FamilySearch.org: Content & Strategies for Effective Use
by Gerhard Ruf
gruf@xmission.com
© copyright 2001-2006
partially updated 8 Oct 2006
Overview
Since its inception in March of 1999, the FamilySearch Internet
Genealogy Service has grown to include nearly 1 billion records of individuals and gone
through some major structural and content changes. Its search tools have become more
effective and its offering of focused genealogical research guidance provides a
significant benefit for both amateur and professional genealogists. Members of the
LDS Church now have access to Temple Ordinance data and 1880 US and 1881 England Census
images.
- The Home Tab
- Welcome - registering, news, download PAF or PAF Companion, Search,
Get Started, Preserve, etc.
- News - keep track of what is happening at familysearch.org and new Church
CD products
- FamilySearch Questions - now has 7 sections with 3 to 13 questions and
their answers
- Product Support - questions and answers on 25 products (email and chat access)
- Order or Download Products - takes you to the online LDS catalog
- Download the latest version of PAF and other free products and upgrades
- Order other genealogical products
- The Search Tab (7 areas, plus ALL to search)
- Search for Ancestors - search in seven areas individually or all
areas simultaneously
(items b - h include over 957,000,000 records)
- All Resources - more effective search criteria for web pages
- Ancestral File - over 35 million individuals
- Census - over 85 million entries (1880 US, 1881 British & 1881
Canadian)
1880 US Census images are viewable for free to
registered members of the LDS Church
- International Genealogical Index - well over 760 million names
Includes access to temple ordinance dates for registered
members of the LDS church
(See addendum for registration
instructions)
This is the ONLY source for ordinances completed since
Jan 2000
- Pedigree Resource File - over 130 million names
The index includes all the submitted data except
notes, sources and ordinances
- US Social Security Death Index (through 1998)
- Vital Records Index (includes Mexico and Scandinavian Indexes -
more will be added)
- Web Sites - over 30,000 web pages cataloged
- Research Guidance - the single most helpful feature of the site
This is like having a genealogist advise you.
- Helps you both focus and broaden your search for family history
information
- How to begin, tracing immigrant ancestors, organizing your files, etc.
- Decide on what specific information you desire and let it help you
determine what types records are available
- Search by location, type of event and date to find types of records
available
- Prioritizes types of records to search
- Links to references and resources available in the Family History Library Catalog
- Research Helps - most of these items were in the Source Guide on CD
- Includes Research Outlines, Research Guides, Forms, Word Lists, and
more
- May be sorted by place, title, subject or document type.
- Many items may be ordered or read, saved or printed if you have
Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Web Sites
- Search these by names, location and or category
- Indexed into 16 categories, and browse by category
- Family History Library Catalog - expanded searching ability
- Search by place, keyword, surname, author, subject, title, call number, film/fiche number
- New acquisitions are now added daily
- More up to date than the version at your local Family History Center
- The Share Tab - requires registration (1,230,000 registered)
See addendum for instructions
- Collaboration Email Lists - (198,000 lists)
- Find or create lists by name, location, ethnic group, etc.
- Using them effectively
- Share My Genealogy - (Submit to Pedigree Resource Files)
- Why and when to share your research results
- Uploading your GEDCOM or ZIPped GEDCOM file
- Keep track of the status of your submission(s)
- The Library Tab
- Family History Library information (including FamilySearch Center in JSMB)
- Hours, floor plans, classes and other services, rules, donations, etc.
