New Test System (Sandbox) for Use With New FamilySearch

This is great news and long-coming for Family History Consultants and FH Center Staff! This will be SO useful for teaching new FamilySearch to others. Received the following email from FamilySearch Support today!

Dear Family History Consultant:

We are excited to announce a great new resource for you to use as you teach others how to use the new FamilySearch. We have created a fully functional training version of new.familysearch.org that contains fictitious data designed specifically for training purposes. In this system, you will be able to:

·         Use practice exercises to teach others how to use the new.familysearch.org Web site.

·         Add, edit, and modify information without the worry of using real data.

·         Combine and separate records.

·         Practice submitting names for temple ordinances. Note: You can print a Family Ordinance Request, but do not take the request to the temple.

·         Use the Help Center to search for answers to questions, and find additional training helps, including access to the new FamilySearch E-learning Course.

·         Submit GEDCOMs that are limited to five names.

·         Use your account until it expires after six months.

·         Get a new account each time your old account expires.

The training system will:

·         Delete any data you have added after your account expires.

·         Refresh the account and return it to its original state so it can be used again.

·         Continue to be upgraded as the new FamilySearch system is enhanced.

Access to this new training system is available at: https://training.familysearch.org. Those with an LDS Account user name and password (Church members who have registered at https://ident.familysearch.org/cis-web) will be able to sign on using that user name and password.

This is the first version of the training system.  It provides the full functionality of new FamilySearch and has a basic set of exercises.  We will continue to enhance the exercises based on feedback from those using the system.  We hope this will prove to be a great new training resource for you while you teach classes about the new FamilySearch. The training system is available now.

Sincerely,

FamilySearch

Faces of America on PBS

Faces of America with Henry Louis Gates, Jr is a new PBS series that asks the questions: What made America? What makes us?

Mr Gates is a Harvard scholar who turns to the latest tools of genealogy and genetics to explore the family histories of 12 renowned Americans. It will broadcast through March 3rd on your local PBS station.

Online video replays of the episodes can be found here.

The Generations Project - Monday nights on BYUTV

Have you ever wondered why you’re such a great musician? Where you get your love of politics? Why you're so independent? The answer just might be found in the lives of your ancestors.

The Generations Project is a new reality series that helps those who have questions about their family history investigate their own identities by walking in the shoes of their ancestors. As they undertake these journeys, they often uncover the hidden identities in family pasts, and come to see that in many cases the best way to know who you are is to know who you came from.

Monday nights at 8pm MST on BYU Television. Watch the latest episode...

                

Who Do You Think You Are? coming March 5th to NBC

Ancestry.com and NBC bring you seven exciting stories that will inspire the world to discover theirs. Tune into NBC Fridays at 8/7c starting Friday, March 5th, 2010. A heartwarming journey through family history! Watch WDYTYA.




Episode 1 - Sarah Jessica Parker (online until 18 Sep 2010)
Episode 2 - Emmitt Smith 
Episode 3 - Lisa Kudrow
Episode 4 - Matthew Broderick 
Episode 5 - Brooke Shields
Episode 6 - Susan Sarandon
Episode 7 - Spike Lee

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!

Salt Lake City Genealogy and Family History Conferences

A unique opportunity to participate in the National Genealogical Society (NGS) Conference is coming to Salt Lake City April 28 to May 1, 2010. The NGS conference has not been held in Salt Lake for more than 10 years and it could be that long before it returns.

Conferences are a fantastic way of enhancing your knowledge of genealogy and family history. And, if you are a family history consultant, director, or patron of a family history center you will want to attend at least the free activities being provided. However, everyone will benefit greatly from attending the workshops and you will meet many others just like you from beginner to professional.

This year is unique with four conferences being held together in the same week – all of them at the Salt Palace in downtown Salt Lake City.

1.                 BYU Conference on Computerized Family History and Genealogy features the latest technology tools and trends in genealogy. It will be held on Monday and Tuesday that week.

