tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16466679794504000552024-02-07T01:37:01.589-08:00FHC SandpointFor the Beginner - Getting Started In Family HistoryUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1646667979450400055.post-84787763768966818792016-06-29T17:10:00.000-07:002016-06-29T17:10:32.377-07:00BOOT CAMP 13 - DNA or Not<div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.8px;">Have you thought about having your DNA tested? Have you wondered how it would help you in your research? Well, that was my question. A couple of months ago my husband and I decided to have our DNA tested. I had no idea what to expect or how it might help me. In this Boot Camp, I thought I would tell you some of the things I learned about DNA testing and maybe it will help you make that decision about taking the DNA test.</span></div>
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<br />I will try to keep this short (even though that may not be possible) and try to explain the program as simply as I can. I have watched and read a lot about DNA testing so I am starting to understand it a little bit. First, let me explain our DNA like one of the videos I watched. I think it makes it very simple and understandable.<br /><br />We are going to use fruit. Let's say your dad has inherited <span style="color: mediumblue;"><strong>Apples, Bananas, Grapefruit</strong>, and <strong>Watermelon</strong></span>. Your mother inherited <span style="color: red;"><strong>Oranges, Grapes, Mangoes</strong>, and <strong>Peaches</strong></span>. You inherited from your father <span style="color: mediumblue;"><strong>Bananas and Apples</strong> </span>and <strong><span style="color: red;">Peaches and Grapes</span></strong> from your mother, . Your brother inherited from your father <strong><span style="color: mediumblue;">Watermelon and Grapefruit</span></strong> and from your mother, <span style="color: red;"><strong>Peaches and Oranges</strong>.</span> Your sister inherited <strong><span style="color: mediumblue;">Apples and Watermelon</span></strong> from your dad and <strong><span style="color: red;">Oranges and Mangoes</span></strong> from your mother. Do you get the picture? DNA does not split and go to each child but a whole DNA will go to one child and might not go to another. So with this in mind, this would be one reason for several family members to have their DNA tested. It would give you a more complete picture of your ethnicity.<br /><br />Taking the test is a little gross but easy. You place your order (there are several companies that do testing and charge different amounts - I used Ancestry because I felt they were one of the largest and cheaper). You will get a package in the mail, follow the directions (spit into a tube, shake it with some solution in the tube, drop it into the return package, and mail it - postage already paid). Then you wait - 6-8 weeks normally. In the meantime, go online and register. You will have been given a number that will let you register. This is where it gets a little confusing. You do not have to be a full member of Ancestry but for the full benefits, it helps. Members of the church have available to them a free membership so make sure you log in and take advantage of that. Once that is done, it also helps to have your family tree on Ancestry. You can make a gedcom (ask your FHC staff for assistance) and download that (you don't have to but why not take full advantage of this program).<br /><br />So you get your results. The first thing you will see when you log in is a pie (Which I couldn't get the picture to appear but beside it is the breakdown of the pie).<br /><br /><h4>
ETHNICITY ESTIMATE<br /> 33% Ireland<br /> 27% Scandinavia<br /> 16% Great Britain<br /> 6 More regions</h4>
<br />You will also see a link to those that are related to you - immediate family to distant cousins.<br /><br />So with the pie, you will get a rough estimate of your ethnicity. Your siblings may get something slightly different and that is why it is nice to get all of your family to take the test. You can then compare the similarities and differences to get a more complete picture of your ethnicity. If your parents are alive, it would be helpful for you to have them take the test so you can better determine which DNA is from your mother and which is from your father. (By the way, Ancestry does a test for male and female. Some tests are for one or the other.)<br /><br />Now using the relationship connections, you can begin working through lines to further your family tree. For instance, I have a surname of Troutt. My ancestors (that I know of) were in Virginia but I knew there was a line in Tennessee. I never could connect them but through this DNA, I have found that connection. I can now communicate with that cousin and hopefully will be able to attach them to my ancestor and move further back in my lines. It does take time and patience to do this kind of research but it is well worth it. My mother's line had tons of people who have submitted their DNA so I think researching her lines will be much easier than for my dad. We have since taken by mom's DNA and are currently waiting for the results.<br /><br />A special note, Ancestry is constantly improving their research and these improvements will benefit us. As they find more relatives or connections on my pedigree chart, they pass that info along to me. So don't forget to keep checking back to your results as you may find new relatives that have recently had their test or through new technology, you might get a more refined ethnicity chart.<br /><br />So is taking a DNA test worth it, in my opinion, YES! I got a more precise knowledge of my roots and now have more people to communicate with in my research.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1646667979450400055.post-43070702114742603432016-05-31T10:26:00.000-07:002016-05-31T10:26:09.291-07:00BOOT CAMP LESSON 12<div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: center;">
<strong>Make a Personal Family History Book</strong></div>
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<br />This is something every single person can do. Keeping a personal family history book is easy and will help your family know the YOU that you really are. What is it that you want your family to remember about you? Include important facts about you as well as things of interest.This is an ongoing project. This is a great Family Home Evening activity and Sunday project.<br /><br />You can set up your book anyway you like but I will show you how I set mine up and maybe this will help you with some ideas. (I started this book many years ago but it is never too late to get started - just do it!)<br /><br /><br /><strong>1. Start with a binder</strong> - I like the 2.5 or 3 inch 3 ring binders. <img align="none" data-cke-saved-src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f430ad32665b2d61ba35b2b4b/images/076df3e6-7566-4572-8462-fe0b477294d9.jpg" height="162" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f430ad32665b2d61ba35b2b4b/images/076df3e6-7566-4572-8462-fe0b477294d9.jpg" style="height: 162px; margin: 0px; width: 200px;" width="200" /> <img align="none" data-cke-saved-src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f430ad32665b2d61ba35b2b4b/images/0a724da1-93f9-474b-97e2-b885bf4738d8.jpg" height="136" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f430ad32665b2d61ba35b2b4b/images/0a724da1-93f9-474b-97e2-b885bf4738d8.jpg" style="height: 136px; margin: 0px; width: 200px;" width="200" /><br />(I started with one binder but then had to expand to two.)<br /><br /><strong>2. Make a Table of Contents</strong> (think about your life and how you would like to divide it into subjects)<br /><img align="none" data-cke-saved-src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f430ad32665b2d61ba35b2b4b/images/cb642149-8081-4312-8c4f-94f4dd6d5d34.jpg" height="136" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f430ad32665b2d61ba35b2b4b/images/cb642149-8081-4312-8c4f-94f4dd6d5d34.jpg" style="height: 136px; margin: 0px; width: 200px;" width="200" /> My topics are: In the beginning (I include basic info and some pictures), Little girl days, School years, Places where I've lived, My friends, The family (my marriage and children), Ancestors (went only as far as my grandparents), Descendants (went down to my grandchildren), Court Records (copies of certificates like birth and wedding, etc.), Things I like to do (hobbies, talents, etc.), Poems from the heart (I like to write poems so did a whole section on this), and Bits n' Pieces (anything that doesn't fit anywhere else goes here). You can label your categories however you like.<br /><br /><strong>3. First topic should include some important facts about you</strong> -<br />A 4-generation sheet and a fact sheet (basic facts about your life in one-two pages - include dates, places and names. Tell your name, your parent's and siblings, your spouse, and children....just the facts. You can elaborate later. ALWAYS give full names, dates, and places if known.<br /> <img align="none" data-cke-saved-src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f430ad32665b2d61ba35b2b4b/images/c4a2b2e1-f1be-4c63-a79a-1ce376417afe.jpg" height="136" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f430ad32665b2d61ba35b2b4b/images/c4a2b2e1-f1be-4c63-a79a-1ce376417afe.jpg" style="height: 136px; margin: 0px; width: 200px;" width="200" /> <img align="none" data-cke-saved-src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f430ad32665b2d61ba35b2b4b/images/a9ec56ad-7964-464a-bf00-25f7f27036fd.jpg" height="136" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f430ad32665b2d61ba35b2b4b/images/a9ec56ad-7964-464a-bf00-25f7f27036fd.jpg" style="height: 136px; margin: 0px; width: 200px;" width="200" /> <img align="none" data-cke-saved-src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f430ad32665b2d61ba35b2b4b/images/eb3a049b-7576-4434-bc65-d7e2dc171e85.jpg" height="136" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f430ad32665b2d61ba35b2b4b/images/eb3a049b-7576-4434-bc65-d7e2dc171e85.jpg" style="height: 136px; margin: 0px; width: 200px;" width="200" /> A good source to use when doing your basic info is from an Ensign article <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.lds.org/ensign/1994/06/one-hour-life-history?lang=eng" href="https://www.lds.org/ensign/1994/06/one-hour-life-history?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: mediumblue;">One hour life history</span></a><span style="color: mediumblue;">.</span><br /><br /><strong>4. Use some cute dividers</strong> (or just plain is okay if that is your style :) I used a simple graphic program like Printmaster - very easy to use and cost was $5.00. Some programs are free so check the Internet.I also used colored cardstock for dividers and plastic inserts for everything included (bought in bulk at a big box store)<br /><img align="none" data-cke-saved-src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f430ad32665b2d61ba35b2b4b/images/f039be08-57ee-4df5-a561-a40046a758d6.jpg" height="112" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f430ad32665b2d61ba35b2b4b/images/f039be08-57ee-4df5-a561-a40046a758d6.jpg" style="height: 112px; margin: 0px; width: 400px;" width="400" /><br /><br /><strong>5. I like to write a cover page for each topic</strong>. This is where you can go into detail about things in your life or interests. For school years I told facts but also included fun stories. Be sure to include pictures - identify those in the picture and tell about where it was taken.