and are Tin Miners. I have no information on the Andersons. Can you give me some advice in seeking more information? My Mother was Monica Haebick (nee Reid), daughter of Grace Harris and Hughie Reid.
Thanks for this new website. Hope it attracts lots of interest.
Hi Leonie, There are far too many tips to put in a brief comment, but you could start by ordering the 1893 marriage certificate of Janet Marion Anderson & Joseph Harris which is available online at QLD BDM. Also use the BDM indexes to look for other children of the couple, and look up family notices in the free digitised newspapers online at TROVE. The QLD historical indexes are great, and if you live in Cairns, the research assistants at CDFHS’s resource centre would be very happy to help get you started with other great resources!
Thanks Louise. I will try your suggestions first, and make contact if I have difficulty.
Fabulous website. It is clean and easy to read. I really like the layout and am looking forward to many more visits. Well done everyone involved its development.