November 2022- Consultant Training- Using the Consultant Planner

Using the Consultant Planner

What is the Consultant Planner?

FamilySearch "The Planner is a tool available for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for helping someone else with his or her family history. Use it to view the FamilySearch Family Tree from the other person's point of view, browse discovery activities, design personalized family history experiences, record notes and build lesson plans." Note: the Consultant Planner is only available on accounts of members of The Church and can only be used when helping of other members of The Church.

How do I access the Consultant Planner?

1- Sign into FamilySearch.org

        2- Click on the Question Mark Icon (near your name in the upper right hand corner)

3- Select "Helper Resources"

What's on the Consultant Planner?

Home page of the helper resources main option- left hand side

• Recent Articles for Latter-Day Saints- link to the latest blog articles pertinent to Latter-Day Saints

• What's New at FamilySearch- learn about the changes and new features at FamilySearch

• FamilySearch Community- a place to ask assistance of others in the FamilySearch Community.  Please note: Anyone can answer the questions posed.  So take the answers with a "grain of salt" and look for those whom link to Knowledge Articles for verification of their answers. 

• Easy Invitations- A great way to introduce members in your ward to FamilySearch providing a quick link for them to learn something.  Do not use the "invite" option as the first contact.  Let them know you will be sending them something so they will look for it and know it is coming.  Then meet with them to follow up on what they found.

Bottom section provides a ton of links for additional helps and options.

                   Highlighting only three

• Personalized Family History Experiences (under Calling Information)- Contains information about how to create Personalized Family History Experiences including some great instructive videos.   

• Family History Network (under Calling Information) -This shows the local family history center, and also the local network of Temple and Family History Consultants- in your ward, stake, area and area office. 

• Family History Activities  (under Quick Links) - A quick link the activities page.   Please note not everyone wants to do things online.  For those looking for non-technology options, use the In-Home Activities.   These In-Home Activities have suggestions for simple non-tech activities as well as digital options. 

Planner -   right hand side

There's an option to access to your own tree to see what it looks like.  And options to send invitations to others to allow you direct access to their account.  

Click on your name to access your planner.

Four Options on the far left hand side

• Discovery Ideas- these each apply to the your account (or the person whom you are helping)

• Family History Activities- quick link to all of the Family History Activities based on the person FamilySearch Family Tree.  Great options to draw on the interest of the person being assisted. 

• Hints- Record Hints needing attached- possibly creating new people or events

• Temple- List of persons within their tree needing temple ordinances completed.  Some persons need more information before being eligible for temple ordinances. And also some persons with possible duplicates.  

• Tree - can view from all of the different fan chart options including research helps and temple ordinances needed

• Notes- Place to record your thoughts, ideas or future research options.

• Plans-  Where to record the research you have done for others and prepare the lesson for assisting others

Where can I learn more about using the Consultant Planner?

How to Use the Planner Blog 

How to Use the Planner Knowledge Article 

How do I Prepare a Lesson Knowledge Article 

 

BYU Family History Tutorial- Using the Consultant Planner -  outdated screen shots, but some great ideas for how to use the Consultant Planner. 

Temple and Family History Planner and Lesson Video Playlist  - this walks one through each step of the personalized family history experiences in short video options. 

Top Ten Websites/ Ideas for November

1-   Alert Note-  Notes now appear on the right hand side of the person page, as well as under the collaboration tab.  For those important notes, an option to add an "alert note"  which will appear just under near the top on person page.  Thanks to Claudette Jones for sharing this new function.

2- Using Goldie May- Software Power Tools for genealogists. Thanks to Dorothea Larson for sharing this option

3-Learning Resources on FamilySearch - Note: some are old options and so the screen shots will not match current screen shots, but a lot of options for those wishing to continue their family history studies. 

4- Interview Questions for Life Histories by Family Tree Magazine. 

5- U S Census Tools  from The Family History Guide- Want to know what was asked on each census or where to find census worksheets. Check out this blog article. 

6-Cemeteries- Finding the Stories by Lisa Louise Cooke  

7- What Does That Mean?  300+ Family History Abbreviations by Family History Daily  

 

8- Exploring the Unindexed Images by Family Search

9-  Personal Digital Archiving by Jermey Myntti 

 

10- New Blog Layout-  Check out the new layout and new options

    There are a set of tabs across the top under the main header.   One of these is the community projects.  We have started working on a number of community projects, information about how to get involved can be found on this tab.  Check back often as projects will continue to be added in the future.  

