Acronyms Commonly Used in The Oakland Family Search Library

This week lesson is about the abbreviations and acronyms used in our library.  Every organization and field of study seems to be full of them.  For a newcomer this can be daunting. Learning the language of our work is fun and does save us a breath or two when speaking and some keystrokes when typing.

The thought came to me that perhaps we might want to keep this in mind when we work with our patrons.  By doing so we can demystify some the confusion surrounding acronyms.  There are a lot more that pertain to various areas of technology and genealogy and family history that we can have an ongoing experience with learning them.  The one I learned this past few weeks is APIs.  Google it!  How does it apply to genealogy?  Here is the link Linda prepared for the Library.

https://www.evernote.com/shard/s209/sh/726d5ab5-9fee-4d94-8811-09d46cc63945/25d334a7e72b9526e189e0c2579ec8cb

Duplicates in FamilySearch/Family Tree

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On Friday of this past week I presented an all day seminar on Family Search/Family Tree at our local Family History Library.  I patterned it after the teaching method and program of the Orem Family History Training Center in Oren Utah.  They have that wonderful 5 day training program that they hold once a month that we lovingly call "Boot Camp" in our FS Library.  It is simply the best.  I would go back every year if I could.   See my recent blog post on it here:

http://alegacythatmatters.blogspot.com/2014/12/family-search-updates-for-december-fs.html

They present a lecture and then one-on-one practice time at the computer going over what you have just been taught with a person that knows it well.  They limit their classes to about 30 people because each student has a mentor/guide for those moments when you just cannot remember the next step.  Then you go back to the classroom, study and learn and then back to the computer lab several times each day.  

The method is perfect for implementing my favorite way to learn just about anything.  You have to Put Your Hands On It.  The method is called Linked Learning.  It's not a new method of learning for sure.  Then you can add one more step from Stephen Covey's favorite teaching techniques; teach it to someone else and you will own it.

On Friday we were talking about duplicate entries in Family Tree.  It is one of the main reasons that Family Tree was created in the first place.  We want only one space on the tree for every individual, not numerous ones for the same person.  I told the class I would get them more information on that and the descendancy view of the tree and more about how to use it. 

 I always talk about James Tanner and his blogs and this is why.  That very morning he had this on his blog, Rejoice And Be Exceeding Glad!

"Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are urged to provide accurate information when submitting names for Temple ordinances. Part of the process of being accurate with the FamilySearch.org Family Tree program is resolving any duplicate records. Referring to the Help Center about providing accurate information I find the following statement:

Assuring the accuracy of the information involves documenting and presenting the information used when submitting a name for ordinances. In many cases the FamilySearch software assists in this process. However, some additional steps may be required and should not be skipped - such as evaluating possible duplicate records.

How easy is the process of finding duplicate records in the Family Tree and what are the consequences of ignoring this requirement?

 It is important to understand several facts about the FamilySearch.org Family Tree:

The program inherited its data set from new.FamilySearch.org.  The original data added to new.FamilySearch.org consisted of several large databases which   already contained duplicate entries. Those databases included the Ancestral File (AF), the Pedigree Resource File (PRF) and the International Genealogical Index (IGI). The new.familysearch.org program did not resolve the issue of duplicate entries.

Information from the New.FamilySearch.org program is still being imported into the FamilySearch.org Family Tree. This process is ongoing and will not be completed until sometime in 2016.  The FamilySearch.org Family Tree program is full of duplicates. Some of the entries have dozens, perhaps hundreds of duplicate records. 

If you know what to look for, you will see that finding duplicate entries is quite simple and easy. Usually, the program marks the potential duplicates for you by Green Arrows or Green Temple icons."

You can read the rest of the article here: 

People complain and ruminate about duplicates all the time.  I think there are a lot of things to remember.  Family Search is a tool we can use to clean up 150 years and 5 data bases filled with duplications.  It inherited most of those duplicates. It is the only program that even comes close to having the prospects of a world wide accurate tree within its vision and scope.  

It is not unreasonable to assume that more duplicates will occur in the foreseeable future if people do not know how to use the program and its safeguards.   It is safe to say that beginners and even seasoned users will make mistakes.  We're human and humans make mistakes.  But they will subside when the final stages of the merging with new.familysearch.org is completed in 2016.  

There is a steep learning cure but it does get easier with practice. We should not resent people that are doing their best and feeling comfortable to try.  That is how we all learn.  There is almost nothing that cannot be fixed on the tree if something goes awry.   

Now is the time to fix the problems and prevent them from occurring in the future.  Family Tree has been up and running not even two years at this point.  It is naive to think everything is now taken care of and the tree should be perfect.  It is important to understand that the program is still evolving and new safe guards are being put in place all the time.  There is no end in sight with that evolution either. The quickest way for us to end duplicate entries and false information is to source and cite our records.  That means to find a record and cite its location so someone else can find it without researching all over again.  Again that will help us work together toward a common goal.  

