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FAMILY HISTORY NEWSLETTER Volume III, Issue 11
Nov – Dec 2009
New Features on new individuals by last name, first name, gender,
birth date, birthplace, or person ID.
FAMILYSEARCH as of Both the Family Group Record view and the
December 2009 Family Pedigree view (the one without details)
have been removed.
Many changes have been made to the new
FamilySearch Web site. For a list of all changes Family Group Records
made since its first release in July 2007, see The family group record is now for viewing and
Appendix I of A User’s Guide to the printing. You can no longer add new
NewFamilySearch Web Site. You can also log individuals, edit individuals, change the family
into new FamilySearch and go to ―Help Center.‖ that is displayed, or view sources. You can
In the first column, under ―Additional display the family group record from all view
Resources,‖ click last item, ―What’s new…?‖ screens:
• On the Family Pedigree with Details view,
The December 2009 release contains a new click the Parents and Children or Spouses and
pedigree view that allows you to display more Children button, depending on which family
information in more ways. Some of the rules you want to see. Display the spouse or parents
that are used to determine whether temple that you want, and click the View family group
ordinances can be done have also been record link. This link is located on the upper-
modified. right side of the details.
Note: You can no longer display a Family
New View Screens Group Record by clicking the Change View
When you click the Me and My Ancestors tab, button.
you will see the Family Pedigree with Details as The New FamilySearch Web Site December
usual. If you click the Change View button, you 2009
can now switch to the Family Tree view or the • On the Family Tree view or Individual List
Individual List view. view, click the individual whose family group
On the Family Tree view, you can do many record you want to see. Then click the View
things that you cannot do on the Family Family Group Record link, which is located at
Pedigree with Details view. These include the the top of the details panel to the right of the
following: pedigree.
• You can easily resize your tree to show many The Family Tree view uses different icons:
more generations on the screen. (On left, slide Click on the article to review the different
the ―zipper‖ up and down) temple icons. There are also new Temple
• When you hover the mouse cursor over Qualification Rules, and these are available
someone in the tree, the path back to you is through the Help Center article.
highlighted. This lets you more easily see how SINCE MANY OF THESE CHANGES ARE
you connect to any person in your tree. USEFUL ONLY TO LATTER-DAY
• You can see descendants instead of ancestors. SAINTS, WE HAVE LISTED THE
You can also switch from the Family Tree view FOLLOWING CHANGES BUT HAVE NOT
to the Individual List view. When you first INCLUDED ALL OF THE
switch from the Family Tree view to the list, the INFORMATION. PLEASE LOG INTO
list contains the individuals in the Family Tree NEW FAMILYSEARCH AND FIND THE
view. Once the list is displayed, you can sort the CHANGES IN THE HELP CENTER.
1
OTHER TOPICS THAT HAVE CHANGES: USING NFS HELP
Finding Out Who Reserved Ordinances
Since starting on our family history mission, the
If an individual’s ordinances have been one thing that Jack and I now appreciate is the
reserved, you can see the user’s contact name in help offered in new FamilySearch. Often a
the LDS Ordinances view. If that user allows patron will get stumped and not know what to
the system to display contact information, you do. The first impulse may be to contact support,
can also contact that user. but there are even quicker ways to find answers,
Selecting Specific Ordinances for a Family and that is by using the Overviews, Guides, and
Ordinance Request You can now designate the Help Center.
some ordinances for the temple and some for
you. For instance, if you want the temple to do When you first enter the Welcome Page of nFS,
B&C, you can do I,E, and sealings. an overview pops up. Please complete that. At
Canceling Ordinance Reservations the bottom of the overview pop-up, you will
(“Unreserve”) find a button to stop that pop-up in future
Previously, the temple ordinances list had a logons. On the Home Page, first click on the
Remove button that you could use to remove an first item on the left: ―Help Me Get Started with
individual from the list and make the ordinances Family History.‖ This will also take you to an
available for other users to do. overview of nFS.
The Remove button is now gone. Instead, each
individual on your list has an Unreserve link The second item on the Welcome Page is
that you can click to do the same thing. ―Learn How to Use FamilySearch.‖ Click on
When you unreserve an individual, the system this link and then look at the helpful Overviews.
does two things: The first topic under this link is ―Navigating and
• It removes the individual from your list. Finding Information.‖ This will teach you how
• It cancels your reservation of the individual’s to get around from place to place in nFS and
ordinances. Other users will be able to reserve how to search for ancestors. Other topics will
the ordinances. allow you to learn how to add information,
Corrections and Additions to the User’s make corrections, transfer information from
Guide PAF, and do temple ordinances, to name a few.
Because this release includes so many
significant new features, the user’s guide was The second part of ―Learn How to Use
extensively revised and reorganized. Check the FamilySearch,‖ is Guides.
links in the Help Center for information on the
entire article. What's New in the New FamilySearch Web Site
(PDF)
A User's Guide to the New FamilySearch Web
Site (PDF)
For copies of Genealogy News, go to
Contributing a GEDCOM File to the New
FamilySearch Web Site (PDF)
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~payork/Yor Submitting Names to the Temple Using the New
k2Ward/ FamilySearch Web Site (PDF)
Getting Started with the New FamilySearch Web
Thanks to Don and Jeanine Hartman of Utah Site (PDF)
Printing Family Pedigrees and Family Group
for posting the newsletter online for us. You
Records (PDF)
can contribute your family history of original Policies for Preparing Names of Deceased
York County ancestors at Ancestors for Temple Work (PDF)
A Member's Guide to Temple and Family
http://members.aol.com/familyhart/ History Work (PDF) You can print these.
2
The next help is the Help Center itself. This is WHERE SHOULD I START?
another great resource that will assist you in
finding answers for your family history The traditional answer to where should I begin
questions. The link to the Help Center(HC) to combine in nFS is this: "Always start with
appears at the bottom of the page, or in the yourself and work back to past generations" is
upper right-hand corner of any page where the correct if your first four generations are not yet
words, ―Help with This Page,‖ are located. in New FamilySearch. However, if your first
Clicking on the HC link will open a window four generations are already in new
with a search field. If you enter key words into FamilySearch, there needs to be a paradigm
the search field, you will find solutions for shift in the traditional answer. Now the correct
many of your questions. For instance, if you do answer is, "Start with your 4th generation and
not know how to combine records, go to the work forward towards you, yourself." This is
Help Center, which is listed at the end of the list necessary because the first step in cleaning up
on the Welcome Page, or you can find it beside your records in nFS is to combine duplicate
The Church’s logo at the bottom of a page. In records for all of the individuals in your four
the SEARCH Box, enter key words. For generations.
example, if you are not certain about how to Problem: If you start with yourself and work
combine duplicate records, type ―combining back, you combine duplicate records for
duplicate records‖ into the search box, and click children before parents. When you combine in
enter. The most significant ones come up first. this order, there will sometimes be duplicate
I had 181 hits on that search. If you do not get a children added back into the family when you
document that will help, you can try adjusting combine the duplicate records of each parent.
the search words. When this occurs you have to go back and
combine duplicate records for the children a
There may be times that you cannot find second time.
answers to your questions. The next level Solution: Working your pedigree chart from
would be to contact a family history consultant. right to left avoids this repetition. Be sure to do
Your Family History Center is also a valuable all families in the fourth generation, then all in
tool where you can learn how to use new the third, then second -- in that order. You will
FamilySearch and also learn excellent need to stop the combining process when you
information about researching your ancestors. come to living individuals since the records for
living individuals cannot be combined.
Finally, if you need live assistance in using new The additional duplicate children situation often
FamilySearch, please call (toll-free from the arises from extracted records where the
United States and Canada) at 1-866-406-1830, computer programmers could not achieve the
24 hours a day. In addition, you could e-mail impossible task of programming the computer to
support@familysearch.org. But be certain that decide where on the family tree to put
you give all information so that a support individuals whose names, for example, were
missionary will be able to answer your question. extracted from a London parish record
Include the name and PID (personal identifier indicating: 25 January 1840, a son John, born to
number) of your ancestor(s) along with a clear John and Mary Smith. This child has been
explanation of the problem and what you want sealed to his parents through the extraction
done about it. Some types of problems that you program, but the Family History Department
may not be able to solve are wrong gender, wants us to decide if this John, son of John and
looping, and problems with relationships, like a Mary Smith, belongs in our portion of the
father erroneously married to his daughter-in- world's family tree. If John is ours and we
law. We know that as you need additional combine the record, we will not need to re-do
assistance with new Family Search, the Help the ordinance of sealing him to his parents.
