IDEAS & ACTIVITIES FOR THE Ward Family History Consultant
· Present a special Family Home Evening lesson on genealogy in the homes of members. · Once a month I hold an all day / all evening open house at my home where members can come with their lap tops and work on family history. I also have two computers available for their use, and wireless internet. We can spread out all over the table and get our heads together to try and solve their genealogical problems, or just give them hands on instruction on how to use PAF. · One Bishopric issued a call to several people to work on their genealogy for a period of several months. This was their only or main calling for a period of time, much like a temple service calling. · By the yard it is hard, but by the inch it’s a cinch. Present inch like skills one at a time. · Presentations about the Family History Center at local Genealogical societies are helpful in keeping the public up to date and maintaining good relationships with them. Give them a “A Virtual Tour of the Family History Center.” · For a time we had yearly “firesides” and invited the public. The Family History Director gave a short presentation at the beginning explaining what the Family History Center has to offer. Then the Cultural Hall is opened with tables set up with displays about a variety of research topics and people manning them who can answer questions. (i.e. some of the tables we had were for Southern research, Texan research, Swedish research, German research, African American research, Familysearch information, and much more). Refreshments are served and tours are given of the family history center. The turnout was always good and our visitors to the library increased quite a bit. · Stoplight Family History in a nutshell. · Top TEN reasons to come to the Beginner Family History Class
FAMILY HOME EVENING LESSON
The family conducts and opens with prayer and hymn
Tell or read a story from the life of an ancestor. Perhaps one of theirs. It is good if they are short and if one is funny and one is more serious.
Briefly summarize the Plan of Happiness where in we have come to earth to gain a body and learn obedience. Our Elder Brother volunteered to come to earth and sacrifice Himself for us in that He suffered for our sins and then suffered on the cross and was able to reunite his body and spirit and make resurrection possible for all. Eventually we will also die and lose our body for a time while we go to the Spirit World and await the Savior’s second coming and our own resurrection and judgment. While in the spirit world we are in Paradise or Spirit Prison. Prison is not like what we imagine here on earth, but more of a place which keeps us from progressing, serving, and from being eternally linked to our families. (pictures and objects would be good for this part of the lesson)
So, how does one be allowed into Paradise or to be set free from Spirit Prison? Read Doctrine and Covenants 128: 22 – 24 How does one have the opportunity to be linked to their family forever? Read Doctrine and Covenants 128: 17 – 18
That’s why we do family history!!!
Let’s play a game of charades. I have a list of events in history during various time periods when your ancestors lived.
After the game, end the lesson by announcing dessert, but that it will not be served until everyone is quiet for two to three minutes. Finally, after they feel a little uncomfortable say: It is hard to wait isn’t it? Our ancestors have been waiting for millions of minutes longer than this. Tell them that they can have the dessert now, but that they may not come and get it. They will have to wait until it is given to them. After waiting a little while longer, explain that you care about them and love them and so you will give them some dessert. Our ancestors really want their Temple work done (so much more than you wanted this dessert), but they can’t come and do it for themselves. They are counting on us to love them enough to do this for them. So, let us please share our love with them by finding their names and submitting them to the Temple
CHARADES A list of events or famous places to act out
Pilgrims Mayflower American Revolution War of 1812 Boston Tea Party The Civil War Washington D.C. French and American War San Francisco Earthquake Spanish American War Great Chicago Fire California Gold Rush Oregon Trail Remember the AlamoTrail of Tears Nauvoo, the city beautiful Oklahoma Sooners Lewis and Clark Mormon Pioneer Trek Waterloo Holy Roman Empire Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria
BY THE YARD IT IS HARD, BUT BY THE INCH IT’S A CINCH
The following can be taught to individuals, families, and/or in the Family History Sunday School class. They could also be introduced to the ward by giving a spotlight in Relief Society and Priesthood, complete with a challenge and a small sweet reward for completion of the challenge. You might want to put a brief explanation of your challenge in any bulletins each week and send an email with more explanatory instructions.
