Presentations
Webinars and Slide Decks
The presentations below are listed by the following topics. Click a link to go directly to a topic, or scroll down to browse all topics.
FamilySearch Family Tree
5 Minutes or 5 Hours? Stopping Mistakes Before They Start (Family Tree)
"Just fix it later." "The important thing is to add names to the tree as quickly as possible." "Someone else will clean it up." This advice may be well-intended, but the truth is that cutting corners now almost always costs more in the long run. This presentation gives two examples of mistakes in Family Tree that were easy to make but hard to clean up. It also gives principles to help stop these kinds of mistakes before they're made. It takes a little more effort to be careful up front, but it saves time in the long run.
10 Helpful Things to Know Before Using Family Tree
What's puzzling to new users when they start using Family Tree? What do experienced users wish they'd known sooner? This presentation highlights 10 of those things.
Best Practices for Adding Information to FamilySearch Family Tree, Part 1: General Principles.
A shared tree provides great opportunities for collaboration and discovery. It also calls for each of us to be good Family Tree citizens and follow best practices when we add information. This webinar outlines best practices that will help you add quality information to Family Tree and avoid mistakes.
Best Practices for Adding Information to FamilySearch Family Tree, Part 2: Specific Guidance
This webinar builds on the general best practices covered in Part 1 (recorded Jan 26, 2023, and available here). We'll focus on the actual process of entering information in Family Tree so you can be confident that your entries are accurate and complete.
Best Practices for Working in FamilySearch's Shared Family Tree
When FamilySearch started Family Tree in 2012, it was a revolutionary concept: a free shared tree for the world! Almost 10 years later, people still wrestle with the concept of a shared tree. How do you work effectively in a shared tree with other users? How do you avoid problems? Watch this webinar for ideas.
Checking the Person Page for Accuracy in FamilySearch Family Tree
Have you ever opened someone's Person page in FamilySearch Family Tree and wondered how trustworthy the information is? What are some red flags that indicate possible issues? This presentation gives tips and examples for checking accuracy of a person's information in Family Tree.
Choosing the Right Tool: Family Tree Web or Mobile?
Maybe you love the Family Tree app but are intimidated by the website. Or maybe you've used the website for years, but have yet to try the app. What are the differences between the two? What are the strengths and weaknesses of each? This presentation compares key features to help you decide which tool is best for you in a given situation.
Deep Dive: FamilySearch.org
This presentation takes a detailed look at the FamilySearch.org web site, including the personalized home page, the five major sections of the website, and other options such as Messaging and Help.
Down Memory Lane: Using the Memories Tab on the Family Tree Person Page
Photos, stories, and audio recordings can bring family history to life. In this webinar, you'll learn how to use the Memories tab on the Family Tree person page to upload, organize, and share your family history memories.
FamilySearch Basic Series
This series is taught periodically on Sundays at the BYU Family History Library. It consists of five core classes, followed by two supplemental classes.
Core Classes
1. Getting to Know FamilySearch.org
2. Adding and Correcting Information in Family Tree
3. Finding People to Add to Family Tree
4. Basic Research Skills
5. Preparing Names for Temple Ordinances
Boost Your Family History Brain Power (Supplemental Classes)
1. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
2. Avoiding the Same Name Trap
FamilySearch Intermediate Series
This series is taught periodically on Sundays at the BYU Family History Library. It consists of four core classes, followed by two supplemental classes.
Core Classes
1. Duplicates in Family Tree, Part 1: Why They’re There and How to Find Them
2. Duplicates in Family Tree, Part 2: How to Resolve Them
3. Mysteries of the Change Log Revealed
4. Answers Hiding in Plain Sight: Using What You Know to Discover What You Don’t Know
Boost Your Family History Brain Power (Supplemental Classes)
1. Recognizing Problems in Family Tree and Determining Causes
2. Fixing Sticky Problems in Family Tree
FamilySearch Helper Series
This three-class series is taught periodically on Sundays at the BYU Family History Library.
1. Preparing and Providing a Successful Discovery Experiences
2. Teaching Skills for Helpers
3. Moving Family History Forward in the Ward or Stake
FamilySearch Q & A Webinars
These webinars address participant questions about the FamilySearch.org website and other family history topics.