2.                 BYU Family History Technology Workshop explores current and emerging research in genealogy technology will be held on Wednesday.

3.                 FamilySearch Developers Conference holds special workshops and networking for software developers and will hold their classes on Tuesday.

4.                 NGS Family History Conference will be held Wednesday through Saturday and is the premier national conference for genealogists.  

Whether you are new to family history or an experienced genealogist, there is something for you at this year’s events. Take advantage of free on-on-one research consultations with accredited genealogists; extended hours at the Family History Library; dozens of workshops and presentations; and free access to over 250 genealogy and technology exhibitors.

Another unique experience will be free admission to an evening celebration of family history featuring special speakers and a concert by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir!

For more information on each of the events follow the links above.  There is a special $50 discount for those who want to attend the BYU Conference on Monday and Tuesday and also the NGS Conference on Wednesday through Saturday.

Direct links to the various pages:

NGS Conference highlights

NGS Conference Program

NGS Conference Speaker Profiles

 

Registration page for the NGS Conference IF attending BOTH conferences.

NGS Registration Brochure includes the registration form if attending ONLY this conference or you can register online

Registration page for the BYU Conference on Computerized Family History and Genealogy

Registration page for Family History Technology Workshop and the FHTW Class Schedule

Registration page for the FamilySearch Developers Conference

UVPAFUG -Come Join Me

Utah Valley PAF Users Group is definitely NOT for just PAF users. This is a great genealogy group that works to improve the skills of all family history enthusiasts and genealogists. The group meets the 2nd Saturday of every month in Provo, Utah and is open to the public. We have three hours of learning each month -- about one hour for the main speaker and 1 1/2 hours for breakout classes. Everything is free. You can choose to officially join the group which gives you some great added benefits, but it is not necessary to join. Please come join us!


Here is the information  about this months meeting and directions to the location.

The next regular, second-Saturday-of-the-month meeting of the Utah Valley PAF (Personal Ancestral File) Users Group will be on Saturday, 13 Feb 2010, from 9 am to noon AT OUR OLD LOCATION, THE LDS "RED CHAPEL", 4050 North Timpview Drive (650 East), Provo. The "Red Chapel" remodeling is finished now. There is a map showing the location on the group's website http://uvpafug.org . The main presentation for this meeting will be by Arthur Johnson on BUILDING STRONG RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PRIESTHOOD LEADERS AND FAMILY HISTORY WORKERS. The presentation centers around finding harmony in the administration of family history work through joyful service. The 2006 revised Handbook of Instructions serves as the basis for this presentation with helpful suggestions around propelling family history work forward in wards and branches of the church. Art Johnson is an Area Manager with the Family History Department and has responsibility for the global contact center. As such he coordinates the effort of over 1,000 missionaries serving worldwide across many languages. His experience with both priesthood leadership and in supporting members in various church callings associated with family history provides a unique perspective on family history work. Art has been working for the Church since 2005 after many years in the contact center industry. He and his wife have 4 children and reside in Utah County. In his spare time he enjoys running (preparing for a marathon in September 2010), reading, and following the Utah Jazz.

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 teachers and classes currently scheduled for this meeting are the following: (1) Duane Dudley on Submitting Names to the Temple with New FamilySearch; (2) George Scott on Getting to Know New FamilySearch (Class 4 of 4); (3) Venita Parry on Genealogy on Your MAC; (4) Art Johnson, Q&A on Building Strong Relationships; (5) Video of last month's main presentation by Janet Hovorka on Comparing Software Certified on New FamilySearch; (6) Gaylon Findlay on Ancestral Quest; (7) Dean Bennett on Legacy 7; and (8) Sue Maxwell on RootsMagic.

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, Vice President; Beth Ann Wiseman, PAFology Editor; Kay Baker, Gerry Eliason, and Don Engstrom 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. We are sorry to have lost one of our stalwart co-workers, Brian Cooper, who died of cancer on 19 Jan 2010. Brian served as a Vice President for several years. 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 at http://blog.uvpafug.org/. For further information contact President Gerhard Ruf at pres@uvpafug.org (801-225-6106) or Vice President Don Snow at snowd@math.byu.edu.

