BOOT CAMP - Lesson 5 - Using the Help Section of Family Search

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 HELP section of Family Search.

1.  Go to FamilySearch.org (you don't have to log in but it is good to do so - see Boot Camp Lesson 1 for instructions how to sign up and/or sign in.

2.  Now, look in the uppermost Right Hand Corner to where it says "GET HELP".  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.

3.  There are 2 sections.  Let's discuss each of these sections individually.

A.  CONTACT US - 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.
     - You can CALL them.  The phone number for the help area is shown for your country.
     - You can do LIVE CHAT.  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)
     - The next way is to MESSAGE 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).
     - Then there is FIND LOCAL HELP - This will direct you to the nearest Family History Center for assistance
     -  Also under the Contact Us section is REMOTE CONNECT and MY CASES.  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.

B. SELF HELP - 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).
     -  QUICK START TO FAMILY SEARCH - This is a short 3.34 minute fun video explaining what Family Search has to offer.  It also shows how FamilySearch got started.
     -  GETTING STARTED - 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 HELP section and if you see the words QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS, 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.
     -  HELP CENTER - 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.
     -  THE LEARNING CENTER - 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.
     -  RESEARCH WIKI - 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.
     -  WHAT'S NEW - 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.

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!

Family Home Evening

This last week for Family Home Evening, 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.

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 FamilySearch.  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.

My daughter-in-law also ended up contacting FamilySearch 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 FamilySearch screen under Help), she was able to delete one of the accounts so she now only has one child by that name.,

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.

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.

Once a person is added to your line, you can add photos, stories, and much more.  Go to FamilySearch and click on the Learning Center (click on Help in the upper right hand corner and then click on the learning center) or click HERE.

For more information and/or help, go to your local Family History Center for some one-on-one assistance.

5 Minute Helps from Family Search

The 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.

5 Minute Genealogy - Find a record in five minutes

5 Minute Genealogy - Recording what you know

5 Minute Genealogy - Write it down

5 Minute Genealogy - Learn from family

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!

Ancestry.com NOW at Family History Centers

We now have FREE Ancestry.com on the computers at the Family History Centers.  This is very exciting because now you can look up your family names FREE.  It is United States only but it will get you started with your US families.

Family Search is changing many things - starting with so many ways to help everyone find their family in the easiest ways possible.  Their Family History Center site includes Genealogical Resources, Classes and Workshops, and One-on-One Assistance. 

Genealogical Resources
     - Premium Subscriptions - When using the computers at the Family History Center, you will be able to access programs such as Ancestry.com, World Vital Records, Footnote, Genline Family Finder, Godfrey Memorial Library, and more.  All of these are subscription programs but you can use the free when accessing them through the FHC computers.
     -  Family Search - Access the FamilySearch site where you can do research and so much more.  There are millions of names that have become available to research through the Indexing program and are being updated often.
     - Family Search Indexing - Learn how to participate in the World's Greatest Service Project by helping index the millions of records available now on microfilm and microfiche.  When indexed, they will be available to all us us FREE of charge to find on the Internet (at FamilySearch.org) in the convenience of our own homes.  Anyone can do it - it's easy - it's fun - it's a way to serve yourself and others.
     - Family Search Microfilm Ordering - Very shortly we will be able to order microfilm and microfiche right from our home.  The film/fiche will still go to the Family History Center to be viewed but you don't have to make a special trip just to order.

Classes and Workshops
     - Online Research Courses - This is fantastic!  Free classes by those who really know.  They will teach you whatever you need to learn to search for your family.  Learn the very basics of how to do genealogy to learning how to research in Italy, Germany, Poland, France, and more.  You can even learn what you need to do to become a professional genealogist - take the classes!
     - Family Tech - Technology tips for genealogists and family historians.  Find help in computing, software, devises, Internet, how to's, and contribute.  They help with twitter, cameras, printing your genealogy, and so much more.

One on One Assistance
     - Family Search Research Wiki - Free family history research advice for the community, by the community.
     -  Family Search Forums - Helpful family history research and FamilySearch product information provided by experienced FamilySearch patrons.  You can search previously asked questions or ask them yourself - get answers from others that know.
     -  Family Search Help Center -  Ask a question and get help from the Knowledge Base, get local assistance, community assistance, or Family Search assistance. 

Also check out the new look to FamilySearch.org!  Have fun researching!