Getting ​Starte​d

Workshop 1, in Appendix A of the Instructor's Guide, which helps members register on the Family Tree within FamilySearch​, should be taught this week. This can be done either during Sunday School class, or sometime during the week, when computers can be accessed. This will help the class access pedigrees that can be used to help them prayerfully choose a family or individual to research throughout ​the course.

Handout

Click here to view or download the Lesson 2 handout

Additional Resources​

• There are training and resource helps on the FamilySearch. Here are a few that can aid consultants and class members to become familiar with the website:
  
  • After entering in your log in information, select the "Get Help" link at the top of the screen. This option is available throughout the website so if you are confused about something, the help option will always be on the top of every page. Then select the "Getting Started" option. There are many useful aids found here including videos and step-by-step instructions for different aspects of FamilySearch.
  • You can also suggest the "Learning Center Video Courses" option under the "Get Help" tab as well. This area of the website has hundreds of videos that help people at various stages of research, from beginner to expert.

• The church has provided training for Family Tree. The FamilySearch site is useful because it provides videos under the "Family Tree" section of the Help Center where individuals can learn how to add, edit, combine records, and submit names for temple ordinances.
• BYU offers a Family History course (Religion 261) that offers free classes in 1031 C in the Joseph F. Smith Building (JFSB) on the BYU Campus. You can visit their website for lab hours and when the workshops are available. They offer six different workshops, over a six week period. Each workshop is taught for a whole week. Even if you are not a BYU student you are welcome to attend. Be advised to arrive early for the workshop because they tend to fill up quickly. Often the classes held on Thursday and Friday are the most crowded. If you are not able to attend, they have posted their workshops online.
  
  • One of the workshops offers an overview of Family Tree. It is Workshop 1- Family Tree​.
• On the Harold B. Lee Library's Family Hist​ory Library there are many resources available for beginners as well as experts. There are found under the "Education" tab.
• Free classes are offered every second and fourth Sunday in the Family History Section of the Harold B. Lee Library at BYU. On these Sundays it is open 10:00am - 7:30pm. For a class schedule see their website.
• Those doing family history work should familiarize themselves with their local family history center and the resources available there.

Suggested Additional Assignments

• Use the information found about your family in the pedigrees and family group sheets found on Family Tree to prayerfully pick a family or individual to focus on throughout the course.

"As you decide, remember that the names which will be so difficult to find are of real people to whom you owe your existence in this world and whom you will meet again in the spirit world. When you were baptized, your ancestors looked down on you with hope. Perhaps after centuries, they rejoiced to see one of their descendants make a covenant to find them and to offer them freedom. In your reunion, you will see in their eyes either gratitude or terrible disappointment. Their hearts are bound to you. Their hope is in your hands. You will have more than your own strength as you choose to labor on to find them." - President Henry B. Eyring ("Hearts Bound Together" Ensign, May 2005, 77-80.)

• If you feel that your family history work has all been done, think again! For example, if you have pioneer heritage, what if a child was missed?

"It doesn't matter whether your computer is able to compile all the family group sheets for everyone that ever lived on the earth, it remains the responsibility of each individual to know his kindred dead... Even if the work is done, then it is still each person's responsibility to study and become acquainted with his ancestors." - President Joseph Fielding Smith (Hearts Turned to the Fathers: A History of the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1894 - 1994 (1995), 184.).

• Print out at least one pedigree chart and family group sheet showing the family you have chosen and bring it to class next week.

• Encourage the class to obtain a three ring binder or some type of folder where they can store pedigree charts, family group sheets, research logs, and various records and documents that will be discovered over the period of the class. Encourage the class to bring their folders to class every week, with the research they've completed. This way help can be offered in class for any research questions they may have.