November 2022 Newsletter

 

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the Burley Family History Center.   We are thankful for each of you for coming to the center.  And, so thankful for the wonderful assistants and consultants who so willingly help in many ways!  

Thanksgiving is a time of great reflection for most people.  A time to slow down a little and think about the many blessings we have all received.  Often those thoughts include family and friends and perhaps this wonderful community in which we are blessed live.  As we continue pondering, our minds often go to those who have gone before us and provided the path for us to be here today.  As those memories come to mind, it would be a great thing to record them and put them into FamilySearch for others to remember and relish those thoughts as well.   

To give one a jump start on that pondering, check out some of the thoughts or activities below.    

Thoughts and Activities 

#GiveThanks, President Nelson, November 2020

"Over my nine and a half decades of life, I have concluded that counting our blessings is far better than recounting our problems.  No matter our situation, showing gratitude for our privileges is a fast-acting and long-lasting spiritual prescription."

For the whole article and link to the YouTube video click here. 

The Value of Experiencing and Expressing Gratitude, Vaughn E. Worthen, Ph.D. March 2010.   

"Gratitude is a positive experience that comes from recognizing gifts or blessings and feeling thankful. It is also an attitude, a way of perceiving life, in which individuals are willing to receive and acknowledge the beneficial actions of others on their behalf.  Those who consistently display such an attitude are said to have a grateful disposition.  Gratitude is also a habit that can be cultivated, causing one to focus on the blessings of life.  Finally, gratitude can be defined as a coping response to challenging or difficult circumstances."

Check out the entire article here. 

Take a Gratitude Challenge - It was intended for the youth, but everyone could enjoy the activity. 

The Gratitude That Comes with Family History - A blog article from the Family History Guide

Family Reminiscing and Gratitude Journals - A blog article from Family Locket about helping children to give thanks as they remember. 

Center Happenings

1- Kids Class on Sunday November 13 from 4:00 -5:00 p.m.

Children…. sail away in your family tree at the Burley Family History Center, ages 3 to 10 (younger are invited with a parent).  Come discover places and collections.  There are many things to cheer about in your tree!  Bring Dad or a show-n-tell about dad, and remember….X marks the spot with a game of Dead or Alive.  Please call or text Trina Winn with questions, 208-242-6217.

2- November is the last month for classes in 2022.  We won't have any classes in December (except the Kids Class on December 11), so make an effort to come to the classes in November and get some tips about doing family history over the holidays.  Especially the Google Photos class on November 15 at 10:30 a.m. with some options for creating family photo books for Christmas.  And, the Memories App class on November 16 at 3:00 p.m. with ideas of capturing some family history as you gather with your families.  The center will still be open in December, but we don't schedule any classes that month.  

3- Mark your Calendars!  February 11, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  The Burley Family History Center is sponsoring a Family History Expo.  We will have multiple classes and presenters throughout the day.  There will be something for everyone and all skill levels.  And, lunch will be provided.  Please help us spread the word to the whole community.  More information will be given as the event gets closer.  

4- We are excited to announce we are working on some community projects.  We are looking for ways to memorialize the people of our great community.  Some projects will include digitizing of photos and oral histories and adding them to FamilySearch.  Others will include working on unindexed databases from FamilySearch, ensuring no one is missed on the records.  Still others will have to do with local cemeteries and obituaries.   If you know of any projects that we could assist with, please reach out to us.  And, stop by the Center to see how you can help with these projects.  

5- We need your help!  One of the community projects involves the photographs from the Cassia County Historical Museum.  There are several hundred photographs without any names, dates, or places.  We are asking anyone who might be able to help identify the people, to please come by the Family History Center and ask to see the photo books.  Come anytime the Center is open.  

6- Happy Veterans Day on November 11.  In celebration, we are offering a class about Military Records on November 7 at 2:00 p.m. 

 

7- Fridays are youth days.  Not just for the youth to attend and be assisted by the youth, but for everyone to come and be assisted by the youth.  We have some great youth consultants who are willing and anxious to assist others in their family history endeavors.  The youth offer tours of the facility on the first Friday of each month.  We are also working on the community projects on Fridays.  Come see how you can help us, or we can help you.  We're open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Burley Family History Center will be CLOSED:

Monday, November 21st - Sunday, November 27th
for Thanksgiving

Please note: The Burley Family History Center will be open Tuesday evenings from 6:00 - 8:00 pm ONLY through November 15th.  After that date, the Center will only be open until 6:00 pm on Tuesdays until April 2023!

