April 2022 Newsletter

Didn't get to attend Rootstech?  Like to review sessions you did see?

Click here:  RootsTech 2022

Be sure to check the calendar for all classes!

April Closures: The Burley Family History Center will be closed on Sunday, April 3, 2022, for General Conference and on Sunday, April 17, 2022, for Easter!

Monthly Spotlight - What does the center offer?

Much of family history has moved online and a lot of things can be done in the comfort of your own home.  So why would one want to come to the center?  Here's our top ten reasons:

10 - Treats.  We always have a candy dish of treats for everyone coming through our doors!  Watch for special treat days during our Youth Summer Program June 14th- August 10th!

9 - Happy smiling faces!  Come and spend some time with our consultants.  Our consultants have a variety of training and can assist in whatever your questions might be.  And, if they don't know personally how to assist you, they will direct you to someone who can help you.  

8 - Camaraderie.  Not everyone loves family history the way we do at the center.  Sometimes it's fun to share your "new family history find" with someone that can really understand your love of family history or the excitement of finding that long lost document!  We'll cheer with you. 

7 - Another set of eyes.  Sometimes we have looked at our own research so much  that we can't even see anything else or have any idea where to look next.  It's amazing what another set of eyes can see.  Something we missed on the document, or a new way of looking at the information we have.  Or a thought of a different way to approach your situation.  Or another someone else to validate what you are thinking about a record or a merge/separation, or any other difficult FamilySearch issue.  

6 - Help for Ward and Stake Temple and Family History Consultants and Leaders.   We have put together a training that we use at the center for teaching our consultants everything FamilySearch related.  The links to this guide are shown in the Temple and Family History Consultant Page on this blog.  But we offer assistance to individuals or groups seeking to learn more about their callings and the specific components of the Ward Temple and Family History Plans, Coordination Meetings, and how it all fits together.  Consultants/Assistants can help on Mondays and Wednesday AM and Wednesday PM with Ward Consultants.  If groups are seeking to have a training, they should contact Tammy for more information.

5 - Specialized Research Assistance.  We have consultants who are proficient in the following areas: Germany, England, French Canadian, Old English, Danish, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, England, Netherlands and DNA.   Also, we can offer translating for records in many of these languages.  

4 - Free access to the Portal (over $400 worth of websites) only available at the Family History Center.  Access includes: British Newspapers, Newspapers.com, Ancestry, Find My Past, My Heritage, American Ancestors, American Civil War, Fold 3, Kinpoint, Paper Trail, Puzzilla, and others.

3 - Evening groups.  We are available on Wednesday evenings from 7 pm to 9 pm for group appointments.  These must be made at least one week in advance.  Groups of all sizes; we recently had a ward come with 75 people for an evening group.  Call the center to schedule your Wednesday, or contact Celia for more specific information.   Groups for other times are available as well- contact Tammy for information on those options. 

2 - Several classes every month.  We offer classes up to four days a week on a multitude of topics and skill levels.  If you don't see a class that you would like to have offered, just reach out and we'll do our best to find someone to teach that class.  We also offer evening classes on a limited basis.  Contact Tammy for more information.    

1 - Top reason would be to digitize.  Do you have any of those things shown in the picture above?  Do you wish there was an inexpensive way to share them with family and friends in a digital format?  Come to the center and see what we can do for you for FREE!  We have the capability to digitize everything shown in the photo, plus more:  photos, negatives, slides, audio cassettes, 8 mm movies on reels, VHS tapes, VHS-C tapes, 8 mm tapes, mini DV tapes, audio reels, and documents of all sizes and shapes. 

We're well into 2022; however, here's a link for 2021 FamilySearch Year in Review.  Check out all that was accomplished in 2021, even with a pandemic in full force!

Here's another interesting link and family history tips from November's Church News: How a Chinese-speaking ward in Utah found dozens of family names last month to take to the temple.

LINKS TO THE BURLEY FAMILY HISTORY CENTER'S MEDIA PAGES

(Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Wiki, and here on our Blog)

Facebook

Instagram

Wiki

March 2022 Newsletter

 It's Not Too Late to Sign Up for RootsTech!