Center will be an excellent tool. SHS Thanks to Derwin Merrill for this insight.
3
UK AND IRELAND RESEARCH A Genealogy Spoof on 1 Nephi 3
CuriousFox.com - the village by village contact
site for anybody researching family history, 7. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said
genealogy and local history in the UK and unto my father: I will go and do the
Ireland. Every UK county, town and village has things which the Lord hath commanded,
a page for family history, local history, surname except Family History (FH) and Temple
and genealogy enquiries. Use the search box to Work, for I know that the Lord giveth no
find your village or town. http://curiousfox.com/ commandments, except Family History
and Temple Work, unto the children of
GENEALOGICAL JOURNAL ONLINE men, save he shall prepare a way for
them that they may accomplish the thing
The New England Historic Genealogical which he commandeth them.
Society announces the creation of a new web 8. And it came to pass that when my
page on their Newenglandancestors.org site father had heard these words he was not
entitled Genealogical Journal Online: A exceeding glad, for he believed that FH
National Collection: ". . . connecting members and Temple Work should not be
to a number of the country's premier scholarly excluded, and he said unto me: Nephi,
journals of the past 150 years. It includes why dost thou not do thy FH?
9. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said
The Connecticut Nutmegger: unto my father: I have a huge boat to
Published since 1968, the Nutmegger is build, crops to plan, crops to harvest,
the 'journal of record' for the meat to hunt for, a bow to repair, a
Connecticut Society of Genealogists, family to care for, and a move to make
and includes vital records, probate to a new land. I don't have time. Cousin
records, bible records, headstone Laban has all our genealogy and Family
records, memorials and other useful History on the brass plates. He has a lot
research for Connecticut ties. of money, servants and time. Therefore,
New Netherland Connections: we should let Laban do it, or you.
Published since 1996 by Dorothy A. 10. And it came to pass that Lehi said: I
Koenig, this journal focuses on the cannot. I have Laman and Lemuel and
Dutch colonial period (1624-1664) in all of their problems, my entire family,
New York and New Jersey. Each issue and I have to interpret the Liahona.
has feature articles, replies to queries, 11. And it came to pass that I, Nephi,
and items of Dutch colonial interest. said: It is better that one man should
Particular attention is paid to identifying work himself to death doing the FH for
the European origins of New Netherland us all, than that a family and nation
settlers. organize and all contribute to the FH..
The American Genealogist (TAG): 12. And it came to pass that my father
Published since 1923, TAG contains Lehi said: Are you sure? Something
scholarly research covering the breadth seems to be amiss. Nephi, go to
of the United States, with an early Jerusalem and get a copy of our Family
preference for New England. History from Cousin Laban.
The Virginia Genealogist: Published 13. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did
from 1957 to 2006, this journal includes go to Jerusalem and found that Cousin
compiled genealogies, personal property Laban had lost his head and worked
tax lists, court orders, deeds, wills, himself to death doing his Family
marriage registers, etc. from Virginia. History. Therefore, I took all the Family
For more information, visit the NEHGS Website,
History to my father, Lehi, in the
www.NewEnglandAncestors.org,
wilderness.
4
Do these situations ever apply to you? “RootsMagic Essentials” Brings Free
The commandment to do temple and family Tools for Family History
history work does not apply to me.
Too many other things occupy time. SPRINGVILLE, Utah. — November 18, 2009
Some other family member is doing it. — RootsMagic, Inc., announced the immediate
Others have more resources. availability of RootsMagic Essentials, free
We have been commanded to desktop genealogy software based on their
perform vicarious ordinances for award-winning RootsMagic 4 system.
RootsMagic Essentials contains many core
all who have died. features found in its namesake that allow the
public to easily start tracing their family trees.
"No one knows for sure just how big our task is,
just how many people have lived. We cannot
determine that for sure. One demographic study RootsMagic Essentials shares many of the same
estimates that from the beginning 69 billion features with the full RootsMagic software,
people have lived on earth. Billions have lived, including clean and friendly screens, the ability
and we are to redeem all of them. In order to get to add an unlimited number of people and
some idea of what a billion is, consider the events, pictures and media management, the
following. SourceWizard to write your source citations for
A billion seconds ago World War II was just you, powerful merging and clean-up tools,
dozens of reports and charts, support for
ending.
international character sets, FamilySearch
A billion minutes ago the ministry of the
integration, and the ability to share data with
original Twelve was coming to a close in the
other people and software programs. The full
Roman Empire.
version of RootsMagic is available for purchase
A billion hours ago stretches into the dim
and includes features not available in
reaches of antiquity so far, that recorded history
RootsMagic Essentials.
was millennia away.
Overwhelming? Not quite! For we are the sons
and daughters of God. He has told us that he RootsMagic Essentials is available now for free
would give "No commandments unto the at http://www.rootsmagic.com. Users of other
children of men, save He shall prepare a way for genealogy software products will find it easy to
them that they may accomplish the thing which experiment with RootsMagic Essentials using
He commandeth them." (1 Nephi 3:7) their own data. RootsMagic Essentials can
Boyd K. Packer, "That They May Be directly import data from PAF, Family Tree
Redeemed," April 1977, p. 2. Maker (through 2006), Family Origins, and
Legacy Family Tree. It can also read and write
data using the popular GEDCOM format.
WIKI BY OHANA SOFTWARE
John Vilburn of Ohana Software and Family
Insight fame has graciously built a wiki for ROOTSMAGIC MESSAGE BOARD
Repeat: There is a newly released booklet covering nFS.
Family History Centers and staff. I am one of Member's Guide to Temple and Family History Work
the first contributors to his site with my ppt (order no. 36795000) - it's free.
Getting Ready to Submit Names in the new Go to www.lds.org, click on "Serving in the Church"
FamilySearch. You may have access as (NOT Family History and Temples), select Family
History, select "order materials from Distribution
following: www.FHCwiki.org > Family
Services," and select your choice. 36795000 is free, and
History Directors > Training Resources. Then there are other selections for a nominal charge which may
clicking on the "media" link allows you to open be ordered as well. While at this site, you can view or
it or download it. download the lessons and videos. All of these will be
Elder Allan Hale great help. Howard
5
Christmas Family History SOME USEFUL DATABASES
"For Christmas one year, each of our family DAR:
members received a binder titled "Our Family-- http://www.dar.org/library/online_research.cfm
Then and Now." Sectioned to store past and
present information, these simple gifts helped us Sanborn
to begin recording our family's history. One Maps:http://blog.familytreemagazine.com/insider/2
Sunday each month, our family members all 009/11/10/CincinnatiLibraryDigitizesSanbornMaps.
gather to write on a specific "then" topic, such aspx
as Memories of times I spent with Dad," What I
Utah newspapers, check http://digitalnewspapers.org/
learned from Mom," "My most embarrassing
moment," or "What I remember about my
baptism." That same evening we also write Digitized Photo collections
BYU HBLee Library, Digital Collections,
about recent family events and personal
http://www.lib.byu.edu/online.html
experiences, especially those that occurred
during the month. Some family members have Google Newspaper Archives
recorded highlights such as babies' births or (http://news.google.com/archivesearch)
blessings, children's lost teeth, good test scores,
or funny experiences. We help those too young FamilySearch Community Trees project
to write, and long-distance family members mail http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3jbCf-MyEU
or e-mail their contributions. A family member
A change has taken place overnight on the opening
types the handwritten drafts, and on a page of FHC Services. The link to 1911 census has
subsequent Sunday, family members each been removed but is available at "Find My Past"under
receive a copy of the finished product to read CENSUS and images are currently able to be
and place in their binders. This Sunday activity downloaded for free.
unites our family. We share our trials and https://www.fhc.familysearch.org/index.cgi Neil
triumphs and focus on blessings we have Hallam (Australia)
received from the Lord." Kristin W. Belcher,
Ohana Offers Webinars
Riverton 10th Ward, Riverton Utah Central
http://www.ohanasoftware.com/?sec=webinars
Stake.
