Sign up for FamilySearch Indexing

Have you ever thought any of these statements?

· I don’t have time to do family history.

· My grandmother did all of my family history.

· I work at the family history center, but I run out of things to do when there are no patrons.

· I’ll wait and do my family history when there are more original records available on the Internet.

· I don’t know how to get started with my family history. What’s a census?

The response to all of these statements could be—“Sign up for FamilySearch indexing!”

FamilySearch indexing allows an army of volunteer indexers from around the world to help preserve and make the records of our ancestors available online for research. Using our online system, these volunteers are easily able to extract data from valuable records and provide free searchable indexes—all from the convenience of their homes.

Anyone can help at any time. Volunteers do not need to be members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They simply need to register, sign in, and follow a simple process:

1. Select “batches” of records to download to their computers.

2. Enter the requested information (names, dates, events, etc.) in the corresponding spaces.

3. Submit the completed batches to the online system.

Here are some of the benefits of being a volunteer indexer:

· You don’t have to be an expert genealogist. New indexers and genealogists can become familiar with the types of information available on a census record or other vital documents by doing indexing.

· There are no fixed time commitments. Volunteers can index any time and for any amount of time that they want. Some indexers volunteer an hour a day; others volunteer five minutes a week. All are welcome and appreciated.

· Help FamilySearch publish more records online. The more volunteers that help index, the faster records will be made available online to researchers.

· If you’ve hit a roadblock or you feel that all your family history is complete, become part of the indexing community. Help make records available for others to do their family history.

· Index while you are at the family history center. Family history has many facets, including indexing, and many family history centers already have the indexing system installed on their computers. If there are no patrons at the center to assist, use your free time to index.

We are currently indexing over 70 different collections of records from 28 different countries and 10 languages. The FamilySearch indexing Web site and computer program are available in the following languages: English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. To sign up for FamilySearch indexing or to learn more about the program, go to http://indexing.familysearch.org.

We greatly appreciate those who donate their time and talents through the FamilySearch indexing program to help make these collections of records freely available online to researchers.

Sincerely,

FamilySearch

support@familysearch.org

U.S. and Canada: 1-866-406-1830

International: go to http://contact.familysearch.org for more toll-free phone numbers.

What classes are offered at BYU and when?

This is pretty cool. BYU has now set up their own blogspot blog to display their schedule for classes. I've attended a couple, and these are very informative.

Go check them out at byusunday.blogspot.com

PAF vs. NFS

I was sitting in Sunday School today, and there was a bit of confusion among those who are just getting into NSF. The question discussed was whether we needed PAF or other softwares to do this work. Nope, not this work. NSF is for the deceased. PAF is for the living.

If you're doing your own genealogy, and you're developing your family records, you want the names, dates, and places to be correct.

If you're trying to make sure the work is done for your ancestors, does it matter where or when they lived and died? If you could ask them right now, would it matter to them? All that matters is the work is done for the right person, right? And it doesn't even matter when the work is done, only that it really is done.

PAF is for the living. That's where you record all your family history, with pictures, biographies, dates, places, etc. NFS is for the deceased, to make sure all the work is completed in an orderly, duplicate-free manner.

As I'm only now getting into my family history (I really should be keeping a journal), PAF is new to me, and keeping such records is a bit daunting. Since I've been called as a specialist and have dived into NFS, it's already pretty familiar to me and I'm very comfortable with it. I've now hit a point where I need to do the research to extend my lines. I'm going to be spending time at the Family History Library in the coming weeks (any good Irish researchers out there?), and I'll be spending a lot more time in PAF.

Oh--one other thing--PAF is free too. It sits on your computer, so it's not online. You can download it here.

Upcoming BYU Family History Conference

(From FamilySearch)

As a part of our regular e-mail communications, from time to time we notify you of family history conferences or other training opportunities in your area. We would like to make you aware of the annual Family History Conference at Brigham Young University, which is sponsored by the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen) and the Center for Family History and Genealogy. The conference will be held at BYU on November 6–7, 2009. ICAPGen is the organization that provides accreditation for the genealogists who work at the Family History Library. They have a wealth of knowledge about genealogical research worldwide.



