Come Join Me Again for UVPAFUG

Come join me on August 8th at the UVPAFUG. This month I am teaching a class on using Google to help you with your family history. This is one more way of doing your family history in your PJ's at home! So come visit with me! If you don't want to see the Google class, then you can attend any of the others listed. Last month's terrific speaker was Lance MacIntosh from FamilySearch Support. You can also watch the video of his presentation during the breakout sessions. Here's the press release with all the details:

Mark Your Calendars - UVPAFUG Meeting!

UTAH VALLEY PAF USERS GROUP MEETING

The next regular, second-Saturday-of-the-month meeting of the Utah Valley PAF (Personal Ancestral File) Users Group will be on Saturday, 8 Aug 2009, from 9 am until noon in the Edgewood/Riverside LDS Chapel, 3511 North 180 East, Provo, Utah. The chapel is in the Provo "River Bottoms" behind the Jamestown shopping plaza on the east side of University Avenue. You get to it by turning east from University Avenue at 3700 North ("Will's Pit Stop") and then south on 180 East. There is a map showing the location on the group's website http://uvpafug.org.

The main presentation for this meeting will be by Mary E. V. Hill on USING A DIGITAL CAMERA IN GENEALOGY. She will discuss how to use a digital camera for many things in genealogy, for example, copying records in libraries and archives and photographing tombstones and other items. Mary E. Vassel Hill was born in Norwalk, Connecticut and obtained a BA in Family and Community History and an Master of Library Science from Brigham Young University. She was a Reference Librarian at BYU (1989-1992), Instructor in Family History and genealogical research at BYU (1992-1995), and joined the staff of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City as a cataloger in Spanish and Portuguese (1995-1998). In 1998 Mary joined the US/Canada reference staff and was an instructor in various aspects of genealogical research. She served as an LDS Missionary at the Family History Library (2006-2008). She is an accredited genealogist in Eastern and Southern states research, and is a sought after speaker at genealogy fairs and conferences. The workshop she developed on setting up a paper filing system in this day of the computer has been particularly popular. She is also a mother and grandmother and author of several genealogy books. Her website is http://www.maryevhill.com .

Following the main presentation there will be several classes taught concerning technology and family history. As usual, there will be something for everyone at all levels of expertise. The classes currently scheduled for this meeting are the following:

1. Clearing Names for the Temple in 2009, by Duane Dudley
2. How to Teach New Family Search to Members, by Laurie Castillo
3. Google for Family History, by Susan Maxwell
4. Using the MAC Computer in FH, (TBA)
5. Q&A on Using Digital Cameras, by Mary Hill
6. Video of last month's main presentation by Lance MacIntosh on Family History Support
7. Ancestral Quest, by Gaylon Findlay
8. Legacy, by Joel Graham
9. RootsMagic, by Bruce Buzbee.

All meetings of the Users Group are open to the public whether members of the Group or not. The Users Group has the goal of helping individuals use technology to further their family history and there are usually 100-125 attending the monthly meetings on the second Saturdays. The officers are Gerhard Ruf, President; Don Snow and Brian Cooper, VP's; Beth Ann Wiseman, PAFology Editor; Kay Baker and Gerry Eliason working with finances and membership; and Bruce Merrill, Lynne Shumway, and Marie Andersen, working with the DVD Library. Several of these will be there to help with membership, answer questions, distribute the current issue of the monthly newsletter PAFology, and check out DVD's of past presentations and classes to members of the group. Information about the Users Group, main presentations, classes, and class notes are available on the Group's website http://uvpafug.org and the press releases are online at http://blog.uvpafug.org/.

Use the Church HISTORY Library to enhance your FAMILY History

Are you one of many who are still trying to determine the difference between the LDS Family History Library and the new LDS Church History Library?

Lisa Christensen, an LDS Church News staff writer, published an article 18 July 2009 giving her account of "looking to add figurative flesh to the bones of [her] ancestors" Her trek through the new library covers her experience in both story and pictures of inside the new facility.