<br />. <img align="none" data-cke-saved-src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f430ad32665b2d61ba35b2b4b/images/2e3e129f-0768-4f35-9135-3d613e0d4356.jpg" height="174" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f430ad32665b2d61ba35b2b4b/images/2e3e129f-0768-4f35-9135-3d613e0d4356.jpg" style="height: 174px; margin: 0px; width: 150px;" width="150" /> <img align="none" data-cke-saved-src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f430ad32665b2d61ba35b2b4b/images/d4ffa7ef-6169-4374-806d-92fa90dd6f12.jpg" height="143" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f430ad32665b2d61ba35b2b4b/images/d4ffa7ef-6169-4374-806d-92fa90dd6f12.jpg" style="height: 143px; margin: 0px; width: 150px;" width="150" /><br /><br /><strong>6. Don't forget to add the fun things about your life </strong>- hobbies and interests. Describe the items you insert. I like puzzles so I take pictures of them when completed then tell what that puzzle meant to me. If you like to quilt, tell about the quilts and why you made them. If you like photography, show some pictures of your progress - early pictures to your latest ones. If you play an instrument, tell the specifics about your talent and show pictures.<br /> <img align="none" data-cke-saved-src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f430ad32665b2d61ba35b2b4b/images/03a60553-6eb8-4a1c-9c0b-52b9e11e3922.jpg" height="136" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f430ad32665b2d61ba35b2b4b/images/03a60553-6eb8-4a1c-9c0b-52b9e11e3922.jpg" style="height: 136px; margin: 0px; width: 200px;" width="200" /> <img align="none" data-cke-saved-src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f430ad32665b2d61ba35b2b4b/images/6d61cd86-d708-4cbc-a421-1476004336b9.jpg" height="136" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f430ad32665b2d61ba35b2b4b/images/6d61cd86-d708-4cbc-a421-1476004336b9.jpg" style="height: 136px; margin: 0px; width: 200px;" width="200" /><br /><br /><strong>Bottom line,</strong> this is your book so put things in it that represent who you are. You can add some family pictures but most family pictures should be put into a Family - family history book. Be sure to tell about things (you can do the journal in a jar and sick the stories behind the topic that it applies to). You might want to write about lessons learned from doing different activities that have been included. Have fun with this book project and don't forget to keep adding to it as your life goes on.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1646667979450400055.post-58922340182286835392016-04-30T13:50:00.000-07:002016-04-30T13:50:13.446-07:00BOOT CAMP LESSON 11<div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: center;">
<strong>BIG MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN DOING FAMILY HISTORY</strong><br /></div>
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It is the tendency of many to make some mistakes when they are doing research for their family lines. Please read about these mistakes and try to avoid them with your research.<br /><br /><strong>1. Don't Assume that what you see on your family tree is true</strong> - There are so many places online where you will be able to view your family tree. Don't assume that the info is correct. Best thing to do is to look for documentation and check out those sources. Don't believe everything you see - even if it is in a book or on the Internet.<br /><br /><strong>2. Don't Jump to conclusions based on insufficient information</strong> - So many just assume that so and so is their ancestor because they lived in the right area at the right time. Use that info as a clue but look for more info to back up your conclusions.<br /><br /><strong>3. Don't Forget to document your sources</strong> - As mentioned in previous lessons, be sure to document where you get your information (and tell what you found exactly as stated on the document used - don't change the spelling or dates to what you think is correct).<br /><br /><strong>4. </strong> <strong>Don't accept family legends as factual</strong> - Use them as a clue but follow up with proper research. Grandpa said his ancestor came over on the Mayflower when in fact, it was just a story passed down. Check out those stories!<br /><br /><strong>5. Don't start by following a famous person in hopes that you are related</strong> - Do your research starting from you and going back. This is the only way you can be sure that you have the right family lines.<br /><br /><strong>6.</strong> <strong>Abbreviations are not always what you might think</strong> - NA might mean non applicable, naturalized, Native American or even Navy.<br /><br /><strong>7. </strong> <strong>Watch the dates! </strong>- It would be extremely unlikely that a woman 82 would deliver a child or that a child of 8 would be a parent. If you see these kinds of things in your family tree, it should send up a red flag - INVESTIGATE!<br /><br /><strong>8. </strong> <strong>Don't get hung up with the spelling of a name </strong>- There are probably many different ways to spell a name so be sure to be open minded when researching. One of my family names is is spelled Zaring, Zahrung, Sayring, and many more - each sibling spells it differently.<br /><br /><strong>9.</strong> <strong>Don't forget to contact living members to get information</strong> - Gather that info before they are no longer able to give it to you.<br /><br /><strong>10. </strong> <strong>Places may change - People may cross borders</strong> - A town may change it's name or start in one county and then be listed in a different county. Be sure to check all the surrounding areas. Some towns disappear completely. My ancestor was born in a town that no longer exists but by submitting a query on a local genealogy board, someone from that area was able to send me info about the town and even a map to where it used to be. Also, there may be reason for your family to cross into a different town, county, or even state to get married, have children, die, or be buried. Check all of the surrounding areas.<br /><br /><strong>11. </strong> <strong>Not all of your information will be available to you online</strong> - You may have to actually visit an area to gather info first hand. There are still places (even in the US) that do not have their records recorded in any other place than their files. Don't give up - think out of the box. I have called mortuaries, cemeteries, names in a phone book, etc. and found some extremely valuable info that was not available anywhere on line.<br /><br /><strong>12. Don't be too narrow with your research</strong> - Often families will settle in as neighbors. When checking out an area, expand your search to see if there are others with the same name that could possibly be related. If those names keep cropping up, there may be a connection (friends too as some friends move together to new locations). I call this "Walking through the neighborhood".<br /><br />There are other things to be careful about but these are key points to remember.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1646667979450400055.post-50580689482023804722016-03-30T09:37:00.002-07:002016-03-30T09:37:41.406-07:00BOOT CAMP - LESSON 10<div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: center;">
<strong>WHY DO "I" NEED TO DO FAMILY HISTORY</strong></div>
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<br />Okay, so your whole life you have never had an interest in family history. You wanted nothing to do with any of it. That was a great hobby for your mom or uncle but not for you. You say, "Why do church leaders keep telling me that I need to do this? I am so busy and I don't have the time nor do I wish to take the time to learn how to do it." You kind of know the answers to these questions but you just aren't in a place in this time to act upon what you know is something that you are suppose to do. So why do they keep pressuring you?<br /><br /><strong>Simple answer: If YOU do nothing, then maybe nothing will be done. </strong>Your mom, your uncle, can't tell your story like you can tell it. Your family may not be united if you don't set the example. Your descendants may need your experiences to help them through a crisis or emotional support when they are sad, or validation that they have a purpose in life. You may be the one person that through your story or example, might be that ray of hope. Maybe you need that ray of hope from your ancestor. Or just maybe, you might be in the right place at the right time to receive vital information for an ancestor waiting for their eternal work to be done. If you are not receptive, you may miss this opportunity. Who loses? - that ancestor, YOU, and your descendants.<br /><br />I have a son who recently told me that he has no interest in genealogy. Yes, I am the "family genealogist" and my children have let it be that way all of their lives. What he doesn't realize is that he actually is doing family history. First of all, he does go to the temple. He teaches his family both by example and by encouraging them to do the same. Before he goes to the temple, he asks me if there are any ancestor names that he can do. He once went to a cemetery with his dad to find an ancestor's grave and realized that it was kind of fun. He is a pilot and has layovers in some places where his ancestors are buried so has volunteered to do a little photo taking of family names in different cemeteries. He accepts challenges through his ward and stake to do Indexing (although he doesn't do it on a regular basis, he does participate in challenges). He holds regular family home evenings where his family is taught gospel and family values. He enforces family traditions. He and his family take lots of pictures. His wife makes sure that they are organized and shared with family. He keeps his family closely in touch with their grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. No, he may not be doing genealogical research, but he is doing FAMILY HISTORY.<br /><br />We as genealogist can help those who are not into research by encouraging them to do "Family History" - in other words, expand on the things that makes a family important to each other and to those later generations. Those of you that are not into research, encourage your children to be strong family members, to participate in some family history making projects. Try to encourage them to do something - even it doesn't seem like much, every little bit they do might open an opportunity for something bigger. Keep a journal, write your family history, organize photos into a book and tell a story about them, search a cemetery for ancestors, have family home evenings, be strong in traditions, attend the temple, and most of all, set the example.<br /><br />Family History is about FAMILY. It's not just researching for ancestors even though that is very important. It's not about taking huge blocks of time. It's about helping family feel connected. To share the love that our ancestors had for their family and the love we have of our family with the love we hope our descendants will have for their family. DO SOMETHING!</div>
<br data-cke-eol="1" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1646667979450400055.post-75360978609291253562016-02-27T11:26:00.002-08:002016-02-27T11:26:56.955-08:00Boot Camp - LESSON 9 - Documentation<div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: center;">
<strong style="line-height: 20.8px;">Documentation - How important is it?</strong></div>
