January Newsletter

New Year’s Resolutions: Setting Meaningful Goals Rooted in Family History

The New Year brings a sense of renewal and hope, inspiring millions to set resolutions that shape the months ahead. While popular goals often center on fitness, finances, or self-improvement, tying your resolutions to your family history can add a deeply personal and motivating layer.

Why Family History Matters
Your family’s story is more than a collection of names and dates—it’s a living legacy of resilience, culture, and values. Incorporating this into your New Year’s resolutions connects you to your roots and inspire meaningful growth. For example, if a grandparent overcame hardships to pursue education, you might commit to a learning goal in their honor. If your family emigrated from another country, you could explore their native language or traditions on holidays.

Setting Goals with Purpose
A meaningful resolution begins with clarity. Use the SMART method—set goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For instance, rather than simply vowing to “exercise more,” you might aim to train for a charity run inspired by a cause your family supports.

Engaging Loved Ones
Resolutions can be an opportunity to strengthen family bonds. Consider setting collective goals, like preserving old photographs, documenting family recipes, or creating a genealogy project. These efforts foster connection and ensure that family stories are passed down to future generations.

Embracing the Journey
Goals tied to family history carry profound significance, but they require patience and flexibility. Mistakes happen. Minds forget goals after a while, and we simply have to start again. Still, celebrate small milestones and remember that progress, not perfection, is the ultimate aim.

This New Year, look to your past to guide your future. By weaving your family’s story into your resolutions, you’ll create goals that are both heartfelt and enduring, ensuring that 2025 is not only a year of personal growth but also a celebration of your shared legacy.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

SONG OF THE MONTH

ACCESSING ZOOM CLASSES

Some of our classes at the center are being offered via Zoom. This includes the Basic Spanish class by Cameron and Wednesday morning classes by Tammy. To verify the Zoom class, go to the blog at burleyfamilyhistorycenter.blogspot.com and click on the Calendar option. When clicking on the class name, a pop up window will give more information, including the Zoom link.   

To access the Zoom link directly, click "more details" to open the calendar in another tab. Click on the name of the class and this time the pop up window will have the direct zoom link shown as a clickable link. The passcode is also listed, in case it is needed. This is also the way to access the handouts from the classes. 

You can also select "click here to open the calendar in a new window" from the first page and get the zoom links and handouts from there. 

CONSULTANT LESSONS

Consultant Lessons are starting again on January 16th. They are held weekly on Thursdays at 6:00 pm taught by Shelley Miles. She will be using Zoom Class Replays as taught by the Los Angeles Family Search Center. It may be geared for ward and stake temple and family history consultants, but all are welcome to come learn more about FamilySearch. 

Classes Include:

- Consultant’s Best Resources

-The Basics/Descendency Tree

-Blue Dots and Source Linker

-Family Search Catalog

-Family Tree Apps

-Fan Charts

-Memories 

CALENDAR

Check the calendar for classes and other opportunities! 

Important Dates

• January 16
• Consultant Lessons
• Burley Family Search Center 6th Annual Expo
• February 7 at the Burley West Stake Center, 5-9 pm
• February 8 at the CSI Mini-Cassia Campus, 8 am- 5 pm

 Closed Dates

• December 22-January 2
• Christmas
• New Year's

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December Newsletter

 Family History at Christmas: A Season of Connection and Discovery

Christmas is a time for snowball fights, pajama parties, family gatherings, food traditions, and silly memories, making it the perfect opportunity to explore and celebrate your family history. The festive season naturally brings loved ones together, offering moments to share never told before stories, uncover hidden connections with cousins and friends, and deepen the sense of Christ and kindness that makes the holiday special.

One way to start is with recipes. Finding them in dusty cookbooks or in faded handwriting is a treasure hunt in its own right. Perhaps a traditional tamale recipe or a pie crust making method can be the centerpiece of Christmas dinner. Christmas cookies alone can cover several days with experimentation and remembering how Grandma used to bake them "back in the good old days." Preparing and enjoying these dishes together allows family members to honor and connect with those they remember and those they never knew, while creating new memories. Encourage everyone to share stories about where these recipes came from and the unique people who first brought them to the table.

Storytelling is another rich avenue for family history involvement. Gather around the sparkly tree or popping fireplace and invite older relatives to share their memories of Christmases past. What was Christmas parties like during the disco era or even ten years ago? When did ugly Christmas sweaters start? Why is there an obsession with peppermint candy? These moments can reveal surprising anecdotes about your individual family’s journey, despite different cultures or regions.

Last, but not least is an interesting one: nativities. Many families have harbored and protected these timeless decorations of Christ's birth--passing them down, collecting, or simply giving them as gifts. Whether made of wood, stone, clay, or other materials, these remind families of the true meaning of Christmas and bring together the generations of those who have set out nativities and those who will continue to do so. Comparing and discussing family nativity sets is a surprisingly great way to discuss relatives, former traditions, and enrich the present Christmas spirit. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Song of the Month

Accessing Zoom Classes

Some of our classes at the center are being offered via Zoom. This includes the Basic Spanish class by Cameron and Wednesday morning classes by Tammy. To verify the Zoom class, go to the blog at burleyfamilyhistorycenter.blogspot.com and click on the Calendar option. When clicking on the class name, a pop up window will give more information, including the Zoom link.   

To access the Zoom link directly, click "more details" to open the calendar in another tab. Click on the name of the class and this time the pop up window will have the direct zoom link shown as a clickable link. The passcode is also listed, in case it is needed. This is also the way to access the handouts from the classes. 

You can also select "click here to open the calendar in a new window" from the first page and get the zoom links and handouts from there. 

Calendar

Check the calendar for classes and other opportunities! 

Important Dates

• TBD

 Closed Dates

• December 22-January 2
• Christmas
• New Year's

LINKS TO THE BURLEY FAMILY HISTORY CENTER'S MEDIA PAGES

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