‘That’s my dad!’: The voice one baby boomer hopes to hear in the 1950 Census

Be sure to check the calendar for all classes!

         LINKS TO THE BURLEY FAMILY HISTORY CENTER'S MEDIA PAGES

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October Consultant Training

 Topic-  Sources, Record Hints and Tasks  

What are sources?

Sources provide evidence of the names, dates, places and relationships shown in Family Tree.  There are basically two types of sources:  Primary and Secondary.   

Primary sources may include birth, marriage, death, censuses, etc.  Those record made at the time of the event and recorded by eyewitnesses.  As Shaura teaches "They were there and aware."   Also look at the originals.

Secondary sources may include old letters, indexes, books, compiled genealogies, etc.   Records telling about something that happened previously and is just now being recorded.    This would include memories or life histories written later in life.  Both can provide valuable information into a person's life.   

Why are sources important?

If one is looking to verify a person's existence, residence or relationship, sources provide the evidence of those things. 

Always evaluate a source and see if it's a primary source or a secondary source and how or when it was produced or obtained to help identify how much credence you will give to that partial source.  i.e. Memory of someone giving their life history later in life compared to a birth record of their sibling.    Aunt Ellen might think Johnny was born about 1925, but his birth record clearly is recorded as him being born in 1924. 

If records or people disagree about a name, place, event or relationship, sources can assist in evaluating the validity.   It is best to have multiple sources to support each piece of information.   There might be seemingly several duplicates of the same document in FamilySearch.  However, each is a unique source.  In some cases the same records have been microfilmed from various repositories.  Always attach every source that applies the individual in FamilySearch, even if there is another copy of it already attached. 

Additionally, it is hoped that everyone will review the sources attached before making changes to the record.   If incorrect sources are attached, it can confuse others as the information doesn’t match the information shown on the record.  It also confuses the computer’s search ability as the information from these incorrect sources might also list residences or events to confuse the search algorithms.  

What are Record Hints?

According to FamilySearch:  "Record hints are historical records that Family Tree finds for you about your ancestors.  Family Tree conducts this search automatically.  In fact, since we are always adding new historical records to FamilySearch, our hinting system is always looking for new record hints about your ancestors." and "Record hints can help you learn more about your ancestors. You may learn yours ancestor's occupation or find a physical description.  A record hint may identify missing children, parents, siblings or other relatives."

How to use Record Hints?

Record Hints can help to provide evidence of things you already know about the person, but can also provide;

• Additional Relationships
• Additional events or facts
• More correct dates
• Name variations
• More complete place names

Review the Record Hints and attach them to FamilySearch as you deem correct. More detailed information about attaching sources is found in the additional help below. 

Please note: Record hints are not always correct, so use caution in attaching them to FamilySearch.  Look especially at the relationships and the locations. 

What are Tasks?

Tasks are lists of the persons in your FamilySearch tree whom have record hints needing to be reviewed and possibly attached.  There are differences in the lists between the mobile app and the website, including listing of different persons because of the way each searches the tree.    

Tasks also lists those for whom temple work is needed.   

There are options to show just the hints or just the temple work needed. 

The mobile device scans for 7 or 8 generations of ancestors and any additional lines you have viewed. (including those of other families if you were assisting someone in their tree).  It also has the option of expanding to more generations on the pedigree and looking at a person's descendants for 3 to 5 generations.  

The website scans for 6 generations of ancestors and one generation of their descendants.

Also note:  Not all records that might pertain to your ancestor will automatically shown in the Record Hints section.  For each individual whom you are working with, also use the "FamilySearch" search option to see what other records might apply to your individual.   

Record hints and tasks are a great ways for persons to get started in FamilySearch.   