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So you have been doing genealogy research since you were 11 and have thousands of names in your data base. Your distant cousin (that you haven't met but found on Facebook and now wants to trade information with you) wants you to tell him where you got your information. You ask why. He said he's trying to prove that a particular line is actually his line. You look at your records and see that you have no documentation. All of those years of research and no proof that any of it is real. You can't tell him anything. OOPS! <br /><br />How important is documentation? VERY! I have a family (on Family Trees) where I have hit a brick wall with this line. I have exhausted all known resources so far. I was on FamilySearch the other day and saw that someone had linked my ancestor up with a wife (I had the first name but no last name). She now has a last name, she has parents, and now there are several kids added to this family. I was so surprised, excited, then suspicious.<br /><br />I saw no documentation for this wife with a new last name. I did some research and did find this lady with the new kids that were added to my family BUT no matter where I looked, there was no mention of MY ancestor. The child I had with a father and a mother with no last name now was with a family that didn't make sense. I wrote to the lady who added this name to Family Tree but have not yet heard back from her. I found on Ancestry this family (the mother with the new last name) - again, my ancestor was not listed but this wife with a husband (the same as my ancestor's name) and three children. were listed. Where is the proof that this wife was actually the mother of my ancestor? Now I have a situation. They have linked everyone up, done temple work for all new additions and sealed everyone. I will be very excited if this truly is my family but there is no proof. I have seen way too often where someone sees a family in a location that is about the right time frame so they think this is their family. That might not be the case.<br /><br />Documentation is so important. If you find a family that you think might be your family, DO YOUR RESEARCH! Make sure you make notes of where you got your information (be as complete as possible about your source) and record exactly what is shown on the document (or save the actual document - you can link these up on Family Tree). If you have a feeling but no real documentation, say that. Identify yourself and say that you believe that this family is connected but have no real proof. A statement like this will remind you (as well as tell others) that you need to do more research. (I put these names in my personal files - like my Roots Magic program. I mark them with an * to let me know that I still need to find proof of this person or relationship.)<br /><br /><span style="color: mediumblue;">For more information on sources (documentation) in Family Tree click </span><strong><a data-cke-saved-href="https://familysearch.org/ask/salesforce/viewArticle?urlname=Sources-in-Family-Tree&lang=en" href="https://familysearch.org/ask/salesforce/viewArticle?urlname=Sources-in-Family-Tree&lang=en" target="_blank"><span style="color: mediumblue;">HERE</span></a></strong><span style="color: mediumblue;">,<br />Why sources are valuable - click </span><strong><a data-cke-saved-href="https://familysearch.org/ask/salesforce/viewArticle?urlname=Why-Sources-Are-Valuable&lang=en_US" href="https://familysearch.org/ask/salesforce/viewArticle?urlname=Why-Sources-Are-Valuable&lang=en_US" target="_blank"><span style="color: mediumblue;">HERE</span></a></strong><span style="color: mediumblue;">.<br />Document as you go (Family Search) - click </span><strong><a data-cke-saved-href="https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Document_AS_YOU_GO!" href="https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Document_AS_YOU_GO!" target="_blank"><span style="color: mediumblue;">HERE</span></a></strong><span style="color: mediumblue;">.</span><br /><br />So what do you do if you have done all of this research and have not documented any of it? <strong>Get Started!</strong> Go back to the first person and start documenting. You will find some fun things will happen while you do this. You will get to know your ancestors better, you will find mistakes you (or someone) may have made along the way, and you might just break through some of those brick walls as you find your ancestors. You may even come across some really interesting stories along the way. What a fun family project! My goal is to have good documentation on every single name in my tree.<br /><br /><strong>FYI</strong> - Unfortunately, I did not have my documentation linked to this family. I have it in my personal files but neglected to do the follow through and connect it in Family Trees. I am as much to blame as the person that added these other family members to my ancestors. We all have areas that need improving <strong>:)</strong> </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1646667979450400055.post-14914952397631366622016-01-29T20:12:00.000-08:002016-01-29T20:12:12.160-08:00Boot Camp - Lesson 8 Let's Get Organized (Photos)<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px; text-align: center;">
<strong>Lesson 8 - Let's Get Organized!</strong></div>
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It's a new year and time to clean up and organize. We often use this time of year to go through our house and chuck out old and unused items - to clean up and get organized. Today we will discuss <strong>organizing photos</strong> - mainly digital photos. If you are like me, you have collected thousands of photos and now don't know what to do with them. This method can work for physical pictures also.<br /><br />If we are very lucky, we have a few pictures of our ancestors. How grateful we are for them. In the days of our ancestors, most did not have a camera and relied on one or two professional pictures of themselves and their family. In today's world, the digital world, we snap pictures of absolutely everything and everyone wherever we go. In a matter of seconds, we can collect hundreds of pictures - some treasures, some silly and worthless, and hundreds of places, animals, and people we don't really care about. The interesting thing about pictures is that we have a very hard time getting rid of even the worst pictures. I also have had the bad habit of "saving" my pictures to all kinds of devices so that I won't lose them (knowing how computers can crash or cameras break) only to now have 20 duplicates of all those meaningless photos. So what do we do? How do we decide what to keep and what to discard? Well, let's get organized! We will be sorting our photos. Just like our house, we will keep the good and chuck out the waste.<br /><br /><strong>Step 1 </strong>- Make a file on your computer (or external storage if you need something with a lot of space). Give this file a name like <strong>MASTER FILE</strong> (under the Pictures section).<br /><br /><strong>Step 2</strong> - Divide the Master file by setting up two files under the master file <br /><strong> </strong><strong>KEEP</strong> - Most pictures that you like and want to keep will go into this file. You will want to make sub folders in this file to help organize your pictures even more. <br /> <strong>TRASH</strong> - All pictures that have no meaning to you, duplicates, poor quality, etc. BE STRONG! This may be hard to do but get rid of all of those extra pictures that have little or no meaning to you or to the next generation.<br /><br />Make sub folders if you wish to sort more thoroughly. For instance, under my Keep file, I have my pictures in years. As I am sorting out pictures in years, I might add more folders for particular events like Family Reunion, trip to Alaska, etc. I will place those sub folders under the year it applies to. (2014 - sub folder Alaska Trip)<br /><br />Make one of the folders a <strong style="line-height: 20.8px;">TREASURE folder.</strong><span style="line-height: 20.8px;"> - Limit to "treasure" pictures - ones that you would like to print out and pass down. Think about the photos you treasure of your ancestors to help guide you for this group. For photos in this group, copy from the keep file the ones that you really want as a treasure then paste the copy into the treasure folder.</span><br /><br /><img align="none" data-cke-saved-src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f430ad32665b2d61ba35b2b4b/images/ceaa0494-b274-4490-b6b3-e73d4de4879c.jpg" height="200" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f430ad32665b2d61ba35b2b4b/images/ceaa0494-b274-4490-b6b3-e73d4de4879c.jpg" style="height: 200px; margin: 0px; width: 147px;" width="147" /><br /><br /><strong>Step 3</strong> - Go through all of your pictures and make the decision to put each picture into one of these two folders. Be sure to trash all photos that would not look good if printed (blurry, people you don't know, places that mean nothing to you, etc.) Also trash all duplicates. Be strong with yourself. You know what pictures mean nothing to you or that would look bad printed. Remember, you are housecleaning your photos. To do a quick sort, just put all of your pictures in one of the two folders then when you are done, go back and divide the Keep folder into sub folders. This is a double step but it will go faster if you have tons to sort through.<br /><br /><strong>Step 4 </strong>- Do a quick look through your trash folder to make sure that these are pictures that you can part with and then <strong>DELETE THESE PICTURES</strong>. Get rid of them. Don't let them clutter your computer for another minute! (You will be surprised how you won't miss these at all.)<br /><br /><strong>Step 5</strong> - Now go through your Treasure pictures. This is the group you are going to carefully name and organize. Try to identify and date if possible. It would be good to print these pictures and put in a book that can be shared.<br /><br /><strong>Step 6</strong> - Save this Keep folder in more than one place. Copy and paste this Master folder onto an external drive or to the cloud. Be sure to share these pictures with your extended family.<br /><br /><strong>Step 7</strong> - All new pictures will need to be treated immediately. If downloading from a camera or phone, make sure to drop them into a "temporary" folder. Now delete all "trash" related pictures, put your new pictures into the Keep file under the year (and group)or however you have chosen to set up your folders. If you have pictures to add to your Treasure folder, be sure to label them carefully and put them into your Master File Treasure folder. Every so often, <strong>update your files that you have kept in other locations</strong> by deleting the old file and replacing it with the new. <em>(The reason for deleting the old is that it no longer contains all of the pictures you have collected as you have since added new pictures. Since the old files are not complete, delete them and replace them with this new complete folder)</em><br /><br />Share your pictures with your family by printing out picture books or displaying them in a digital picture frame. <strong>Pictures help us remember memories of events in our lives.</strong> Make sure that your family will remember these events in their lives through the pictures you have organized!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1646667979450400055.post-36125423433107999832015-12-29T15:28:00.003-08:002015-12-29T15:30:28.311-08:00BOOT CAMP - Lesson 7 - Traditions<div style="background-color: #f3d5a2; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.8px; text-align: center;">
<strong>TRADITIONS</strong></div>
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Christmas always seems to be a time for traditions. Most of us have some traditions that we grew up with and have continued as adults with our family. Now would be a great time to write down the traditions of your family as a child and those of your family today. Tell about your traditions on your family tree! If you don't have any traditions, maybe this would be a good year to start some!<br />
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<strong>What are traditions?</strong><br />
Traditions are behaviors and actions that you engage in again and again - regular rituals that you perform at the same time and/or in the same way. Traditions, when done right, lend a certain magic, spirit, and texture to our everyday lives.<br />
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<strong>7 Reasons why traditions are important</strong> - by Frank Sonnenberg<br />
