July 2022 Newsletter

 

Happy Pioneer Day!

July is the month we honor the original pioneers; those faithful Saints who paved the way for us to enjoy the blessings of the gospel in our lives.  Many sacrificed much.  In return, they learned valuable lessons and received some treasured blessings.   

Francis Webster said of his experience, "I have pulled my handcart when I was so weak and weary from illness and lack of food that I could hardly put one foot ahead of the other.  I have looked ahead and seen a patch of sand or a hill slope and I have said, 'I can go only that far and there I must give up for I cannot pull the load through it.'  I have gone to that sand and when I reached it, the cart began pushing me!  I have looked back many times to see who was pushing my cart, but my eyes saw no one.  I knew then that the Angels of God were there. 

"Was I sorry that I chose to come by handcart?  No!  Neither then nor any minute of my life since.  The price we paid to become acquainted with God was a privilege to pay and I am thankful that I was privileged to come in the Martin Handcart Company." 

Elder Ballard and Elder Walker share some pioneer stories.  Links to their speeches:

Pioneer Faith and Fortitude - Then and Now by Elder M. Russell Ballard 

Live True to the Faith by Elder William Walker

Click on the link pioneer campaign to see if you have pioneers among your ancestors.   See what you can learn about your own ancestors.  Although this site honors those who crossed the plains, it's important to remember not all pioneers did so as a Primary song reminds us:

You don't have to push a handcart, 
Leave your fam'ly dear,
Or walk a thousand miles or more
To be a pioneer!

You do need to have great courage,
Faith to conquer fear,
And work with might for a cause that's right.
To be a pioneer!

President Uchtdorf and President Monson have reminded us of the same thing:  

"What a joy and privilege it is to be a part of this worldwide Church and be taught, and uplifted by prophets, seers, and revelators!...  As the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is now being embraced around the world, we are all pioneers in our own sphere and circumstance." (President Dieter F Uchtdorf)

"A dictionary defines a pioneer as 'one who goes before, showing others the way to follow.'  Oh how the world needs pioneers today!" (President Thomas S. Monson)

We can all be pioneers in our own ways.  We can show others the path to follow.  We can live with great courage and faith.  We can work hard in righteous endeavors.  In doing so, we can be modern day pioneers.  We can change our lives and the lives of others, including our descendants.  That's all a part of the great work we were sent to earth to accomplish.

Elder Neal A. Maxwell said,  "If we are faithful, the day will come when those deserving pioneers and ancestors, who we rightly praised for having overcome the adversities in the wilderness trek, will instead praise you, for having made your way successfully through a desert of despair, for having passed through a cultural wilderness, and having kept the faith, for having been true to the faith.  And yes, you will rightly go on praising them for what they did in their days, but one day, [they] including some of your ancestors, will praise you for having come safely home, through that cultural wilderness and that desert of despair."

What are you doing to fortify your faith and live worthy of the praise of these pioneers?

ATTENTION  YOUTH!   Want to learn more about your pioneer ancestors or about family history in general.   You are in luck!  Our youth program continues on Wednesdays from 10 am to 6 pm through August 10th.   Come for a few minutes or a few hours and be taught by our Youth Consultants.  Treats are served!

Be sure to check the calendar for all classes!

The Burley Family History Center will be closed

Sunday, July 3rd and Monday, July 4th 

for the 4th of July!

Check these links for great ideas:

How to Preserve Newspaper Clippings

 Family History Writing Prompts

LINKS TO THE BURLEY FAMILY HISTORY CENTER'S MEDIA PAGES

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June 2022 Ward Consultant Training- Accounts

This month we will be discussing everything to deal with accounts.  

How to create an account and change settings 

Creating FamilySearch account and settings- How to Video

Creating a FamilySearch Account

Creating a Church Account

Who can create an account   

Persons need not be members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to create accounts.  All are welcome to create accounts.  However for minor children, ages 8-12, they can only be created with parents permission.