Source: December 1, 2009 Family History and
You may know about the FamilySearch Center
Extraction/Indexing Newsletter, Westra
in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt
[westra@xmission.com] taken from "No-Fuss
Lake, where a lot of people simply come in and
Family History" (Ensign, Dec. 2002, p. 64)
see what the Church has regarding ancestors.
Mormon Channel has interviewed two people,
WASHINGTON DC FAMILY Sandy Joseph and Merrill White, about the
HISTORY CONFERENCE center and has broadcast the program. It is also
available for listening and can also be
WDC FHC Annual Conference - April 17, downloaded to an iPod or similar mp3 player.
2010 Left click to listen online, right click to
Plan now to attend our annual conference on download to your computer after which you can
April 17. Detailed information on classes and put it on a device.
registration will be in our next newsletter. From
the Washington DC Newsletter http://feeds.lds.org/~r/LDSLegacy/~3/Pfj3tl3Srk
For registration, please email g/LDSRadio_Legacy__14__FamilySearchCente
info@wdcfhc.org or call 301-587-0042. r__eng_.mp3
Mormon Channel is at http://radio.lds.org/
6
GOOGLE WAVE SPEAKING AT FUNERALS
Have you been invited to join Google Wave? If I had the opportunity of speaking at a LDS funeral
so, would you send some information to last Saturday. It wasn’t a chore at all. Public
Genealogy News, slysyl@verizon.net, to let us speaking is one of the talents the Lord has given me,
know how useful it is. We have found this and it comes easy for me. I remember something a
description: ―It's an e-mail, IM and even College Professor told me about that subject. ―Make
features of Wiki blended together. You can the talk like a woman’s skirt – long enough to cover
the subject; and short enough to make it
also add others to the wave at any time and
interesting?‖
select how much to show them. Tell us of your
experience.‖ So our friend Jean’s funeral was on Saturday. I knew
the lady for many years, and coming up with some
ANCESTRY ADDRESSES stories wasn’t too hard to do. Her relatives aren’t
members, and her grandchildren are inactive. So I
This is a paid website: spent a few sentences talking about what the Angel
Moroni said to Joseph Smith on that evening in
ANCESTRY.COM September 1823. He quoted Malachi. The hearts of
http://email.ancestry.com/cgi- the children will be turned to the Fathers; and the
bin13/DM/y/mBDZE0VNdUq0G310z3R0HF hearts of the fathers will be turned to the children. I
challenged them to do the research for their
FAMILY TREES ancestors and make sure the temple ordinances are
completed for them.
http://email.ancestry.com/cgi-
bin13/DM/y/mBDZE0VNdUq0G310z3S0HG
At the grave site some of her sisters came up to me
and thanked me for what I had said. I mentioned to
SEARCH them that she had some family history information
http://email.ancestry.com/cgi- that my wife and I could help with. Jean’s sister
bin13/DM/y/mBDZE0VNdUq0G310z3T0HH said she would bring it to us during one of our shifts
at the FHC. Two days later, we saw her in a store,
COLLABORATE and she gave us the information right there in the
http://email.ancestry.com/cgi- parking lot. Sylvia was able to fulfill a promise that
bin13/DM/y/mBDZE0VNdUq0G310z3U0HI she made to Jean to help her with her four
generations. We are brought into situations for a
LEARNING CENTER reason. Don’t analyze it; just go with the flow of the
http://email.ancestry.com/cgi- Spirit. Jack Sonneborn
bin13/DM/y/mBDZE0VNdUq0G310z3V0HJ
New FamilySearch App
DNA
http://email.ancestry.com/cgi- A brand new app for the iPhone and iPod Touch is
available on AppStore on iTunes. It allows you to display
bin13/DM/y/mBDZE0VNdUq0G310z3W0HK
the content on new.familysearch.org easily on a mobile
PUBLISH device. More info is available at http://mobiletree.me. The
http://email.ancestry.com/cgi- site displays the Family History CERTIFIED icon. It sure
bin13/DM/y/mBDZE0VNdUq0G310z3X0HL looks to me like the Lord is continuing to remove all
obstacles and excuses you can come up with to NOT do
your Family History and temple work.
There is a free message board for Legacy users
on Ancestry.com You should be able to take your phone to family visits
http://boards.ancestry.com/topics.software.legac and input data while you are eating turkey, lasagna,
y/mb.ashx grandma’s stew, hot dogs or even road kill.
http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2009/1
Scholarly family history topics
1/mobiletree-for-the-iphone-and-ipod-touch.html
http://www.academic-genealogy.com/index.htm
7
Genealogist's Christmas Eve I gazed with amusement--the cover it read
Genealogy Lines for Which You Have Plead.
"I know what it's like as a genealogy bug."
'Twas the night before Christmas He said as he gave me a great Santa hug.
When all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, "While the elves make the sleigh full of toys I now carry,
Not even my spouse. I do some research in the North Pole Library!
A special treat I am thus able to bring
The dining room table with clutter was spread To genealogy folk who can't find a thing."
With pedigree charts and with letters which said...
"Too bad about the data for which you wrote; "Now off you go to your bed for a rest,
Sank in a storm on an ill-fated boat." I'll clean up the house from this genealogy mess."
As I climbed up the stairs full of gladness and glee,
Stacks of old copies of wills and such I looked back at Santa who'd brought much to me.
Were proof that my work had become too much.
Our children were nestled all snug in their beds, While settling in bed, I heard Santa's clear whistle.
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads. To his team, which then rose like the down of a thistle.
And I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight,
And I at my table was ready to drop "Family history is Fun! Merry Christmas! Goodnight!"
From work on my album with photos to crop.
Christmas was here, and such was my lot
--Author Unknown
That presents and goodies and toys I'd forgot.
Had I not been busy with grandparents' wills, Reaction to New FamilySearch Changes
I'd not have forgotten to shop for such thrills.
While others bought gifts to bring Christmas cheers, Hello there…. You better be ready for this.
I'd spent time researching those birth dates and years. Changes HAVE happened to new
While I was thus musing about my sad plight, FamilySearch. They happened while we slept
A strange noise on the lawn gave me such a great fright. last night (13 Dec 2009). In case you might not
Away to the window I flew in a flash, have noticed yet, there are significant changes in
Tore open the drapes and yanked up the sash. New FamilySearch this month. They have
changed the temple reserve list quite a bit
When what with my wondering eyes should appear,
But an overstuffed sleigh and eight small reindeer. (gender and person identifier number are now
Up to the house top the reindeer they flew, connected to the name, for instance).
With a sleigh full of toys and 'ole Santa Claus, too. NFS also will not clear a person if there is only
have a name. For instance, I had reserved a
And then in a twinkle, I heard on the roof family from Germany but didn't know much
The prancing and pawing of thirty-two hoofs.
As I drew in my head, and bumped it on the sash, about Anna Maria except her first name. I was
Down the cold chimney fell Santa--KER-RASH! holding on to the entry as I wanted to check the
church records. Now Anna Maria's ordinances
"Dear" Santa had come from the roof in a wreck, in the reserve list have a warning sign (yellow
And tracked soot on the carpet, (I could wring his short yield shape), and it states that the name cannot
neck!)
Spotting my face, good 'ole Santa could see be selected. When I found Anna Maria in the
I had no Christmas spirit, you'd have to agree. pedigree tree, I noticed some notes asking for
more information. When dates and/or places are
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work added, Anna Maria's information was ready to
And filled all the stockings, (I felt like a jerk). be selected and could be printed on a family
Here was Santa, who'd brought us such gladness and joy
When I'd been too busy for even one toy. ordinance request (FOR). There also seems to
be some merges with the Family Tree program
He spied my research on the table all spread. in the views screens. We are also able to find
"A genealogist!" he cried! (My face was all red!) out who submitted the name for temple
"Tonight I've met many like you," Santa grinned, ordinances. Thanks to Mary Scott,
As he pulled from his sack a large book he had penned.