It is also important to remember that Family Tree is like a big playing field.  Everyone gets to throw their stuff in and then we begin the sorting and sourcing and organizing our own things as individuals.  We should expect to share with others and learn from them and they us. Collaboration should not be feared, but embraced. They may give us one clue that could lead to a whole new branch of our tree.  

Keeping your own data base on your home computer backed up in several places should put your mind at ease.  No one is trying to wreck your tree or steal your ancestors.  We should all be trying to work together to make it the best.  It will take time.  Lots of time.  Let's face it.  We are the pioneers of Family Tree which is very exciting, but we are also the clean-up committee.  It is getting better all the time at an incredible pace.  Enjoy the ride.  Don't worry about the whole neighborhood...just take care of your own stewardship.  And do it systematically from what you know to what you don't know.  Jumping all over the place just isn't efficient and it doesn't produce accurate records either.  Always remember to check for duplicates routinely as you work through your portion of The Tree.

Moving an Online Pedigree to a Personal Database

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This week's lesson is an important one considering how many personal data bases there are now and how suddenly we may have quite a few online trees we are creating like Family Search, Ancestry, My Heritage, Find My Past, etc.  

The reason we want more than one tree online is that they contain different record availability and other features for helping us compile one nearly perfect database of our own.  One where we take personal responsibility for researching and providing good sources and citations.  That is the set of records we keep on our own personal computer so that it cannot be changed by anyone else.  We are satisfied we have done our level best to make it accurate.  Then we save it to various places so it will not be lost.

In the library we recommend that patrons choose a personal data base like Ancestral Quest, Legacy, Roots Magic, Family Tree Maker, Reunion, etc.  We don't want them to rely solely on Family Trees kept only online because they're are not proven yet and in the case of FS/FT it is editable by other people.  

Once they have selected a software program like those mentioned above for their home computer, they nearly always have questions like, "How do I get my tree information into my new personal database? I don't have to retype all of it do I?"  The chart in the lesson provided below gives some suggestions from information coming out of Ancestry and Family Search.  These are the most commonly used web based sites used by our patrons.

From Bonnie: "Lesson #38. Moving online Pedigree to a Personal Database." Click here to view (Bonnie shared these files using Dropbox. Enjoy!) One additional thing that I thought of as I was getting this lesson ready. Wouldn't be great if we had everyone start to get things online by beginning a FS Family Tree right away.  The thought of eliminating all the binders full of unorganized papers is so appealing. It is so much better to help someone that has their information on The Tree.  I know we will always have things on paper but helping someone with an organized beginning pedigree really helps doesn't it? Then getting a great pedigree started on a private database should be a breeze.  They'll have a better understanding of why they need it when they know how the online trees actually work. Thank you, Linda!

SMS and Family Search

Don't you just sometimes hate living a in world full of acronyms?  I do.  Not only are they exclusive to all kinds of professions and organizations but they have totally entered into many facets of the world of technology as well.  Today's post refers to SMS.  Here is what Wikipedia offers about the acronym.  If you are not a texter this will not be of much interest unless you work in a Family History Center or Family Search Library.

1. Short Message Service
2. For information about text messaging, see Text messaging. Short Message Service(SMS) is a text messaging service component of phone, Web, or mobile communication systems. It uses standardized communications protocols to allow fixed line or mobile phone devices to exchange short text messages. 
3. Now a word from Family Search Blog about this and why we want it and why we might want to have someone use this when they come in as a new patron if they have texting on their devices.

4. "SMS Text Simplifies FamilySearch Account Access

   January 23, 2015 By Lisa McBride  

   
   

   Password and username recovery can be challenging for FamilySearch users. This is especially true when the user has forgotten or doesn’t have access to the email address associated with their FamilySearch account. FamilySearch now offers SMS text for registration, profile set up, and password recovery. Currently, 56 countries are supported by text messaging for registration and recovery. This feature is also very helpful for users who do not have an email account.

   A cell phone with text service is needed to use this feature. For a new user, simply add a mobile number when the account is established. For a returning user the mobile number can be added under Contact in User Settings. Find User Settings by clicking on your name when you are logged into FamilySearch, then choose the Contact tab. Add the cell phone number. It is a simple as that!

   Having this service means FamilySearch.org can send a text message if you need to do the following:

   • Reset your password
   • Recover your username
   • Verify your FamilySearch account

   The diagrams below show the process of resetting a password using text messaging.

   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   Now that you know how to do it, add your mobile phone number to your current account or as do it as you register, if you’re a new user. By removing login barriers, you can wisely use you precious time looking for family members instead of spending frustrating time trying to recover lost usernames and passwords."