Creating accounts for children ages 8-12 years old

How to recovery account information   

Retrieving Username and Password

Difference between church accounts and FamilySearch accounts

Split of Church Accounts and FamilySearch Accounts

Church Accounts can be used to sign into FamilySearch and for the Discovery Screens at the center (This is a recent new option.)  Username and passwords can be retrieved using a Membership Record Number, email or text number used to set up the account. 

FamilySearch accounts are necessary for signing into the FamilySearch apps.  Username and passwords can be retrieved using the email or text number used to set up the account. 

Other Tips

It's best if each account has a unique email address

If you share an email for multiple accounts, it will create issues when attempting to retrieve username and passwords via email. 

Helping someone else create an account

It's best to have everyone create their own account.   That way all changes made reflect on their account.

When helping someone create an account, make sure they record their username and password in a safe place so they can use it in the future. 

Tips and Tricks for June

1- Don't forget about our Youth Summer Program.  Encourage the youth in our wards to attend this opportunity.  Wednesdays 10 am to 6 pm from June 15 to August 10.  Please help spread the word to all of the youth in your ward.  The flyer can be found here. 

2-  Did you know, we are open on Sundays from 2 pm to 6 pm?  Except for holidays- closed for Father's Day, July 4th weekend, and July 24th during the summer.  Check out our calendar for closures. 

3- Family Tree has created 10 templates to assist in your personal research.  Find them here.

4- Kathryn Grant's latest family history video.  More Mysteries of the Change Log Revealed   In case you want to view her original video about Change Log Revealed

5- Tips for working with Old Photos Albums 

6- Researching with the Family History Guide Webinar coming July 7th.  More info here

7- Using The Family History Guide to accomplish family history in only 15 minutes a day.  

8- Using Guided Research on FamilySearch

9- Using Goldie May for Family History - Check out their YouTube Channel

10-  Helping Others Learn to Love and Do Family History

June 2022 Newsletter

 

We have two fun projects happening in our area this summer in relation to family history.

1- We are pleased to announce will be having a Youth Summer Program.  The youth consultants will be trained this week at the center.  Following their training, the program will start on June 15th.  It will run for 9 weeks until August 10th on Wednesdays from 10 am to 6 pm.  The basement will be reserved for youth.  The youth consultants will be there to assist other youth coming to the center in their own family history discoveries and research.  Youth of all ages are welcome to come to the center anytime, but on Wednesdays they will be taught by other youth.  Youth under age 10 should be accompanied by their parents or older siblings.  It is suggested each youth, especially under age 13, have their FamilySearch accounts set up prior to coming to the center as those require parental verification.  Each week we will focus on one feature of FamilySearch and provide some training on doing that particular task for a few minutes.  Bring your questions, bring your photos and stories, or just come and see what we help you learn about your family.  Treats will be available each week.  Bring your friends and have some fun together at the center this summer.   Adults are still welcome to come to the center on Wednesdays and work on the computers upstairs.   

2- Shaura is doing an internship with FamilySearch this summer.  Part of her internship includes a special project.   If you are interested in helping grow the FamilyTree by adding the names of the Japanese Internment Prisoners at Hunt Camp/Minidoka, please contact her at potatowife@gmail.com

Burley Idaho Temple groundbreaking is

June 4th!

Have you started "Digging" for your relatives?  The Temple will be completed before we know it and we'll all need family names to take!

Be sure to check the calendar for all classes!

The Burley Family History Center will be closed

Sunday, June 19th for Father's Day

1950 U.S. Census Data Coming April 2022

(in fact, it's here!)

Have you written your personal history?

Here's a great article with great suggestions:

Interview Questions and Prompts for Family History Interviews

LINKS TO THE BURLEY FAMILY HISTORY CENTER'S MEDIA PAGES

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May 2022 Ward Consultant Training- Ward Plans and Organization

We are excited to be starting our Ward Temple and Family History Consultant Trainings again.   Each month we will feature one topic rotating topics throughout the year.   We will offer some tips and tricks to assist in fulfilling your calling and your personal family history research.  And there will be time for questions and answers and discussion among the consultants.   Please come prepared to share your successes and ask your questions.  We hope to learn from one another.  At this time, all handouts will be posted on the blog so those not able to attend the classes will have access to the basic information.  Check out our calendar for specific dates and times.   