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<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: disc;">Tradition contributes a sense of comfort and belonging. It brings families together and enables people to reconnect with friends.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: disc;">Tradition reinforces values such as freedom, faith, integrity, a good education, personal responsibility, a strong work ethic, and the value of being selfless.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: disc;">Tradition provides a forum to showcase role models and celebrate the things that really matter in life.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: disc;">Tradition offers a chance to say “thank you” for the contribution that someone has made.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: disc;">Tradition enables us to showcase the principles of our Founding Fathers, celebrate diversity, and unite as a country.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: disc;">Tradition serves as an avenue for creating lasting memories for our families and friends.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: disc;">Tradition offers an excellent context for meaningful pause and reflection.</li>
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This <span style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 26px;">Christmas season take some time to gather the family and discuss the importance of your family traditions. (This would be a great Family Home Evening!) Most of all, have a wonderful Christmas.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1646667979450400055.post-43361295409192402742015-12-29T15:27:00.000-08:002015-12-29T15:27:02.504-08:00BOOT CAMP Lesson 6 Thankful for the Memories<div style="background-color: wheat; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.8px; text-align: center;">
<strong>THANKFUL FOR THE MEMORIES</strong><br /> </div>
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While pondering a lesson for November, I was reminded of a Thanksgiving many years ago and thought it would be a good lesson for this month. The topic for this month's lesson will about recording family memories for future generations.<br /><br />With the holidays upon us, many of us will be visiting with family - parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, and friends too! Now is the perfect time to record some of their history. In order to do this, go well equipped. You will need the correct tools to record these wonderful memories. Let's discuss some of what you will need to prepare yourself.<br /><br /><strong>1 - A Plan</strong> - Plan ahead, even if you aren't sure that the opportunity might arise, if you have some items with you and have some simple preparation, you can do an interview on the fly. Attend your gathering with a "thought" and a "plan" to glean information from your family.<br /><br /><strong>2 - Equipment</strong> - It is imperative that you have some kind of recording devices to save these memories that you want to acquire. The most basic is to use a cell phone for pictures and or videos. Better yet is a digital camera for live videos and still photos. You may also want to bring along a little digital tape recorder. Make sure everything is in at least digital format (or whatever is the most current mode of recording) so you will be able to easily transfer it to Family Tree or some other keepsake like a video or photo album. If you have a portable scanner, not a bad idea to take it with you but don't forget, your cell phone or camera may also be used to record documents and printed pictures (like those on a wall or in an album).<br /><br /><strong>3 - Outline</strong> - Decide ahead of time what you are wanting from those at your gathering. Be prepared so you don't waste time and frustrate those you want to interview. Be organized in how you go about getting what you want.<br /><br /><strong>PHOTOS</strong> - Be sure to know your camera before you go to your family gathering. Make sure the batteries are fully charged. Have a card large enough to record all the videos and pictures you would like (you may need an extra battery and extra cards). Take as many pictures as you can because you will wish you had more and the "right time" may never come along again.<br /><br /><strong>INTERVIEW</strong> - Definitely have a plan for interviewing. There are a few different ways to glean stories from family. Some people are very nervous about sharing or talking about themselves and their lives. Many think their lives are unimportant and feel there is nothing to talk about. You can take different approaches. You can ask questions - probably starting with their childhood and moving through their life. Another is to record a friendly family gathering with some leading questions to inspire the discussion. Be sure to include the important things in a person's life like names, dates, places, etc. Don't forget to get the stories! <strong>Watch this short <a href="http://broadcast.lds.org/elearning/fhd/Community/en/FamilySearch/5Minute/index.html?bcpid=1125699851001&bckey=AQ~~,AAAAsMO7iuE~,0a6boL_aMzTJOsGRProGiwOzxa5j5EAh&bclid=954918779001&bctid=1349389398001" style="color: #6dc6dd; font-weight: normal; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank"><span style="color: mediumblue;">video</span></a> to help with some ideas.</strong> There are lots of ideas online with questions to ask and how to make others feel comfortable while being interviewed. Be sure to record the questions as well as the response from the person being interviewed as their response may not be clear without the question.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1646667979450400055.post-1549990169739029422015-11-30T16:13:00.000-08:002015-11-30T16:13:12.287-08:0029 Fun Ways to Excite Your Family with Family History<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Fun</span> <span style="color: blue;">Ways</span> <span style="color: lime;">to</span> <span style="color: purple;">Get</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: orange;">Your</span> <span style="color: magenta;">Family</span> <span style="color: #38761d;">into</span> <span style="color: #990000;">Family</span> <span style="color: #0b5394;">History</span></span></div>
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<b>1.</b> Tell your children the stories of your childhood. Help them see their ancestors as real<br />
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people by inviting grandparents and other family members to share their personal life<br />
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<b>2.</b> Plan an evening meal around a traditional food from someplace an ancestor lived, i.e.<br />
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Irish corned beef and cabbage, German sauerbraten, Italian gnocchi, Mexican<br />
<br />
enchiladas, Native American wild rice and cranberries, Louisiana jambalaya or<br />
<br />
Maryland-style crabcakes.<br />
<br />
<b>3.</b> Using a map of the United States and US Census records (or a pedigree chart), trace<br />
<br />
the migration of ancestors from state to state. Have little ones color in the states<br />
<br />
where their ancestors lived.<br />
<br />
<b>4.</b> Experience what life was like for your ancestors before homes had electricity. Don’t use<br />
<br />
anything electrical for 24 hours (but be sure to keep your refrigerator and freezer<br />
<br />
<b>5.</b> Create a “Who Am I?” family history trivia game with questions that can only be<br />
<br />
answered by searching your pedigree chart.<br />
<br />
<b>6.</b> Show your child photos of her ancestors and talk to her about characteristics she might<br />
<br />
have inherited from an ancestor, such as red hair, freckles, or bushy eyebrows.<br />
<br />
<b>7.</b> Help an older child or teenager locate an ancestor in a US Census between 1880 and<br />
<br />
1940. Ask him questions about that person’s occupation, birthplace, education,<br />
<br />
immigration date, etc.<br />
<br />
<b>8.</b> Take your family on a “Family History Field Trip” to places where your ancestors lived<br />
<br />
or worked. Or download googleearth and fly off to visit those places.<br />
<br />
<b>9.</b> Visit cemeteries in person or online at findagrave.com and billiongraves.com and see how<br />
<br />
many ancestors’ graves you can find.<br />
<br />
<b>10.</b> Research historical events that took place during your ancestors’ lives. Talk about how<br />
<br />
those events might have impacted them.<br />
<br />
<b>11.</b> Include your children in a dramatic presentation of an event from your own or an<br />
<br />
ancestor’s life. Make simple costumes to make it more fun.<br />
<br />
<b>12.</b> Print an online template and create a jigsaw puzzle from an ancestor’s photo or a<br />
<br />
favorite family photo.<br />
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<b>13.</b> Make a time capsule. Place various items that are important to you and your family (i.e.<br />
<br />
a family photo, a movie ticket, school papers, family artwork, etc) in a sturdy box. Set<br />
<br />
a date to open it but don’t forget where you hid it.<br />
<br />
<b>14.</b> Print a fan chart from www.familysearch.org and turn it into a puzzle. Help your<br />
<br />
children match each person with their parents.<br />
<br />
<b>15.</b> Research the meaning of each family member’s given name. Find out if your name had<br />
<br />
particular importance to your parents. If you were named after an ancestor, find out<br />
<br />
more about that person.<br />
<br />
<b>16.</b> Create a “Family Faces Bingo” game with photos of ancestors and family members or<br />
<br />
simply write the name of an ancestor in each square.<br />
<br />
<b>17.</b> Find out what your ancestors might have done for fun where they lived 100 years ago,<br />
<br />
such as square dancing or pulling taffy.<br />
<br />
<b>18.</b> Make a “Matching Game” for younger children by making two copies of 15 or 20 family<br />
<br />
pictures. Add names to the “Matching Game” cards to create a game of “Go Fish.”<br />
<br />
<b>19.</b> Do a little research and find out how to make your own butter or soap. Use this for a<br />
<br />
family home evening activity.<br />
<br />
<b>20.</b> Create a picture pedigree chart by placing a small photo by each ancestor’s name.<br />
<br />
<b>21.</b> Celebrate with food by making Grandma’s apple pie or Papa’s famous meatloaf. Talk<br />
<br />
about their lives as you enjoy their recipes.<br />
<br />
<b>22.</b> Print a blank pedigree for your child and help her fill it out, starting with herself.<br />
<br />
Make a simple frame and hang it in her room.<br />
<br />
<b>23.</b> Visit a grandparent or another older family member and have an older child or teen<br />
<br />
conduct a family history interview.<br />
<br />
<b>24.</b> Help your child create a timeline for the life of one of his ancestors.<br />
<br />
<b>25.</b> Visit http://www.comehome.net/ and involve your children in creating a Family Website<br />
<br />
where you can share photos, recipes, gift lists, etc. with close and extended family<br />
<br />
<b>26.</b> Help your children research the meaning and ethnic origin of their surname or those of<br />
<br />
<b>27.</b> Help your scout-age son fulfill the requirements necessary to earn his Genealogy Merit<br />
<br />
Badge. Or help your Cub Scout complete the family tree activity.<br />
<br />
<b>28.</b> Enter the names of your ancestors into Google Books at (https://books.google.com). You<br />
<br />
might be surprised by what you find.<br />
<br />
<b>29. </b>Bring your family to the Family History Center and travel through time as you look for<br />
<br />
your ancestors in some of the premium websites available there for free.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1646667979450400055.post-34125903510812152352015-10-31T16:05:00.000-07:002015-10-31T16:08:47.845-07:00BOOT CAMP - Lesson 5 - Using the Help Section of Family Search<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px; text-align: center;">