Additional Helps 

    Record Hints- FamilySearch Knowledge Article

    Tasks - FamilySearch Knowledge Article

    Record Seek - FamilySearch Wiki Article   and Record Seek website

    Sources Tutorial-  BYU Family History Tutorials

    Handout from Tammy's class on Sources and Unfinished Attachments

   Other Options for learning from Family History Guide

• Family History Guide Project 1 Goal 8

• Family History Guide Project 1 Goal 9

Top Ten Websites or Tips for the Month

1- RootsTech Registration is open. March 2-4, 2023

2- Mistakes Genealogists Make - YouTube video by Genealogy TV

3- 5 Questions Genealogist Need Always Ask - by Family Tree Magazine

4- The Secret of Finding Old Family Photos - by Lisa Louise Cook about using the DeadFred website.

5- BYU Topic Subject Training Guides - A blog by The Family HIstory Guide about using the training guides. A link to the BYU Family History Training Guides

6- How to make an Heirloom Recipe Book - It's not too early to start thinking about Christmas gifts.

7- Extreme Genes - Scott Fisher has a weekly podcast and offers from free tips and some paid courses for learning more about genealogy.

8- Using Cemeteries and Funeral Homes for Genealogy - from Genealogy.com

9- 21 Apps to use for Family History - by Lisa Louise Cook

10- How to Digitize Preserve Media in 7 Steps - by Family Tree Magazine.... Remember, we have machines to digitize about any media you might have in the basement, storage room, garage or even older formats on your computer, floppy disks or flash drives. Comes in and see what we can do for you for FREE!

October 2022 Newsletter

"Come, Listen to a Prophet's Voice"

General Conference 

Saturday, October 1st and

Sunday, October 2nd, 2022.

October is Family History Month

From Steven Anderson of FamilySearch.org, "Now that we are into the month of October and we all notice the trees turning color around us, it’s good to remember that this month also focuses on another kind of tree, our family tree.  October is Family History Month.

In 2001, Senator Orrin Hatch introduced a bill making October, Family History Month. Imagine that, an entire month dedicated to doing something to find and preserve the memories of our ancestors.  Senator Hatch wrote, "By searching for our roots, we come closer together as a human family."  Family history enthusiasts continue to celebrate Family History Month every October."

Let's not allow this month to pass by without a celebration.  How will you celebrate?

As you think of ideas, don't just focus on "doing" the traditional research, but how can you involve the living family members in this celebration.  Make it a family affair and make some great memories together!

1- Start your own life history.  We can help you accomplish this one story at time at the Burley Family History Center using our Recording Studio.  Imagine one 4-5 minute story at a time.  It's as easy as answering a simple question.  Bring the whole family and record a few stories together.

2- Interview your family members.  Use the FamilySearch Memories App to simply have them talk about changes they have seen in life or tell memories of their grandparents.  Whatever comes to mind.  Then upload to FamilySearch to share with your family.

3- Cook an ancestral homeland treat.  Did you know you can find some great recipes on our Discovery Screens at the Burley Family History Center?  The screens are fun for all  ages.  Come in and let us show you!

4- Check out our classes for October; there's something for everyone.  We will have a kids class again in October.  Bring your children or your grandchildren and enjoy the class together.  Click here to check the calendar: Class Calendar

5- Review your old photos or movies with your family.  Pick your favorite or organize them all.  Then bring those treasures to the Burley Family History Center and we will be happy to help you digitize them for ease in sharing with others, or posting onto FamilySearch.org 

None of these suit your "fancy" -  here's several other online options for tons of ideas:

History of it here on National Today

Ideas from Family Tree Magazine

Ezine Article- Doing Family History During your Lunch Hour

Crista Cowan from Ancestry offers some ideas

Family History Guide's Suggestions 

Genealogy Bank offers 20 Ideas

ThoughtCo. Offers Ten Options

Research Write Connect offers a 31 day challenge

Legacy Tree Genealogists list 8 ways to celebrate

Whatever you decide to do - make it a great time for all!  

The Burley Family History Center will be CLOSED:

Sunday, October 2nd - General Conference
Thursday October 13th and Friday October 14th - Carpet cleaning

Be sure to check the calendar for all classes!

         LINKS TO THE BURLEY FAMILY HISTORY CENTER'S MEDIA PAGES

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September Ward Consultant Training

 Topic-Basic FamilySearch Skills

Standardization of dates and places, adding information, editing information, and changing relationships.

Standardized dates: 

    31 December 2000 -- date, month spelled out and year in four digit.  FamilySearch will offer their standardized suggestions.    If you don't know the exact date, one may use: calculated, about, before or after.  Or use a range:  from 1870 to 1880.  Be sure to click on the standardized option offered by FamilySearch.

