Family History is Fun!

  Dear Brothers and Sisters, Once again we are discussing the Tools section on the family member’s page (right column) in your FamilySearch account.   Since there are just a few left, I have combined them in this one post. The first tool is Merge By ID .   When you find there are duplicate entries for the same person (or when you suspect the entries have a duplicate) you can merge and review by clicking on the first tool – Possible Duplicates.   However, you can also review them by entering the ID number of the person you suspect is a duplicate entry. Click on Merge By ID .   FamilySearch will verify the ID number you entered is valid and you can click on Continue.   Review all of the information carefully. When you are certain, the two people are the same , choose Finish the Merge .   Remember, when merging, it can be undone if you make a mistake, but it takes time and sometimes is quite a headache.   Carefully check all information before you complete a merge.   This may save

  Dear Brothers and Sisters, Recording family history can be fun and frustrating at the same time.   We have been blessed with great programs and electronic tools that make it much easier today than in past years, but with that, there is a greater possibility of getting false information as well.   How do we sort it all out? One method is “Knee Mail”.   When in doubt, ask Heavenly Father for help.   He will guide you.   This week we are going to begin discussing the section on the right side of our family member’s page on FamilySearch entitled “ Tools ”.    These tools are wonderful helps in our sorting out the information to ensure what we have is accurate.   The first tool is “ Possible Duplicates ”.   You may have noticed at the top under Research Helps a warning symbol that showed you have possible duplicates on your family member.   You can access the information from this warning or go to Tools and access it with the link on Possible Duplicates.   Here is what you will se

  Dear Brothers and Sisters, This week in Sunday School, we studied Section 47 of the Doctrine and Covenants.   This section calls John Whitmer to be the church historian and keep the records of the church.   As we study further in Come Follow Me , we read the quote by Elder Marlin K. Jensen of the Seventy who said, “We keep records to help us remember…We desire to help Church members remember the great things God has done for His children…Lessons from the past help us cope with our present and give us hope for the future.” (There Shall Be A Record Kept Among You, Ensign , December 2007). How does this apply to us and family history?   Do we all have to be journal keepers?   Doctrine and Covenants Section 46 is about the gifts we receive from our Heavenly Father.   We do not all receive the same gifts.   Some have the gift of keeping detailed journals, but others do not.   I have struggled with keeping a journal most of my life, even though I like to write.   In these last couple o

  Dear Brothers and Sisters, Family Home Evening is a great time to do some family history.   But most people think it is a lot of research and not very fun.   FamilySearch says – not so!   They have provided quite a few fun things for us to do with our families. To find these activities, log into your FamilySearch account and go to the tab bar next to the FamilySearch logo on the top left.   Move to the right and click on “ Activities ”. In the drop down list, choose “All Activities” What you will see are all kinds of activities to explore with your family. Below are examples of just two activities to peak your interest.   We have a visitor this week from out of state and she was telling me that she is related to many interesting and famous people.     As I was thinking about what she said and looking for inspiration to write about for this week, I noticed the box entitled “ Famous Relatives ”.   When I clicked on it, the following categories appeared:                 Lead