Me again! One last thing while we are talking about settings, etc.  Every person that has an account should go into their setting and make sure they have their email listed.  There is nothing more frustrating than running into someone making a bunch of changes on the tree involving your shared ancestors and you have no way to get in touch with them. 

Email disclosure should be mandatory and they are working on that or an internal system whereby we can contact people privately, directly through Family Search. In the meantime make sure anyone you help register fills that part in.

***Where do you find your account setting?  In the drop down menu under your name on the home page, right hand side.  The same place you go to add SMS to your account.

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Did You Know?

The wonderful Elder Moon Family Tree Curriculum Training videos are now available in Spanish and in Portuguese!

This is the link to the Spanish Training:  http://broadcast.lds.org/elearning/fhd/Community/es/FamilyTreeCurriculum/index.html

This is the link to the Portuguese Training:

http://broadcast.lds.org/elearning/fhd/Community/pt/FamilyTreeCurriculum/index.html

See the side bar on the right hand side of this blog for the Family Tree Curriculum in English.  These are a series of videos that are easy to use, sequential and short.  They lend themselves very nicely to learning on your own.  You can watch the video as many times as you like.  Most are under four minutes and explain one aspect of using the Family Tree.

Creating A Life Sketch

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Creating a Life Sketch in Family Tree

December 30, 2014 By Steve Anderson

Have you ever used the Life Sketch field on an individual’s details page of Family Tree? A lot of people have no idea what this feature is for. The FamilySearch learning center has a great 1 page instructional graphic titled Create a Life Sketch in Family Tree. It explains what the life sketch field is for. It also explains how to use it, what kinds of information should be added to that field and what the limitations are. To view and print a copy of this 1 page handout, click this link.

Record Hinting is Greatly Improved!

Palm Trees in Long Beach, California

I hope we have all enjoyed our break over the last two weeks.  Celebrating Christmas was wonderful for us this year and I hope that whatever you have celebrated has been good for you as well.  I am dedicating today to getting caught up on my reading.  One thing I have learned is that daily checking is better than waiting two weeks and then trying to catch up.  But breaks are healthy and good and hopefully we return with more energy and enthusiasm!  It feels good to be back in the saddle again.

My go to place first is Family Search Blog.  Located on the bottom  of the Home Page of familysearch.org you'll find a tiny link to the recent  blog posts. From there I search for new changes and improvements to FamilyTree and the site in general.  There is a lot there I am going to include this post from today here for your convenience but I cannot include everything so please go and browse through the recent articles!  Only you know what you need to learn, so check it out.  This post is by Robert Kehrer on January 5, 2015

On Tuesday, December 23rd FamilySearch released a new update of the hinting data viewable on an ancestor’s detail page and in the descendancy view in the Family Tree. In this data update newly added or changed persons in the Family Tree have been hinted using all the newly available information. It also includes important new record sets, such as the Find-A-Grave collection, that have been recently published. Additionally, engineers and architects have made numerous advancements in the software algorithms which makes it possible for more than 14 million new hints to be identified. Users of the Family Tree may wish to visit their ancestor pages again and see if any new hints are displayed.

We are as excited as our users are about the accuracy and efficiency that these new tools provide, both to the task of doing research, as well as the quality of the information found in the Family Tree. In the days since this data release, users have set new daily highs in the number of sources they have attached to the Family Tree and the number of new persons added to the tree from historical records. With the vast number of daily additions to the Family Tree tied to historical documents, the Family Tree is becoming one of the largest and most accurate genealogical trees in the world.

These new tools enable many new people to become engaged in Family History work. We invite all who have used the new tools and hints to share their skills and love of this work with other friends and family members so that we can help accelerate this great work.

Public Preview Release

On June 17th, 2014, FamilySearch released a public preview of the record hinting feature. With this new feature, users can view the details page of any ancestor in the family tree and see suggested records that have a high confidence of being applicable to that specific ancestor. These hints are identified by comparing the ancestor’s vital information, relatives and the relative’s vital information against all the historical records published on FamilySearch database.

During the public preview phase, significant enhancements will continue to be made to the quality and capability of the hinting software. An update system is also being built to provide new hints more quickly. The hints data will continue to be updated as new records become available (more or less on a monthly basis). That means that as new people are added to the tree, they may not show record hints until the next data update. When the update system is complete, new hints will be generated anytime a tree person is added or significantly changed.

Hints that Mention your Ancestor

Genealogical researchers recognize that the first step in understanding an ancestor is to gather as many records about their life as possible. Many of the records that position the ancestor in a place, time and relationships may not be about the ancestor, but about their family members. For example, an ancestor may be listed as the mother on her daughter’s birth certificate. FamilySearch record hints include records that mention your ancestors, in addition to those that are about you ancestor. When a user attaches a record to their tree, they are affirming to Family Tree that the person in the record is the same as the person they are attaching the record to in the tree. The updated hinting data will make it easier for researchers to use valid sources to document the conclusions they make.