FamilySearch Updates—The Latest and Greatest (November 2021)
This presentation, given at a monthly meeting of the Utah Valley Technology and Genealogy Group, covers four recent enhancements to FamilySearch.org: Family Feed, Family Groups, Ancestor Discovery pages, and the new search interface for historical records.
FamilySearch Updates + Q&A (March 2022)
This presentation, given at a meeting of the Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society, covers four enhancements to FamilySearch.org: The new "Get Involved" initiative, which will be used for the 1950 Census, a new version of the home page which is being tested, Ancestor Discovery pages, and the FamilySearch Community. This presentation was not recorded.
Family Tree Reason Statements Made Easy
Do you freeze when you encounter a Reason Statement field in Family Tree? Do you skip it because you aren't sure what to write? This presentation offers guidance for writing reason statements, as well as examples. Also included is information about a form-filler, SimpleFill, that can make adding reason statements easier.
Fixing Incorrect Merges in Family Tree
Incorrect merges are a significant challenge in FamilySearch Family Tree. How do you recognize them, and how do you fix them? One you've fixed them, how do you reduce the likelihood of future incorrect merges? See this presentation to learn how.
Fixing Sticky, Tricky Problems in Family Tree
Ever found a tangled family line in FamilySearch Family Tree and wondered about the best way to fix it? There are no magic wands, but there are principles and processes that make untangling these problems easier and less error-prone.
Getting Relationships Right in Family Tree
How do you create correct relationships in Family Tree? How do you fix them if they're wrong? View this presentation for answers and examples.
Getting the Most from FamilySearch Family Tree: Tree Views in Family Tree
What are the four tree views in Family Tree, and what are the advantages of each? Watch this presentation to find out.
Getting to Know the Person Page in Family Tree
5 October 2023
Get a helpful introduction to the Person page in Family Tree. Learn about its purpose and how it can help you with your family history.
Getting the Most from FamilySearch Family Tree: The Person Page Time Line
Get tips and tricks for using the Person page Time Line to make family history easier and more fun.
Getting the Most from FamilySearch Family Tree: Sources
This three-part webinar explains the value of sources and how to attach various types of sources in FamilySearch Family Tree.
Part 1: Sources on the Person Page
Part 2: Adding FamilySearch Historical Records as Sources in Family Tree
Part 3: Adding 3rd Party Sources in Family Tree
Getting the Most from FamilySearch Family Tree: Collaborating in Family Tree
Learn about the tools that Family Tree provides for collaboration, and get tips for collaborating effectively.
Getting the Most from FamilySearch Family Tree: The Person Page Memories Tab
Learn about the features of the Memories tab that make it easy to manage photos, documents, stories, and audio recordings about your ancestors.
Getting the Most from Record Hints on Family Tree
This presentation covers record hints in Family Tree: where you can see them, how accurate they are, how to evaluate them, and how to attach or dismiss them. You'll also learn how they can help you find people to add to Family Tree.
Getting to Know the New Home Page and Person Page on FamilySearch.org
8 December 2022
Learn about recent changes to the FamilySearch.org home page and person page. There are some great new features you are sure to find helpful!
Hidden Clues on Person Records in Family Tree
Have you ever looked at a person record in Family Tree and wondered where the information came? How reliable it is? Why some vital information and relationships are included, but others aren't? How to see a history of changes to the person record? This presentation answers these questions and more.
"How did you find that?" Tips for Searching FamilySearch Historical Records
FamilySearch Historical Records contains upwards of 16 billion records. With that many records, finding the one you want isn't always easy! This class covers strategies and principles that make it easier. Search examples are included.
How to Find People Who Are Missing from Family Tree!
Family Tree contains about 1.3 billion names—about 1% of the earth's total estimated population. What about the other 99%? This presentation gives tips for finding names that are missing from Family Tree.
Slide Deck (short version) Slide Deck (long version)
"My Tree" and "The Magic Well": How Mental Models Influence Use of FamilySearch Family Tree
Mental models—the ideas in our mind about how things work—never quite match reality. Still, we want them to be as close as possible. Originally given at an employee conference, this presentation explores two common but inaccurate mental models of FamilySearch Family Tree. It compares them with how Family Tree actually works, and suggests ways to correct inaccurate mental models.