March 3 - 5, 2022

It's virtual and it's free.

To register, go to their website.  Rootstech.org

Come to the Family History Center and enjoy this event with friends!  The center will be open on Thursday and Friday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

As the particular classes haven't been announced yet, we have picked some topics for each of the sessions.  Once the classes are announced, we will pick the classes we think best match our desired topics.

• Thursday March 3rd 10:00 am to 2:00 pm - Family Search topics
• Thursday March 3rd 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm - Research Helps
• Friday March 4th 10:00 am to 2:00 pm - Other Websites (besides FamilySearch)
• Friday March 4th 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm - DNA
• Saturday March 5th 10:00 am to 2:00 pm - Watching LDS emphasis classes including the Leadership Session.

We will meet in the basement classroom and watch the sessions on the projector screen.  Light refreshments will be provided, but feel free to bring your own lunch if you want to hang out with us for the whole day. 

  

If you can't join us at the center, the videos are available for viewing at rootstech.org. Most are available for a full year from the original date.  Some are available indefinitely.

Summer Youth Program

In the past we have held a week-long Youth Family History Camp in June able to work with only about 20 youth at a time.  We are increasing the options this year and so excited to share the information with you.  

We will have a youth program for the whole summer!  Each stake will call 4-6 youth consultants.  These consultants will be trained during the first part of June.  Then from June 13 to August 9 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 am to 6 pm we will sponsor Youth Days.  

The basement classroom will be reserved for the youth for those two days of the week.    The trained youth consultants will be available to assist any youth coming to the center (with assistance from adult consultants only as needed for complex issues.)  As the temple is coming soon, we want the youth to be prepared to find and take their own names to the temple.  And not just be using Ordinances Ready (no issues in using it), but to be able to add some additional missing cousins to the tree who need temple ordinances completed.

The Priesthood Coordination Council for our center has asked us to announce this program early and ask for assistance in finding the youth consultants.  If you are a youth and wish to be a consultant for the summer, or if you know of a youth who might want to be a consultant for this summer, please contact your Bishop or Stake President with names.  

Some things to keep in mind as to expectations for the youth consultant.  We are recommending this option for ages 13-17. This is a really open option and very flexible.  The training will be May 31st to June 2nd OR June 6th to June 8th with an additional optional day on June 9th.  The youth would attend one of the two trainings - not both.  If the youth wish, they can become specialists in one area of their choice.  This will allow each to become better in one area and not be so overwhelmed with all of the options.  The youth would be asked to work a minimum of 5 - four hour shifts during the rest of the summer.  This allows for youth to still be involved with their family trips, reunions, camps, and other activities during the summer.  They will pick the days and times they work and could sign up with their friends to work the same shift.  Additionally, the youth would be encouraged to invite their friends and youth class members to attend the center with them.  

So, mark your calendars!  Youth Summer Program June 13th - August 9th Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10 am to 6 pm.   And, think of youth who might wish to be consultants and contact your Priesthood leaders with suggestions.  

 
We are so excited to see the youth this summer!  And of course, treats will occasionally be provided!   Please share this information with anyone and everyone.  We are hoping to make this a yearly summer program.

LINKS TO THE BURLEY FAMILY HISTORY CENTER'S MEDIA PAGES

(Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Wiki, and here on our Blog)

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/burleyfamilyhistory

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/burleyidahofhc/

Wiki:  https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Burley_Idaho_Family_History_Center

Blog:  https://burleyfamilyhistorycenter.blogspot.com/

Check the calendar on Wiki for a look at classes being held in March

Here are some highlights.  Be sure to check the calendar for ALL classes!

