Angie's Tips for Getting Started on Family Search

Our Challenge: Sign in to Family Search and link the living to your deceased ancestors.  In general, the site is relatively easy to navigate from the beginning.  You will just need your lds.org sign in, and a completed 4-generation sheet.

In addition to exploring FamilySearch.org on your own, they have several training videos and courses in their learning center. (Can be found under the "get help" drop down menu on the right top side of the screen.)

Here you can find all kinds of video tutorial and lectures. Basic helps to specific topics, short videos to long lectures.  You can look up specific countries and watch videos on them too. Look on the left side of the screen.

Here is a look into an online course teaching how to use FamilySearch. 

Mouse Skills:To be successful in Family Tree -- good mouse skills are necessary. If you feel your mouse skills need honing, then start here and practice. If you find that you are having difficulty controlling the mouse after you start the lessons, then don't hesitate to come back and do some mouse practice.

Level one (beginning) has several individualized lessons that anyone can do to learn all of the basic functions of Family Tree. There are written lessons and videos when used together give the best learning experience. However, many individuals prefer to watch the videos or just do the written material. Best of all, when you are finished using a file you can reset the file and start over.

Level two (intermediate) has several individualized lessons that anyone can do to learn all of the intermediate functions of Family Tree. These lessons assume that you know the skills from level one. There are written lessons and videos when used together give the best experience. However, many individuals prefer to watch the videos or to do the written material. Best of all, when you are finished using a file you can reset the file and start over.

Level three (advanced) has several individualized lessons that give more practice in the skills used in the beginning and intermediate levels. These lessons assume that you know the skills from level one and level two. These lessons are designed as problem solving activities. Please do not look at the videos that have the solution to the answer until you have struggled with the problem that is presented. Best of all, when you are finished using a file you can reset the file and start over.

LDS Member Section has several individualized lessons that give information and practice for finding and submitting names for the temple.

There is a feature called Sandbox - I believe it sets up mock scenarios for you practice using family tree without messing anything up because they are fake/pretend. For example, say you finish the lesson on merging duplicates. Then you could go into the sandbox and practice merging pretend duplicates.

These are just a few tips from Angie Pedersen. She is totally willing to help you get started or if you are stuck, she may have the answer!

Also, our Ward Family History Consultants are:

Helen Afana
Lila Williams
Sande Hahn