RootsTech - Special Rate for Family History Consultants

... if you register for the conference by November 30!


If you didn't attend the 2011 RootsTech Family History and Technology Conference in downtown Salt Lake City you missed out on a great opportunity! It was a fantastic conference, and unlike any other.


RootsTech recently announced the second annual RootsTech conference, sponsored by FamilySearch. It will be held February 2-4, 2012, at the Salt Palace Convention Center, 100 South West Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah.


Now don't get the idea that you have to be a consultant to attend as there will be something for everyone. Genealogists from around the world will be in attendance to learn new technology-based approaches to their research.


Researchers with a strong interest in technology will have the opportunity to test new products or solutions and provide feedback for technology creators.


The conference will also feature an exciting blend of speakers, workshops, and demonstrations. The speakers include D. Joshua Taylor, Lisa Louise Cook, Stephen P. Morse, Dan Lynch, Geoff Rasmussen, and others, as well as many experts from FamilySearch.


If you are a consultant you should have received an email from FamilySearch providing you with the details on how to receive your special discount to attend. Don't waste any time. Register now! 


Don't miss out on this fantastic conference!

Elder Richard G. Scott to Speak at RootsTech

This message from FamilySearch Support is directed to Family History Consultants, Family History Center and Extraction/Indexing Directors, and Priesthood Leaders:

RootsTech is a new and unique conference where family history and technology come together. Yet, you do not have to be an expert in either one to greatly benefit from attending conference sessions. In addition to the full three-day schedule of excellent lectures, each day there will be time especially set aside for family history consultants. This free consultant training will be repeated each day, and the experience will be highlighted by a devotional presented by Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on Saturday, February 12, 2011.

There are two options for consultants who want to participate and learn at RootsTech, which will be held at the Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt lake City, Utah, February 10–12, 2011:

Option 1: Click here to register

Full RootsTech attendance at a discount— $75

For $75, family history consultants can choose from over 100 classes to attend over the three days of the conference. (The cost of lunch each day is not included in this price.) Class schedules and registration information can be found at rootstech.org. Or, to register now, click here, register as a “Regular Attendee,” and use registration code CONSULTECH11. There are so many relevant topics for genealogists and technologists that it may be difficult to decide which classes to attend.

Option 2: Click here to register

Half-day consultant activities—free

Each day of the conference the same consultant training classes, taught by Family History employees, will be presented for free. To participate, consultants need to register and select the option “FH Consultant Training Classes,” enter the registration code consultfree11 and then choose which day they will attend and whether they are attending the Elder Scott devotional or not. With this option, access to the daily keynote address and the exhibit hall will be included. Additionally, on Saturday, February 12, 2011, is the special devotional presentation by Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Attendance is limited to those who follow this registration process; you may attend the training classes on one day and still attend the devotional on Saturday. If you have a spouse who is not a consultant who may want to attend the devotional they must also register using the special registration code and select devotional attendance.

Consultants must register for the free events and pick up a badge when they arrive at the convention center. Registering to attend the free consultant activities does not allow you to attend any of the other conference course offerings.

Consultants who register for full conference attendance (option 1) must also register separately if they want to attend the Elder Scott devotional.

With these great offerings, we are confident you will want to attend at least one day of this wonderful annual conference.

There is a web page on the FamilySearch Research Wiki with details and Q&A, click here to go to the page, or go to the Wiki and search on “Consultant Training at RootsTech 2011.”

FREE Training in Utah and Salt Lake Counties!

So much to learn, so little time! But, I'm trying to make it a little easier by letting you know what training is available in and around these valleys. Check out the calendar at the bottom of this blog.

I have started adding the training classes for the Riverton FamilySearch Library, their Saturday Seminars held every 3rd Saturday each month, the Family History Library in downtown Salt Lake, and the Utah Valley PAF Users Group (UVPAFUG) in Provo held the 2nd Saturday each month (except December).

There is a direct link to their training pages just above the calendar so you can double check me or look for last minute changes. But I'm listing all the classes on one calendar.

If you know of other FREE training available in either county please let me know and I'll add those to the calendar also. As you can see, there is training available almost every day so don't waste one precious minute of your time! Start learning today!