The mission of this conference is to help individuals become excellent genealogists. A class schedule and registration form are attached. Early registration ends October 30, after which the registration fee will increase. If you want to attend, please print and send in the attached registration form, or download a registration form at http://www.icapgen.org/Programs/conference.htm.



We anticipate that this conference will be a great event. If you have questions about the conference, please direct them to Tristan Tolman, ICAPGen Public Relations, by e-mail at tristantolman@comcast.net or by phone at 1-801-380-5924.



Sincerely,

FamilySearch

support@familysearch.org

U.S. and Canada: 1-866-406-1830

International: go to http://contact.familysearch.org for more toll-free phone numbers

Finally! The Roll-Out!!!

I just checked my email this morning (because I was able to go into work early) and what to my surprise do I have? An email from headquarters saying we're going to roll-out on Monday the 12th!!! Ta-daaaa!!!

Ok, so now we can all use it. I can help anyone who asks. I can answer questions, I can train classes, I can speak from a pulpit. I'm ready.

If you have any questions, please ask. If you have any comments, please comment. I'm a resource for the stake. I'm ready.

Timpanogos Priesthood Leadership Meeting

We had a meeting last night for the priesthood leadership for the Timpanogos temple district, getting them fired up and ready to go with new.familysearch. The meeting house was a stake center, and we were filled to the rim. They had seats on the stage, the entire cultural hall filled, and people standing around the edges. I don't know the count. Man, was it hot in there! Muggy, and with one annoying fly visiting every guest personally.

Highlights--

The way to make Family History work in your ward is to talk about it during PEC meeting (Bishops).

We are doing this work to save our brothers and sisters from spirit prison.

Whether you are converting someone, reactivating a member, or redeeming your dead, it is all the SAME work.

AND the coup de' grace!! 15 stakes in the temple district are rolling out on Monday (Alas, I don't think we're one of them). The following Monday, at least 15 more will rollout, and this is what they said, "I don't know if we'll have enough ready stakes to meet the minimum of fifteen, so we'll add more." When it came to Q&A, I stood up (I was in like the fourth to last row in the gym) and sought clarification. "You said that you'd be choosing some other stakes to get up to 15. Does that mean that the entire temple district will eventually be added, whether they're ready or not?" They confirmed that this is the case. They said that they just finished rolling out the Provo temple district this past Monday (two days ago), and it took three weeks to do that whole district.

So....I'm thinking we'll all have access before the end of October. Pretty cool news, donchathink?

Rollout requirements change again

I'm not sure if the system was choking, or what, but they've changed how wards are to report readiness for new.familysearch. The consultants in each ward are to report to the high priests group leader. The high priests group leader will report to the high councilman over family history. The high councilman over family history will then prepare a report for the area consultants. That's as far as I know, but I'm guessing the area consultants will then let headquarters know that the stake is ready to roll.

Family History Expo!!

I got this email and wanted to share it with everyone. If you are a consultant and want the coupon, send me an email and I'll get it to you (windsorfamilyhistory@gmail.com).

August 13, 2009

News

Family History Expo (Updated)

Dear Family History Consultant:

We want to make you aware of a family history conference occurring soon in the Salt Lake City, Utah area. You may find information at this conference beneficial in helping members find their ancestors—particularly the free classes for family history consultants and workers.

The theme for this year's event is “Learn the Tech to Trace Your Roots!” It will be held at the South Towne Exposition Center (9575 South State Street), Sandy, Utah, August 28-29, 2009, and is sponsored by Family History Expos.com and FamilySearch.

Please note the free Family History Consultant Training classes in the schedule. These classes begin Saturday, August 29, 1:00-5:00 p.m. in Hall 4. Simply bring the Free Classes coupon below for access to the consultant classes. There is also no cost for attending the keynote address or the exhibit hall, but you will need to show the Free Classes coupon to be admitted.

