Sharefam Help

Quick Links: FAQ Username and Password Table Profile Photos Events Stories Messaging

To restart the Start Connecting Tutorial, click Start Connecting Tutorial

Frequently Asked Questions:

1.	Q: Will you sell or distribute my email or other contact information?
	A: No, categorically no. We will never sell or distribute your email to a Third Party without your absolute expressed consent.
2.	Q: How will my Privacy be protected?
	A: Please review the Sharefam Privacy Policy for information. Also, you should be aware of the information you share with the people in your family. Please do not put any financial or medical information on the Site.
3.	Q: Why is the site asking me to download Flash?
	A: The Site uses one of the latest versions of Flash to create the Advanced Family Table. To avoid downloading the new player, click view in Standard mode in the bottom right of the screen. If you would like to down load, follow the instructions on the page. After you download the newest Flash Player, please close out the browser and log-in again to view the Table. You should only have to download this program once on a single computer. Note: If you are using a Company-Provided machine, you may not be allowed to download the latest player, please speak with your IT Department.
4.	Q: How will other family members know to come to the site and sign-up?
	A: After you invite a family member (see details below), Sharefam will send a family invitation email to the new member. To join the rest of the family on the site, he or she will need to use the link in the email. If your family member does not receive the email, you can find the link on the View as List page under the “Our Table” Tab. You can send the link to them by copying and pasting it into an email. Note: The links are made for specific members; therefore, a family member must use the one provided for him or her.
5.	Q: What if I put in the wrong email address?
	A: Go to that family member’s profile and edit their email. This will automatically create an email that will invite them to join the site.
6.	Q: What if I put in the wrong relationship?
	A: If you put in the wrong relationship, you can go to the Edit Relationships Page under Our Table. This will allow you to edit YOUR relationship to everyone at your table. If the relationship is on a different table, then that family member will have to go to the Edit Relationships Page.
7.	Q: What if I misspell a family member’s name? Are they stuck with it?
	A: No, they can edit their name on their profile once they have signed in.
8.	Q: Why am I able to Edit the profiles of other family members?
	A: If a family member has not logged in or will not be on the site, all family members will be able to edit that family member’s profile. This allows family members to fill in information for deceased members and other members that are not on the site, such as toddlers.

Username and Password

Your Username is your email address.

To change your username and the email address where we send notifications, go to the Preferences Page. We will automatically begin to send emails to this address.

To change your password, go to Preferences Page. The link can be found in the top right of all pages, including this one.

If you forget your password, click on the Forgot Password Link on the Homepage and put in your email address. We will send the password to the email entered.

Table (Why a Table?)

A table will show you everyone at one degree of separation from the family member at the center. This means you will see siblings, parents, children, and spouses.

Overview
In the below picture, you will see a working Table:

1. “Add Family” Button – This button is located in the Top right of the Table. If you push this button, you will see the “Add Sibling”, “Add Parent”, “Add Child”, and “Add Spouse” buttons. See below for details on adding family members.

2. Circles and Pictures – If you click on a picture or one of the circles, you will be taken to that family member’s profile. If you put your mouse over a picture or circle, you will see the View Table Icon (pictured below next to Jim – Father). This link will take you to that family member’s Table.

3. Now Viewing – In the bottom left of the Table, you will see the “Now Viewing” section. This will tell you who is at the middle of the Table.
   
   

Adding Family
To invite family members for the first time or just continue to add family members, you will need to click on the “Add Family” Button in the top right corner.

This button will display the Add Sibling, Add Parent, Add Spouse, and Add Children Buttons. Click on one of the choices to add a family member.

After clicking one of the buttons, you will enter the family member’s first and last name, email address, and specific relationship. The Specific Relationship will define them as a brother or sister, father or mother. . .

After you insert the family member’s information and click “Add”, we will generate an email to them that will direct them to the site.

If your family member does not receive the email, you can find the link on the View as List page under the "Our Table" Tab. You can send the link to them by copying and pasting it into an email.

To invite people more than one relationship away from you, you will need to go to the page of the family member that connects you to them. For example, if I want to add my uncle, my mother’s brother, I will need to go to my mother’s table and invite her brother.

All relationships are based on the family member in the center of the table (the big picture).

Common Questions:

1. Q: How will they know to come to the site and sign-up?
   A: We will send them an email with a specific link to the site. If they follow the link they will be able to join your family on Sharefam.