Don Snow, Vice President of Utah Valley PAF Users Group
Donald R. Snow, Math Faculty, Nauvoo University http://www.nauvoouniversity.com
Retired Professor of Mathematics, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
snowd@math.byu.edu

New FamilySearch articles from Mormon Times and Deseret News

"I don't have time!" "I don't know where to start!" "All the work's been done!" "I'll wait until I'm older!" "My cousin is doing the family history."  Do you find yourself making similar statements? If so, take a few minutes and read a series of articles from the MORMON TIMES newspaper.

The first in the series is "New FamilySearch means no more excuses." Find out why it's better to get started now; how to do family history much easier today; and, learn about our ONE big family tree.

Part 2 in the series is "Web site is all about families, temple work."  Gain a perspective of family history and new FamilySearch. Find out how you fit into the process, and, learn what new FamilySearch IS and ISN'T.

Part 3 in the series is "Getting started on the new FamilySearch."  Here is where you learn to register, explore, analyze, clean, connect, and collaborate within new FamilySearch.

If you subscribe to the Deseret News or find someone who does, you can see all the visual examples contained in these articles. Part 3 is located in today's Mormon Times (28 Jan 2010).


In December, 2009, the Church News section of the Deseret News published an article called "Tips for using new FamilySearch".  Many of these tips concern the functions that can easily get us into trouble or confused. Communication is your best bet!


If you want to read other articles that have been published in the Mormon Times about family history, click here for the entire list.

Why FOLLOW a Blog?

Look way down below in my blog for a little section called “FOLLOW”. This is where you can FOLLOW my blog or any other blog. Well, you ask, why would I want to FOLLOW your blog or any other blog? Well, let’s look at why you might want to FOLLOW a blog, and if so, what methods can be used.

Maybe you have a blog or two, or twenty that you are interested in, but you forget to check to see if the blogger has added any new stories or articles. Maybe you just get tired of checking, so you don’t. You might miss something important to you unless someone or something notifies you of new postings. That’s what the FOLLOW feature is all about. It keeps track of the blogs you are interested in and lets you know when one has been updated by using one of several methods or tools.

One of the tools available to you for reading and keeping track of blogs is the Google Reading List. It’s free and easy by signing up for a Google Account.    All you need is your email address and then create a password. The Google Account will give you access to a variety of Google products, including IGoogle, Picasa, Google Calendar, and access to a free Gmail account. The calendar at the bottom of this blog is made using Google Calendar.

The Google Reading List (above) will keep track of all the blogs you are following and let you read and manage them in one location. If you want to go directly to the blog site, just click on the blog’s link. As you click on a blog on the left, the right side displays all the posts to that site. Clicking on an article’s title will send you to the actual blog site.

If you have a blog of your own hosted on Blogspot, you can also view these blog posts in your Blogger Dashboard which looks like the one below. Subscribing to a blog will add it to your dashboard and then you can also add your “followed” blogs to your dashboard.

IGoogle is another option and can be customized to add the Google Reader.  Create a personalized IGoogle page/homepage. You can add different widgets to personalize your page. One of these is the Google reader. It will automatically display a title and a link  to each of the blogs that you follow. Using IGoogle as your homepage gives you immediate access to blog updates. When you hover over the title the article displays as a popup. Here is a Google Reader widget from an IGoogle page.

The section below, in the middle column, entitled “Genealogy Blogs – News Feed” is one way of following blogs. I set up a blog feed that automatically updates whenever one of the blogs I have added is updated. The most recent post is listed at the top. In this type of feed, only one new post for a blog is displayed at any time. You can click on the header for that blog and the link will take you to that blog where you can see more articles posted.

Followers are also important to bloggers because it helps a blogger know who is reading the blog. Knowing my audience helps me determine what my readers would be most interested in. Posting comments to a blog also helps me understand my readers and give them what they want.