You can read the full account, and learn to use the library, by accessing her article, Seek and ye shall find — Family History revisited -- A novice's step-by-step guide to using the Church History Library.

Draper Temple Accepting FORs

Draper Temple has been accepting FORs (Family Ordinance Requests)for three days now and the process is working fine. For an unknown period of time they will still accept TempleReady disks. However, use a FOR whenever possible, rather than TempleReady if you want to see your completed ordinances online anytime soon.

Ordinance work that is completed by using a FOR to print cards will show on new FamilySearch immediately. Ordinance work that is completed using cards processed using TempleReady WILL NOT SHOW on nFS for up to ten months! Apparently the information has to be hand processed and will take plenty of time to complete.

So what options do you have if you don't have access to nFS yet?

1. Make arrangements to go to your local Family History Center and have a FH Consultant/staff person help you convert your TempleReady data to a FOR. This process can increase the number of duplicate records that have to be combined in nFS, so it is not necessarily the best option.

2. A better method is to use RootsMagic 4, a third party software program certified by FamilySearch (also available at the Family History Center) to create a FOR through nFS. If you don't have access to nFS yet, you will still need a consultant/staff person to login to nFS and sign you in using the helper feature in RootsMagic. RootsMagic will import your family information from your PAF file, or any other software that you currently use.

This process is relatively simple. Import your data into RootsMagic (File>import). Make sure you can see the gray temple icons to the right of each name on the screen. (If not, go up to Tools>File Options and turn on LDS Support and the FamilySearch icon tab and add the check mark.) Just click on the gray icon and sync or add your person to new FamilySearch.

When all your names are synced or added, click on the yellow "caution" icon next to the blue tree (the gray tree turns blue when you are synced) and select "Reserve Ordinances".

Then go to File>FamilySearch>FamilySearch Central. Click on the large Temple Work icon at the top. Select the ordinances you want printed to a FOR and print your FOR.

If you want more detailed instructions on using the nFS features in RootsMagic 4 go to the tutorials located here. (You can always ask questions by contacting me below.)

New FamilySearch Rollout News

This past Saturday while I was teaching the RootsMagic 4 class at UVPAFUG in Provo, Utah, there was another presentation going on that I could not attend. So I will point you to an article posted today by the Ancestry Insider. He gives a good summary of the class presented by Ron Tanner, who is the current product manager for new FamilySearch and Family Tree.

Ron talked about the two products and how they will be revised in the coming months and years. So if you are interested in where the products are heading take a look here.

And here is the follow up article, part 2....and part 3.

RootsMagic 4 Receives FS Helper Certification

The following press release was issued today. This is great news for Family History Consultants and a much easier process than trying to convert a TempleReady file to a FOR (Family Ordinance Request). RootsMagic 4 should be available in all FH Centers for your use (download from LanDesk).

You can take any file from any genealogy program and open it in RootsMagic. You can log into nFS using your ID and sign in the patron using the HELPER function. Sync the people to nFS that the patron wants to have ordinance cards for and print out a FOR.

Here is the press release in full:

RootsMagic 4 Receives FamilySearch Helper Certification
RootsMagic becomes First Desktop Genealogy Software to Allow Helper Access to New FamilySearch

SPRINGVILLE, Utah. — July 9, 2009 — RootsMagic, Inc. announced the immediate availability of an update to their RootsMagic 4 genealogy software which is now FamilySearch "Helper" certified. RootsMagic 4 is the first- and currently the only- desktop genealogy software to offer this feature and certification.
Helper Certified

As a "Helper Certified" application, RootsMagic 4 allows members of the LDS Church who have access to New FamilySearch to log into a special "helper mode" for another member who does not yet have access to the system. This allows the member being helped to view, update, and synchronize their data with New FamilySearch as well as check, reserve, and request temple ordinances- even if they personally do not have an account on New FamilySearch. All that is required is their name, birthdate, and the last five digits of the LDS Church membership number.
Assisting the New FamilySearch Roll-out to Utah and Idaho
Temple districts in Utah and Idaho are among the last to transition over to the New FamilySearch system. To prevent duplication of temple work, members in these areas who do not have access to New FamilySearch are instructed to meet with a family history consultant or visit a family history center and search the New FamilySearch system to determine whether or not temple ordinances have already been performed for deceased ancestors. RootsMagic makes it easy for the family history consultants and family history centers to accomplish this:

1. Import the member's data into RootsMagic. RootsMagic can directly import data from PAF, Family Tree Maker (through 2006), Family Origins, Legacy Family Tree, and GEDCOM.
2. Sign in as a helper for the member.
3. Search duplicate ancestor records to ensure temple ordinances are needed.
4. Select the ordinances for each ancestor needing temple work and reserve them.
5. Print the Family Ordinance Request to be taken to the temple.

RootsMagic is also the only desktop genealogy software currently certified to reserve temple ordinances and print the Family Ordinance Request.

New FamilySearch Made Easy

"We're very excited to be the first software to offer the 'helper' ability," said Michael Booth, vice-president. "As a Utah-based company, we've been patiently waiting for New FamilySearch to be available to our friends and neighbors. While many still don't have direct access to New FamilySearch, the helper ability is the next-best thing." Bruce Buzbee, president, said, "Our mission is, 'Family History Made Easy', and that is exactly what this is. To submit and track temple ordinances used to be a long, complicated process involving many files and floppy disks. Together with FamilySearch, we've been able to simplify it to a few clicks and a single, printed page."

RootsMagic also simplifies other tasks when working with New FamilySearch. Recently, RootsMagic 4 received awards for "Easiest to Sync" and "Best Dashboard" at the 2009 FamilySearch Developer Awards. Video tutorials, demonstrating how easy it is to work with New FamilySearch using RootsMagic 4 are available at http://www.rootsmagic.com/fs.
Free Trial Available

A free trial version of RootsMagic 4 is available at http://www.rootsmagic.com. The trial version allows a person to import their data, add information, and play with RootsMagic's major features without any time limitation. "We're so excited about this new release, we wanted to give everyone a risk-free option to try it for themselves," said Buzbee.

Users of other genealogy software products will find it easy to experiment with RootsMagic 4 using their own data. RootsMagic can directly import data from PAF, Family Tree Maker (through 2006), Family Origins, and Legacy Family Tree. It can also read data using the popular GEDCOM format.
About RootsMagic, Inc.

For over 20 years, RootsMagic, Inc. has been creating computer software with a special purpose- to unite families. One of our earliest products- the popular "Family Origins" software, introduced thousands of people to the joy and excitement of family history.

That tradition continues today with "RootsMagic", our award-winning genealogy software which makes researching, organizing, and sharing your family history fun and easy. "Personal Historian" will help you easily write and preserve your life stories. "Family Reunion Organizer" takes the headaches out of planning those important get-togethers. And "Family Atlas" creates beautiful and educational geographic maps of your family history.

For more information, visit http://www.rootsmagic.com.

Source: RootsMagic, Inc.

Family History Expos Conference in Sandy, Utah

Have you ever, or never, attended a Family History Conference? Did you avoid going because it was too far from home? Maybe you felt you were too "green" at family history and thought a conference would be "over your head"? Or maybe, you thought you just couldn't learn any more because conferences are only for beginners?

This is the one you want to attend! Family History Expos has fast become one of the leading organizers of family history conferences in the country. And now, the Salt Lake City Expo is being held right here in Sandy, Utah.

This conference has something for everyone -- beginners to advanced -- and the price is right. Many conferences around the country are housed in large, expensive, hotels and the cost is prohibitive for many. Now those of you here in Sandy can go home every evening and have NO hotel expense!

This conference covers the techniques and technology available to trace your roots. And now that new FamilySearch is getting close to being released to all members, this is absolutely the perfect time to attend. I love these conferences!

The conference is being held in the Sandy Expo Center on August 28th and 29th from 8am to 6pm both days. The cost for attending both days is only $68 if you register early. You receive a CD version of the syllabus and as soon as you register you have access to the syllabus online. Paper copies of the syllabus is available for purchase.