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It seems like many of us don't want to get started on a project as big as researching our family lines because we just don't know what to do, how to start, where to go for information, what to do with the information once we get it, and so forth. Well, today we are going to explore the <strong>HELP section of Family Search</strong>.<br />
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1. Go to <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.familysearch.org" href="http://www.familysearch.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">FamilySearch.org</span></a> (you don't have to log in but it is good to do so - see <a data-cke-saved-href="http://fhcsandpoint.blogspot.com/2015/05/boot-camp-lesson-1-getting-started-on.html" href="http://fhcsandpoint.blogspot.com/2015/05/boot-camp-lesson-1-getting-started-on.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Boot Camp Lesson 1</span></a> for instructions how to sign up and/or sign in.<br />
<br />
2. Now, look in the uppermost <strong>Right Hand Corner</strong> to where it says "<strong>GET HELP</strong>". This is the answer to most of your questions concerning research, using Family Search, adding names to your Family Tree (as well as photos, stories, etc.) and so much more.<br />
<br />
3. There are 2 sections. Let's discuss each of these sections individually.<br />
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<span style="color: mediumblue;"><strong>A. CONTACT US</strong></span> - This is for that one-on-one help that is needed at times. There are 4 ways to actually get help in the contact section. <br />
- You can <strong>CAL</strong>L them. The phone number for the help area is shown for your country. <br />
- You can do <strong>LIVE CHAT</strong>. This is really fun but know that you will actually be typing your questions to someone live - meaning you will get an immediate answer because there will be someone on the other end of your chat actually answering your questions. You should have a decent Internet connection or your session may time-out. You will have to answer a couple of questions before you start (name, email, and phone number as well as select a number that refers to the department of your question - Family Search, memories, research etc. - they will show you the list)<br />
- The next way is to <strong>MESSAGE</strong> them. This is an email conversation. You will need to supply your name, email, phone, and question. You send a question and they will first send a letter letting you know that they got your email then they will send you a response by email (although, I have had some of them call me as well as email).<br />
- Then there is <strong>FIND LOCAL HELP</strong> - This will direct you to the nearest Family History Center for assistance<br />
- Also under the Contact Us section is <strong>REMOTE CONNECT</strong> and <strong>MY CASES</strong>. Remote connect is where you will download a program that will allow a member of the Help team actually connect to your computer and work within your computer - they from a different location thus remote. This is helpful if you need some help - like in Family Tree - and you just don't understand their instructions on how to fix a problem. The team member can access your computer (only with your approval) and actually fix the problem as if they were sitting right there with you working on your computer. For your cases, sometimes you have an issue that the team needs to fix. They will give you a case number. You can refer to this case number to see how things are progressing with the help or corrections.<br />
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<span style="color: mediumblue;"><strong>B. SELF HELP</strong></span> - This is just like it sounds, you can use these links to help yourself find the answers you are looking for. (If you can't find your answer, try the contact methods listed above).<br />
- <strong>QUICK START TO FAMILY SEARCH</strong> - This is a short 3.34 minute fun video explaining what Family Search has to offer. It also shows how FamilySearch got started.<br />
- <strong>GETTING STARTED </strong>- This actually takes you to a page that will give you links to specific areas to begin your work on FamilySearch, 1) Discover your story, 2) Explore your family tree, and 3) Find your ancestors. Each will take you to another page to help you in those areas. Be sure to explore these and follow the links to learn more about these topics. While you are at those pages, click back to the <strong>HELP</strong> section and if you see the words <strong>QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS</strong>, click on it. This will bring up some of the most popular questions with answers to help you understand how to use these parts of Family Search.<br />
- <strong>HELP CENTER </strong>- This has tons of the most popular questions asked about research and Family Search. Pick a topic you wish to know more about then pick a question - or write in your question in the space provided.<br />
- <strong>THE LEARNING CENTER</strong> - This is my favorite. They have just about every topic you can think of covered in a lesson. This is a How To section. Most lessons are in video format but many have PDF's to look at and some even have handouts. These are taught by very experienced people in the topic discussed. It tells you how long the video is - 5 minutes to over an hour. Be sure to have a decent Internet connection to watch.<br />
- <strong>RESEARCH WIKI</strong> - WIKI is a resource center. It mostly covers locations and some topics. Whereas FamilySearch covers mostly people, WIKI will help with locations. Note: There are some display changes coming to WIKI so if you look at it today, it may look differently tomorrow but the same info will be there.<br />
- <strong>WHAT'S NEW </strong>- This will let you know of any recent changes in Family Search. It tell what has recently been added to Family Search and some changes to how to use things in your Family Tree. This is helpful if you see changes and don't understand them.<br />
<br />
So that's it! When you are working on Family Search or in Family Tree, don't forget to look up at the HELP section for updated information, how to do something, or to ask a question....don't forget that Live Chat can help you RIGHT NOW! Have fun learning!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1646667979450400055.post-57854692053871818442015-09-24T10:25:00.000-07:002015-09-24T10:26:45.193-07:00BOOT CAMP - Lesson 4 - Cemetery Searches<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18px;"> Cemetery Searches</span></div>
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<strong>First an explanation about these programs</strong>. People just like all of us go out into the cemeteries, take pictures, write down all information found at each grave (birth, death, etc) then post it to one of these programs. Each program has specific details on how to submit information but anyone can participate. Once info is posted online, it is available free of charge to all of us searching our family.<strong> Great things can be found</strong> in some of these cemetery records - pictures, family history, obituaries, names of parents and siblings. <strong> NOTE</strong>: not all info posted is correct as many gravestones are difficult to read and sometimes the person taking the info does not write it down correctly. Also, some info on Find a Grave especially, may be submitted without ever finding the actual headstone (someone who has info about a person and their burial info can actually post it as though they actually found it in the cemetery). Sometimes this info can be incorrect also (I know because I have found some instances on both of these situations).<br />
<br />
Let's start with<strong> Find a Grave</strong> - found at <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.findagrave.com" href="http://www.findagrave.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">www.findagrave.com</span></a><br />
<br />
The<strong> HOME</strong> page has 4 sections from which to choose. (Find Famous Graves, Find Graves, Questions and Answers, and Forums, Store, etc.)<br />
<br />
- <strong>Choose Search Grave Records</strong> (under Find Graves). Type in a name of a deceased person and see what happens. If you have specifics like birth or death and location, enter it but if you find nothing, start removing some info. If you still find nothing, try removing different info and leaving different info. Also try the full name. Again, if you get nothing, try just a letter for the first name and the full last name. You need a last name but if you know of alternate spellings, you might try them. If you have an unusual last name, search for it and see who all come up!<br />
<br />
- You can also try<strong> Search for a Cemetery</strong> (Cemetery Look-up). If you don't know the name of the cemetery, just type in the state and county and all of the cemeteries that have been entered (some cemeteries have not had their info submitted) will show. Once you find a cemetery and select it, you can search through the whole cemetery (in ABC order) or do a search from within the cemetery by typing in a name.<br />
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<em><strong>Note</strong>: If you have a question or might want further info on a person, check to see who submitted the information. Often you can email them or ask them a question. Some are great to answer. I even had a man go back to the cemetery for me and looked up some additional information.</em><br />
<br />
<strong>Billion Graves</strong> found at <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.billiongraves.com" href="http://www.billiongraves.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">www.billiongraves.com</span></a> - this is very similar to Find a Grave. People take pictures with their phones (after they have registered and downloaded the app) then they upload the pictures. Other people transcribe the data from the pictures for the website. Then the information is available for searches. <br />
<br />
<strong>Headstone Search</strong> - type in a name (use info as stated above for Find a Grave). If you want to put in more information, click on the words "<strong>Check out the Advanced Search Page</strong>". This will open a page with the options Person Look-up or Cemetery Look-up.<br />
<br />
There is a lot more available at both of these sites so after you've done a few searches, take a look around the sites and see the other information they offer.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1646667979450400055.post-13018323689159881632015-07-31T10:42:00.002-07:002015-07-31T10:42:57.391-07:00WORLD WIDE INDEXING EVENT<span style="font-size: large;">What does it mean
to “<span style="color: red;"><b>Fuel the Find</b></span>?” Indexed records are like the fuel that gives <a href="http://familysearch.org/">FamilySearch.org</a> the power to connect people to their missing family members. Every name you index adds another drop of precious fuel that can help someone else to find their ancestors.</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;">You can help</span> <span style="color: red;">Fuel the Find!</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"> </span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A service provided by <a href="http://www.lds.org/">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</a>. Historical records, documents, important
moments in our
ancestors’ lives are recorded and are
often kept in archives
around the world. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.familysearch.org/">FamilySearch</a>
volunteers create
digital photographs
of millions of
these records.
These digital images are
sent to <a href="http://www.familysearch.org/">FamilySearch</a> for
publication online.
Volunteers index (transcribe)
information from the images
to make it searchable by
computer.
Indexed information is
like “fuel” that helps
people search billions
of names in seconds.
Indexing also powers “hinting” —
where the computer automatically
displays records that match
information about your ancestors.