• RootsTech classes will be broadcast March 3rd, 4th, and 5th
• Computers for Beginners (6 week class) will start March 7th, 2:00 - 3:00 pm
• Family Stories in 30 Minutes or Less by Brenda Hudson, Ph.D. webinar will be broadcast March 30th, 12:00 - 1:30 pm

February 2022 Newsletter

 

How large is too large?  We don't know, we haven't found out yet.   This is a group from the Star 2nd Ward and not everyone who attended was in the photo.   We are happy to accommodate groups of all sizes.  Youth groups, ward groups, Elders Quorum groups, Relief Society groups, Primary Activity Day groups, Homeschooling groups, family groups, etc.   Group appointments are by reservation only.  

Groups can be accommodated during regular hours, or on Wednesday evenings from 6 pm to 9 pm.   

Call the center  208-878-7286 to schedule your appointment. 

Or do as this ward did and reserve the basement classroom for a training session anytime during our regular operating hours.  Sundays 2 pm to 6 pm; Mondays 12 pm to 4 pm; Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday 10 am to 6 pm.   Star Ward provided their own training, but we can assist you with it if needed. 

  Only one group at a time may reserve the discovery screens and recording studio.  Wednesday evening slots fill up quickly so contact us as soon as possible to reserve your time.   A typical youth evening involves splitting the group in half.  One half works on the computers learning about using ordinances ready and the activities available on FamilySearch.  The other half play on the discovery screens and in the recording studio- exploring all of the options of "All About Me"  "Where did I come from?" and "Famous Relatives."  Half way through the evening, the groups switch so each youth gets plenty of opportunities on the big screens and the computers.   Group activities can be customized to whatever you are wishing to accomplish. Just contact the center and we'll do our best to accommodate your wishes!

RootsTech Celebration

RootsTech will be March 3 - 5, 2022.   

It's virtual and it's free.  To register, go to their website.  Rootstech.org

In conjunction with this online event, we want to celebrate at the center.

Many of us have attended the event in person and found its so much more fun to share the experience with friends, we are going to do just that at our center during this event.

The center will be open on Thursday and Friday from 10 am to 6 pm. And Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm.

As the particular classes haven't been announced yet, we have picked some topics for each of the sessions.   Once the classes are announced, we will pick the classes we think best match our desired topics.    We will meet in the basement classroom and watch the sessions on the projector screen.  Light refreshments will be provided, but feel free to bring your own lunch if you want to hang out with us for the whole day.   

Thursday 10 am to 2 pm sessions will focus on everything related to using FamilySearch.org

Thursday 2 pm to 6 pm sessions will focus on research techniques.

Friday 10 am to 2 pm sessions will focus on using websites besides FamilySearch.org to further your personal research.

Friday 2 pm to 6 pm sessions will focus on using DNA in your family history endeavors.

Saturday 10 am to 2 pm sessions will focus on Temple and Family History and the importance of it to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Some of these classes will be presented as aids to consultants in their callings.  Others might focus on the need to do or the blessings from doing family history work.   In the past, even the classes geared to the consultants had tips and tricks for all researchers.    

It is anticipated there will be a Leadership Session for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.   We will announce it as soon as we know the details.  Follow us at our facebook page or on Instagram.

If you can't attend at the center, the videos are available for viewing at rootstech.org. Most are available for a full year from the original date.  Some are available indefinitely.

So mark your calendars and plan to join us at the center for RootsTech! 

Class highlights and info

There has been enough interest in the Basic Computers six week class, we are pleased to announce it will be offered again starting March 7th. The class time has been moved to 2 pm starting in February for the remainder of the classes from the first session and for this new session as well.  

Heather Woodland is teaching this class.  

Sharon Bowers is going to offer an ongoing once a month class "How to be a Tech Savvy Genealogist".  It will be held each third Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. for beginners and intermediate researchers. 

 The three purposes of this class:

1- Answer your tech questions during a Q&A

2- Introduce new tech developments

3- Teach the tech skills that help a genealogist work smarter and work faster. 

Ever wanted to know about using Google Drive, including Google Docs, Google Slides, Google Sites.   Shaura Miller will be presenting a class on these and more options using Google Drive.  

February 22, at 10:30 a.m.

Research Like a Pro- Evening Class this Fall 

Several have expressed interest in an evening class for the Research Like a Pro. This is a once a month class for four months.  We will start on Tuesday August 30 at 6:30 p.m. 

