Category: Technology

The Family History Guide: Essentials for Everyone

One of the reasons for the remarkable growth of The Family History Guide is that it offers something useful and important to just about everyone. We’ve done a bit of thinking on this topic and come up with a list of 10 family history “audiences” and what might appeal to them in The Family History Guide. Some of us, of...

The Gratitude that Comes from Family History

Thursday is Thanksgiving Day in the United States. It is one of the most cherished celebrations of the blessings we receive from God. Many people make a concerted effort to be together with loved ones on this day. The airports and highways are jammed with Thanksgiving travelers every year. In the United States Thanksgiving Day usually includes a traditional feast...

Using Pinterest for Family History

Pinterest is a social media network that allows you to share and discover new interests by posting or “pinning” images and videos to your own “board,” which is a collection of pins with a theme or subject. Think of it as a type of search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo but with its own twist. Pinterest has an estimated 200...

Farewell to Find-A-Record

It’s with a note of sadness that we bid a fond farewell to Find-A-Record, one the most popular and effective online tools for FamilySearch Family Tree. In Project 1: Family Tree (FS) of The Family History Guide, Goal 9 was dedicated to learning and using Find-A-Record, which helped you find data problems, research opportunities, and possible duplicates across your family...

Setting Up for Success

Note: Most of this article was published previously in our Trainers, Consultants, and Directors Facebook page. It is republished here due to the increased interest it has generated for trainers and learners. When we teach traditional family history computer classes, we typically set up the class with a presentation screen at the front and rows of computers filling the rest...

Inside the Guide: The Other Side of Computer Basics

One of the handy features of The Family History Guide is the Computer Basics section. It’s primarily designed for those who are new to computers, or those who want to improve their basic computing skills for family history. Yes, there are even steps to show you how to turn a computer on or off (although beginners would likely need a...

How To Create and Reap The Benefits of Family History Blogs

As a creator of seventeen family history blogs (with plans for more), I am obviously and unabashedly a proponent of this simple way to record, track, organize, access and share family history!  Blogging is now easier than ever. With the varied platforms available and an abundance of online help, why not take advantage of this fantastic family history tool to...

Inside the Guide: Free Charts

Free is good, when it comes to charts that can help you display your family history research. The Family History Guide has no shortage of links to some great forms you can use. Let’s take a look at what’s available for free pedigrees, fan charts, and more. TreeSeek.com In Project 1 of The Family History Guide, Goal 12 has a...

Late Bloomers

A while back, I delivered a keynote address on The Family History Guide at the Pikes Peak Family History Fair in Colorado. It was well-received, and there were numerous FamilySearch volunteers there to help everything run smoothly. Two experiences I had there are still fresh in my mind, having made a lasting impression on me – both having to do...

Tips for Hosting a Virtual Family Reunion

If you are planning a family reunion and face the challenge of how to gather everyone in the same place at the same time, this blog post is for you! In his 2016 RootsTech Video Presentation, Joseph Richardson offers a solution to the issue of families being spread far and wide: host a virtual family reunion! The Family History Guide Activities Section...