If you wish to attend the other classes, pre-registration is $68.00 through August 24. After August 24, you may register at the door. The cost will be $78.00 for both days and $48.00 per day. Individuals who want to attend only one or two classes and visit the Exhibit Hall can register for single classes at $12.00 each.

Over 100 classes will be presented by industry leaders and experts from the local and national genealogical community as well as staff from the Church’s Family History Department. Products and services from genealogy companies will also be showcased in an exhibit hall where you can meet with specialists for free personal consultations on research questions or problems.

Expo details and the class schedule are available online at: www.FHExpos.com.

All questions should be directed to:
Family History Expos.com
PO Box 187
Morgan, Utah 84050
Email: Expo@FHExpos.com
Phone: 801-829-3295
Web: http://www.fhexpos.com/events/upcoming.php?event_id=50#loc



Sincerely,


FamilySearch Support
support@familysearch.org

Spanish Family History Center

I wish I could post this in Spanish. Oh well.

The Utah South Spanish Family History Center is located at 263 North 800 West, in Provo. Their phone number is 801-356-0661. Their hours are from 6PM to 9PM. While they don't have an actual course on new.familysearch training, they can train an individual in conjunction with the online training available.

Presenting to the Bishops

I'm fortunate to be able to speak to the bishops this Thursday. I am excited to share a little of what I know and this new system. I won't have a lot of time, so I have to be direct. I'm grateful to be called to this position. I hope I can help many members take advantage of these blessings!

13 Generations, revised

Since posting the image of my 13-generation chart previously, I've since found one more link to some ancestors I didn't have then (through my wife's father's parents). One link, two generations above us, and we've now added almost 1,000 ancestors. WOW! So here's the new picture, showing 2,063 ancestors on record. So cool!

Promise made to the fathers

I've been reading about
the visitation made by the Lord to the Kirtland temple in 1836, and the visions presented to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdry, namely, Moses, Elias, and Elijah.

Moses committed the keys of the gathering of Israel.

Elias committed the dispensation of the Gospel of Abraham (??).

Elijah said, "Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi—testifying that he should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come — To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse— Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors."

Both Malachi and 3rd Nephi say "And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse."

When Moroni was visiting Joseph Smith as a young boy, he quoted this scripture, but did it differently enough that Joseph remarked at the change: "And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming."

He shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers. The hearts of the children shall turn to the fathers.

No mention of the father's hearts turning to the children. And what is the promise made to the fathers?

I could be wrong here, but this is what I think the promise is (if you know more, please share with me); All who are of the faith, and baptized into Christ, become Abraham’s seed. This is the promise--if you are of the faith and baptized with authority, you become heir to the blessings of Abraham. If your fathers are not so baptized (ordinances), they are not heirs, and the great chain of the family is broken. If your fathers died without this baptism, it has been planted in your heart to attend to your fathers and see that the work is done.

I want to go one step beyond the baptism referenced in Galations (above), and reference President Joseph F. Smith in D&C 138, where he goes on to say the redemption of the dead includes the sealing of the children to their parents. So not only having 'our fathers' baptized, but also being sure the family chain is sealed together, with sealing being the last and highest ordinance of the temple.

The next question is how is the promise planted? A future blog post.

Looks like we might have to wait

I've been instructed that the new system won't be made available to our stake until each ward has at least one qualified consultant. Qualification is proved through an online orientation.

So...we need more consultants to make this blessing available. The blessing is ready, but the stake isn't. Feels like that is our responsibility, doesn't it? The Lord has facilitated the blessing, provided it, and has it on deck to lite upon us.

Truly, we want to have around 10 consultants per ward. But only one per is the number we need to have the roll-out.

This is such a great blessing!! I can't wait to share it.

Oh yeah, that's the other thing. I can't start training individuals in the stake until the general populous has it already. I can train consultants, and priesthood leaders who have access right now. Other than that, I can only tease you. :)

13 Generations

So this is a picture of me and my wife, and the 12 generations behind us. I knew of maybe 6 generations behind me before using new.familysearch. My mother-in-law knew of a lot of family, but didn't know what work had been done. Here we have 1,075 individuals on this chart. Isn't this amazing??