Let us know if you'd like added to the list. 

Please check out our calendar for all of the class dates and times.  

Top Ten Tips for the Month

1- Website suggested by Adrianne Boyer.   

https://www.wiewaswie.nl/en/

If you have ancestors from the Netherlands, check this one out.  They have several participating organizations.  

Directly from their website: "CBG|Center for family historie in The Hague is the owner of WieWasWie.nl. CBG is the national center for knowledge, documentation and publicity for genealogy and heraldry.

Purpose of the website 
WieWasWie wants to open genealogy and historical family research for any person. For this matter WieWasWie offers one website for finding reliable sources for historical research and support for your quest. The power of WieWasWie is the giant availability of historical documents."

2-  Legacy Family Tree Webinar suggested by Sharon Bowers. 

An Additional 50 Websites Every Genealogist Should Know 

Directly from their website: "Gena comes back with an additional 50 websites you should know for your genealogy. She will explore websites with genealogy databases, technology how-to, images, finding aids, and more. No matter where your genealogy takes you, you’ll hear about a website that can be helpful. And don’t forget about the handout. The handout is a compilation of all the websites Gena’s previously talked about in her 50 Websites presentations."

3-  From Family Locket

Top Ten Blog Posts of 2021

Family Locket is a blog run by Diana Elder and Nicole Dyer, the founders of Research Like a Pro.   Every week they post blogs and release podcasts on their website.  Check out their website for more options. 

4- The Family History Guide has a YouTube Channel.

Check it out here.

They also have 46 Quick Research Basic videos.  Just a few minutes each, but great tips for specific geographic locations, searching archives, and other family history databases. Just in the last two weeks they have added six more videos to this collection. 

Check it out here. 

5- Looking for more information on using Free Newspapers

Check out these two options from Family Tree Magazine.

YouTube on using Chronicling America

YouTube - Online Newspapers, Three Free Options

6- Was your New Year's Resolution to do more family history?

And now you don't really know how to start.  James Tanner offers some suggestions in his blog post. 

Where do you start your search for your ancestors. 

7- What has FamilySearch accomplished in the last year?

A lot as one will see here.  Thanks to Sharon Bowers for suggesting this one.

8- Lisa Louise Cook offers advise on your Research Readiness.

Find out more about it here. 

9- Curious what things looked like at the time your ancestors lived?

Family Tree Magazine has an article written by Maureen Taylor

She lists 22 different online photo databases. 

10- Still looking for another online option to find records?

How about a few million more. 

This blog from Family History Daily will give you ideas of what you might find and how to search them. 

Check out the U S National Archives.

Be sure to check out our wiki page for additional information about the center.

Home page

Research Specialities

Resources at our center

We hope to see you at the center soon!

January 2022 Newsletter

 

Exciting Happenings at the Center

We are excited to welcome in the new year with some new offerings at the center.   Starting January 4th, we will be opening for our regular days and hours, with limited closures for holidays.   

Sunday 2 pm to 6 pm 

Monday 12 pm to 4 pm

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10 am to 6 pm

Wednesday evening for groups by appointment only 6 pm to 9 pm

These new offerings include classes four days a week.  Hoping to offer more classes for a greater variety of options for patrons of all research levels.  Check out our calendar for all of the classes and closures.  For weekly reminders of the coming classes, sign up for our newsletter/class at the center on the sign up sheet.  Or email id_burley@familyhistorymail.org  to be added to the list. 

New options starting this month include:

1.  Basic Computer Classes.  This is a six week course, meeting once a week, taught by Heather Woodland.  This is a hands on class.  Feel free to bring your own laptop if you prefer to work on your own computer.   A basic class on how to operate a computer from the very basics of how to use to a mouse, navigating through files and folders, using links, opening multiple windows/tabs, using flash drives and etc.   It will be on Mondays starting on January 10 at 1:30 p.m.  This class will be offered a number of times in 2022, so if one can't make the class now, look for additional offerings later in the year. 