Sandy Family History Expo - August 27-28, 2010

Here's the perfect chance for all of you FH Consultants, Center Directors, Extraction Directors and every one of you who either now works on family history or wants to get started!

The annual Salt Lake City Family History Expo (which is actually held right here in Sandy, Utah) is coming August 27-28, 2010 to the Sandy Expo Center, 9575 South State Street. The Expo is presented by Family History Expos (a private company) which does a fantastic job with their conferences.

There will be over 100 classes presented by more than 50 national and local speakers as well as staff from the Family History Center in Salt Lake. Classes range from the beginner to advanced topics so don't think you know too little or too much! You will learn about the latest techniques and technologies being used in genealogical research. You can read more about it and check the class schedule at www.fhexpos.com/expos/.

Exhibitors from throughout the U.S. will teach about their latest products and services. FamilySearch affiliated software vendors will be there to help teach you how to interact with new FamilySearch using their products using a "hands-on" approach.

You can attend the keynote address and visit the exhibit hall without any cost. However, I highly recommend you attend both days if at all possible. It's very much worth the minimal cost to attend. Register quickly because the the Early Bird registration is only good for the remainder of July.

FamilySearch will be offering four extra free classes for FH Consultants, Stake Extraction/Indexing Directors and assistants, and Priesthood Leaders.

Get together with your friends, neighbors and ward members and plan to attend the conference this year!

Consolidate All Your LDS Church Logins

Get ready to consolidate all your LDS Church logins!


This is actually really good news! The LDS Church is finally getting ready to make changes so that you only need ONE login name and password to get access to all the Church software systems.

You are already using this single username and password if you currently use your stake or ward website. FamilySearch is now using this single username and password for the Research Wiki. New FamilySearch and FamilySearch Indexing will begin using the single username and password in the near future. (Probably during the month of March, 2010.)


So if you haven't already done this, DO IT NOW rather than waiting for these family history applications to begin using it and you have to deal with the mad crunch. You can go to ldsaccount.lds.org and obtain what is called an LDS Account. You can also check to see if you already have an account or you can use the links on the page to remind you what your username and password is if you have forgotten them.

 Need to register for the other sites? Here's how: 

To register as a Consultant or Priesthood Leader overseeing Temple and Family History Work:  Go to lds.org > Serving in the Church > Family History > priesthood.familysearch.org or  consultant.familysearch.org OR just click on these links. You will need your Church membership number and your ward/branch unit number. Get that from your ward/branch clerk. You do want to register if you are a consultant or a Priesthood leader, and here is why:

If you are not registered as a consultant or a priesthood leader, you will see only one lesson (new FamilySearch lesson)--which is the lesson that all members see--when you go to new.familysearch.org > Help Center > Training and Resources Tab > e-learning courses. If you are registered as a consultant or priesthood leader, you have many more important lessons available to you under your "e-learning courses."

Under your "Training and Resources" tab, you will then have 12 more instructional items available. It is very important to be aware of this difference. Each of you go to your "Training and Resources" tab and see what is there. Then have your spouse or child (a regular member) go into their "Training and Resources" tab, so you can see the difference in what is available. Unregistered consultants and priesthood leaders are missing out.

 Registering everyone age 12 and older on new FamilySearch:
Go to new.familysearch.org . Click on Register for the new FamilySearch. Each member needs their own Church membership number and confirmation date.

Registering to do FamilySearch Indexing:
Suggested age: 14 to 114! Go to familysearchindexing.org  and follow the instructions. Get your kids involved! They can "play" on the PC and do something worthwhile!

Update to the Family History Conferences

The last week of April four major family history conferences will all happen in one week in Salt Lake City as I described in the last post.  FREE CLASSES are being made available to help Family History Consultants and workers help members find their ancestors.

Of particular note for family history consultants are classes and a fireside on Tuesday, April 27. Simply bring the Free Consultant Training Pass coupon below for access to the consultant classes. There is also no cost for attending the fireside or any of the other events listed below.

If you want to attend the NGS conference classes, price and registration information can be found here. There is an early-bird discount until March 8, 2010. 

Over 200 classes will be presented by industry leaders and experts from the local and national genealogical community as well as staff from FamilySearch. Products and services from genealogy companies will be showcased in an exhibit hall. There you can also meet with specialists for free personal consultations on research questions or problems.