· “A Chicken in every pot.” (Downloading PAF) · “You can teach an old dog new tricks AND new dogs old tricks.” (Teach familiarity with computer skills by having them explore familysearch.org or rootsweb.com or ancestry.com · “We gather together.” (teach gathering of information skills) · “Hunt and Peck.” (PAF typing skills) · “Search and Rescue mission – you’re not a alone.” (Finding those who need temple work and how to search the IGI.) · “Get me to the church on time #1.” (Temple ready skills for those who have names ready to submit) The rest of the spotlights are for those who need to do research. Remember, by an inch it is a cinch. · “Search and Rescue mission - have you taken leave of your census?” (Searching the census) · “Search and Rescue mission - this is vitally important.” (Teach how to search vital records – Civic and Church) · “Search and Rescue mission - Grandma came from where?” (Finding obituaries) · Search and Rescue mission – and my father dwelt in a tent.” (Finding histories) · Search and Rescue mission – when Johnny comes marching home.” (Finding military records) · Search and Rescue mission – and I bequeath to William.” (Finding wills) · “Search and Rescue mission - turn right at the Black Oak tree.” (Finding land records) · “Search and Rescue mission – miscellaneous · “Get me to the church on time B” (Temple ready skills for those who now have enough information with which to submit.) Click here to View and/or Print the "A Chicken in Every Pot, PAF on Every Computer"
CHURCH RECORDS
Church records in America may have a “gold mine” or nothing at all. It depends on the church and the minister. Church records in countries other than America lean toward the “gold mine” and often cover many years even extending back to the 1600’s in some cases. These records vary from country to country as to type and extensiveness.
How to Find Church Records
1. Many church records have been microfilmed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). These records are available at the Family History Library and most can be viewed by ordering film from a local satellite LDS Family History Center. To find if records have been microfilmed for your town or church, go to familysearch.org where you will choose the category “Search” and then “Family History Library Catalog.” There are two ways of finding church records in the Library Catalog: a. Access “Place Search” and then type your town in the space provided. Once at the index for that town, access “Church records.” b. Access “Keyword Search” and type in a specific religion. You may narrow the search by typing the religion and area. Just be sure the whole phrase is in quotes. For example: “Methodists of Illinois;” “Baptists of Arkansas;” “Church of Christ in Iowa.” 2. You may find the availability of records by contacting churches in the area where your ancestor lived. A listing of churches in the area your ancestor came from including addresses and phone numbers can often be found by contacting the local Chamber of Commerce or library.
3. The website, www.cyndislist.com, has a section describing websites available regarding church records.
4. The website, www.worldgenweb.org, has an index of country websites which contain a wide variety of information and online searches.
COUNTY HISTORIES Around the turn of the 20th century, many counties in the United States published histories of their counties and many of these histories included biographies of citizens living there at the time. These biographies are invaluable for adding insight into the lives of one’s ancestors and even providing clues for further research. These biographies do not often include documentation, but may name the source person. It would be wise to try to verify the information.
How to find County Histories:
1. The genealogy section of a local library in the county where a history was published should possess a copy of its history. You may obtain an address or phone number for these libraries by way of a “google” search on line or through directory assistance. Some large libraries have genealogy sections that include many county histories from around the United States. 2. Most of these county histories are found on microfilm at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. To discover if the county history you are interested in has been microfilmed, go to the website www.familysearch.org and choose the following options in order: Search / Family History Library Catalog / Place Search / type in the county in which you wish to search / History. If a desired microfilm is found, you may order it for viewing at a local satellite LDS Family History Center. Many other websites may also have copies of these county histories. I have actually found county histories online through individual county websites I have accessed through www.usgenweb.org.
LAND RECORDS Land has always been a symbol of security and even status or wealth, so, historically, it was sought after and claimed regularly. Searching land records is a wonderful way to track the moving or staying patterns of our ancestors, and these records can contain hidden jewels. For example, a head of the household may choose to divide his land among his children before he dies, thus naming all of them and sometimes their spouses. Noting the names of those involved in the deed as well as witnesses, you will find clues to who are the neighbors and relatives. Since in the earlier days, spouses’ families often lived nearby, it is always important to learn neighbors’ names as they may eventually lead to finding a wife’s maiden name.
How to find land records
1. The best place to start searching for land records is in the county where the family resided. These records are kept at the county courthouse, and most of them have been microfilmed and are kept at the Family History Library. To find out if land records from your locale have been microfilmed, go to the website www.familysearch.org and choose the following options in order: Search / Family History Library Catalog / Place Search / type county / Land. Most land records are indexed by means of grantor and grantee. The grantor is the one selling the land. The grantee is the one obtaining or buying the land. You will want to search both indexes and records.
2. A helpful web site is the Bureau of Land management (BLM), General Land Office (GLO), Records Automation web site at www.glorecords.blm.gov. To quote from their web site: “We provide live access to federal land conveyance records for the Public Land States. We also provide image access to more than two million federal land title records for Eastern Public Land States, issued between 1820 and 1908. Images of serial patents (land titles issued between 1908 and the mid-1960's) are currently being added to this web site. Due to organization of documents in the GLO collection, this site does not currently contain every Federal title record issued for the Public Land States.”