Northville Ward, Westland Michigan Stake
8
How-To Blogs simplify and enhance research. Topics at this
Check out these blogs nominated in the How-To year’s conference will include more than 50
Category for FamilyTree Magazine's Best Blogs classes, emphasizing improvements in
contest: genealogy software as well as managing
genealogical databases and finding useful tools
Genealogy Tip of The Day, on the Internet. Some of our participants
http://genealogytipoftheday.blogspot.co summed up their experience at the last
m/ conference by saying, ―I learned everything I
Family Tree Maker User, hoped to learn,‖ and I’m full of new ideas,
http://ftmuser.blogspot.com enthusiasm, and new skills, and ready to get to
Genealogy How To.com, work when I get home!‖
www.genealogyhowto.com
Genealogy Guys, This conference is sponsored by The Church of
www.genealogyguys.com Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints’ Family
Personal Past Meditations, History Department, FamilySearch, BYU
www.thepersonalpast.com/ History Department, BYU Center for Family
Treasure Maps Genealogy, History, and BYU’s Division of Continuing
http://amberskyline.com/treasuremaps/ Education.
The ProGenealogists Blog,
http://blog.progenealogists.com Registration opens December 15, 2009.
Family Matters,
http://moultriecreek.us/family/ Brigham Young University
Genealogy Roots Blog, Conferences and Workshops
http://genrootsblog.blogspot.com/ 115 Harman Continuing Education Building
ThinkGenealogy, Provo, UT 84602
www.thinkgenealogy.com Phone: (801) 422–4853
Relatively Curious About Genealogy, Fax: (801) 422–0730
http://relativelycurious.blogspot.com/ E-mail: cw136@byu.edu
RootDig, www.rootdig.com/
STREETSMARTS
ANNUAL FH CONFERENCE
I recently wanted to find the place in Belleville,
This is a wonderful excuse to take advantage of NJ, where my grandparents William and
low airline fares on Southwest. We attended this Catherine Mahon Clark had lived in the 1930s
conference many times over the past eight years. and '40s. It was a big apartment on the second
Generally, we attended every other year. On the floor of a house on Washing Avenue. It had an
years we didn’t go to Provo, we went to Florida. enclosed front porch that faced east, toward
It is not really a hard choice to make. It is a fun New York. I remembered there was a firehouse
conference. across the street, slightly north of them. I got on
Google Earth and using Street View, went up
The Thirteenth Annual Conference on the street until I found the firehouse. Then I
Computerized Genealogy and Family History turned the view to see the other side of the
will be Friday, March 12, and Saturday, March street, and there was the house -- still standing
13, 2010. Vendors will be available throughout and still next to a post office. Travel can be
the conference and will demonstrate products on expensive, but Google Earth is an interesting
Friday evening following the general classes. substitute.
Source: Ellen Powers Geisler, Family Tree
Last year, more than 600 participants attended Magazine, "Making Connections", January
this conference, learning how new programs can 2010, pg 6. I too have used this fun site. Jack
9
You might be a genealogical CHRISTMAS ON A MISSION
junkie if:
No matter the place or the clime.
1. You introduce your daughter as your Regardless of wealth or time,
descendant. Serving the Lord is the best way
2. You’ve never met any of the people you To spend your time on Christmas day.
send e-mail to, even though you’re related. He will bless you wherever you are
3. You can recite your lineage back eight Be it right at home or somewhere far.
generations, but can’t remember your
God's eye is on his publishers of peace.
nephew’s name.
He will bless them each with increase.
4. You have more photographs of dead people He knows each need and sees each tear;
than living ones. For them He will be ever so near.
5. You’ve ever taken a tape recorder and/or He will grace them with the joy and love
notebook to a family reunion. That only come from Heaven above.
6. You’ve not only read the latest GEDCOM
God knows each and every missionary.
standard, but also you understand it.
To Him they are each extraordinary.
7. The local genealogy society borrows books He hears their humble prayers every day,
from you. And sends help to guide them on their way,
8. The only film you’ve seen in the last year But on Christmas Day He sends special grace
was the 1880 census index. To help them each to envision His place.
9. More than half of your CD collection is
He will take them each into His arm
made up of marriage records or pedigrees.
As a shepherd keeps a lamb from harm.
10. Your elusive ancestor has been spotted in He will wipe the sweat off their brow
more different places than Elvis! As before Him they reverently bow.
By Sakasumi, Published December 16, 2009 He will heal the ones with a broken heart,
Posted in Heraldry Highlights With a promise that He will not depart.
15 Dec 2009 Suzanne Halliday
PAF PAL IS NOW FREE
Steve Cannon, the developer of PAF Pal, passed
away a few years ago. He was a good FOR US OLD PEOPLE
programmer and a good friend. PAF Pal was
designed with the old TempleReady workflow Virtual Magnifying Glass is an open source,
in mind, although some of its functionality screen magnification tool for Microsoft
continues to be useful in some situations. Now Windows and Linux. Virtual Magnifying Glass
that new FamilySearch is being used by so is designed for the visually impaired and others
many people, we have contacted Steve's family who need to magnify part of the screen. Unlike
and they have agreed to allow us to offer PAF most similar programs, it does not open a
Pal at no cost. To get your copy, go to separate program window for the magnification
www.ohanasoftware.com and click on the but instead puts a movable magnifying glass on
Purchase menu. Scroll down to find the free the screen. There is no charge for the software.
license for PAF Pal. Once you have your Go to the following link
license, you can download PAF Pal by going to
the Download menu and choosing the http://sourceforge.net/projects/magnifier/
Freeware/Shareware link. This one is a goody!
10
Get Started Tracing Your Family New Year's Reflections
Tree
If you have been curious about your family tree Looking back on the months gone by,
but just aren't sure where to start, then you don't As a new year starts and an old one ends,
have any more excuses. Here is a great We contemplate what brought us joy,
collection of resources and simple advice on And we think of our loved ones and our friends.
how to get started researching your family tree, Recalling all the happy times,
both on and off the Internet. Remembering how they enriched our lives,
We reflect upon who really counts,
First Steps: How to Trace Your Family As the fresh and bright new year arrives.
Tree
Free Family Tree Charts And when we ponder those who do,
We immediately think of you [those who visit
Source: "10 Ways to Celebrate Family History our Center].
Month", by Kimberly Powell, About.com Thanks for being one of the reasons
Author: Joanna Fuchs
Twelve Steps to a Productive DOING CANADIAN
Research Year RESEARCH?
Keep your enthusiasm for genealogy up all year
by setting realistic goals for yourself. Here is a site for you to visit.
Experienced genealogist Donna Przecha shows http://canadianheadstones.com/
you what you can do to make this year your
most productive ever. The mission of this project is to capture digital
images and the complete transcription
Resolution #1: Organize what you have. of headstones of our ancestors. As decades pass
Resolution #2: Interview your older -- many stones are becoming harder, if not
relatives. impossible, to read the inscriptions they
Resolution #3: Computerize. originally contained.
Resolution #4: Visit a Family History By archiving the images and transcriptions, we
Center or genealogy library. can help save these important records and also
Resolution #5: Write out the "stories." assist researchers using this valuable resource.
Resolution #6: Add your sources.
Resolution #7: Review your research. This Headstone Photo Project is a privately
Resolution #8: Clean up your database. sponsored, non-profit, educational site. Success
Resolution #9: Print out your data. of the Project depends completely upon the
Resolution #10: Take the time to order activities of many volunteers and other
documents. individuals who contribute photographs to the
Resolution #11: Concentrate on one archive.
area.
Resolution #12: Don't try to do
ARE YOU BORED?
everything.
Are you tired of football games? Don’t like the cold
and the snow? How about retreating to YOUR lair
Read the whole article, and make this your and look at this website ---
productive year. http://www.stevemorse.org/ This site has some of
Source: "This Year I Am Going To...New the most interesting Family History stuff for you to
Year's Resolutions for the Genealogist at Heart", play with. You can find stuff you didn’t even think
by Donna Przecha, Genealogy.com of looking for. Go there and immerse yourself.