  

2.  An Indexing Class.   Pat Cahoon has offered to teach an indexing class monthly on the third Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.. This is a hands-on class, bring your FamilySearch username and password so you can fully participate in the class.   If you are looking to start doing indexing, this is a great chance to come and learn some tips and tricks.  But it's also a great opportunity to just come and work on indexing with any assistance needed for some of those tricky batches.   Starting on January 20th at 10:30 a.m.

3.  Research Like a Pro.  This will be a four month class, a hands on two hour class, meeting once a month, taught by Shaura Miller and Tammy Stevenson.   This is a repeat of the class we started in January 2020 and were unable to conclude due to covid closures in 2020.  It is not necessary to have attended in 2020.  We will be starting the class from the beginning.  It is based on the book "Research Like a Pro" by Nicole Dyer and Diana Elder.  We have permission from them to use their book and their templates for teaching this class.  It is helpful if you have a copy of the book for yourself as there are monthly reading assignments from the book.  The center does have a few copies that can be loaned out for the duration of this class. This class is for the intermediate or advanced researchers.   Each person will select their own research objective and work on it from month to month. Homework assignments will be given each month. If you are interested in joining this class and would like the first class reading assignment prior to class, please send an email to the center and get put on the list.  id_burley@familyhistorymail.org   Not necessary to pre-register for the class, just if you wish to have the first week's reading assignment prior to class.  Classes will be on the third Wednesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. starting on January 19th.  

4. City Directories- taught by Shaura Miller.  U.S. City Directories- the precursor to the phone book. What are they and how to use them.  Learn the exact years your ancestor inhabited a place. Helpful for tracking families between censuses.  January 25 at 10:30 a.m.

 

5. Yes! You Can Write Your Life Story- taught by Jolene Hunsaker.  Want to write your life story, but feel overwhelmed or think no one would want to hear about you?  I believe in the power of writing. Let's get started on the journey of brining your story to life.  Your loved ones will thank you for it. Even a small amount of writing will encourage you to take the next step.  January 26 at 1:00 p.m.  

Other exciting things in 2022

1950 Census

The 1950 Census will be released on April 1, 2022.  Not a lot of information has been published about the release of the census.  But Diana Elder published a recent blogpost giving some limited information.  She indicated that FamilySearch will be releasing more information about the census at RootsTech including an option to become involved with indexing the census.   Check out her blog.

RootsTech

RootsTech will be virtual again this year.  March 3-5, 2022.   Registration is again free this year.  Go to their website to register.   And we are planning to do some fun activities at the center in connection with RootsTech this year.  Watch for more information in February's newsletter about our activities.  Also be sure to watch those sessions from last year you might have missed or haven't viewed yet.  Some of the sessions were limited to viewing for one year from the time of publishing. 

Basic FamilySearch Classes continue

Anna Marie Davis started doing a two part FamilySearch 101 class last fall.  They have been so successfully, we will be continuing those classes in 2022.   Classes are held each 2nd and 4th Thursday at 10:30 a.m. and repeated each month.  These classes are hands-on and start with the basics of how to create an account,  how to navigate FamilySearch, and make minor changes.   New options to this class will include how to add sources.   Great for those just wishing to start doing family history, and also helpful for those wishing for a review of how to work within FamilySearch. 

New memory devices options

We are excited to announce we have recently acquired a mini DV camcorder and an 8 mm cassette camcorder for digitizing old family movies of those formats.  Additionally we have purchased a second movie digitizer device and computer so patrons may digitize more than one at a time using both stations. If using the new camcorder options, one will still be limited to one movie at a time, as we only have one of each.   Note: these are recorded in real time.  A 2 hour movie takes 2 hours to digitize.