NGS Conference details and the class schedule are available online here.

The following free events and resources will be available for consultants in connection with this week of conferences:

Tuesday, April 27

·         Consultant Training Seminar at the Conference Center Little Theater. There are two times to choose from: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

·         Behind-the-scenes tour of the Family History Library (all day) 

·         Behind-the-scenes tour of the new Church History Library (4:00 to 6:00 p.m.)

·         Consultant Fireside at the Salt Lake Tabernacle at 7:00 p.m. The speaker will be Elder Allan F. Packer of the First Quorum of the Seventy, who is one of the Executive Directors of the Family History Department.

Wednesday, April 28

·         FamilySearch Open House at the FamilySearch Center in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Meet and greet product managers and designers for FamilySearch’s new programs and offerings.

Wednesday, April 28–Saturday, May 1

·         GenTech Hall, an exhibit displaying the latest technological innovations for family history in the same venue as NGS, is open and free to the public.

·         The NGS Conference Exhibit Hall is open to the public daily 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. 

Thursday, April 29

·         “A Celebration of Family History” event in the Conference Center at 7:00 p.m. This evening will feature the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, along with wonderful guest speakers. Special reserved tickets for this event will be available for consultants. Instructions on how to request tickets will be e-mailed to you in the next few weeks.

Saturday, May 1

·         Genealogy Kids Camp, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Salt Palace conference venue.

Additionally:

·         Hours at the Family History Library have been extended until 11 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday during the conference. (Closed during the Thursday celebration.)

     

      See the details on the other conferences in the posting below.

·       

     This promises to be a full week of family history learning and activities that will be of benefit to family history consultants and enthusiasts. 

     See you there!

The Final Readiness for nFS

As of August 24th all remaining temple districts (Utah/Idaho) received their official preparation notice for new FamilySearch. This rollout began immediately with 29 stakes in the St. George district going live on Aug. 31st. 13 stakes in Idaho Falls district go live on September 7th as will the remaining stakes in the St. George district. All remaining stakes in Utah/Idaho will only receive about 7 days notice, so we need to be prepared.

1 - The first think you need to do is check the new.familysearch.org Utah and Idaho Release website often. Clicking on the temple district will show the rollout dates for each temple district.

2 - Consultants must follow the instructions on the "Prepare" tab and the "Report" tab. Priesthood leaders should also follow the instructions..

3 - A new updated E-learning course has been added to your list in the HELP center. Please retake the lesson. If you already have access to nFS go to the Training and Resources tab under HELP in new FamilySearch to locate the lessons.

4 - To minimize the impact on the FamilySearch Support Missionaries, please use the HELP center to try to answer your own questions first. When you first contact Support, the Missionaries use the same HELP files to try to resolve your questions.

5 - If you want a good understanding of FamilySearch Support with its purpose and functionality, see the article written by the Ancestry Insider.

6 - A new Family History Course has been prepared for use by consultants in their ward or branch under the direction of the Bishop. Stake Presidents and Bishops have been sent a copy of the new manuals.

The Instructor's Guide to Temple and Family History Work is available for order online at the LDS Distribution Center for $5.50 (order #35804000). There are 7 lessons, 3 workshops, and a DVD.

The Student Manual for this class is the new Member's Guide to Temple and Family History Work (#36795000). Currently the Member's Guide must be ordered over the phone and is being limited to 10 copies. Phone: 800-537-5001.

7 - As a reminder to Priesthood Leadership you can review your responsibilities here.

8 - Continue to check for classes being taught at the Family History Library in downtown Salt Lake.

When the time for PERFORMANCE arrives, 

the time for PREPARATION is past.

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? :)

Assisting Members to View Ordinances

The following email is a followup to the changes being made with the IGI and the use of new FamilySearch. This memo was directed to missionaries at the Family History Library in Salt Lake, but, it is applicable to consultants in the Utah/Idaho temple districts as well.

30 June 2009
To: Family History Library Staff

The Church is currently updating the computer systems that are used to record completed ordinances in the temples in Utah and Idaho. This update will be completed by the end of July, and after that time recorded ordinances will no longer be added to the International Genealogical Index (IGI). The system update in the temples is an important step in preparing to introduce the new.familysearch.org Web site in Utah and Idaho. Until members have access to new.familysearch.org, they should continue to visit a family history center to prepare names for the temple.