11
names to the temple we want you to know us."
That new cousin gave me so much new
BRIDE SURNAME INDEX
information I'll be busy for months! And we are
Millions of brides indexed from genealogy going to write a book about them. Our ancestors
files on other web sites. You may find it truly do help us from beyond the veil.
quicker to type in the URL of the desired Catherine
surname page than to click through the index
pages. Typing in http://brideindex.info/a- FREE DOWNLOAD OF DESERET BOOKS
surnames/alciere.html may be faster than
waiting for http://brideindex.info/a-index.html Deseret Book has made 8 of their books
to load and then searching for the link that available for FREE DOWNLOAD at
says ALCIERE. For any surname you are http://deseretbook.com/free. Several of the
looking for, change the letter in the URL just books are ones I thought might be interesting.
before "surnames". Then replace Alcier with
your surname. Example: To search for the 1. Please Pass the Scripture (by me).
surname Wood, change the URL to
2. What I Wish I Would Have Known When I
http://brideindex.info/w-surnames/wood.html
Was Single (by John Bytheway).
3. Women at the Well (by Richard and Jeni
HELP FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF Holzapfel).
THE VEIL
4. Digging Deeper (by Robert Eaton).
I was recently looking at WV deaths. Imagine
my surprise when I saw a five year old daughter 5. 10 Secrets Wise Parents Know (by Brent Top
I didn't know that belonged to my 3rd great aunt and Bruce Chadwick).
and uncle. Then even more surprising, two lines
down, there was a three year old son that 6. Growing Up: Gospel Answers About
belonged to this same couple! And the sad thing Maturation and Sex (by Brad Wilcox).
is (beside the fact that they died so young) is
that they died four days apart! Upon further 7. Saving Kristen (by Jack Weyland). (fiction)
research, I learned they had died of Scarlet
Fever. If I hadn't done this research, I would 8. The Hidden Path (by C.B. Andersen).
never have found them and would not have been (fiction)
able to seal these children to their parents. Thanks from Cheri Phillips, Canada
I'm the only one working on my line - no
pioneers here, or even other LDS. I came to a ONLINE DATABASE OF
brick wall on the name I wanted to do, so just so GENEALOGICAL INQUIRIES
I'd have my own names for the temple, I picked Here’s a new genealogy service on the World
up on another line. I wasn't much interested in it Wide Web. I have been building this service
at the time, but I wanted names. I didn't know a over the past few weeks, and it has been in a
lot about the people, just enough data to qualify limited beta test for a while with about 100 beta
for temple work. Well, lo, and behold, three users. www.GenQueries.com
weeks after I took the first names to the temple, The beta testers helped point out needed
I got an email from a stranger. She knew all improvements, and most of those are
about those folks! She'd just written to me out of now in place. Now I believe the new web site is
the blue. She sent me more names, newsletters, ready for everyone. From Eastman Online
and PICTURES. I sincerely feel like my Genealogy Newsletter
ancestors were saying, "Since you took our Thanks, Lida, for this information.
12
SEALING SPOUSES HISTORICAL FAMILY TREES
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of If you are discussing the new link on
Latter-day Saints, have you ever wondered what labs.familysearch.org called 'Historical Family Trees,"
the policies are to seal a man and woman this is a carefully researched and sourced ongoing
together for time and all eternity? This is just effort that has come from the FHL.
I think that you will find them very accurate.
one of the questions that the Help Center in new
FamilySearch will answer for you. If you will Elder Allan Hale
click on Help Center on the Welcome Page after
you have logged into nFS, you can enter this
knowledge document into the search box:
FAMILYSEARCH FORUMS
1008858, and click Enter. We would like you to
try this procedure so that you can see the
Now you can give and receive help from fellow
wonderful knowledge the Help Center provides
family history consultants and FamilySearch
for you.
users who reside anywhere in the world.
New FamilySearch Pioneer Song FamilySearch is pleased to introduce a
(Sung to the tune of “The Handcart Song”) prototype for FamilySearch Forums, found at
forums.familysearch.org, where in one central
When n FS moved to the west, place you can reach out and:
With courage strong, we met the test,
And learned the program all day long,
search for answers to your family history
And as we learned, we sang this song:
research questions.
You must combine or uncombine,
Those duplicates, you need to find. ask questions and receive answers from
Before you click the temple sign, experienced FamilySearch patrons.
Or you’ll be wasting precious time!
provide answers to fellow FamilySearch
Some folks are done, and some are not, patrons in need.
It’s up to you to sort the lot.
Oh, don’t do grandpa’s work again!
He’s te-ach-ing your waiting kin. Click here to immediately begin finding
answers or to join an existing conversation
―Your opportunities and the obligations they regarding:
create are remarkable in the whole history of the
world. There are more temples across the earth family history research questions.
than there ever have been. More people in the
world have felt the Spirit of Elijah move them to the new FamilySearch.
record the identities and facts of their ancestors’
lives. There are more resources to search out FamilySearch indexing.
your ancestors than there have ever been in the
history of the world. The Lord has poured out Family history centers.
knowledge about how to make that information
available worldwide through technology that a
few years ago would have seemed a miracle.‖ It’s fast, easy, fun, and as always, it’s free!
Quote by President Henry B. Eyring, ―Hearts
Bound Together,‖ Ensign, May 2005, p. 79. Even if you don’t want to chat, it’s a good site
to look at to learn more about family history.
13
HOW FAST IS THE WORK HARRY SENFT’S CEMETERY
PROGRESSING? PHOTOS
http://midatlantic.rootsweb.ancestry.com/fa
We had a Gospel Doctrine lesson on family history a milyhart/pictures/HarrySenft/
few weeks ago, and the teacher had researched some
numbers. Here is Brother Parr's perspective: Cemetery Headstones VOL. 31
... I hope that the statistics will help the purposes of
the Family History Consultants. That is, I hope that 1. Bairs Codorus Mennonite Cemetery, West Manchester
this will help motivate people to move the work Twp, York, PA (Redone)
forward and keep developing ways to refine and
enhance the research and submission tools that we 2. Black Rock Brethren Cemetery, Manheim Twp, York,
PA.
currently have.
Here are the statistics: 3. Brethren Cemetery, Wildasin Road, North Codorus Twp,
There are approximately 6.3 billion (6,300,000,000) York, PA
people here on earth right now. Of these, there are
4. Dillsburg Cemetery, Carroll Twp, York, PA
only roughly 13,000,000 members of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (I am not aware of 5. East Berlin Union Cemetery, East Berlin, Adams, PA
the current number of temple recommend holders.)
6. Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery, Lower Windsor Twp,
According to Wikipedia it is estimated that there York, PA
have been 106 billion people (106,000,000,000) that 7. Immaculate Heart Catholic Cemetery, Paradise Twp,
have ever existed on earth so far. York, PA
There are 130 working temples with an additional 8. Keller Cemetery, Lower Windsor Twp, York,
Pennsylvania
21 temples either under construction or announced
to be built. Our temple here in St George does 9. Mount Victory United Methodist Cemetery, Mount
roughly 1 million (1,000,000) ordinances per year. Middleton, Cumberland, PA
10. Olewiler Cemetery, Lower Windsor Twp, York,
Of the 1 million ordinances, 250,000 of those are
Pennsylvania
endowments. The St George temple is one of the
most productive of all of the temples. 11. Riverview Cemetery, East Prospect, York, PA
If the average of every operating and proposed 12. Roth's Burial Ground, 6400 Dark Hollow Rd, Hellam
Twp, York, PA
temple, large and small, were to be half of the St
George Temple, there would be 125,000 13. Saint Jacobs Stone (Old Section) Cemetery, Brodbecks,
endowments per year per temple. (Endowments or York, PA
baptisms would best represent each individual spirit.