May topic is Ward Plans and Ward Organizations.

Ward Plans are the basis for all Temple and Family History Work in our ward.  Here's a short 3 minute video from RootsTech which explains Ward Plans.

From the Handbook of Instructions, see Section 25.2.6 for more details.

"Each ward should have a simple temple and family history plan. This plan helps ward members, including children and youth, participate in family history work and prepare to work in the temple. 

In developing the plan...

~ Consider the available needs and resources.

~ Identify actions to take during the year.

~ Determine how to implement the plan and make assignments accordingly."

Also share the plan with the whole ward so everyone knows it.  Ensure there are specific tasks for the Ward consultants to accomplish.  And have a measurable assessment to know if the ward plan is working.  Plans can be changed as needed throughout the year or at the annual review. 

Sample Ward Plans

Ward Organization

Tips and Tricks from May

1. Top 9 websites for Mapping

2. Changes to Ancestry- more than Cosmetic

3. Recommended cleaning options for tombstones

4. What happened to the 1890 Census

5. Best kept secret for learning everything family history.  The Family History Guide

6. Check out our own research specialists. 

7. Six ways to preserve your experiences

8. Create a weekly attack plan

9. 1950 Census Indexing at FamilySearch with Lisa Louise Cooke

10. Online tools for Family Reunion planning

May 2022 Newsletter

“While temple and family history work has the power to bless those beyond the veil, it has equal power to bless the living.  It has a refining influence on those who are engaged in it.” – President Russell M. Nelson

“You’ll find not only protection from the temptation and ills of this world, but you’ll also find personal power: power to change, power to repent, power to learn, power to be sanctified, and power to turn the hearts of your family together and heal that which needs healing.”-- Elder Dale G. Renlund

“Your own knowledge and faith in the Savior will increase, and you will receive a more certain witness that life continues beyond the veil. I know that life continues beyond the veil. I know it.” -- Elder Neil L. Anderson

“I promise you will be protected against the intensifying influence of the adversary. As you participate and love this holy work, you will be safeguarded in your youth and throughout your lives.” --Elder David A. Bednar

“Set aside those things in your life that don’t really matter. Decide to do something that will have eternal consequences. Perhaps you have been prompted to look for ancestors but feel you are not a genealogist. Can you see that you don’t have to be anymore? It all begins with love and a sincere desire to help those beyond the veil who can’t help themselves… This work is a spiritual work, a monumental effort of cooperation on both sides of the veil, where help is given in both directions. Anywhere you are in the world, with prayer, faith, determination, diligence, and some sacrifice, you can make a powerful contribution. Begin now. I promise you that the Lord will help you find a way.”  -- Elder Richard G. Scott

“Remember that the names which will be so difficult to find are of real people to whom you owe your existence in this world and whom you will meet again in the spirit world. When you were baptized, your ancestors looked down on you with hope. Perhaps after centuries, they rejoiced to see one of their descendants make a covenant to find them and to offer them freedom. In your reunion, you will see in their eyes either gratitude or terrible disappointment. Their hearts are bound to you. Their hope is in your hands. You will have more than your own strength as you choose to labor on to find them.”  --President Henry B. Eyring

“Gone are the days when this sacred work was done only by specialists. No matter your situation, you can make family history a part of your life right now. Primary children can draw a family tree. Youth can participate in proxy baptisms. They can also help the older generation work with computers. Parents can relate stories of their lives to their posterity. Worthy adult members can hold a temple recommend and perform temple ordinances for their own kin.” -- President Russell M. Nelson 

   

Come to the center and see how we can help you get started, 

it’s easier than you think!

Be sure to check the calendar for all classes!

The Burley Family History Center will be closed: 

Sunday, May 8th for Mother's Day

Sunday, May 29th and 

Monday, May 30th for Memorial Day

3 Reasons Why a Family Tree is Important for Your Children: Guest Post by Suzie Kolber

If you don't share it -- You lose it! -- Part One

LINKS TO THE BURLEY FAMILY HISTORY CENTER'S MEDIA PAGES

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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

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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

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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