Category: Learning

New Video: Why I Love The Family History Guide

One of the most exciting things to see is people getting excited about family history! This video on our YouTube Channel gives a first-person perspective from a teenage family history enthusiast, and it includes honest questions and concerns that many people have about getting started with family history. It also shares the deep appreciation expressed by one woman for family...

The Family History Guide: Mini-Classes at RootsTech

If you’re planning on attending RootsTech live in Salt Lake City, be sure to stop by the Exhibit Hall and visit us at the booth for The Family History Guide (next to the FamilySearch booth). This year we are putting together a series of fun and informative mini-classes at the booth, each about 20 minutes in length. Here’s a graphic...

Breaking News: A New Educational Partnership

Today we are excited to announce an official partnership between The Family History Guide Association and the National Genealogical Society. The Family History Guide Association will provide educational materials and training to the National Genealogical Society, enabling their members to accelerate their learning and research skills in genealogy. “We are thrilled to connect our organization members with the wealth of...

The New, Improved FamilySearch.org Startup Page

Note: This article was published previously on the Genealogy’s Star website. Above is a screenshot of the vastly improved FamilySearch.org startup page. You can see from the startup page that a real effort has been made to engage new users of the program. If you sign into the account you will get your own personalized page but if you are a new...

New QRB Video, for Absolute Beginners in Genealogy

James Tanner has a way of breaking down seemingly difficult or overwhelming concepts into easy-to-understand topics. That is certainly the case in his video series titled “Genealogy for the Absolute Beginner.” Part One of the series is now available on our YouTube Channel in the QRB (Quick Research Basics) playlist. It defines genealogy, outlines the opportunities and challenges for newcomers,...

Eight New Class Outlines Are Here

Last week we introduced the Class Outlines for The Family History Guide in this blog article and on our social media channels. The response has been very positive, and we are excited about the impact that the Class Outlines will make in family history training everywhere. In the initial announcement there were 28 Class Outlines available, covering topics in Memories,...

Help for the Absolute Genealogy Beginner

Last week, FamilySearch held a RootsTech preview event, an all-day live broadcast with presenters every hour. One of the presentations was titled “Help for the Absolute Genealogy Beginner” by James Tanner. This video, as well as the others in the event, are now up on the FamilySearch.org YouTube Channel. The BYU Library Family History Center also broadcast the video on...

Why Family History is Great for Young Adults

There is a common misperception today: doing family history is something that can or should be left until the “retirement” phase of life, when there’s more time to focus on it. The Family History Guide is living proof that all ages can benefit from being involved in family history, from kids eight and younger all the way up to seniors....

New in The Family History Guide: Record Search Practice Exercises

If you have been looking for ways to sharpen your record search skills, the new Record Search Practice Exercises in The Family History Guide may be just what you’ve been looking for. The Format The Practice Exercises use the following format: Record Search Practice Objective – a statement of the problem to solve, including several questions to answer. Hints –...

Family History – Easy, Difficult, or Impossible?

So right out of the gate, we are posing an interesting question for you: is family history easy, difficult, or impossible? And here’s the answer to the question—all of the above. That may not the answer you were looking for (at least it’s not “42”, for Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy fans). Let’s take a look at why family history...