It has never been easier to find information about your ancestors.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>You can help Fuel the Find!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: ProximaNova, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: #3c3b36;">The <a data-cke-saved-href="https://familysearch.org/indexingevent2015?cid=lp-idx-3234" href="https://familysearch.org/indexingevent2015?cid=lp-idx-3234" target="_blank"><span style="color: mediumblue;">Worldwide Indexing Event</span></a> is coming <strong>August 7-14, 2015</strong>, and this year it’s one week long! Join volunteers from around the world to help “</span><span style="color: red;"><b>Fuel the Find</b></span><span style="color: #3c3b36;">”. You have one week to participate by indexing <b>at least one batch</b> in the language of your choice. If you are fluent in a non-English language, challenge yourself by helping to index in that language. We are especially looking for help indexing French, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish records.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: ProximaNova, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: #3c3b36;">This year we’re going for a record 100,000 volunteers (the current one-week record is 91,721), but big numbers mean more when we’re helping meet the greatest need. English speakers have billions of records to search on </span><a href="http://familysearch.org/" style="color: #3c3b36;">FamilySearch.org</a><span style="color: #3c3b36;">—20 times more than all other languages combined! Let’s help everyone across the world to find their ancestors too! </span><strong>All it takes is one batch indexed sometime during the week to be counted.</strong></div>
<div style="font-family: ProximaNova, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">So please join this wonderful World Wide Indexing Event.</span></b> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: ProximaNova, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3c3b36;"><span style="font-size: large;">Remember, all information on <a href="http://familysearch.org/">FamilySearch.org</a> </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: ProximaNova, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3c3b36;">is </span><span style="color: red;">FREE</span><span style="color: #3c3b36;">.</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1646667979450400055.post-66291040727544201422015-07-26T18:06:00.000-07:002015-07-26T18:08:49.409-07:00BOOT CAMP Lesson 3<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">Summertime is always so busy but there are some things that you can do with your family to bring a little "Family History" into your home. This bootcamp will focus on "the group" and things you can do for Family Home Evening, at a Family Reunion, or just to keep the kids busy. Use your imagination and pick some activities this month (and all summer) to help everyone do a little something in the Family History department.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">1. </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"> Journal writing</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"> - Using a loose leaf binder, as often as you wish (every day - once a week), you choose a topic and write about it. Be sure to date your page and give it a title. I like to use the "</span><a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.debtproofliving.com/Portals/0/Articles/Web%20Desk/JOURNAL%20JAR%20QUESTIONS.pdf" href="http://www.debtproofliving.com/Portals/0/Articles/Web%20Desk/JOURNAL%20JAR%20QUESTIONS.pdf" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: mediumblue;">Journal in a Jar</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">" method. It makes choosing a topic more fun. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">2. </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">Cemetery Scavenger Hun</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">t - Take the family (or group) to a local cemetery and have them look for fun things - like someone who fought in the Civil War, or the Oldest person in the cemetery. </span><a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.suitcasesandsippycups.com/2011/07/cemetery-fun-for-kids.html" href="http://www.suitcasesandsippycups.com/2011/07/cemetery-fun-for-kids.html" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: mediumblue;">HERE</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"> are some more fun things to do at a cemetery.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">3. </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">Online Detective</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"> - Another scavenger hunt type of thing but doing it online. Have everyone look for topics to do with your family tree - like find out how much a carpenter made in the 1700's, 1800's and today, type in the family last name to see what all comes up, find out what kinds of houses your ancestors may have lived in during the 1800's, etc.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">4. </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"> Food </strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">- have an Ancestral Meal where you cook only things from a time period and country of one of your ancestors. Try to cook using only the utensils that they may have used.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">5. </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">Family Game</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"> - Make a game using pictures of your ancestors (or your family now!). Examples might be: Bingo, Life, Monopoly, Chutes and Ladders, etc. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">6. </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">Recipe Book</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"> - When gathering everyone together this summer, have them bring their favorite recipes and family stories about food. Put them together for a treasured memory.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">Now, use your imagination and think of something YOUR family can do this summer to either make family history for future generations or bring the past to the present by learning about your ancestors.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">*** Please let us know some of the fun things that you or your ward members have done.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1646667979450400055.post-78400707594330263862015-06-04T21:07:00.000-07:002015-07-26T18:31:00.498-07:00BOOT CAMP - Lesson 2 - Updating Individual Information<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">
Summer is coming and that means there will be lots of time for families to gather whether it be for picnics, visiting, special family nights, or family reunions. What a great time to ask the "family history" questions. Last month you practiced moving around in your family tree on <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.familysearch.org" href="http://www.familysearch.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Family Search</span></a>. This month let's try to fill in some of those empty spaces and do some fun things along the way. (Refresher of last month click <a data-cke-saved-href="http://fhcsandpoint.blogspot.com/2015/05/boot-camp-lesson-1-getting-started-on.html" href="http://fhcsandpoint.blogspot.com/2015/05/boot-camp-lesson-1-getting-started-on.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">HERE</span></a>)<br />
<br />
<u><strong>ASSIGNMENT:</strong></u><br />
1. <span style="line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"><strong>Check out your Family Tree - start by signing in</strong> (remember this is found on </span><span style="line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"><a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.familysearch.org" href="http://www.familysearch.org/" style="line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">FamilySearch</span></a></span><span style="line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">2. <strong>Pick an ancestor</strong> (let's start with someone deceased but close to you like a parent or grandparent)</span></div>
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3. <strong>Click on their name </strong>then <strong>click on Person</strong>. You should be in the <strong>Details View</strong>. Look over the details to see that everything is correct and that no major information is missing. <strong>HERE IS A BIG HELP</strong> - look to the right side column. You might see a section that says <strong>RECORD HINTS</strong>. Click on some of them and see what they have available. Isn't this a great feature? <span style="line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">If something is missing, then this is where you should start. If there are no record hints, <strong>check with family members</strong> still living to see if they have some information that can help fill in some of those blanks. </span><span style="line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">If they don't, <strong>try a search</strong> (on Family Search) to see if there is something that will help you find this missing info).</span><br />
<br />
4. <strong>Update the info for your ancestor</strong> (if you forgot how or need help click <a data-cke-saved-href="https://familysearch.org/ask/#/tree/faq" href="https://familysearch.org/ask/#/tree/faq" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">HERE</span></a>). Be sure when you review the info that you click <strong>REVIEW AND ATTACH</strong> if this is correct information for your ancestor. This will document the information so others will know that this is correct.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: mediumblue;"><strong>FYI </strong>- Some names may be spelled incorrectly or information incorrect even to the point you might not think it is your relative. Click on the name anyway just to check it out. You might be surprised at what you find.</span><br />
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5. While you are in the Person view, <strong>click on Ordinances</strong> to make sure all of their temple work has been done.<br />
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6. If you have time and feel confident to do more, <strong>check out the Memories</strong> section. Here you can add photos, stories, and even audio files. We will get into this memory section in more detail later but check it out and try it if you like.<br />
<br />
7. Move on to the next ancestor and repeat this process. Your goal is to make sure all temple work is done for your family and to do your best at making sure their information is correct.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1646667979450400055.post-9028177866546844032015-06-02T10:12:00.000-07:002015-06-02T10:12:07.585-07:00Relative Finder<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', 'marker felt-thin', arial, sans-serif;"><strong>RELATIVE FINDER<br /><span style="font-size: 16px;">by Julie </span></strong></span></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', 'marker felt-thin', arial, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></strong></span></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">
Ever wonder if you've got some long-lost cousins out there? Relative Finder allows you to see how you are related to other people’s friends, coworkers, prophets, historical figures, and more! Relative Finder, is a certified program from The Family History Technology Lab which is part of the Computer Science Department at Brigham Young University. It is found at <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.relativefinder.org/" href="http://www.relativefinder.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">www.relativefinder.org</span></a>.<br /><br />In order to use Relative Finder, you must have an account with FamilySearch. Login in to Relative Finder using your FamilySearch account login and password and discover who your are related to.<br /><br />In the Sandpoint Stake we have a group you can join. Using your mouse, hover over the word "groups" then click Join. In the search field type <strong>Sandpoint Idaho Stake</strong> (spaces between words - you may need to use caps but no punctuation). The password is <strong>MyFamily</strong> - no spaces but use caps on M and F. In Settings you may also edit your display name. If you are a woman you can include your married name so others in the stake can identify you. FamilySearch lists women by their maiden names yet in Relative Finder you can hyphenate it to also include your married name. (If your birth name is Mary Jones but your married name is Smith you can use your name as Mary Jones-Smith.) For help, contact your ward consultant or Family History Director. </div>
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<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">
Check with your stake to see if you have a group. If not, maybe you can be the one to start it. You can make a group for your family, your friends, clubs, etc. It is a wonderfully fun site so check it out!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1646667979450400055.post-44778536437590189462015-05-01T13:19:00.001-07:002015-06-02T10:07:20.457-07:00BOOT CAMP - LESSON 1 - Getting started on Family Tree<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"><span style="font-family: arial, 'helvetica neue', helvetica, sans-serif;">Every month we will have help for you to get started or progress in your search for family information.</span></span><br />
<br style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, 'helvetica neue', helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">Use these training ideas to help you learn the ins and outs of Family History. </span><br />
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<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">For additional help, email us at</span><br />
<a data-cke-saved-href="mailto:sandpointstakefamilyhistory@gmail.com?subject=Newsletter%20Question%20or%20Comment" href="mailto:sandpointstakefamilyhistory@gmail.com?subject=Newsletter%20Question%20or%20Comment" target="_blank"><span style="color: mediumblue;">SandpointStakeFamilyHistory@gmail.com</span></a></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">