14. Saint John's United Methodist Cemetery, Manheim Twp,
I chose Endowments because they represent the York, PA
individual ordinance nearest to the finish of the
process.) 15. Springville Cemetery, Lower Windsor Twp, York, PA
16. Strickler's Cemetery, Hellam Twp, York, PA
Then if that was multiplied by the 151 temples, there
would be a result of 18,875,000 endowments 17. Mount Carmel Lutheran Cemetery, Heidelberg Twp,
worldwide each year. At that pace it would take York, PA
us 5,616 years to complete the work. These
calculations assume too much to be really accurate; 18. Moulstown Cemetery, Paradise Twp, York, PA
however they do make a point in that there is a lot of 19. Ness Myers Burial Ground, Springfield Twp, York, PA
work to be done, and we need everybody involved in
the work. He didn't take into account those we have 20 Williams Burial Ground, York Twp, York, PA
already done, at least once, but.....Can you feel the 21. Saint John’s Episcopal Church Cemetery, York, York, PA
urgency?
Shanna Jones 22. York Friends Meeting House Cemetery, York, York, PA
St George Utah Little Valley Stake
14
23. Geber's Burial Ground, Hellam Twp, York, PA
COMPARISON OF NFS CERTIFIED
24. Rudy's Burial Ground, Hellam Twp, York, PA AFFILIATE PROGRAMS
25. Mount Olive Cemetery, Berwick Twp, Adams, PA
Many on this group have asked for information
26. Emanuel Reformed Church, Abbottstown, Adams, PA that would help them compare the FamilySearch
certified affiliate products. As a service to all
27. Saint John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Abbottstown, Adams,
PA who are trying to get a sense of the differences
between the three current certified syncing
Disk #32 is online products: Ancestral Quest, FamilyInsight and
RootsMagic, I have just completed a detailed
1. Dietz Cemetery, Hellam Twp, York, PA comparison. I know that many Family History
Center staff and consultants want to be at least
2. Huber Burial Plot, Hellam Twp, York, PA
generally aware of what the various affiliate
3. Red Lion Cemetery, Red Lion, York, PA products can do, so I think this will be welcome
information to those on this group.
The following is the list of updates that were made to
the tombstone photos:
This is the page to access the chart and
12-06-2009 Created page for St. John's United accompanying video:
Methodist Church Cemetery (aka Blooming Grove),
Glenville www.ancquest.com/CertCompare.htm (Revised)
12-05-2009 Created page for Mt. Carmel Cemetery,
Heidelberg Township
Created page for Keller Cemetery, Lower Windsor
When I began the process of comparing these
Township products, I had heard of one major difference,
Created page for Springville Cemetery, Lower but the more I explored the more surprised I
Windsor Township became at what I found. I am in a position to
understand better than most what these products
HARRY E SENFT must do to "talk" to New FamilySearch, so I
3048 SOLAR DR, DOVER, PA 17315 was able to examine things that many folks
717) 792-9253 might overlook. I expect that the video will be
very educational for all who take the time to
Thanks, Harry. watch it.
As one of the authors of both Ancestral Quest
and PAF, I know that this video may be a bit
biased, but I have tried to make it very fair and
This newsletter is compiled by Jack and straight forward. If there is anything that is
Sylvia Sonneborn, family history consultants inaccurate, please contact me off the group at
of the York 2nd Ward, for use within the gfindlay@ancquest.com, so that I can correct
ward. It is also e-mailed to parties interested any errors.
in family history, but it is not an official Gaylon Findlay, Incline Software
publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Please note that as the compilers/editors of this
Latter-day Saints. newsletter, we try to include information from
Contact Jack or Sylvia at any of the certified affiliates that we come
klompen@verizon.net or across. We include this information for your
slysyl@verizon.net enlightenment on these products. Be aware that
Gaylon Findlay represents Ancestral Quest.
http://www.familysearch.org/eng/affiliates/inde
x.html Church-certified affiliates
15
NEW FAMILYSEARCH TRAINIING using a self-paced, interactive experience that
includes narration and practice activities.
FOR FAMILY HISTORY
CONSULTANTS We are also pleased to announce that the
Genealogical Presentations Online page on
To: Family history consultants in English-speaking FamilySearch.org now contains three presentations
wards and branches; NOTE: THIS from the Association of Professional Genealogist’s
INFORMATION IS FOR FH CONSULTANTS (APG) Professional Management Conference held
September 2, 2009. This is an exciting trial
As part of the Church’s ongoing initiative to make partnership with APG to bring quality training
training available to family history consultants content to the world from outside the FamilySearch
throughout the world, we are pleased to announce organization. Two of these presentations are geared
that several new training materials have been added for professional genealogists and the other, titled
to the Research Series Classes Online page of the ―The Bachelor,‖ is applicable to all family
FamilySearch.org Web site. New items on the historians.
Research Series Classes Online page include the
following: Descendancy Research, Family History We invite you to visit FamilySearch.org, view these
Library Catalog Overview, Research Logs, U.S. classes, and then give us your feedback by using the
Courthouse Records Overview, and lesson 3 of feedback links. We also encourage you to use these
Reading German Handwritten Records. classes with the members of your wards or branches
and those you assist in family history centers as
Descendancy Research introduces the principles and appropriate for their research needs.
process for conducting research on the descendants
of a particular ancestor or ancestral couple and Simply click on one of the links below, or copy and
includes many helpful tips. This is a great class for paste it into your browser.
those whose ancestors have been thoroughly
researched and documented or for anyone looking http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/edu
for a different way to do research. cation/frameset_education.asp?PAGE=educ
ation_research_series_online.asp%3FActive
Family History Library Catalog Overview is an Tab=2
introduction to using the Family History Library
Catalog and covers how to search the catalog and http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/edu
how to make use of the search results. This class has cation/frameset_education.asp?PAGE=gene
been recently revised based on feedback provided by alogical_presentations_online.asp%3FActiv
users. eTab=11
Research Logs shows how to use a research log and FamilySearch
why it is so valuable to researchers. The course
clearly outlines the steps for using each part of a log
Enrichment Series Podcast
and how it helps speed research. This is an important
The Podcast titled "The Greatest News in the World" is
class for anyone just beginning family history now available. The Church has a story unlike any other,
research and for those who have been researching one that grows with each new member and every act of
but need a way to help keep track of the research faith. Hear about the most-up-to-date history and
they have done. statistical records of the Church that have been included
in the 2010 Church Almanac. This story is presented by
U.S. Courthouse Records Overview introduces Shaun Stahle, Church Almanac editor of the Deseret
family historians to the records that can be found in News. To watch or listen at your convenience, subscribe
U.S. courthouses, their genealogical value, and what to the podcast by going to Enrichment Series. Choose
to expect when searching those records. your favorite subscribing option. In the future, versions
will automatically download to your computer when a
new presentation is released. Please provide feedback for
Reading German Handwritten Records now includes the Enrichment Series. FHD-Communication[FHD-
a third lesson that introduces several document Communication@ldschurch.org]
formats and hints about how to focus in on key parts
of a record. Like the other two lessons, it is taught
16
Sign up for FamilySearch information available on a census record or
Indexing other vital documents by doing indexing.
There are no fixed time commitments.
To Family History Consultants:
Volunteers can index any time and for any
Have you ever heard any of these statements from
members of your ward or stake? amount of time that they want. Some
I don’t have time to do family history. indexers volunteer an hour a day; others
volunteer five minutes a week. All are
My grandmother did all of my family welcome and appreciated.
history.
Help FamilySearch publish more records
I work at the family history center, but I run online. The more volunteers that help index,
out of things to do when there are no the faster records will be made available
patrons. online to researchers.
I’ll wait and do my family history when If you’ve hit a roadblock or you feel that all
there are more original records available on your family history is complete, become
the Internet. part of the indexing community. Help
make records available for others to do their
I don’t know how to get started with my family history.
family history. What’s a census?
Index while you are at the family history
The response to all of these statements could be— center. Family history has many facets,
“Sign up for FamilySearch indexing!”
including indexing, and many family history
FamilySearch indexing allows an army of volunteer
indexers from around the world to help preserve and centers already have the indexing system
make the records of our ancestors available online installed on their computers. If there are no
for research. Using our online system, these patrons at the center to assist, use your free
volunteers are easily able to extract data from time to index.
valuable records and provide free searchable
indexes—all from the convenience of their homes. We are currently indexing over 70 different
Anyone can help at any time. Volunteers do not need collections of records from 28 different countries
to be members of The Church of Jesus Christ of and 10 languages. The FamilySearch indexing Web
Latter-day Saints. They simply need to register, sign site and computer program are available in the
in, and follow a simple process: following languages: English, French, German,
1. Select ―batches‖ of records to download to Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. To sign
their computers. up for FamilySearch indexing or to learn more about
the program, go to http://indexing.familysearch.org.