The addition of these camcorders has about completed our digitizing capabilities.   We have machines for digitizing photos, documents, negatives, slides, audio cassettes, audio reels, 8mm reel movies, VHS tapes and VHS-C tapes. Come check it out and see how we can save you hundreds of dollars in digitizing things yourself.  These devices can be reserved in advance to ensure they are available when one comes to the center, including Sundays.  Reservations are not required.  Call the center to reserve them 208-878-7286

Appointments available for individualized research

These are by appointment only:

Swedish Research with Kathleen Hedberg- Wednesdays 2 pm to 4 pm, and 4 pm to 6 pm 

Swedish Research with Kristi Thompson- Wednesdays 2 pm to  4 pm

Spanish Research with Sharon Bowers- Tuesdays 3 pm to 5 pm

Danish Research with Carla Carson- Tuesdays 11 am to 1 pm

Call the center to make an appointment.  208-878-7286

Other research specialists are show on this page. 

Things to check out

1. Legacy Family Tree Webinars is a free option for viewing live or recordings for one week from the live date.  Check out their blog for more information.  

2. Fifteen Freebies for Genealogy by Lisa Louise Cooke 

Link found here

3. French Records published on MyHeritage- 22 million records.

More information here

4. The complete guide to US censuses by Family History Daily

Click here for blog

5. How Family History work can aid with Depression and Anxiety

A three part article by Church News

6. Six surprising benefits of doing family history

Check it out

7.  Nine different death records to check for more information

Article by Family Tree magazine

8. Unique ways to gather family history by Maureen Taylor

For ideas click here

9. Chart of Search Tips for MyHeritage (general information could be used for other websites)

Infographic here

10. New Research Goals: Learn the Basics

From thefamilyguide.com

December 2021 Newletter

Merry Christmas from everyone at the Burley Family History Center!  

In an attempt to make the links more prominent, they are shown in bold letters with a light yellow background behind the text.   Simply click on the bold word(s) and you will be redirected to that website. 

 Spotlight for December

Discover Your Ancestors Christmas Traditions

Have you ever wondered what you ancestors did for Christmas?

Did they set up nativities in their homes?

What things did they eat as part of their celebration?

We are excited to announce the Burley Family History Center will be sponsoring a fun activity on Sundays in December for families to learn more about their ancestors' traditions, customs and even some recipes of foods to try.

December 5 from 2 to 5 pm (closing early for the 1st Presidency Devotional)

December 12 from 2 pm to 6 pm

December 19 from 2 pm to 6 pm

Example of a fun Swiss tradition:   Advent marks the start of the Christmas preparations. Advent calendars and crowns are both popular.  In some villages, there are "real" advent calendars with different houses decorating an "Advent Window." On the day when it's your house with the advent window, you hold a party for the villagers in the evening. There's food, mulled wine (called Gluhwein), and music.

Bring your family or friends in and see what we can help you learn about your ancestors' traditions.  You might find some fun traditions to include as part of your own festivities this year.  

Treats for everyone.

Looking for the perfect gift this year?

Check out this blog for ideas for a journal for your mom/dad grandma/grandpa    

 Grandpa's Story

 A tribute to a deceased family members or a memory jar for living relatives 

 Make a Memory Jar 

Spend Time Together- Have a Family Show and Tell Evening- (and other ideas) 

 Collect and Share Family Stories

How about a Photo Tree? (and 4 other options) 

 Ancestral Findings Options

Use this Christmas season as a time to record some family stories

Make this Christmas a time for sharing stories

And then record them on FamilySearch for generations to come.

Need some ideas of questions?

Check out the following interview options

The Family History Guide for Interviews

Family Tree's Suggestions

Family Search Record My Story 

Need some assistance in using Memories on FamilySearch?

  1-   Come to class on December 2, 10:30 a.m. taught by Tammy.

Bring a photo or story you wish to upload to FamilySearch and have the FamilySearch Family Tree app and the FamilySearch Memories app downloaded on your phone.  

2- If you can't attend the class, check out these options on The Family History Guide for assistance in using the apps. 

FamilySearch Family Tree App

FamilySearch Memories App

Other information

Fun Find by Charlotte-  BYU Family History Lab 

This is a website developed by BYU students with some fun family history options, including some games like Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.   Simply go to the website and click on the option of interest.  Then you will be asked to sign in with your FamilySearch username and password to create the option based on your FamilySearch information.   Thanks to Charlotte for sharing this fun website.  

