Since it is estimated that only 7 to 9 percent of the world's vital records are online now, it is essential to learn how to use library catalogs to locate genealogical records. It seems we get rather impatient with so many records left to be digitized and indexed. The more we can help with indexing the quicker more records will be available. The more missionaries we have digitizing records the more quickly the work will progress. Millions of records are being added monthly to the FS record collections.
To learn more about Indexing records so they can be searched by surname, go to this link http://familysearch.org and click Indexing on the home page. The more we get done the better the online resources will be. In the meantime we can still search billions of records and books and other materials in the catalog on microfilms, etc. Rolls of film can be ordered online and you can read them on films readers here in the library. We also have 2 Scan Pro 2000 Scanners that are digital film readers with editing capabilities. They can copy the records to your flash drive and will also print directly to the Resource Desk copier.
The lesson linked below is very informative and includes an exercise section that allows you to "put your hands on it " for a more complete introduction to how the Family Search Catalog works. Like most things in genealogy this cannot be learned by simply reading it. Practice is required. Read and follow along with the suggestions in the exercises for best results. For better retention of what you have learned, teach it to another person.
Currently in Oakland we need to use both Athena and the FS Catalog as Athena is being integrated into the Salt Lake FS Catalog. Athena is the place where you can find the Oakland FamilySearch Library holdings along with those of the various Church Family History Centers in our region. This project was started in 2013 and once everything has been integrated, Athena will disappear. To review how to use Athena look at Lesson #4 or look for the Label "Athena"on the sidebar of this blog.
This is the link to the Lesson:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/cnqfzk2lxok7ilq/35%20FSL%20catalog%20%281%29.pdf?dl=0
Coming Soon!
Including this beautiful photo of trees...
Because this blog is all about our family trees!
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