Members who access the IGI and cannot yet use new.familysearch.org will be instructed to meet with a family history consultant or visit a family history center to view newly recorded temple ordinances or determine whether or not temple ordinances have already been performed for deceased ancestors. Members are notified on FamilySearch.org when they are signed in and using the IGI. The pop-up message reads: Temple ordinance information is no longer updated in the International Genealogical Index (IGI). Church members who wish to verify completed temple ordinances for their deceased ancestors may contact a family history consultant, or visit a local family history center for assistance. We encourage you to use the features of the new.familysearch.org Web site to help members who want to verify whether or not ordinances have already been performed for an ancestor or to prepare ancestral names for the temple.

Library Staff Signing In to New.FamilySearch.org to Help Someone Else

Library Staff can help members to use the new.familysearch.org Web site by signing in as a helper for them. Library staff can add or update information about the member’s ancestors as if the member was doing it personally. Please keep this to a minimum as the our main purpose is to assist them in clearing names for the temple, not clean up their records. They will have the ability to do this in the future. Here are the steps you will use:

· Sign in as a helper for the member.

· Select the ordinances for each ancestor needing temple work. Please limit the amount of names selected to no more than one family or 10-15 names.

· New FamilySearch will search for the duplicate ancestor records to ensure temple ordinances are needed.

· Print the Family Ordinance Request.

Library Staff should remain with the member while signed in as a helper for them.

The member will take the Family Ordinance Request to the Temple Card Printing Desk in the lobby of the FHL, or the temple. The FHL Lobby or temple will use the Family Ordinance Request form to print the temple ordinance cards for the member.

Instructions on how to use the helper function can be found in lesson 9 of the New FamilySearch online course that is available on the Training and Resources tab in the Help Center. To view the lesson:

· Sign on to new.familysearch.org, and click on the Help Center link.

· Click on the Training and Resources tab.

· In the Training & Other Helpful Resources section, click on the E-Learning Courses link.

· Under the Family History Consultant–New FamilySearch Instruction section, click The New FamilySearch.

· Click 9: The Helper Function, and view the information from that lesson.

Adding a TempleReady Submission File

Library Staff may help members who have in the past created a TempleReady submission file to upload the information into new.familysearch.org and print a Family Ordinance Request form that the member can take to the temple. Those that do not have the ability to do this currently in the Library are having this function turned on and it will be available to you in the next few days. The FHL Lobby or temple staff will scan the barcode on the Family Ordinance Request form and print the temple ordinance cards for the member. You will need to sign on as a helper for the member in order to use this feature.

When a member brings you an existing TempleReady submission file, you can use the following steps to create a Family Ordinance Request form:

· Sign in as a helper for the member.

· Upload the TempleReady submission file.

· Click the Temple Ordinances tab, and then select the desired names and ordinances from the Reserved List.

· Create and print a Family Ordinance Request.

Note: When uploading a TempleReady disk to create a Family Ordinance Request in new.familysearch.org, take note of all names in the TempleReady submission file, and ensure the full list of names appears on the Family Ordinance Request. There is a known problem where records with non-standardized place-names are not being processed by the new FamilySearch. Click here for details on this issue.

Illustrated instructions on how to upload a TempleReady submission file into new.familysearch.org and create a Family Ordinance Request may be viewed by clicking here. Additional information is available for you in the New FamilySearch Utah and Idaho Release section of consultant.familysearch.org.

The TempleReady program will be removed from the Library Desktop in the near future, and the ability to print temple cards from .sub files will discontinue in the FHL. All temple names will have to be cleared using new FamilySearch, and all .sub files not already printed will need to be converted to a Family Ordinance Request as described above.

If you have questions concerning helping someone else use the new.familysearch.org or on adding a TempleReady submission file, please contact your Zone Leader or FamilySearch Support.