More details on the conference can be found on the Expo website. From here you can see the schedule and presenters.

More information on the company that hosts the conference can be found at the fhexpos.com website.

Check this conference out. I promise you won't be sorry!

Update at New.Familysearch.org Utah and Idaho Release

A new tab has recently been added to New.Familysearch.org Utah and Idaho Release website. The “Assist Members” tab now includes the following helpful information:

1. Family History Center specific instructions
2. Printable instructions for accessing the online training
3. How to creating a FOR from a TempleReady disk
4. Help on including more than one person on a FOR
5. Explanations concerning ancestral issues
6. Instructions for members with pioneer ancestry

I’d suggest you take the time to read the information, especially if you are a consultant and/or you serve in the family history center.

Are you prepared?

Another question that has been asked lately is “when are we as individual stakes in Utah and Idaho considered READY to receive access to new FamilySearch on a stake by stake basis?”

Well, the answer lies on the REPORT tab. The bottom line is “A stake will be considered ready when each ward and branch in the stake has at least one family history consultant who has completed all of the preparation steps outlined on the Prepare page.” So what does that mean? It means that you need to GET PREPARED by following the outline on the PREPARE tab.

1. Watch the DVD online.
2. Complete the E-Learning Courses online
3. Actively use the new FamilySearch website
4. Report your readiness to the High Priest Group Leader in your ward.
5. Then the HPGL reports to the high councilor with FH responsibilities.
6. Then the high councilor reports to the stake’s Area FH Advisor.

(Note: Since my calling is on a stake basis, if you are in my stake, please let me know when you are ready and we will take it from there.)

So the sooner you are ready, the sooner your stake will gain access to new FamilySearch when it begins release in your temple district.

Aren’t you getting excited? :)

Join me at UVPAFUG

UTAH VALLEY PAF USERS GROUP MEETING

The next regular, second-Saturday-of-the-month meeting of the Utah Valley PAF (Personal Ancestral File) Users Group will be on Saturday, 11 Jul 2009, from 9 am until noon in the Edgewood/Riverside LDS Chapel, 3511 North 180 East, Provo, Utah. The chapel is in the Provo "River Bottoms" behind the Jamestown shopping plaza on the east side of University Avenue. You get to it by turning east from University Avenue at 3700 North ("Will's Pit Stop") and then south on 180 East. There is a map showing the new and old locations on the group's website http://uvpafug.org .

The main presentation for this meeting will be by Lance McIntosh on SUPPORT RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO FAMILY HISTORY CONSULTANTS. He will be discussing the various support resources available to family history consultants and how they can get answers to their questions. With the Utah LDS temples coming online with New FamilySearch soon he will also be updating us on what is happening in our area. He will have a PowerPoint presentation as part of his discussion. Lance McIntosh is the LDS Church's North America Area Manager for FamilySearch Support and that provides family history assistance to priesthood leaders, family history consultants, family history centers, and patrons in the United States and Canada. He has over 20 years of experience in the area of support and training and holds a BS degree from the BYU College of Life Sciences in 1986. He is a popular speaker at genealogy conferences throughout the U.S. and will be speaking again at the BYU Genealogy and Family History Conference in July on these same topics. He and his family live in Lindon, Utah.

Following the main presentation there will be several classes taught concerning technology and family history. As usual, there will be something for everyone at all levels of expertise. The classes currently scheduled for this meeting are the following: (1) Searching for Completed Ordinances in the IIGI and nFS, by Duane Dudley; (2) Genealogy Software for the MAC, by John McKinney; (3) Q&A: FamilySearch Support, by Lance McIntosh; (4) DVD of last month's main presentation: Genealogy in 2020, by Beau Sharbrough; (5) Legacy, by Joel Graham; (6) RootsMagic, by Sue Maxwell; and (7) Ancestral Quest, by Donald Engstrom.

All meetings of the Users Group are open to the public whether members of the Group or not. The Users Group has the goal of helping individuals use technology to further their family history and there are usually 100-125 attending the monthly meetings on the second Saturdays.