Gathering Information from Home

Individuals can try to gather information about their family by mail, phone, email, or interviews (interviews are covered more fully in Lesson 5A​). Information from home can be gathered for either the person or family they have chosen to focus on for this class, or on more immediate family members. This is one of the key steps of doing successful family history work. This would also be a good lesson to introduce the usefulness and necessity of research logs.

Handout

Click here to view or download the Lesson 3 handout

Additional Resources

Talks by General Authorities

• Bridges and Eternal Keepsakes by Elder Neuenschwander (Ensign, May 1999, 83).
• The Phenomenon That Is You by President James E. Faust (Liahona, Nov 2003, 53-56).
• President Kimball Speaks out on Personal Journals by President Spencer W. Kimball (New Era, Dec 1980, 26).

Additional Information

• Variety of Home Sources Check List can be used when asking family members if they have certain family records. The more specific the question, the more likely a family member will remember that they have a certain record.

• Research Logs are extremely important even from this beginning step. As individuals ask various family members what records, documents, and photographs they have, it is important to record in the research log what is and isn't found. This way, they don't ask the same relative for the same documents multiple times. Here is one example of a research log. It is also possible to create a research log on your computer, perhaps in the form of a spreadsheet or table. Remember that it is just as important to record what wasn't found as what was found.

  • It is important to record where a document was found or accessed. It should be recorded both in the research log and on the document itself. This way, when the information is shared, who ever receives it will be able to find the same documents.
• If you receive photographs, make sure each is labeled with the name of each individual, where the picture was taken, and when it was taken. This information needs to be recorded while those who know the answers are able to share that information. Also, don't use ball point pens or stick on labels to label photographs as they could damage the image. Archival safe labeling pens and pencils whose inks and leads will not damage the photograph or fade over time are the best option.
• As individuals begin to collect records and family information, it is important to stay organized. It is easiest to start organizing from the very beginning. Remember, this is the Lord's work, and everything he does is in order. He desires that we create "a record worthy of all acceptation" (D&C 128:24).

Suggested Additional Assignments

• Encourage class members to begin or continue to keep a personal journal. Your descendants will want to know what your life entailed and about the experiences that you had. Journals are of great value. Record not only your daily experiences, but also spiritual experiences. Your ancestors will benefit greatly from your testimony. The only way they will know what that testimony is, is if you record it.

  • There are various websites with instructions for creating a journal jar, which is just one of them.
  • See President Kimball's article on journals listed under the Talks by General Authorities above.
  • O Remember, Remember by President Henry B. Eyring (Ensign, November 2007, 66-69). This talk discusses some of the blessings associated with keeping a journal.
  • Some people may be more interested in blogging, than in keeping an actual journal. For blogging tips see Getting Started: A Beginner's Guide to Starting Your First Blog.
• Encourage class members to make a list of possible relatives that they can ask for information, and then contact some of them. Have them share some of the experiences that they had with this process next week in class.
• Have the class organize and cite any copies of documents they received that week in their three ring binders. Have them bring their binder to class the next week.