Sincerely,
FamilySearch
support@familysearch.org
Toll-free: 1-866-406-1830

Merrill White
Family History Library Patron Services

Read-only Access to nFS for all Members

According to the following memo that was distributed to all employees and missionaries of the Family History Library, all members currently can register for new FamilySearch in a read-only format. It goes on to say that there should be no TempleReady disks taken to any of the temples effective immediately. And, it says that all temples currently can accept the FOR's (Family Ordinance Requests).

However,according to the recorders office at the Draper temple, they WILL NOT be able to accept the FORs until AFTER July 14th, 2009. They will not receive the necessary software until that time.

Here is a copy of the memo for your information.

From: Merrill White
Sent: Friday, June 19, 2009
Subject: Read Only new FamilySearch Accounts
Importance: High

Please pass this along to all employees and missionaries

Limited access to the new FamilySearch to view completed ordinances (Read Only Accounts)

During the last two years, the Church has been introducing a new process for preparing ancestral names for the temple. This process includes a new system used in temples to record completed ordinances and a new FamilySearch Web site, new.familysearch.org, where members may view and update information about their ancestors and see completed temple ordinances. This new process is now being used in most temples worldwide. Temple ordinances that are completed in these temples do not appear in the International Genealogical Index (IGI).

Members of the Church who want to see and verify current completed temple ordinances must view them in the new FamilySearch Web site. This new Web site is not yet available to all the members in Utah and Idaho. Therefore, members who have prepared ancestral names for the temple within the last year using the IGI may go to new.familysearch.org and register to create a limited-access account. Once their stake in Utah or Idaho has been rolled out their account will automatically become a full access account.

If a member tries to create a limited access view account and they receive a message that says the system is not yet in their temple district they can receive a ‘Read Only’ account in one of two ways:

1. If they have never registered on www.FamilySearch.org with their membership number and confirmation date then they can go do so now. After registering and doing an IGI search on the website they will receive notification that they will be given ‘Read Only’ access and that they will be able to register at new.familysearch.org in 24-56 hours for this limited access.

2. If they already have an account at www.FamilySearch.org then they can send an email request to FamilySearch Support to be given a ‘Read Only’ account. To do this they need to follow these steps:

a. Send an email to support@familysearch.org
b. The email subject title must read: NFS READ ONLY REQUEST
c. Include in the email their Full Name and Full LDS Membership Number
d. They will then be given access within one week.

While the members use this limited access to the new FamilySearch Web site, they will continue to use TempleReady in family history centers to prepare ancestral names for the temple. The use of the IGI to verify temple ordinances should be discontinued and replaced with the limited-access view in the new FamilySearch Web site, or Family Tree Project on labs.familysearch.org. If a patron desires to utilize a Third Party FamilySearch Affiliate Product to do this checking, such as Family Insight, Ancestral Quest or Roots Magic, they may do so. Their ‘Read Only’ Account will allow them to pull down data from new FamilySearch, but not correct or push data back up to the system. It is not an expectation that staff at the Family History Library will know how to use these products. They are available on the Library Patron Desktop and in family history centers for the patron to utilize if they wish.

Once a TempleReady submission file has been created the cards must be printed in the Family History Library. Effective immediately, TempleReady disks should no longer be taken to the temple to process. Temples are only accepting Family Ordinance Requests (F.O.R.). If a patron does come to the FHL requesting that an .sub file be converted to an F.O.R. we can just submit and print their .sub file in the Lobby at the Temple Card desk. We need not convert .sub files to an F.O.R. at this time.

If a patron does have ‘Read Only’ access, but they would rather not use TempleReady to process the names, you can sign-in as a helper for them utilizing the ‘Helper Function’ in the new FamilySearch. To do this you:

1. Sign-in to your new FamilySearch account.

2. Select the Helper Function option.

3. Enter their Full Name, Birth date and Helper Access Number which usually is the last 5 digits of their membership number.

4. Select the names they wish to take to the temple. Be sure to check possible duplicates and combine them. If no ordinance data is found then you can select and clear the names for temple ordinances and print an F.O.R. for them to print their cards in the lobby or at the temple.

CAUTION: In offering this service we must sit with them while they do this since we are signed in helping them on our accounts. We also can only clear a few names at a time. I would limit this to no more than 15-20 names maximum.