<span style="font-family: arial, 'helvetica neue', helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">It helps to have an interest in your family to go from the - </span><em style="line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">Yeah, I love my family</em><span style="line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"> - to - </span><em style="line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">I love my family enough to help us be united for eternity</em><span style="line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">. Help your love for your family grow by getting involved in your family history.</span></span><br />
<br style="line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" />
<span style="line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"><span style="font-family: arial, 'helvetica neue', helvetica, sans-serif;">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has taken the work out of Family History. Find our family and their information has become so much easier. Today we are going to take the very first step to learning how to do Family History. Some of you may be long past this stage and for you, I encourage you to keep going. For those of you who have not started doing any kind of research, let's start at the beginning. This information will also be very helpful for those you are teaching.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 20.7999992370605px; text-align: center;">
<strong>START AT THE BEGINNING</strong></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">We will be working with<span style="color: mediumblue;"> </span><a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.familysearch.org" href="http://www.familysearch.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: mediumblue;">Family Search</span></a> and a few sites that will not only be interesting and informative, but also fun. Just click on the highlighted words to get more information as you go along.</span></span><br />
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<div style="line-height: 20.7999992370605px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">This month we will be getting the "feel" for Family Search. You will get logged on and do some simple exploring before we actually get started on researching. Take some time to look at your family tree and follow through on some of the lessons available.</span></span></div>
<br style="line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" />
<strong style="line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"><u>ASSIGNMENT:</u></strong><span style="line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">1. Log onto or sign up for an account. </span></strong><br /><br /><strong>To Log on</strong> - Go to<span style="color: mediumblue;"> </span><a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.familysearch.org" href="http://www.familysearch.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: mediumblue;">Family Search</span></a> home page and in the upper right hand corner (using your LDS account or your Family Search user name and password) click on Sign-In.<br /><br /><strong>To open a new account</strong> - Go to the home page of <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.familysearch.org" href="http://www.familysearch.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: mediumblue;">Family Search</span></a> in the upper right hand corner and click on <strong>Free Account </strong></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">or </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">click </span><a data-cke-saved-href="http://broadcast.lds.org/elearning/fhd/Community/en/FamilyTreeCurriculum/level01/Accounts/Obtain%20an%20Account.mp4" href="http://broadcast.lds.org/elearning/fhd/Community/en/FamilyTreeCurriculum/level01/Accounts/Obtain%20an%20Account.mp4" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: mediumblue;">H</span></a><a data-cke-saved-href="http://broadcast.lds.org/elearning/fhd/Community/en/FamilyTreeCurriculum/level01/Accounts/Obtain%20an%20Account.mp4" href="http://broadcast.lds.org/elearning/fhd/Community/en/FamilyTreeCurriculum/level01/Accounts/Obtain%20an%20Account.mp4" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: mediumblue;">ERE</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"> (watch video) to learn how to sign up. You d</span><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">o not have to be a member of the church to sign up for an account.</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"> <strong>Note:</strong> You will get a message in your email that you will need to confirm to finish the account sign up. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"><span style="line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"><strong>2. Now let's learn a bit about using the Family Tree</strong> - click </span></span><span style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"><span style="font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"><a data-cke-saved-href="http://broadcast2.lds.org/elearning/fhd/help-center/family-tree/quick-start-guide/english/quick-start-family-tree-aug-2014.pdf" href="http://broadcast2.lds.org/elearning/fhd/help-center/family-tree/quick-start-guide/english/quick-start-family-tree-aug-2014.pdf" style="font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: mediumblue;">HERE</span></a><span style="color: mediumblue;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"><span style="line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">for basic instruction on how to use Family Tree.</span> </span><span style="color: darkorange; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"> Practice some of the things taught and be sure to "connect" YOU with your ancestral lines if that has not been done. If you still do not understand this step, please ask your ward/branch consultant for help, visit your Family History Center, or email me at <a data-cke-saved-href="mailto:sandpointstakefamilyhistory@gmail.com?subject=Newsletter%20Question%20or%20Comment" href="mailto:sandpointstakefamilyhistory@gmail.com?subject=Newsletter%20Question%20or%20Comment" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>SandpointStakeFamilyHistory@gmail.com</strong></span></a>.</span><br style="line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" /><br /><span style="line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"><strong>NOTE:</strong> Family Tree mostly works with deceased people. If your parents are still living, you will need to manually add them - refer to the instructions given in step #2.</span><br /><br /><span style="line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">This course will help you get a good start on understanding Family Tree. We will discuss many of these topics covered in more detail in future newsletters. <a data-cke-saved-href="https://familysearch.org/ask/#/tree/" href="https://familysearch.org/ask/#/tree/" target="_blank"><span style="color: mediumblue;">HERE</span></a> is another place to go if you have questions.</span><br /><br /><span style="line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">by Diane (Sandpoint Stake Family History Consultant)</span></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1646667979450400055.post-66972324992565888572015-01-21T12:40:00.002-08:002015-01-21T12:41:50.602-08:00Family Home EveningThis last week for <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/family-home-evening?lang=eng&query=family+home+evening">Family Home Evening</a>, our son and his family came for dinner and a lesson. Our lesson was on Family History. We started by watching a cute little video to help start everyone off with an interest in doing family history. After the video, we divided into groups. I had 4 computers and assigned 2 or more to each computer. My mother lives with us so my son was assigned to her. The oldest child was assigned to my husband, the next child to me, and their mom took the two little ones to help with her assignment.<br />
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Each child (counting my son - the dad of these kids - as a child) was to interview their person about a parent or a grandparent. As the interview went along, the child typed what was being said in a word program. When all was finished, each group then made sure the writing was corrected then published it on our Family Tree in <a href="https://familysearch.org/">FamilySearch</a>. It was more of a training assignment to teach how easy it is to add information to your ancestral lines. Everyone was excited to actually accomplish this goal. <br />
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My daughter-in-law also ended up contacting <a href="https://familysearch.org/">FamilySearch</a> by live chat to help her resolve a problem in her family tree. She had her son (who is living) in there twice. With the help of the "live chat" person (you can find this in the upper right hand corner of the <a href="https://familysearch.org/">FamilySearch</a> screen under Help), she was able to delete one of the accounts so she now only has one child by that name.,<br />
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This was a fun and very successful family home evening and a great way to help others learn how simple it is to add information to their Family Tree.<br />
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For more information on how you can add stories to your family tree, go to FamilySearch.org and sign in (you will need to open an account to get to your own family tree - if you are a member of the LDS Church, use your record number. This is a FREE program for everyone - not only members of the church). Once you have signed in, you will see YOU as the first person. You will then need to link your family members to you. This program mostly works with deceased people. You will need to manually add the living relatives to your tree. When you get to a deceased person, try doing a search to see if they are already in the system somewhere. When you find the right person, click to add them to your tree line. If they were not in the system, you will need to also manually add them. <br />
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Once a person is added to your line, you can add photos, stories, and much more. Go to <a href="https://familysearch.org/">FamilySearch</a> and click on the Learning Center (click on Help in the upper right hand corner and then click on the learning center) or click <a href="https://familysearch.org/ask/#/tree/howToVideos">HERE</a>. <br />
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For more information and/or help, go to your local Family History Center for some one-on-one assistance.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1646667979450400055.post-23753572350342895562015-01-02T12:05:00.000-08:002015-01-02T12:05:40.666-08:00Newsletter to your email We have now set up an email request for everyone that would like to hear more of what's going on in Family History and to offer encouragement to help you with your family history. Look to the RIGHT side of this blog and fill in your email address. You will be asked to follow through with the request by putting in the code and then going to your email folder, open up the email sent by FeedBurner and click on the link in blue. That's it!<br />
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You will receive the actual post on this blog right in your email. We will send announcements of activities in the area, hints that will help you with your research, some learning ideas to help you with problem areas you might be having when trying to use the computer or some of the genealogy programs. <br />
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Please feel free to email us at FHCsandpoint@gmail.com with questions or ideas of what you would like to learn. We are here to help you.<br />
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This is for anyone and everyone - even if you don't live anywhere near Sandpoint, Idaho. Go ahead, sign up now!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1646667979450400055.post-41611493208605462952014-01-29T09:34:00.001-08:002015-01-28T16:59:24.941-08:00SEARCH YOUR FAMILY HISTORY - FREE <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Everyone is always welcome at the</span><strong style="font-size: x-large;"> Family History Centers</strong><span style="font-size: large;">. It is </span><strong style="font-size: x-large;">FREE</strong><span style="font-size: large;"> and one on one help is available to guide you in your search for your ancestors. For information about times and locations, look in your phone book and find the nearest Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Give them a call and they will be happy to direct you to the nearest Family History Center in your area. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To begin finding your family online with <strong>FREE website services</strong>, go to <a href="http://www.familysearch.org/">www.familysearch.org</a>. You may begin searching millions of records for your family anywhere in the world. If you register, you will be able to build a <strong>FREE online Family Tree</strong>. Any of your family members will be able to contribute to this tree as it will be open to all of your family (once they register and connect to a deceased relative). You will also be available to view <strong>lessons FREE</strong> from how to begin your research to how to do specialized research in a different country. This is without a doubt the very <strong>BEST site</strong> to begin or continue your search for your family and it's <strong>FREE</strong>. </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1646667979450400055.post-16395267105716477122014-01-29T08:09:00.001-08:002014-01-29T08:09:10.541-08:00100 Websites for GenealogyGenealogy In Time presented this wonderful list of websites for 2014. CHECK THEM OUT!!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.genealogyintime.com/articles/top-100-genealogy-websites-of-2014-page02.html">2014 Top Websites for 2014</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1646667979450400055.post-15578830584625959622012-03-25T15:59:00.002-07:002012-03-25T15:59:50.516-07:001940 US CENSUS - Nation Wide Service Project<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>In April</strong></span> we will have the opportunity to join a huge nation wide service project. The 1940 census will be available online. The main problem with accessing it is, you have to know exactly where your family lived to find them......SO, there is a massive Nation-Wide Service project getting ready to start <a href="http://www.familysearch.org/1940census">Indexing the entire 1940 census</a>. They need the help from EVERYONE! <br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>It is easy and so beneficial</strong>.