So, if you are interested in my blog, please follow  it. Or click on any of the genealogy blogs in my feeder and follow them. Make following blogs easier!

Final four Fast Track classes for new FamilySearch

We have been busy teaching new FamilySearch classes over the last month or two. We are down to the last four sets of classes that we have planned. Each set consists of two consecutive Wednesdays, either in the morning or the evening. See the calendar below for details. January 27th and February 3rd is one set of classes. Then February 10th and 17th will be the last planned set of  classes.

The classes are open to anyone! So come and bring a friend. This is your chance to participate in the same training here in the south end of the county that you would normally have to travel downtown to the Family History Library for.

If you have questions, contact me below.

2010 Training at FHC (update).

New training classes will begin at our Tri-Stake FHC in January.

Starting January 11th a new class on using RootsMagic and new FamilySearch will begin. Currently that class is full but, you can contact me (see contact area below) to get on the waiting list or to let me know if you are interested in the next set of classes.

On Tuesday mornings I will teach some basic classes on using new FamilySearch. I want to limit this class to about four people at a time for those who prefer a slower approach to learning the new processes. Please contact me (see contact area below) and let me know if you are interested.

We will also be teaching some fast-track classes on new FamilySearch on Wednesday mornings and evenings beginning in mid January.

Here is an update on the new FamilySearch classes:

The Tri-stake Family History Center is offering more fast track training classes on new familysearch.  The first two week course will be held on Wednesday, January 13th and Wednesday, January 20th in the Primary Room (on the South side of the building) of the Granite South Stake Center (10000 So. 2100 E).  You may choose to attend the classes from either 10-12 am or 7-9 pm on those days. These classes are open to anyone who wants to learn how to use the new FamilySearch program.  Please come and join us!

RootsMagic Announcement - BIG-BIG-BIG!!

I think everyone knows how much I like RootsMagic Software. I have just always found it to be easy for people to understand, easy to use, and yet extremely powerful with it's variety of features. Today RM announced a free version of RootsMagic for those genealogists out there who still want to use their software package of choice, but also want to access new FamilySearch and share data.

This is a terrific opportunity to try out the program. There is a full trial version as well. So now, you don't have to manually enter data in new FamilySearch and then manually copy the information into your program. USE ROOTSMAGIC Essentials and find out just how easy it really is!

 RootsMagic Releases Free Genealogy and Family Tree Software

• Posted by Michael Booth
• November 18, 2009

“RootsMagic Essentials” Brings Free Tools for Family History

SPRINGVILLE, Utah. — November 18, 2009 — RootsMagic, Inc. announced the immediate availability of RootsMagic Essentials, free desktop genealogy software based on their award-winning RootsMagic 4 system.  RootsMagic Essentials contains many core features found in its namesake that allow the public to easily start tracing their family trees.

Essential Features for Everyone

“Many of our users have told us that they have friends and family members who are interested in getting started in family history but aren’t ready to invest in a more comprehensive package like RootsMagic,” said Bruce Buzbee, president.  “RootsMagic Essentials gives them the features they need to start researching and recording their family tree at a price that can’t be beat—free!”

RootsMagic Essentials shares many of the same features with the full RootsMagic software including clean and friendly screens, the ability to add an unlimited number of people and events, pictures and media management, the SourceWizard to write your source citations for you, powerful merging and clean-up tools, dozens of reports and charts, support for international character sets, FamilySearch integration, and the ability to share data with other people and software programs.  The full version of RootsMagic is available for purchase and includes features not available in RootsMagic Essentials.

Free and Available Now

RootsMagic Essentials is available now for free at http://www.rootsmagic.com.  Users of other genealogy software products will find it easy to experiment with RootsMagic Essentials using their own data.  RootsMagic Essentials can directly import data from PAF, Family Tree Maker (through 2006), Family Origins, and Legacy Family Tree.  It can also read and write data using the popular GEDCOM format.
“We’re excited to make RootsMagic Essentials available to the community,” said Michael Booth, vice-president.  “Our mission is to provide ’software to unite families’ and our hope is that RootsMagic Essentials will encourage more people to record their family trees and connect with their family histories”.