Members should only use this limited access to the Web site to find and verify temple ordinances for their ancestors. Concerns over duplicate information about ancestors and other data related issues should not be submitted to FamilySearch Support at this time and will be politely deferred by our support staff. Once full access to the new Web site is available to Church members in Utah and Idaho, these types of concerns may be reported and corrected.

Thanks so much for your support and assistance in this transition process. Any questions please let me know. Thanks,

Merrill White
Family History Library Patron Services
(801)240-6405
whitedm@familysearch.org

Draper Temple District - FH Consultants Receive Early Access to nFS!

Today I received my email notice that FH Consultants have been given early access to new FamilySearch! (I already use it, but now the rest of our consultants can.) We are off and running now! Here is a copy of the email. Have fun with this!

18 June 2009
To: Family History Consultants in the Draper Utah Temple District

During the past two years, the Church has been introducing a new process for preparing ancestral names for the temple, which includes the new.familysearch.org Web site. After making some changes to the system to support the large number of expected new users, we have begun introducing the new process in Utah and Idaho.

Please accept a special invitation to begin using the new.familysearch.org Web site before it becomes available to the members in your ward and stake. As a family history consultant, you are a member’s primary source of individual family history instruction and help. In this role, you will be a key contact for members who may have questions about this new process to prepare ancestral names for temple ordinances. We will notify priesthood leaders in your stake at a later date with specific information about the release of new.familysearch.org to the members.

We have prepared some new online training courses for you that are designed to help you prepare to help the members of your ward and stake. The information for accessing these courses may be found on the Utah and Idaho release section of consultant.familysearch.org. This release section will be a valuable resource to you throughout your preparations to help members. You will be able to see up-to-the-minute information on preparation resources, helpful tips for using the new.familysearch.org, and regular updates in the progress of the release to stakes in Utah and Idaho.

We encourage you to visit consultant.familysearch.org, and click on the Click Here to go to the Utah and Idaho Instructions button. Then follow the simple instructions to prepare for the release of the new process in your stake. Go back often for updates.

Please encourage any consultants in your ward and stake who have not already done so to go to consultant.familysearch.org, click on the Click Here to Register button, and complete the registration form as instructed so that they too may have early access to new.familysearch.org and begin preparing to help the members in their ward.

If you have questions or problems with this process, please contact FamilySearch.

Sincerely,
FamilySearch

Getting Closer to new FamilySearch!

Are you jealous of all those members around the world that have been using new FamilySearch for over two years now? And, you are probably a bit jealous of those of us who have been given that privilege early, right? Well there are signs that we in the Draper Temple district are getting closer to having all our members have that same privilege!

Some of you may have already looked over the new Utah/Idaho Release website for new FamilySearch, if you followed the link in the right hand column -> listed under "New FamilySearch".

A recent update to the Utah/Idaho Release website shows more expansion of the rollout. Consultants for the St George, Boise, Mount Timpanogos, Bountiful and Salt Lake Temple districts have been notified to begin preparation.

This is soooo close!

But, here’s my little secret ...The Draper Temple should be able to accept FOR’s (that’s those Family Ordinance Requests) on or about July 14th!)

That means that those of us that have access to new FamilySearch now can start printing a FOR from home beginning July 14th, take it to the Draper Temple and have the temple print our ordinance cards! Yeah, no more TempleReady!

There is info on the Utah/Idaho Release website that you can start to review now. The most important thing to remember is that all the consultants and Priesthood leaders (that’s you High Priest group leaders) MUST BE REGISTERED immediately! If you haven’t already done so, please follow the link to register.

There are also a number of videos and handouts that you can start reading. Follow the links on the above website or directly from this page.

Click here to access a three part series of training articles on new FamilySearch done in PDF format. You can print them out and study them all you want. Miles Meyer put these together and he also has a number of other classes on his website. He does a great job.

So, get ready, get busy, and spread the word! Head to the FHC for help. The faster we can get the staff trained, the faster they can help others!

New Personal Assistance Option in the New FamilySearch Help Center

The following was received by FamilySearch Support. This will be a great benefit to all our consultants and patrons! If you haven't already registered, please do so soon.

May 15, 2009 News

New Personal Assistance Option in the New FamilySearch Help Center

To encourage closer interaction between Church members and their family history consultants, a new personal assistance option will soon be added to the Feedback page in the Help Center in the new FamilySearch.