Standardized places:  

    Burley, Cassia, Idaho, United States -- City, County, State, Country (all spelled out).  For places outside of the United States, start with the smallest geographical area, and go to the country level.  Use the location at the time of the event.  Click on the standardized place offered by FamilySearch.  Check the drop down options to see what the geographic location was at the time of the event.

If the exact place isn't showing as a standardized place, it can be submitted to FamilySearch for inclusion.  Use this knowledge article for instructions.

Reason for Standardization:  

    Standardized dates and places improve the accuracy of the search, record hints, and duplicate features of Family Tree.  In some cases, the lack of standardization will affect the ability to complete the temple ordinances. 

Name Tips:

    Use the person's birth name or complete legal name. 

    Use normal capitalization. 

    If the person legally changed their name, show that name. (This does not apply to married names- always use the maiden name).  In this case, list the birth name  in the Other Information- Alternate Names. 

    If the person used another name for any reason, or had nicknames, add those into the Other Information- Alternate Names.

    Titles would include: Dr., Count, Rev.   

    Suffix would be Jr., Sr. III, etc. 

    Do not use: not named, unnamed, son, twin, mister, or wife as names.

    Do not use "or" to list two different names. 

    Do not use the following characters in the name field.   \ @ # $ % ^ & * = | ~ ? < > { } [ ] ( ) : ; 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 

Changing Relationships:

    Couple Relationships apply to the connection of the spouses.  Five options are available:  Marriage, Divorce, Annulment, Common Law and Lived Together.  More than one can be used.   These are accessible by clicking on the pencil icon by the marriage date (or by the "no marriage events").  This opens the Couple Relationship pop up.  Click on "Add Event" to add a new event.  Click on pencil icon by event shown to edit that event.  One can also remove a spouse within the Couple Relationship pop up.  Click on Remove or Replace under the spouse.   Facts, Sources, and other notes can also be added to the relationship in this pop up.  

    Parent- Child Relationships apply to the connection of the child to the parent.  Five options are available:  Biological, Adopted, Guardianship, Foster and Step.  To edit the parent relationship, click on the pencil icon by the child's name listed under the parents.  This will open the Parent-Child Relationship pop up box.  The father or the mother can be removed or replaced, or the child can be removed from both.  Relationship types can be added to either the father or mother.  Sources and notes can also be added to parent-child relationship.  

Note: Persons may be shown in multiple couple relationships and in multiple parent-children relationships. One may select a preferred relationship, this will allow all charts and views to show the preferred relationships.  To do this- use the "Set Preferred" option at the bottom of the Family Member Section. 

Changing relationships will delete the persons incorrectly connected to your family in Family Tree.  My personal tip-- Be cautious when using this option as to not create persons without any family relationships. Try to, if possible, make sure the person you are deleting from your family is connected to their correct family members.   

Options to learn more about adding and editing information. 

Adding and Correcting Information on FamilySearch for LDS by Kathryn Grant     

Editing Facts and Relationships in FamilySearch - BYU Family History Tutorial  

Changing Information in FamilySearch - The Family History Guide

Note: These videos/websites use the old person page and so the screenshots will not match those shown on the new person page.   All editing options on the new person page can be done by clicking the pencil icon by the section one is wishing to change. 

Ten Top Tips and Websites

1- Temple and Family History Leaders can use the Leadership and Clerk Resources to send out emails to members in their wards (or Stakes).   Sign into your account on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.  Go to the nine dots by your name and select "Leadership and Clerk Resources".  Then click on "send a message" and select to whom you wish the message to be sent.  Type in the message and send it out to everyone selected.

2- There is a new training guide for Burley Family History Center.  The old one is outdated due to the changes in the home page and person page recently implemented on FamilySearch.  The new training guide is accessible on a link from the homepage of the Burley Family History Happenings blog.

3- Working with Hidden Gems on FamilySearch  YouTube video by James Tanner

4- Boost Your Brain Power 2- Avoiding the Same Name Trap by Kathryn Grant

5- 25 Best Websites for Beginners  by Family Tree Magazine

6- Hidden Meanings of Gravestone Symbols  

7- Canadian Records and Sources by Genealogy.com

8- How a Research Log will Transform your Research  by Family History Daily

9- 5 Things Every Genealogist Should be Doing by Family History Fanatics

10- Reverse Hints on FamilySearch