Links to FamilySearch Resources for learning how to do genealogy

 

https://www.familysearch.org/gettingstarted/

The FamilySearch.org website has some instructions for those who are just getting started in doing family research. These pages are designed to help people who are logging into the website for the first time but will also help those who have questions about what kinds of activities are appropriate for different skill levels. If you have a moderate skill level, you may wish to click on the main menu bar that includes options to "Get Involved."

Exploring these options gives those who are looking for ways to help such as helping to correct the index for the 1950 U.S. Federal Census Project. 

If you need help with finding your ancestors and relatives in a specific state, there are links to getting started in the FamilySearch.org Research Wiki. 

You just need to choose a place to start. See https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Main_Page

The 1950 U.S. Census Project with Ancestry and FamilySearch

 

https://www.familysearch.org/getinvolved/1950

Over the past few years, Ancestry.com has developed a sophisticated program to use handwriting recognition to index the 1950 U. S. Federal Census. As soon as the 1950 Census was released, Ancestry made the digital images available on its website. Ancestry.com has made the images available to FamilySearch.org where volunteers are now involved in checking the accuracy of the handwriting recognition. The link above provides a way for you to volunteer to help check the recognized records. You can choose to review families, Review the document headers or to review names. 

Here is an example of one of the review names items.

There are tutorials and Frequently Asked Questions to help you get started. 

Seventeen New Temples

 

https://youtu.be/RY-wn9hu1Wk

In his concluding remarks at the April 2022 general conference, President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced plans to build 17 new temples throughout the world. They will be constructed in the following locations:

• Wellington, New Zealand
• Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
• Barcelona, Spain
• Birmingham, United Kingdom
• Cusco, Peru
• Maceió, Brazil
• Santos, Brazil
• San Luis Potosí, Mexico
• Mexico City Benemérito, Mexico
• Tampa, Florida
• Knoxville, Tennessee
• Cleveland, Ohio
• Wichita, Kansas
• Austin, Texas
• Missoula, Montana
• Montpelier, Idaho
• Modesto, California

Although some of these temples are in areas where other temples now exist, some of the locations are remote such as Cuzco, Peru. It takes 19 hours by car to drive from Cuzco to Lima and around 10 hours to drive to Arequipa and that is assuming you have a car and can drive that far. Public transportation is not readily available. Likewise, although there are now 14 temples already in Brazil either in use, under construction, or announced, the temple announced in Maceió, Brazil it is four hours by car and over five hours by bus from Recife, the next closest temple. The newly announced temple in Montpelier, Idaho will be about an hour and a half away from the closest temple in Logan until the Smithfield temple is completed. 

All of these temples will be a great blessing to the members who live near them. 

Elder Gerrit W. Gong: ‘We Each Have a Story’

Here are some excerpts from a talk given by Elder Gerrit W. Gong at the Saturday Afternoon Session of the April 2022 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

“We each have a story. As we discover our story, we connect, we belong, we become.”

The total number of individuals who have lived on the earth is finite and countable, one person at a time. “You and I, we each matter.”    

“By birth or adoptive lineage, we are ultimately all connected in the human family and family of God.”

Connecting with our ancestors can change lives. “From their trials and accomplishments, we gain faith and strength. From their love and sacrifices, we learn to forgive and move forward.” 

“Each of our stories is a journey still in progress, as we discover, create and become with possibilities beyond imagination.”

How can we connect?

First, see yourself in both generational directions — child, grandchild, great-grandchild, then parent, aunt or uncle, grandparent, great-grandparent. “In each time and role, notice who is with you. Gather their photos and stories; make memories real.”

“Second, let the adventure of family history be intentional and spontaneous.”

Third, visit FamilySearch.org.

Fourth, help unite families eternally.

“We each have a story. Come discover yours. Come find your voice, your song, your harmony in Him.”

It has been a year since I published anything on this blog. I feel like I am coming out of a long tunnel, and I need to extend my reach as a Church Service Missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints once again. I think it is time once again to be heard from this aspect of my life (even if this blog is still banned from Facebook).