When this new option is available, those who select it will see contact information (typically phone number and e-mail address) for:

· Family history consultant(s) in their ward or branch
· Local family history center(s)
· FamilySearch Support

Consultants’ contact information will only be displayed to members of their own ward or branch. The displayed contact information comes from the consultant registration information you provided on the Web site at consultant.familysearch.org. This new personal assistance option will be available to members in all areas of the world that use the new FamilySearch Web site.

You may experience an increase in your opportunities to help members of your ward or branch with their family history. To enhance the support you can provide to members, you are encouraged to enroll in and complete the new FamilySearch Web site training course and other consultant courses available through the Help Center.

If you are no longer serving as a family history consultant or do not want your contact information displayed in the Help Center to your local ward or branch members, contact FamilySearch Support.

Note: Consultants who live in European countries must contact FamilySearch Support to request that their contact information be displayed in the Help Center. If they do not do this, their contact information will not be displayed.

Sincerely,
FamilySearch Support
support@familysearch.org
U.S. and Canada: 1-866-406-1830

Learn to use Genealogy Mailing Lists.

A genealogy mailing list is a very simple method for collaborating on the internet. You can network with other genealogists, share data, ask and answer questions, and share in the research process. Mailing lists are free and can help you learn more about genealogy, surnames, locations, types of records, research, and related software.

Join one or more lists
You can join any number of mailing lists depending on what you are interested in. Once you decide which one you want you can join the list by sending an email that automatically adds you to the subscriber list.

Decide on email mode
There are two modes of receiving email. The list mode will send you one email for every message that is posted to the list in real time. The digest mode sends one email per day with all the posts included. However, this mode can make it a little more difficult to follow a thread. (…not a spool of thread!...but rather, all the emails relating to a specific topic.)

Benefits
As soon as you join a mailing list you will find a new world of help and support at your fingertips. Other people will be more than happy to answer your questions and, as you gain experience, you will be able to help others.

A few rules for success
1. It’s always best to enter a subject line that is specific. Some people won’t open an email unless the subject line is something they are interested in or feel confident about. So be specific and be brief. If someone using the digest mode doesn’t change the subject line, be sure to change it when you respond.

2. Be courteous in your request and don’t get upset with others for asking questions that don’t make sense or are not clear. Don’t write a message in all capital letters because this means you are SHOUTING!!

Old Message Archive
Most mailing lists maintain an archive of their old messages. This can also be a great resource because you can search old messages and look for answers to questions that have been asked previously. You can check out the archive before you subscribe to get an idea of how many emails are generated in a given month. Some only have a handful of posts each month and some can get 100 plus each day!

When you are finished reading the emails that come to your email box, just delete the ones you are not interested in.

Examples
Let’s take a look at a couple of lists that you might be interested in.

LDS-WARD-CONSULTANT

This is a list for the use of LDS family history consultants to exchange suggestions, guidelines, data, etc. related to their duties. You can discuss just about any topic that concerns the duties of a consultant, teaching Sunday School classes, and even how to get members of the ward involved in family history research and temple submissions.

To join this list you subscribe by sending the one word message “subscribe” (without the quotes) to LDS-WARD-Consultant-L-request@Rootsweb.com. Replace the “L” with a “D” if you want the Digest mode rather than the list mode.

You can search the LDS Ward Consultant archives for this list or browse the archives.

PAF-5 Software

There is a mailing list for users of PAF5 software.

Again, to join this list, send the one work message “subscribe” to paf-5-users-l-request@rootsweb.com. Search the PAF 5 archives or browse the archives.

RootsMagic Software

A terrific list for users of RootsMagic software is ROOTSMAGIC-USERS. If you have a question just send an email and you get a response, usually within minutes. Subscribe the same way at rootsmagic-users-l-request@rootsweb.com. Search the RootsMagic archives or browse the archives.

If you want to find other genealogy related mailing lists, or any mailing list for that matter, check out the following:

Here is a great list of Genealogy Resources on the Internet.

And here is the list of all Mailing Lists hosted on RootsWeb’s website.

Yahoo also hosts some mailing lists, but, they call them Groups rather than lists. You can reach their index at Yahoo Groups.