2. Enter the requested information (names, We greatly appreciate those who donate their time
dates, events, etc.) in the corresponding and talents through the FamilySearch indexing
spaces. program to help make these collections of records
freely available online to researchers.
3. Submit the completed batches to the online
system. NATIONAL DAY OF LISTENING
(NEXT YEAR)
Here are some of the benefits of being a volunteer
indexer:
I just heard about National Day of Listening and
You don’t have to be an expert StoryCorps on NPR yesterday. See
genealogist. New indexers and genealogists http://www.nationaldayoflistening.org/
can become familiar with the types of Submitted by Nicola Hansen
17
More free online records for Brazil, WE ARE THE CHOSEN
Massachusetts, Mexico, Spain, and the
U.S. We are the chosen. In each family there is one who
seems called to find the ancestors. To put flesh on
their bones and make them live again, to tell the
The states of Texas, Ohio, and Iowa were added family story and to feel that somehow they know and
to the U.S. 1920 Census at FamilySearch’s approve. Doing genealogy is not a cold gathering of
Record Search pilot. Spanish researchers will facts but, instead, breathing life into all who have
enjoy new civil registration images for the gone before. We are the storytellers of the tribe. All
tribes have one. We have been called, as it were,
provinces of Cadiz, Granada, Malaga, Spain, by our genes. Those who have gone before cry out
from 1837–1870. Over 500,000 new digital to us, "Tell our story!" So, we do. In finding them,
images were added to the Brazil Catholic we somehow find ourselves.
Church Records Collection. These birth,
marriage, and death records are from the states How many graves have I stood before now and
of Bahia, Menas Gerais, Paraná, Pará, cried? I have lost count. How many times have I
told the ancestors, "You have a wonderful family;
Pernambuco, and Sao Paolo. Over 400,000 you would be proud of us." How many times have I
Massachusetts marriage records were added for walked up to a grave and felt somehow there was
the period 1906 to 1915, and Catholic baptismal love there for me? I cannot say. It goes beyond just
records were added for the Distrito Federal of documenting facts. It goes to who am I and why do I
Mexico. do the things I do. It goes to seeing a cemetery
about to be lost forever to weeds and indifference
and saying, "I can't let this happen." The bones here
are bones of my bone and flesh of my flesh. It goes
INDEXING UPDATE to doing something about it. It goes to pride in what
our ancestors were able to accomplish, how they
11 December 2009 contributed to what we are today. It goes to
respecting their hardships and losses, their never
giving in or giving up, their resoluteness to go on
More projects were added this week for and build a life for their family. It goes to deep pride
Argentina, Canada, Chile, Mexico, Perú, and the that the fathers fought and some died to make and
U.S. (See New Projects below for details). New keep us a Nation. It goes to a deep and immense
state censuses were added for Minnesota, Rhode understanding that they were doing it for us. It is of
Island and South Dakota. FamilySearch patrons equal pride and love that our mothers struggled to
give us birth. Without them we could not exist, and
are finding the indexes for state censuses very so we love each one, as far back as we can reach.
helpful because the state censuses can help fill That we might be born who we are. That we might
in the gaps between the Federal censuses where remember them.
applicable.
So we do. With love and caring and scribing each
Volunteers can help 24/7 by registering and fact of their existence, because we are they and they
are the sum of who we are. So, as a scribe called, I
downloading a project of interest at tell the story of my family. It is up to that one called
FamilySearchIndexing.org. Completed projects in the next generation to answer the call and take
and digital image collections can be searched at my place in the long line of family storytellers.
pilot.familysearch.org.
That is why I do my family genealogy, and that is
TIP FOR TEACHING INTERVIEW what calls those young and old to step up and
restore the memory or greet those whom we had
never known before."The Chosen" is by Della M.
One teacher of a Family History Sunday School Cummings Wright; Rewritten by her granddaughter
Class mentioned that when she wants to teach Dell Jo Ann McGinnis Johnson; Edited and
interviewing, she invites one of the senior Reworded by Tom Dunn, 1943."
citizens of her ward into class and interviews
her in front of her class to demonstrate how to Submitted by Melissa Hake Fitzkee. Thanks, Melissa.
interview to find family history stories.
18
CREATING BIOGRAPHIES FOR WRITING BIOGRAPHIES FOR ANCESTORS
OUR ANCESTORS One of the things I encourage for our patrons in the
library is to learn more about the individuals they are
Fifteen years ago I created a biography for each of
researching. Too often people just stop at the dates
my ancestors in the first six generations who hadn't
and places and don't go further. Do any of you have
left a biography. At first some of the biographies
ideas on how to promote this way of researching?
were only a page or two long because all I had to
I posted a new blog on this subject last night. It can
start with was what was on their family group
be found at
record. I added what photos I had at the time. Then I
http://milesgenealogy.blogspot.com/2009/11/taking-
started giving out CD's and later DVD's of the
them-from-names-to-people.html
ancestral bios to cousins and other relatives. The
Miles Meyer
biographies are all organized alphabetically by
Jacksonville, FL
surname. Because some fathers and sons had the
same name, I put the year of birth in parenthesis
after the individual's name. Each bio is the info on INTERVIEW WITH DAVID
the husband followed by the info on the wife. There RENCHER, HEAD OF
are four tables in each bio - the family in which the FAMILYSEARCH
husband was a child, the family in which the mother
was a child, the family they had together and at
the end of each bio, a table that gives all ordinance
Lisa Louise Cooke, who produces the excellent
dates for each person in the family the couple had Genealogy Gems Podcast, has posted the latest
together. part of her interview with David Rencher, CGO
(Chief Genealogical Officer) for FamilySearch.
As more and more people have She asks him questions which were posted by
learned about this project they have contacted me her listeners and he answers them clearly and
and sent me both info and pictures of people and directly. He discusses some of the future
documents which have been inserted into the directions that FamilySearch, libraries, and
appropriate bios. Many second and third cousins I indexing will be taking. If you've never
didn't know before have sent so much info that now heard David Rencher speak, or have never
some of the bios are 60-70 pages long. Just recently
listened to the Genealogy Gems Podcast, you
my husband put all of the bios online
(Dropbox.com) which is free for the first two GB.
really should give it a listen.
So I no longer have to make copies of the bios but
simply give relatives the info on how to access the Find the podcast here--------------------------------
biographies. http://genealogygemspodcast.com/index.php?po
st_id=554531
I now feel like I personally knew and will recognize
my ancestors (especially those who Part 1 is found here-----------------------------------
lived after 1839 when photography was invented) http://genealogygemspodcast.com/index.php?po
because I have learned so much about them. The st_id=547459
reason for doing this was to help others know them
as well as I do, which will get them as excited about
Michael Booth
family history as I am. One daughter told me, "I had
absolutely no interest in my ancestors UNTIL I
read their biographies." At one family reunion in PROBLEMS WITH YOUR COMPUTER?
Nauvoo, we had family members give brief reports
on ancestors who lived in Nauvoo. This year our Hint: A person may have to go to tools and options
reunion was in Palmyra, and we talked about and remove browsing history, cookies, or temporary
ancestors who lived in that general area. internet files for files to load correctly.
By Virginia M. Cazier
19
CLEARFIELD, PA, COUNTY Check out the 1911 Census of Ireland web site at
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie.