Please check out the  calendar for our limited hours in December. 

The only class this month is "Using Memories" on December 2, 10:30 a.m.

We will open with our regular schedule starting January 4th.

Sundays 2 pm to 6 pm

Mondays 12 pm to 4 pm  

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday 10 am to 6 pm

 Evening appointments available on Wednesdays 6 pm to 9 pm (by appointment only, call the center to schedule for your group)

Watch for a full class calendar in January, we will being having classes four days a week.  

November 2021 Newsletter

November- A Time of Thanks

We have been open for almost six months now.  It's been great!  We are so excited to have opened back up.  It's been great to meet together as assistants and consultants.  And especially exciting to visit and assist the patrons who come and go each day.   We have been blessed in so many ways!   Thanks to all of you!

 Spotlight for November
Beginning and Intermediate Family Search Classes by BYU Family History Library

Are you looking for some assistance in learning more about how to do Temple and Family History?  You are always welcome to come into the center for assistance and for our classes.  If you aren't able to come in to the center right now,  BYU Family History Library has been broadcasting "Sunday Classes" for some time.   Earlier this year they were given permission to record the classes and they are available on their website.   Each is about one hour long and contains a lot of great information.   Kathryn Grant is one of Tammy's favorite webinar presenters.  Check her out and see if she becomes one your favorites as well.

FamilySearch Beginner Series – Kathryn Grant

1. Getting to Know FamilySearch.org

2. Adding and Correcting Information in Family Tree

3. Finding People to Add in Family Tree

4. Tending Your Tree Basic Research Skills  

FamilySearch Intermediate Series – Kathryn Grant

1. Duplicates in Family Tree (Part 1 of 2)

2. Duplicates in Family Tree (Part 2 of 2)

3. Mysteries of the Change Log Revealed

4. Pruning Your Family Tree

Classes for November

November 3, Wednesday 1:00 p.m. Computer Tips and Tricks- Part Two

        Taught by Sharon Bowers.  This is part two of a two part class.   Work smarter not harder.  Learn some great computer tips and tricks including some shortcuts to use while doing family history. Handouts on the calendar.

November 4, Thursday 10:30 a.m.  Family Search 101 Part One

         Taught by Anna Marie Davis.   This is a repeat of the class from previous months.  It is a two part hands on class learning how to do the basics in FamilySearch.   A great place for beginners to start, also a potential review for those who want just a little refresher on how to use FamilySearch.

November 9, Tuesday 10:30 a.m.  Merging/Duplicates and Unfinished Attachments- Part Two

        Taught by Tammy Stevenson.  This is part two of a previous class.   Finishing up some of the more complex merges we looked at during the previous class.   It's not necessary to have attended the previous class to get something out of this class.

November 10,  Wednesday 1:00 p.m.  Is there a Research Trip in your Future?

        Taught by Sharon Bowers.  She recently went to Boston for a research trip and found some very interesting and unexpected things.  She will share what she learned and how you can prepare better for your own research trips.

November 11, Thursday 10:30 a.m. Source Analysis (Merging/Duplicate&Unfinished Attachments-Part 3)

        Taught by Tammy Stevenson.   Ever looked at a source and tried to figure out who it belongs to?  Ever seen sources on FamilySearch attached to one person which apply to a different person?   Ever wondered if this is the correct marriage or death record for your person?   Come to this class and learn some tips and tricks in source analysis.

November 16, Tuesday 10:30 a.m.  Collect Family Stories this Holiday Season

        Taught by Shaura Miller.   Bring a short favorite story to share with the class.  Why stories are important.  How to preserve them.  Questions to ask family members.  How to use the apps to assist in preserving stories and photos.  Something for everyone, come enjoy this class together.  

November 17, Wednesday 1:00 p.m.   Webinar Class- Basics of Using Ancestry.com 

        This is a webinar presented by Nancy Busby as part of the Ancestry Series on BYU Family History Library.   Come learn more about a basic overview of using Ancestry.com and how to link your FamilySearch account to your Ancestry account. 

