Genealogy from the perspective of a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon, LDS)

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Feedback on Green Arrows -- Is Extraction the Answer?

In response to my recent post on Green Arrows in FamilySearch.org's Family Tree, I got the following comment:
In our stake they show you how to use the 1900 census and to collect every name that has the same surname as yours. They then show you how to enter the families and check for duplicates. By using the 1900 census it eliminates the 110 year rule. 
They can generate 1000's of names quickly.

I don't agree but this is how it is taught and encouraged by the temple in our district. 
I am more than reasonably sure that all of the people in the United States with the surname "Tanner" are NOT related to me. In the Midwest, Illinois in particular, there are hundreds, perhaps thousands of people with the Tanner surname that are definitely not related to me because the entire group came from Switzerland. The original Tanner in my ancestral line came from England in about 1680.

As far as I know, the following is still Church policy:
Date: March 13, 2012 
To: Registered Users of FamilySearch.org 
From: Family History Department 
Subject: Policies for Submitting Names for Temple Ordinances 
Recently, the First Presidency of the Church reiterated the policies, first stated in 1995, concerning the submitting of names for proxy temple ordinances. As a user of the system (familysearch.org) where temple ordinances are cleared and submitted, you should follow these important policies. You will find the policy letter attached to this e-mail. 
In a related Church News article, Brother Dennis C. Brimhall, managing director of the Family History Department, reported that “the searching out of our family and preparing the names for the work to be done in the temple is . . . a responsibility, but it is also a privilege. That privilege is extended to the members by those who hold the keys to [do] the work. The[se] keys . . . are held by the First Presidency of the Church” (Sarah Jane Weaver, “Family History—Church Asks Members to Understand Policies,” Church News, Mar. 1, 2012). (Click here to see the article.) The First Presidency set these policies. Accordingly, the Conditions of Use for users of familysearch.org require compliance to the policies before you can submit names to the temple. Noncompliance by a user could mean the loss of his or her privileges to use the system. 
Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask your local family history consultant or anyone serving at a family history center. You may also e-mail questions directly to branchout@familysearch.org
Update: Our preeminent obligation is to seek out and identify our own ancestors. We should submit names for proxy temple ordinances for people we are related to, or we should have permission from a close living relative. A member may do proxy work for a friend or neighbor who requests that the work be performed on behalf of a relative. In this way members are assisting others in redeeming their kindred dead.
That is my answer to the comment. 

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