3. Libraries may be a source of information regarding land records. The libraries in the area where your ancestor lived, and even the genealogy sections in larger libraries, house microfilm or books covering land records.
PROBATEThe first thing to understand when searching probate records is the legal terminology. The following are a few terms that you will need to understand:
Probate - the process of determining the legality of a will or supervising the division of property of one who dies intestate. Will - a legal document to specify the division of property after a person’s death. Intestate - to die without a will. Abstract of a will - a summary of the main points in the will. Executor (male) Executrix (female) - one who is appointed to carry out the specifics of a will. Guardianship records - those records having to do with the legal appointment of minor children and their property after a parent(s) death. They also could deal with an incompetent adult. Estate records - records dealing with a person’s property.
Probate records are valuable in identifying living children or grandchildren of deceased children. Because of this, an extensive search for wills in a given county may help identify the family of a wife. For example, there may be a probate on the wife’s father which names daughters with married names. The witnesses in a will also give clues as to extended family members.
How to find Probate Records1. The best place to start searching for probate records in the United States is in the county where the family resided in their later life. These records are kept at the county courthouse, and most of them have been microfilmed and are kept Family History Library. To find out if probate records from your locale have been microfilmed, go to the website www.familysearch.org and choose the following options in order: Search / Family History Library Catalog / Place Search / type county / Probate Records. If you find a microfilm you want to look at, you may order it for viewing at a local satellite LDS Family History Center. 2. Libraries may be a source of information regarding probate records. The libraries in the area where your ancestor lived, and even the genealogy sections in larger libraries may have indexes, abstracts of wills or other documents regarding probate records.
3. Some websites include a collection of probate records such as the following: a. www.usgenweb.com By accessing the state and then the county, you can find the records that are included within the website. Some websites will contain probate records.
b. www.ancestry.com: Ancestry.com has a collection of probate records. This is a subscription site but accessible at a Family History Center.
STOPLIGHT FAMILY HISTORY IN A NUTSHELL
RED LIGHT: Stop Look Listen STOP to identify an ancestor who hasn’t had Temple work done yet.
INFORMATION NEEDED FOR TEMPLE WORK: Baptism and Endowment – name, sex, birthdate, birthplace Sealing to Parents – same as baptism/endowment and name of parents Sealing to Spouse – name, marriage date, marriage place (dates and places may be approximated, if necessary)
LOOK: If you don’t have the above information, look to a family history consultant for assistance.
LISTEN to relatives or to people who will actually find you. Try looking at the following websites for others working on your line. familysearch.org rootsweb.com
YELLOW LIGHT: Caution
submit.
Grandparents, great grandparents), you must obtain permission from the closest living Relative before submitting.
GREEN LIGHT: Submit
Top TEN reasons to come to the Beginners Family History Class
10. You wonder – Can a first cousin, once removed, return?
9. You have no idea what PAF, FGS, IGI, or GEDCOM mean.
8. It’s 2006 – Do you know where your great great-grandparents are?
7. You’re not stuck, you’re just Ancestrally Challenged!
6. He who dies with the most ancestors wins!
5. You hear Sis. Rogers gives out bread in class.
4. You have NEVER done your 4 generations.
3. You have no idea what to do with all of Aunt Gertrude’s files you inherited 2. A family tree can wither if nobody maintains its roots.
1. Someday YOU’LL be an ancestor too!
A VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE ROCKWALL FAMILY HISTORY CENTER 8201 GARNER ROAD ROWLETT, TEXAS 75088 972-475-1706 DIRECTOR:
The Family History Center (FHC) opens the door to a vast amount of information concerning family history. It is a branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) Family History Library (FHL) in Salt Lake City, which is one of the largest repositories of genealogical information in the world. Most of the microform holdings of the Salt Lake City FHL may be borrowed for a small fee through any local Family History Center.
In a day of internet accessibility there is much information which is available online. However, the internet is not all-inclusive, therefore deeper researching is almost always needed. This is where the FHC is a wonderful tool. The LDS church has microfilmed extensively throughout the world in courthouses and churches and other places for legal, historical and ecclesiastical records. Having access to the holdings of the Family History Library is the next closest thing to visiting a site of records itself.
The Rockwall Family History Center has the capability of borrowing microfilm from Salt Lake City as well as offering other services. We currently have three computers, two microfilm readers, a microfiche reader, and a microfilm reader/printer.
There is no fee for using the FHC, but the following fees do apply: To order a microfilm from the Salt Lake City FHL the charge is $5.50 for 30 days. The cost of microfiche is .15 per sheet and is kept indefinitely. Copies from the computers are .10 and made on the reader/printer are .35
Hours of the Rockwall Family History Center:
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