November 18, Thursday 10:30 a.m.  FamilySearch 101 Part Two

        Taught by Anna Marie Davis.  This is a repeat of the class from previous months.  It is a two part hands on class learning how to do the basics in FamilySearch.   A great place for beginners to start, also a potential review for those who want just a little refresher on how to use FamilySearch.

A link to the full calendar appears in to the right in the "Burley Family History Center Links"

Weekly email reminders of the classes are sent to those on our email list.  If you wish to be included on the email reminder list, please send your contact information to the center.  id_burley@familyhistorymail.org

New opportunities for Personalized Research Assistance

By appointment only with Kathleen Hedberg for Swedish research has been tremendously successful since we re-opened the center.  Kathleen is available for appointments on Wednesdays from 2 pm  to 4 pm and 4 pm to 6 pm.  We are pleased to announce three more options for specific research have opened as well.  Kristy Thompson will be available on Wednesdays 2 pm to 4 pm for Swedish research.   Carla Carson will be available on Tuesdays 11 am to 1 pm for Danish research.  Sharon Bowers will be available on Tuesdays 3 pm to 5 pm for Spanish research. Each appointment is two hours long and allows for plenty of time to work through easy or complex issues in your family history.  Call the center, or stop by to make an appointment.   

Spotlight of New Assistants

My name is Charlotte Reedy, I was born and raised in Middletown, Ohio. My parents were converts and were baptized when I was seven. I served a full time mission in the Hawaii Honolulu Mission (best mission in the world!). I've lived in Rupert, Idaho, for the past 36 years. I spent my entire career in Juvenile Justice since moving to Rupert. I worked 7 years at the Idaho Youth Ranch and then moved to the Mini-Cassia Juvenile Detention Center. I retired August 31, 2021, after 29 years at the Detention Center. I currently serve as a Primary Teacher for the CTR 7 class in the Rupert 5th Ward and LOVE it! 

Hi! I am Jolene Hunsaker. I was born and raised in Rupert. I graduated from both Ricks College and BYU. I served a mission in the great Ohio, Columbus Mission. I taught first grade in Minidoka County Schools for 32 years, retiring in 2015. I attend the Rupert 5th ward where I am the choir director with no choir. 

Heads Up for Upcoming Events

We will be closed from November 22 to November 28 so our assistants and consultants can enjoy the Thanksgiving week with their families.

We will be open limited week days in December.   Dec 1, 2, 6, 8, 13, and 15.   Closed from December 20 to January 4th so our assistants and consultants can enjoy the Christmas season with their families.  

Sundays, December 5, 12, and 19 will be "Learn More About Your Ancestors's Christmas Traditions"   More information will be coming in next month's newsletter. 

Remember the "Research Like a Pro" class that was cut short because of the center closing due to Covid?  We are going to try it again in January 2022.   Third Wednesdays in January - April from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Taught by Tammy Stevenson and Shaura Miller.   We have permission from Diana Elder and Nicole Dyer to use their process, their book and their research charts/guides for this class.   It is helpful if you have a copy of the book to use during the class.   We do have a few copies of the book at the center if you need to borrow one for the duration of this class.  It's not necessary to have attended in 2020.  We will start at the beginning of the process and work our way through the whole process over those four months. 

Top Ten Tips for November

1- Six Baby Steps to Organize your Genealogy Work

2- Genealogy for Beginners- 3 Easy Ways to Start Now

3- Ten Most Common Mistakes with Online Trees

4- Where to Look for Great Ancestor Stories

5- Keeping a Gratitude Journal

6-  15 Essential Google Tools for Genealogy

7- I Got Stuck with Grandma's Stuff

8- Native American Research- Roots Tech Series

9- Getting the Most out of Ancestry - Roots Tech Series

10- New Country Pages on The Family History Guide If you haven't checked out The Countries tab on The Family History Guide, you are missing out. Check it out today.