Mysteries of the Change Log Revealed: What's Behind Show All Changes on the Person Page in Family Tree
What is the change log and what benefits does it provide? Learn how to make sense of change log entries, use change log filters, restore deleted persons, and more.
More Mysteries of the Change Log Revealed
In this followup webinar, learn how to make sense of merge entries and relationship entries in the change log. In addition, see how the change log is valuable when troubleshooting problems in Family Tree.
Navigating in Family Tree
Learn how to get around in Family Tree. You'll see how to navigate in Tree views and on the Person page. You'll also discover how the Recents list works, and even how to navigate to a new page without closing the one you're one.
Simple Tips for Writing Life Sketches in Family Tree
A place for a life sketch appears at the top of every Family Tree person page. Learn why life sketches are helpful and how easy they are to write!
Thanks for the Memories 1: Basics of the FamilySearch Gallery
Learn about the FamilySearch Gallery and how it can help you preserve and manage your family history memories: photos, stories, documents, and audio recordings.
Thanks for the Memories 2: FamilySearch Gallery Features for Power Users
Learn about advanced features of the FamilySearch Gallery: multiple methods of adding, using the Actions menu, adding details to multiple memories, and more.
The Fabulous Following Feature in FamilySearch Family Tree
Learn how you can use the Family Tree Following feature to keep track of people you're researching. Besides regular notifications, you can sort, filter, and add labels. As of March 2021, you can even see other people who are following the same person. Watch this presentation to learn how.
Top Tips for Cleaning Up Fragments in Family Tree
As FamilySearch's Family Tree matures and the number of users increases, we're learning more about what works... and what doesn't work as well. Fragments—little, incomplete, disconnected branches—lead to multiple problems in a shared tree, including bad merges, incorrect relationships, and duplicates.
In this webinar, you'll learn how to evaluate fragments, make them more complete, and correct problems. You'll also learn how to avoid adding new fragments.
Understanding Extracted Records in FamilySearch Family Tree
Ever wondered about that little extraction notice that sometimes shows up in the Sources section on the Person page? This presentation explains what extracted records are, how to recognize the Family Tree people created from them, and how you can use them in your family history research.
Understanding Intended Identity: The Key to Fixing and Avoiding Problems in Family Tree
Who is that Family Tree person—really? What if there's not a lot of information or what if information conflicts? Learn tips for determining the intended identity of a Family Tree person, and how that information can help you solve problems and improve accuracy.
Understanding the Data in FamilySearch Family Tree (Short Version from RootsTech 2019)
FamilySearch Family Tree contains information for over a billion people. But where did the information come from? The answer may surprise you. An accurate understanding of the information in Family Tree helps prevent errors and duplicate ordinances.
Understanding the Data in FamilySearch Family Tree (Full Version)
FamilySearch Family Tree contains information for over a billion people. But where did the information come from? The answer may surprise you. An accurate understanding of the information in Family Tree helps prevent errors and duplicate ordinances.
The Source Linker on FamilySearch.org: Basics and Beyond
The source linker is a quick and easy way to attach Family Search Historical Records to profiles in Family Tree. Learn the basics as well as some advanced features.
Unrehearsed Genealogy Research with Richard Miller of Goldie May
In this video, Richard Miller and I work together to clean up a messy situation on his English Hutt line in FamilySearch Family Tree. In the process, we discover a missing child. This unscripted video includes tips for using the change log, repairing an incorrect merge, and removing incorrect sources and facts. We focus not only on the mechanics of the tasks, but the judgment used in the tasks.
What to Do When You See 
: Resolving "Data Problem" Errors in FamilySearch Family Tree
When unlikely or impossible information appears in Family Tree—such as a person dying before birth or living to be 150 years old—the system will often warn you with a red "data problem" icon. This presentation covers the types of data problems that generate errors in Family Tree and gives you suggestions for resolving them.
Duplicates and Merging
Boost Your Family History Brain Power #2: Avoiding the Same Name Trap
If you think that confusing two different people with the same name is one of the biggest challenges in family history . . . you're right! In this class, you'll learn how to avoid that problem and spot mixups that need to be fixed.
