What would you give to be able to talk to one of your ancestors for an hour or two? The information would be invaluable! Sadly, many genealogists overlook the hidden value of their living ancestors. When considering living ancestors, don’t think birth dates, location, and general family information are the only pieces of information worth… Read More Oral Histories
Would you like to find all of the Record Hints, Possible Duplicates, Temple Opportunities, People with Memories, and even Pioneer Ancestors that are in your family tree on Family Search? There is a page on Family Search where all of this information is combined in one place and is easy to access. You don’t need… Read More A Researcher’s All-in-One Helper Page – Just a Few Simple Clicks
Often I hear the comment, My [spouse][grandparent][parent][aunt] does the family history in my family. The comment infers that the individual is relieved of any family history responsibility because someone else in the family is “doing it.” On the other hand, I have also seen individuals anxiously engaged in family history on their own with no… Read More Family Matters
Our oldest daughter turned 12 in February 2014, the same month the Granite Family History Center was dedicated. She became engaged in the work; indexing, adding memories, and finding names for temple ordinances. She found some stories about my grandparents and great-grandparents that I had never heard of before. She was excited and looked forward… Read More The Power of Temple and Family History Work: A Father’s Perspective
Have you ever cleaned out or gone through a parent’s or relative’s closet, basement or attic? Often when doing so, you can find a treasure trove of family history. Stuffed into folders or boxes you might find photos, documents, mementos and newspapers that tell the story of your family from years gone by. You can… Read More Scanning, Sharing, Archiving
In his 2018 Rootstech talk, President Dallin H Oaks said the following: “Family history starts when you learn about your ancestors. They are real people who lived before you and were part of a family. We need to be sealed to our ancestors so that we can live with them in the next life. When… Read More Hidden Treasures-Internet Sites Where I Learned More about My Ancestors
Anyone who is serious about discovering their family history should never pass up an opportunity to supplement their research by using United States newspapers. Newspapers are often the best place to find such useful sources as obituaries, notices of land sales, probate notices, birth, marriage and death notices as well as day to day historical… Read More Newspaper Research
On Easter Sunday 183 years ago (April 3, 1836), Jesus Christ, Moses, Elias and Elijah appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple. The keys of the priesthood restored at that time provided the power whereby eternal families could be established in these the latter days. The importance of eternal families and… Read More Sealing Keys Restored
Now that I have my DNA results, what do I do with them? I have looked down the list of matches and been able to identify several of the names as being part of my family tree, as well as the possible side of the family they are from. My daughter was looking at those… Read More What to Do with Your DNA Matches
After waiting almost three months to receive the results of my DNA test, I am finally in possession of the “facts” as I know them. It has been quite the experience. After sending in my first test, I was contacted and had to do a second test! It took me far too long to get… Read More Well, I’m Not Who I Thought I Was