A specialist

So I misunderstood what my calling was to be. I thought I was a stake family history consultant. Nope. The calling I've been given is the Stake Family History Specialist. Not a big difference, I think.

I recently helped my step-mother add two relatives to her family file. She had done a fair bit of research and found that two ancestors weren't on the church's records. We were able to easily add the research from her gedcom file, waited a few minutes, and the names were then on the records. No work had been done for the individuals, and she elected to do the work herself. We printed out the FOR (Family Ordinance Request) sheet, and she's ready to go to the temple. Just like that. The entire process took less than 15 minutes, and that includes the 5 minutes we had to wait for the church records to be updated. All online, done from the comfort of her study. Can it get more simple? I think not.

I'm prepared to answer any questions, help in any way, and if you're interested in becoming a consultant, please let me know and I'll see that the opportunity is availed to you.

The importance of balance

It's easy to spend more time than is healthy doing a new hobby. I was up WAY too late last night, copying my pedigree out of FamilySearch onto paper to keep track of everyone. This morning came like an angry wind, rattling my sleep addled mind. All day I'm thinking about those pedigrees, and I'm reading up on training. Balance. must. have. balance.

Some quick hands-on training

I just hosted my cousin's son from Australia for a mere 24 hours as he was preparing to enter the MTC. He's serving a mission in Japan. I told him of my new calling, and he was thrilled as he's been a Ward Family History consultant for a year now, using the new system. He was very excited to train me, and we proceeded to spend hours going over the system, how it works, how to do due diligence (can't do enough), and how to find the work to be done. I'm already finding some work in my family lines. Already! Within 24 hours!!! This system is so elegant. There are clearly some improvements that can be made, and I'll see what I can do about getting feedback going up the pipe. And I can see why they were rolling it out in Utah and Idaho last. We're going to kill the system! All the active members who are going to be using the system! And the pioneer families!! The children!!! (The wives!!) I've tried to merge a few stray records already, and the system can't handle the size of the files, so it won't merge. That's going to have to change.

This is exciting stuff. I'm giddy with the yearning to get the work done. Here's the wheel. Put your shoulder to it!

Overwhelming!

My mother in law has loaned to me some genealogical records she has that go back to the 1600's. A little bit too much to chew on for little ol' me. But how do you eat an elephant? A spoonful at a time. I have the spoon, and the appetite. I'm just waiting for access to new.familysearch.org so I can start chomping away. :)

This is becoming so exciting, so stimulating, and so...beautiful. I can't wait to share this with others!

I have records from Denmark, old old temple books, and hand written genealogical charts from 1910. I'll see what I can do about posting some photos soon.

A Summer of Sluething!! (SOS)

wiki.familysearch.org

What a cool idea they've come up with! This is a great way to get everyone in the family thinking about family history. And what's most cool about it is how they've made applications of this available for different age groups and abilities. Regardless of how old you are, you can take part in this!

It's six weeks worth of activities that will turn your heart to your ancestors, albeit very close relatives (family, grandparents). Those of us who are a little older can do a bit more research, but for kids, it's a great exercise and helps to get them thinking about who's come before. There are forms, pictures, cut-outs, hints, etc. Great idea, very cool!

wiki.familysearch.org/en/Family_History_Activities_for_Youth

Who'd have thought?

Ok, so here we begin the Orem Windsor Stake Family History blog. I'm your friendly neighborhood Stake Family History Consultant. Forgive me if I don't look like a pro yet. I've never done ANY family history. I'm starting in a new field, new technology, new thoughts, new inspiration. I'm going to be developing a whole new facet to my personality, and for the rest of my life I know I will be fired up for Family History (hereafter to be called FH). I'm going to be one of those people who always asks if you have your work done. Yep. Expect it.

While we're on the subject....well, do you have your family work done?

I appreciate all the help that will come my way, and I hope to guide you in your personal efforts to accomplish what you may have thought was impossible.