Indexing is so easy!

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

   I have been impressed to start a weekly “blog of sorts” to help our ward do Family History.  When Brother May and I were first called as Consultants, we posted a little note in the weekly bulletin on Sundays and had a monthly Family History Challenge for our ward.  I miss that opportunity to inspire you and your families to do family history and, to tell you the truth, I have been wondering how to get going again.  The answer to my prayers came in this month’s LDS Living Magazine.  An ad caught my eye.  It showed an old photo of a family and had the words:  “Can you hear us?  We need your help.”  Then in the body of the ad it stated:  “We are your family, your ancestors from the past.  We are on the other side and need your help.  The records of our lives need to be found and submitted for saving ordinances. You may have felt our promptings to act.  In fact, you may feel it now as you read this.”

   I felt it.  So I am acting…….  When I was in high school, my mother was called to be a Stake Extractor.  She went to the ward building once a week, was locked into a room with other Extractors and they extracted information from documents and vital records from all over the world for “genealogy” work.  We have that opportunity to do the same today, but we are not locked into a room at the ward building, or do we have to be called by the Bishop or Stake President.  All ages, as long as they can read, are able to do the work of extracting – now called Indexing.  All you need is the desire, a computer or tablet and the Internet.  It doesn’t take a lot of time and you don’t have to finish a batch in one sitting. 

   If you have already done indexing, Brother May and I encourage you to do more.  We may not be able to go to the Temple right now to be proxy for those who have passed on before us, but there are so many who are waiting to be found and have their information ready for Temple work. 

   If you have not done any indexing, here is a quick “get started” checklist for you. 

1.        Log into your FamilySearch account using the same login you use to pay tithing online

2.       Click on Indexing on the bar across the top

3.       Choose Overview in the drop down list if you are new to Indexing

4.       Then choose Web Indexing for a guided tour

5.       Choose Find A Project when you are ready to begin

6.       Indexing Help can assist you with online information – or you can call us!

I have a testimony of Family History and Indexing.  I know that the developments in technology are here for our use in furthering the gathering of Israel and bringing all men unto Christ.  I personally am not talented in Indexing.  In fact, Brother May and I were called to help with indexing Italian records by our Stake President in Las Vegas prior to opening the Rome Temple.  I struggled ….  Mightily!  However, with the Lord’s help, I was able to read Italian enough with training to complete some of the work.  As we index, we can choose the language we want to work with.  If you are fluent in a foreign language, you can choose to index records in that language.  If not, then choose English.  Heavenly Father has made it so easy for us….. we just have to do it.  A few minutes a day can produce great miracles in the work for those who have passed to the other side.  And they are calling us!  Will you answer the call?

Indexing is a great Family Home Evening project.  Our youth and young readers have made amazing progress in the work and are setting the example for adults everywhere.  Try it!  You may find you really like it!  Let us know if you need help.  We are here for you!  ~  Brother and Sister May