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.

Excited to Use new FamilySearch?

Now that new FamilySearch is being released in the Salt Lake Valley many questions are coming up about how best to learn to use the program. Most of the temple districts around the U.S. and other parts of the world have been using nFS for up to two years now and users have been creating new lessons and tools to help others learn the process.  These are tools beyond the E-Learning classes that are available within nFS.

I can’t say which of the lessons or tools are the “best” because each individual is different and learns in different ways. So, one method may work better for you than another.  I’d suggest you browse through the different offerings and decide for yourself. You may want to take the E-learning classes first to establish your knowledge of the basics and then, use some of the others for their more detailed solutions to problems. Problems are often complicated and can best be explained through examples.

Here are several of the best places to learn to use nFS.

1.       E-Learning classes on nFS. Log in to nFS, click on HELP CENTER, and then on the Training and Resources tab. On that tab you will find the links to the E-Learning Courses available to you.  www.new.familysearch.org  Remember to check back occasionally because your list of classes will update as needed.

2.       FHC Lesson Manuals from a FHC in Florida written by Miles Meyer.  Scroll down to the applicable new FamilySearch lessons.

3.       New FamilySearch videos prepared by John Willis from a California FHC. The list of classes are available on video to view or to download. The links to specific classes to view are as follows: (allow time for download of each video.)

• Features and benefits of nFS and common errors 
• Maintaining your Family Tree with nFS
• Linking generations in nFS         
• Adding new individuals to nFS  
• How to prepare submission sheets for ordinances 

4.       How to register for nFS

5.       BYU – Religion 261 manual for new FamilySearch and other programs

6.       Introduction to new FamilySearch

7.       A simple overview of nFS 

8.       How to use nFS correctly (74 page manual by George Scott – Lindon, Utah FHC)

9.       A casual overview of new FamilySearch – (48 page manual)

10.      How to teach nFS to members (a basic outline by Laurie Castillo)

If you locate lessons and tools that I have missed, please let me know and I will add them to the list.

Draper Temple District Starts Rollout

Well, our Draper Temple District was announced today for general release of new  FamilySearch. The first 20 stakes in the District go live next Monday, October 26th! The last five stakes in Draper will go live the following Monday on November 2nd. To see the details of which stakes are included go to:  Draper Utah Stakes - Announced Release Dates

Utah Valley PAF Users Group Meeting

Sorry this is so late but I've been away for a few weeks...need to get busy and add some more articles.  :)


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, 10 Oct 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 THE GENEALOGY GAME SHOW by Robert Raymond. Think you can read a census record? Properly interpret old documents? Do online records have special pitfalls? Come and quiz yourself. This presentation provides a fun way for beginners to learn, experienced genealogists to review, and advanced genealogists to challenge their knowledge of interpreting records and genealogical skills. Robert Raymond is a genealogical technologist. He's a 40 year veteran of genealogy and a 30+ year veteran of computers. Robert works for FamilySearch International and previously worked for The Generations Network (Ancestry.com). He holds over a dozen patents and received a Masters Degree in Electrical (Computer) Engineering from BYU where he was a Kimball Scholar. Robert is a popular presenter and a shadow writer for one of the most popular genealogical blogs on the web.

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) How to do FamilySearch Indexing, by Duane Dudley; (2) Getting to Know New FamilySearch (Class 1 of 4), by George Scott; (3) Genealogy on Your MAC, by Venita Parry; (4) Q&A: The Genealogy Game Show, by Robert Raymond; (5) Video of last month's main presentation by Crista Cowan, If You Get Stuck Going Backward, Go Forward: Tracing Descendants of Your Ancestors; (6) Ancestral Quest, by Gaylon Findlay; (7) Legacy, by Dean Bennett; and (8) RootsMagic, by Bruce Buzbee.