   
   

2. Q: What if I put in the wrong email address?
   A: Go to that person’s profile and edit their email. This will automatically create an email that will invite them to join the site.

   
   

3. Q: What if I put in the wrong relationship?
   A: If you put in the wrong relationship, you can go to the Edit Relationships Page under Our Table. This will allow you to edit YOUR relationship to everyone at your table. If the relationship is on a different table, then that family member will have to go to the Edit Relationships Page.

   
   

4. Q: What if I misspell a family member’s name? Are they stuck with it?
   A: No, they can edit their name on their profile once they have signed in.

   
   

Profile

Profiles are the place where you can say a little bit about yourself from your contact information to your interests.

To upload your profile image, start by clicking the button under the picture. Hit Browse to look at the files on your computer to find the photo. After it is uploaded, you will see the screen below to crop the photo. Use your mouse to adjust the size and position of the square. We recommend that you leave room around your face, so that it will look correct on the Table.

To update the information just hit the Edit Buttons and fill out the information. Please remember that this information is not Saved until you click Save.

For the Interests on the right, type your interests in the open field and click “+”. To delete interests just click the “x” next to the interest.

Common Questions:

1. Q: Why am I able to Edit the profiles of other family members?
   A: If a family member has not logged in or will not be on the site, all family members will be able to edit that family member’s profile. This allows family members to fill in information for deceased members and other members that are not on the site, such as toddlers.
   
   

2. Q: How does Sharefam track birthdays?
   A: Sharefam tracks birthdays and anniversaries from the profiles of family members and will insert them into the calendar automatically.
   
   

Photos

Adding Photos
To Create an Album, click on the Create New Album button under the Photo Tab.

First, fill out the Album information at the top of the page. This is where you input the name, location, and date of the Album. To start adding photos to the Album click “Browse” on the graphic on the left of the page. You can upload 10 photos at a time and have an unlimited amount in each album.

Once you start adding photos, you can tag the photos individually with Family Members, Events, and Stories.

After loading all the Photos, you can add Captions to add some context to the photos. None of these tags are necessary, but helpful to other Family Members viewing the photos.

To make a photo the Album Cover, just click the “Make Album Cover” button next to the picture. If you do not select a cover, the first photo will automatically become the cover.

Viewing Photos
To view photos you can either click on any album on the site or go to Family Albums under the Photos Tab. Once you click on an album you will see the photos at the bottom. Click one of the photos to view in full size. At the top right of the photo you will see a next and previous link to navigate between photos in the album.

Events

There are many sites that will let you plan events and invite people to view information, but Sharefam will be the easiest place to plan an event with family. On the event page, you will be able to list information for the event, such as location, time, and date. Inviting family will be just a click away. Also, we understand a family gathering might involve more than just family; you are able to add friends to the list by entering their email.

Everyone will be able to view the event details and RSVP right on the site.

Creating a New Event
To create an Event, go to Create New Event under Events Tab.

To enter information about the event, just click on the fields and fill out the information.

You can also create an album for the event. To start adding photos to the Album click “Browse” on the graphic on the right side of the page. This will allow everyone to post pictures to one album for easier reference.

Once you finish entering the information, click on the “Invite Family” Button at the bottom of the screen.

To invite Family Members, simply check the box next to their names. Sharefam will generate an email to let them know they have an Event Invitation.

To add Friends to the RSVP list, simply enter their information into the fields on the right. Once they are added they will receive the same email. These invitees will not have access to any other section of your family’s site.

Hit “Send Invitations” to complete the process.

Stories

The Story Page is a great way to create a real family history. One that is more telling than just the genealogy history most people know.

Each story can be tied to photos, linked to specific family members, and commented on by everyone. The comments will add a collaborative feel.

Adding Stories
To add a Story, go to Create Story under the Stories Tab.

Telling a Story is as simple as filling out the fields on the page below. You can also tag the story with family members, photos, or an event. The photo you use will display next to the Story when viewed.

Messaging

On Sharefam you have quick access to a message service that will allow you to communicate with family without having to look up their email. This will be a great way for family to stay in touch.

Sending a Message
To send a Message, click Compose Message under the Messaging Tab.

Simply click the box of the Family Members you want to Message and fill out the Message. Currently, there is no way to Message people outside of your Family.

Viewing Messages
To view Messages, go to Inbox under Messaging Tab. You can also view your unread messages from the Home Page under "Inbox."
Just click on the Message you want to view.