</span> If you are just beginning your family history, it will help you to find your family in just one step. All you will have to do is type in their name on the <a href="http://www.familysearch.org/"><span style="color: #1d10b4;">FamilySearch</span></a> website and the indexed information will come up. You will then be able to click on the actual document and view it...and all of this for FREE! (Indexed names will be updated on a regular basis so the faster the names are indexed, the faster you will be able to access the information.)<br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>So what do you need to do to help?</strong></span> Just sign up to do Indexing at <a href="http://www.indexing.familysearch.org/"><span style="color: #1d10b4;">www.Indexing.familysearch.org</span></a> and follow the steps to register. You will need to download a program. Once you have downloaded the program, you will need to get registered then you will be ready to begin. It is so easy to sign up. You will need a sign in name with a password (if you belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, you just use your church sign in name and password). <br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>After you have downloaded the program and signed up</strong></span>, you will be able to download a batch. A batch is generally 1 or 2 pages of the census record. Other types of records are available too as the Church is working on indexing all of the microfilm/microfiche that they have photographed over the many years. Many of the records available are in other languages. You only choose the language you will feel comfortable indexing. If you do read another language, they really need some help from indexers that can read foreign languages.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>The batches are not that long</strong></span>, as I said before, just a few names. Most batches take about a half hour to do. You can do as many or as few batches as you'd like. You have about a week to complete one batch. If you do not finish the batch, it will be taken away in a week for someone else to complete. If you find one batch is too difficult and you do not want to do that batch, you can just send it back. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>So this is what's happening</strong></span>, you download a batch from the website server and work on it on your computer. You can choose to work offline or stay online and work that way. You have to be online to download a batch and online to submit the batch but if you only have dial-up or if you want to load some batches to do while traveling, you can download them, work on them offline, then go back online to submit them. You can load up to 10 batches at once.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>There is awesome help for indexing</strong></span>. For complete help and even live chat assistance, click on the<a href="https://indexing.familysearch.org/public/publications.jsf"><span style="color: #1d10b4;"> HELP</span></a> section at the Indexing website. Every batch has it's own set of instructions so be sure to read them before you start. If you cannot read something or something is missing that should be there, refer back to the<a href="https://indexing.familysearch.org/public/publications.jsf"><span style="color: #1d10b4;"> HELP</span></a> section for assistance. As I said, if you really cannot find your answer, click on LIVE CHAT (found in the <a href="https://indexing.familysearch.org/public/publications.jsf"><span style="color: #1d10b4;">HELP</span></a> section) and someone will be more than happy to assist (you can also call or send an email for assistance).<br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Who can index?</strong></span> If you can read, you can index (age 13+). You do not have to be proficient on the computer. You do not have to be a fast typist. You work at your own speed, in your own home, and on your own computer. If you can give a few minutes a week to this project, you can do it. It is easy to learn. If you only have a few minutes of one week a month, you can do this. If you have time at your lunch break, when the kids are down for a nap, when you are waiting for a call, you can do this. If you feel that you are bored and nothing interests you, try indexing. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>A word of warning</strong></span>, you can become addicted. Time flies by so fast and you may have the boss, kids, or spouse tapping the desk for you to get back to their needs but just tell them you are doing a service project. Ask them to join in. The age for signing up is 13+. I knew a lady in her 80's that decided to do something with her days. She learned how to use the computer (just enough to do indexing - nothing more) and began indexing. She ended up working an easy 8 hours a day every day until she died (into her 90's). She even learned how to do the Spanish records and she never spoke or read Spanish before. She just wanted to learn so she did!<br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Join us in this wonderful World Wide Service Project</strong></span> (general indexing) and our National Service Project (1940 census) and find how truly rewarding it is to offer service this way. Maybe you will even find some of your family while doing it! Check it out today! You do not have to wait for the 1940 census to get started. There is tons to index right now so go take a look. They even have a little "Test Drive" to see what it is all about. If you know someone who needs purpose to their life, have them try this. It is the best therapy you can imagine. I hope you will not just take my word but will actually give it a try.<strong> Join us today!</strong><br />
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For more information on the 1940 census go to <a href="http://www.familysearch.org/1940census">www.familysearch.org/1940census</a>. <br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1646667979450400055.post-38514769532955244052011-07-23T21:17:00.000-07:002011-07-23T21:17:16.263-07:00Free Research in EnglandFor those looking for ancestors in England, <a href="http://www.freebmd.org.uk/">try this site</a>. "<em>FreeBMD is an ongoing project, the aim of which is to transcribe the Civil Registration index of births, marriages and deaths for England and Wales, and to provide free Internet access to the transcribed records</em>".<br />
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I have not used this site but it was sent to me as a good one to check out....so, go ahead and try it and let me know what you think!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1646667979450400055.post-36621571926099356832011-06-26T14:08:00.000-07:002011-06-26T14:31:49.591-07:00New Website for ServiceThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has opened up a new website for all of those wishing to serve. Please check out<a href="http://www.vineyard.lds.org/"> www.vineyard.lds.org</a> to see how you can help. There are a variety of opportunities from submitting photographs to transcribing information into different languages to helping with family history. We all can find ways to help. If you want to find a way to serve right from your own home, check it out!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1646667979450400055.post-6586357315628711602011-06-03T18:38:00.000-07:002011-06-03T18:52:30.858-07:005 Minute Helps from Family SearchThe Church has put out some great little video clips by FamilySearch.org to help and inspire us. Take a look. Each video is pretty short and to the point.<br />
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5 Minute Genealogy - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qO5ABcdc7k&feature=relmfu">Find a record in five minutes</a><br />
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5 Minute Genealogy - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eugCMVrqi_k&NR=1">Recording what you know</a><br />
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5 Minute Genealogy - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr6y_Lv6MQ8&feature=relmfu">Write it down</a><br />
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5 Minute Genealogy - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FQIASD4kqY&feature=relmfu">Learn from family</a><br />
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I am sure they will have some more classes for us so keep watching. These videos might be good ways for you to get your friends started. Check it out!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1646667979450400055.post-28423783905824270452011-05-22T08:53:00.000-07:002011-05-22T08:53:54.112-07:00Words From the GraveRecently my husband and I took a road trip across the United States. One thing we incorporated into the trip was cemetery searching. I thought it would be fun to check out cemeteries of where some of our ancestors were buried. We visited several cemeteries, in some we found our ancestors and in others, not so lucky. The whole experience was wonderful. Oh the excitement when we found those graves of our loved ones that we had only gotten to know through our researching endeavors. We did discover that we were quite unprepared for really using this search as a tool in helping us discover more information. We agreed that we want to go back to many of these cemeteries and do it right this time. Here are some problems we faced and what we decided we needed to do next time.<br />
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First, we did bring along a computer that assisted us in looking up what we had already found and helped us to decide where we wanted to go looking. In all circumstances on this trip, we knew the names of the cemeteries and the towns where they were located. We also brought along a GPS which made it possible for us to find some of these cemeteries by coordinates. I doubt that we would have been able to find them any other way. We also used the Internet each night to check out the locations of these cemeteries so that we could plug it into the GPS to find them.<br />
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The thing we were not prepare with is that almost all of our visits to cemeteries were on the weekend. Not a great plan. There was no one to go see if we had questions about locations and plot maps etc. The other thing, we had no rubbing materials or cleaning materials and many of these old stones were extremely difficult to read due to wear and mold and such.<br />
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Here is a list of things I think need to be done if you plan on searching out cemeteries. (From my other blog <a href="http://www.grandmaschitchat.blogspot.com/">http://www.grandmaschitchat.blogspot.com/</a>)<br />
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1. <strong>Get your facts</strong> - Try to know as much about your ancestor as you can. It helps to know the cemetery where he/she is buried (or at least the town). <em>Check all of your lines</em> to see if there are others that might be in the same cemetery (try to do as much as you can at one cemetery as possible). Check out <strong><a href="http://www.findagrave.com/">Find A Grave</a></strong> on the Internet. It is free and will be a huge help.<br />
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2. <strong>Do ground work ahead of time</strong> - Write the county or town hall to see if they have any information about the cemetery that would be of help to you - like a plot map showing where graves are located (this will save huge amounts of time walking and searching).<br />
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3. <strong>Gather supplies</strong> - Do research on how to extract information from decaying gravestones (brushes, cleaners, rubbing materials, etc). There are right and wrong ways to clean gravestones - be sure to research this! Bring a computer or printed material of your genealogy. Bring a clipboard and plenty of paper.<br />
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4. <strong>Plan enough time</strong> - It is amazing how fast time flies when you are searching gravestones. If you have to factor in cleaning time, your time will go even faster. Don't rush! Don't over plan your day (don't try to do several cemeteries in a day) - be flexible.<br />
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5. <strong>Document what you find and where you found it</strong> - Take pictures but also map out those around your ancestor - they may be related in some way. It is amazing how quickly you will forget what picture goes where. Take notes of your pictures so when you are looking at them, you will know who it is you are viewing and who they a re related to....(many times you will find a stone that says the family name with no information but in front of the stone you see mother, father, child, etc. This can be very confusing if you are only looking at pictures.). <br />
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6. <strong>Week day working hours may be best</strong> - If you need to talk with someone at the cemetery or in a court house, funeral home, etc., they may only be available during work hours. If you plan your cemetery visit during the weekend, you may be out of luck if you need to speak to someone (believe me, you very well may need to do this).<br />
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7. <strong>Take the family</strong> - What a fantastic experience for your whole family. Get the kids involved. Everyone can search in a cemetery. How exciting it is to see your ancestor's grave. This would be a great time for you to tell your family about some memories or research experience you may have had with this ancestor. These were real people with real life struggles. Believe me, there will be some touching moments when you see your ancestor's grave.<br />
Your family can tell you so much from the grave but be prepared before you go. Plan to enjoy the experience. Bring the generations together and share your experience with your family. Have fun, this will be a most rewarding time for you...you can count on it!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0