- Preparing for a visit to the library
- Ask questions
- Family History Centers - locate one of the more than 4,000 FHCs
- Family History Library Catalog - same access as under Search tab
- Education - a comprehensive list of educational services from the library
and others
- Classes and publications by the FHL
- Genealogical Conferences and Institutes
- University and Home Study Courses
- Additional Items
- Feedback - Give a hand in noting problems or recommending improvements
- Sign On/Sign Out - allows you to sign on, sign off or register
- My Info - allows you to change your registration information
- Site Map - see table below
- Help - basic usage instructions
How the familysearch.org website is organized
Home
| Search
| Share
| Library
|
Welcome
Family History Library
News and Events
Register
Start Searching
Get Started
Preserve
News
What's New
Facts and Statistics
News Releases
FamilySearch Media Kit
Family History Lib Media Kit
Other Family History News
Free Video
FamilySearch Questions
General
Search for Ancestors
Share Information
Family History Library
Family History Centers
Sign On/Registration
GEDCOM
Product Support
Internatl Genealogical Index
Census Records
PAF 3.0
PAF 4.0
PAF 5.0
PAF for Macs
Personal Ancestral File Comp
1851 British Census
1880 US Census
1881 British Census
1881 Canadian Census
Australian Vital Records
British Isles Vital Records
Middle America Vital Records
North American Vital Records
Scandinavian Vital Records
Western Europe Vital Records
Fam Hist Center Inventory Mgr
Fam Hist Lib Cat for Win
Fam Hist Resource File Viewer
Family History Source Guide
FamilySearch-DOS
Freedman's Bank Records
Mormon Immigration Index
Pedigree Resource File
Order or Download Products
| Search for Ancestors
All Resources
Ancestral File
Census
International Genealogical Index
Pedigree Resource File
US Social Security Death Index
Vital Records Index
Search Fam Hist Web Sites
Research Guidance
Research Helps
Search by Place
Search by Title
Search by Subject
Search by Document Type
Web Sites
Browse Fam Hist Web Sites
Census and Lists
Court and Legal Records
Cultural and Religious Groups
Family Histories & Genealogy
Key Genealogical Sites
Land and Property
Libraries
Migration
Military
Places
Record Keepers
Research Support
Royalty and Nobility
Services and Tools
Surnames and Family Orgs
Vital Records
Search Family History Web Sites
Family History Library Catalog
Search the Catalog
Place Search
Surname Search
Keyword Search
Title Search
Film/Fiche Search
Author Search
Subject Search
Call Number Search
Use Research Guidance
| Sign On Screen
Sign On
I Have Forgotten my User Name
I Need to Register
Collaboration E-Mail Lists
My Collaboration E-Mail Lists
Create a New E-Mail List
Specific Ancestor
Surname
Place
Category
Search E-Mail Lists
Share My Genealogy
Why Share My Genealogy?
What Is Done With My Genealogy?
How Do I Submit My Genealogy?
Submit My Genealogy
Check the Status of My Submission
| Family History Library
About the Family History Library
Hours and Holidays
Services
Key Resources
Library Rules
Floor Plan
History of the Library
FamilySearch Center
Record Collections
Gifts and Donations
Preparing to Visit the Library
Group Visits
Parking
Visiting Salt Lake City
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Us
Send us an Email
Family History Library Media Kit
Family History Centers
Find a Family History Center
About Family History Centers
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Us
Family History Websites
Family History Products
Family History Library Catalog
Search the Catalog
Place Search
Surname Search
Keyword Search
Title Search
Film/Fiche Search
Author Search
Subject Search
Call Number Search
Use Research Guidance
Education
Education and Training
Family History Library Classes
Family History Library Publications
Research Guidance
Genealogical Conferences
Genealogical Institutes
University and Home-Study Courses
|
Return to Gerhard's list of classes, or the UVPAFUG
Internet Course Outline page.
Return to Gerhard and Deon's Home Page.
ADDENDUM - INSTRUCTIONS FOR REGISTERING
For First-Time Registrants
- Go to www.familysearch.org
- Click on either the Share tab or the words "sign on" in the upper right area
of the screen.
- Click on "I need to register" in the left area of the screen.
- Enter the required information on the form.
- All fields preceded by an asterisk (*) must have data entered.
- Entering your membership record number and confirmation date (available
from your ward clerk) unlocks access to the ordinance feature for you.
- Make up and enter a User Name and password that you can easily remember.
Don't forget to note your selected User Name and password
for future access.
- You must have an email address to register. If you do not have one, you
can set up a free web-based email account at web sites like hotmail.com,
yahoo.com, excite.com or many other web sites.
- Click the Register button at the bottom of the screen.
- The resulting screen indicates if your registration was successful or it will
display a message in red indicating an error on the form.
- If your chosen User Name has been used by someone else, you will have to enter
another one and click on the Register button again.
Registration unlocks access to the Collaboration lists and
allows submitting your GEDCOM file to the Pedigree Resource File. If you
also enter valid membership information, you will have access to Ordinance data in
the International Genealogical Index and free access to 1880 US Census images.
* * * * * * * * * *
Adding Your Membership Information - For Previously Registered Individuals
- Go to www.familysearch.org
- Click on either the Share tab or the words "sign on" in the upper right area
of the screen.
- Enter your User Name and Password, place a check mark in the box preceding "I
am a member ...", and click on the Sign On button.
- Add your membership record number and confirmation date in the fields
provided and update any other information previously provided.
- Click on the Register button at the bottom of the screen.
This page has been accessed times since 8 Jan 01.