FamilySearch Online

D. Joshua Taylor

10 Feb 2001

 

 

On the 24 of May, 1999 the LDS Church launched a new website for doing genealogy.  They named it FamilySearch.org.  Since that time, there have been millions and millions of genealogists visit the web site.  Its fame has grown throughout the world of genealogy.  Now, lets take a look at what is actually there!

 

Resources available at FamilySearch.org

 

Text Box: FamilySearch.org can also give you the news and updates of the genealogy world. In addition, it can be used as a tool for contacting relatives. You can add your own website to the directory, or join a list of other people researching in similar areas. Furthermore remember that this website is updated all the time. There are more pages added each day! With around 128,000 visits each day it can really change fast! There are also currently 56,000 websites indexed as well as 139,000 collaboration lists.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Ancestral File

 

Text Box: Research Example: Goal: Search for Reed Taylor, born in 1902. 1. From the Family Search website click “Search for Ancestors.” 2. On the left, click on the hyperlink to the Ancestral File. 3. Type in Reed Taylor and click search 4. Look through results and locate the correct listing.
 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal Ancestral File 5.0 (PAF)

 

Step-by-step Research Guides

 

Text Box: Organization of Data: 1. Place 2. Time Period of Event 3. Three Tabs a. Search Strategy-Places to look, etc. b. For Beginners-Basic Research Help c. Historical Background-Background on the location
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


International Genealogical Index (IGI)

 

Text Box: Research Example: Goal: Search for Reed Taylor, born in 1902. 1. From the Family Search website click “Search for Ancestors. 2. On the left, click on the hyperlink to the International Genealogical Index. 3. Type in Reed Taylor 4. Select correct region for search, click search 5. Look through results and locate correct listing.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Directory of Websites

 

Text Box: Research Example: Goal: Search for the Taylor family 1. From the Family Search website click “Search for Ancestors. 2. On the left, click on the hyperlink to Web Sites. 3. Type in Taylor, click search
 

 

 


Pedigree Resource File

 

Text Box: Research Example: Goal: Search for Thomas Allison family 1. From the Family Search website click “Search for Ancestors. 2. On the left, click on the hyperlink to Pedigree Resource File. 3. Type in Thomas Allison, click search
 

 

 

 

 

 


Family History Library Catalog

 

Text Box: The online Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) has been proved to be a very useful resource for the LDS Church and all genealogists. You cannot order films online, etc. as some people believe. But, you can know if the church has filmed a record. It is also updated more frequently than the one that you would find in a Family History Center. Use the Family History Library Catalog!


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Online maps and forms

 

Text Box: These maps and forms are not on a county basis, they are usually on a state or country level. For example, you would not be able to find a map of Idaho Falls, or Pocatello or even Southeast Idaho. The forms can be a real tool. These are the same forms that are available in Family History Centers. In other words, USE THESE SOURCES! THEY ARE FREE!
 

 


Direct Links to Sources on FamilySearch.Org

 

Ancestral File-http://familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=af/search_AF.asp

IGI-http://familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=igi/search_IGI.asp

PRF-http://familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=prf/search_PRF.asp

Research Help-http://familysearch.org/Eng/Search/RG/frameset_rg.asp

Online Maps and Forms-http://familysearch.org/Eng/Search/Rg/frameset_rhelps.asp

Family History Library Catalog-http://familysearch.org/Eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp

Main Search Screen-http://familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp

Web Site Searches-http://familysearch.org/Eng/Search/WebSites/frameset_websites.asp

“Share” link-http://familysearch.org/Eng/Share/Collaborate/frameset_share.asp

What’s New-http://familysearch.org/Eng/Home/News/frameset_news.asp

Getting started-http://familysearch.org/Eng/Home/Welcome/frameset_information.asp

 

Tools and Tips

 

ü      Download P.A.F. 5.0 so that your name is in the database.

ü      Share information with others.

ü      Use the online guidance, it can be of a real help even to the most experienced genealogist.

ü      Get to know anything and everything about this site.

ü      No Pedigree or Family Group Record can be complete without check not only the internet but ESPECIALY this site.

ü      When searching, you do not need to enter all the other information such as place, dates, etc.  Just enter the basic information that you have.

ü      When you are dealing with submissions by different people rather than individuals, they can enter the same information different.  One period in a name can throw off your search.

ü      Always check the “What’s New” page for updates.

 

THIS WEBSITE IS ONLINE AT MY PERSONAL HOME PAGE WITH ACTIVE HYPERLINKS FOR ALL TO USE, THE URL IS:

http://geocities.com/shoup1

 

Ó2001, D. Joshua Taylor.  All rights reserved, this handout may NOT be copied or reproduced in any matter without written consent of the author.  The author can be reached at his email, genealogy@softhome.net.