RECORDS
More and more records are being digitized. I
DO NOT COMBINE MESSAGE
recently joined a web site from Clearfield
After you spend a lot of time psyching out what
County, PA. I will pass it along on the small
the combining problems are that throw off
chance that someone else may have ancestors
relationships of spouses or children, and you
from that area. It has a lot of good information.
finally get the incorrect records separated, you
Subject: Clearfield County Centennial 1804 -
still dread that another person will come along
1904 and re-combine those records. Since you have
I have just finished transcribing “Clearfield separated out the record that was causing the
County's Centennial 1804 - 1904", the book problem, the desired process is to now to put a
that was commissioned in 1904 to document DO NOT COMBINE message in the details
the first 100 years of the county. The book can
section so that this can, hopefully, be prevented
be freely researched at
http://www.facebook.com/l/f99f3;www.usgwar from happening again. Added to this email is a
chives.net/pa/clearfield/1picts/clearfield- document listing the steps to go through to
centennial/clearfield-centennial.htm correctly place a DO NOT COMBINE message
in the record that is causing the problem. Please
Of course, all of our transcriptions of click anywhere on the blue link to read the
Clearfield County History Books can be viewed
document in full.
free of charge at
http://www.facebook.com/l/f99f3;www.usgwar Should the above link not work for you, the
chives.net/pa/clearfield/area.htm document is available in the Help Center of new
Family Search. Here is how to access the
Ellis Michaels document:
Clearfield County PAGenWeb 1. Log into new FamilySearch
2. Click on the 'Help Center' link on your
LINKPENDIUM AND WORLD welcome page
CONNECT 3. In the search box type either 107805 or 'How
to create a "Do Not Combine With" notice' and
Researchers constantly like to find free sites that then click on 'Search' to access the document.
are useful. Two of them that I love to use are By Steven Kelsey
www.linkpendium.com and World Connect at
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi President Hugh B. Brown declared to a group of
The World Connect is on Rootsweb and is a free us when the Priesthood Genealogy Committee
version of Ancestry. was first organized that missionary work is
going forward in the spirit world at an
Linkpendium is a little tricky to use because you accelerated pace, compared to how it is going
have to start with the state, then pick the county, forward in our earthly existence...."Through our
and then select the surname. Usually there is efforts in their behalf their chains of bondage
enough good information to spend a day looking will fall from them, and the darkness
at it. surrounding them will clear away, that light may
I also like Rootsweb’s World Connect because shine upon them and they shall hear in the spirit
it lists the ancestor with parents or spouse world of the work that has been done for them
sometimes, and it frequently lists a lot of hits. by their children here, and will rejoice with you
in your performance of these duties." T. Monson
20
QUORUM OF THE SEVENTY NOT ABLE TO PRINT A FOR
GIVEN INSTRUCTION IN FAMILY
HISTORY I was not able to print a FOR (Family Ordinance
Request) tonight and ended up calling FamilySearch
Support about the matter. The support person
―In October 2009, the Quorum of the Seventy suggested that I download Adobe Reader from the
held their quorum meeting in the Family History button even though I had the current version because
Library and were given instruction and help of needing Adobe Flash. It turns out that I had the
with their personal family histories by leaders current version of Flash also and ended up getting
and researchers.‖ This message really sank into errors when trying to download Adobe Reader.
my heart. I witness more and more interest from
our leaders in family history research. Years Since we could not get the problem solved, she
ago my husband used to say that we had a two- switched me over to the Tech support who asked me
fold mission of The Church because so few to check if the Pop-Up Blocker was on in the IE
members were interested in family history. I Tools menu which it was. He asked me to turn the
Pop-Up Blocker off which I did but the FOR still
don’t think he can say that anymore. As family
would not print even for just one person.
history consultants, we are training more and
more people on nFS. The phone call started cutting out so that I could not
hear the tech and may have been my BB was
The Spirit of Elijah, new technology, new showing a low battery so I ended up hanging up the
FamilySearch, temple-building, conference call shortly after being given directions to uninstall
talks, and the admonitions of our prophets all let Adobe Reader and reinstall it. My husband who is
us know the importance of this great work and computer savvy, uninstalled Adobe Reader and also
the emphasis now being placed on redeeming Adobe Flash and reinstalled both and I was able to
our dead. If you have not begun, the Family print the FOR without a problem.
History Center is only a few steps away. We
If anyone else has this problem, I would suggest
invite you in. SHS
NOT trying to update Adobe if you already have a
version without uninstalling first if that is suggested.
NORWEGIAN RESEARCH I would also suggest checking the TOOL menu in IE
to see if the Pop-Up blocker is turned ON and
The Digital Archives at the University of perhaps turning it OFF will allow you to print a
Bergen has a great online database. FOR. There is a new screen that appears after you
http://digitalarkivet.no/ make your selections for the FOR so you can check
over what you actually have selected. You may
Then click on English unless you read have to scroll down on it to see Sealings if you are
Norwegian. counting to be sure everyone is actually going to be
I have not used their death index (Dødsfall) of on the FOR.
more current years but this link will take you to
I have never had a problem printing a FOR on my
the search page. computer before. I was very careful to use exactly
the same people when I made the selections so that
http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/cgi- could not affect the outcome. The first try after
win/webcens.exe?slag=visbase&sidenr=14&filn having tweaked the computer was only one
amn=dodsfall&gardpostnr=352388#nedre individual with a simple request in case that could be
the problem.
This page is in Norwegian but the search filters
should be in English Nancy Scott
Cincinnati, Ohio
21
Civil War Website teachers and their willingness to dedicate their
time to teaching new support missionaries.
This website features one of the largest and
most comprehensive collections of Civil War- My practice partner was Elder Sorin Stanciu
related material on the Internet. It also from Romania. It was necessary to install Q-
features an interactive Civil War Photo lock on my computer (a clock that shows time
Gallery. Search for images, add your own, around the world) so I knew when to call him
leave comments and even rate images. You when he was awake so that we could practice
can even find battle reports from the Official making phone calls – one being the patron and
Records of the Union and Confederate Armies
the other the missionary. In addition, there was
written by the Commanding Generals:
http://www.civil-war.net/
another sweet couple in my group, Bro. and Sis.
Washington DC Family History Newsletter West from Columbus, Indiana. Sis. West and I
did some practicing together and also held some
conference calls with her husband and Elder
SYLVIA’S GENEALOGY CORNER Stanciu. She and I still chat on SKYPE to check
on each other’s progress.
By now you probably have noticed that we were
unable to produce a newsletter in November.
Jack and I learned a lot and at a very fast rate.
As you might have guessed, we were knee-deep
The Check Your Performance ―tests‖ were a
in training for our part-time family history
little stressful, but we survived. And now we
service missions for The Church of Jesus Christ
have moved on to being support missionaries
of Latter-day Saints. On December 18 we
(we drop the ―in training‖ but believe me, we
graduated. Training was a challenging
still are). We are enjoying learning more about
experience. You know the adage, ―You can’t
our respective fields – he is research and me in
teach old dogs new tricks…‖ Well, these old
new Family Search. In a month or two, we will
dogs have learned a lot of new tricks.
have more experience taking phone calls and
writing e-mails, but at the present, it is still
My trainer Elder Robert Givens from Clovis,
challenging to find the knowledge documents
California, was a wonderful teacher who taught
that will teach the patron. Oh, no, we don’t just
us the challenging materials we had to absorb in
give an answer off the top of our head. We have
7 weeks. He had been a public school teacher
to have a back-up document. We will work a
and superintendent of schools for 39 years, so
minimum of 15 hours each a week. In addition,
he was a good teacher. And the most amazing
there are meetings to attend via the computer
coincidence was that Elder Givens is a cousin to
and telephone.
Harry Senft, a former member of my ward for
many years. Elder Givens has many relatives in
So if you ever call nFS Support and hear a
my hometown. Small world!
familiar voice, it could be one of us saying,
―Thank you for calling FamilySearch…‖
I also had a really lovely training assistant,
Sister Sharon Logan from Murfreesboro,
For all of you who love family history, this is a
Tennessee. She is the lady who was in the
nice way to serve the Lord, to feel as if you are
trenches with the neophytes. She read my first
making a worthwhile contribution to the
e-mail before I sent them to a patron, and she
Church, and still cut your own grass and tend
stood by as I made my phone calls in case I got
the cats! May we end by wishing you a healthy
into an issue a needed assistance. Sis. Logan’s
and prosperous NewYear. That’s all, Folks, for
patience and longsuffering are remarkable, and I
2009.
am happy for my association with these two
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