Case Study: Double Trouble with Elizabeth Hepton
Incorrect merges in Family Tree can be tricky to spot, but there are signs we can watch for. This presentation walks through a real-life example of resolving an incorrect merge for Elizabeth Hepton. It also provides principles to apply when resolving incorrect merges.
Double Trouble: To Merge or Not to Merge?
Most Family Tree users know that duplicates can cause problems and should be merged. But did you know that incorrect merges (i.e., merging two people who aren't really duplicates) can also cause significant problems? View this presentation for tips on determining whether or not two people should be merged.
Duplicates in Family Tree
Part 1: Why They're There and How to Find Them
Part 2: How to Resolve Them
Family Tree contains many duplicate records, but finding and resolving them correctly is not as simple as it may sound. These presentations explain how to find obvious and less obvious duplicates, and how to determine whether two records really are duplicates. You'll also learn best practices for merging duplicates so that information and relationships are not lost.
2020 Version
Webinar Part 1 Webinar Part 2 Slide Deck
2017 Version
Webinar Part 1 Webinar Part 2 Slide Deck
Condensed version
(No recording available) Slide Deck
Fixing Incorrect Merges in Family Tree
Incorrect merges are a significant challenge in FamilySearch Family Tree. How do you recognize them, and how do you fix them? One you've fixed them, how do you reduce the likelihood of future incorrect merges? See this presentation to learn how.
Fixing Sticky, Tricky Problems in Family Tree
Ever found a tangled family line in FamilySearch Family Tree and wondered about the best way to fix it? There are no magic wands, but there are principles and processes that make untangling these problems easier and less error-prone.
Untangling Sticky Problems in Family Tree
This updated version of the presentation above was given at the 2022 Summit of Excellence conference sponsored by the Utah Genealogical Association. The recording of this class is available to UGA members on the UGA website. Click here to view the class handout.
English Research
Case Study: Using FamilySearch Historical Records to Reconstruct Families from English Parish Registers
This class walks through the process of searching for families in English parish registers in FamilySearch Historical Records, then downloading and organizing the results.
English Research: Civil Registration Made Easy
Learn the basics of using English civil registration for family history research, including where and how to search for births, marriages, and deaths.
English Research: Finding Ancestors Using FreeReg Parish Registers
This presentation explains how to use the FreeReg site to search English parish registers.
English Research: Finding a Woman's Maiden Name Using the GRO Site
Finding a woman's maiden name can be a challenge! But if your ancestor lived in England in July 1837 or later, the General Register Office (GRO) site makes it easier. This presentation provides tips and examples for finding those elusive maiden names.
English Research: Finding Missing Children Using the GRO Site
You may suspect you don't have all the children in for a family, but finding them is another matter—especially if they were born and died between censuses. This presentation explains how to use the General Register Office (GRO) site to find missing children born after July 1837.
English Research: How Can the 1939 Register Help You?
The 1939 Register is the only available historical record that gives a snapshot of England's population between 1911 and 1951: The 1921 census won't be available until 2022, the 1931 census was burned, and the 1941 census was not taken. Learn the basics of the 1939 Register and see examples for using it.
English Research: Research Walk-Through—Best Practices for Adding a Family from England to Family Tree
This presentation gives a big picture view of researching one family in England—parents and children—so they can be added to FamilySearch Family Tree. It highlights principles and best practices for reasonably thorough research, including checking the most common records and ensuring that all children in the family are accounted for.
Getting Started with English Research
England—the land of Shakespeare, Buckingham Palace, and Stonehenge. Maybe it’s the land of your ancestors too! This presentation touches briefly on English history and culture, but its main focus is on the most useful records and how to search them. It also gives an brief example of tracing ancestors who emigrated from England.
Unrehearsed Genealogy Research with Richard Miller of Goldie May
In this video, Richard Miller and I work together to clean up a messy situation on his English Hutt line in FamilySearch Family Tree. In the process, we discover a missing child. This unscripted video includes tips for using the change log, repairing an incorrect merge, and removing incorrect sources and facts. We focus not only on the mechanics of the tasks, but the judgment used in the tasks.
Getting Started
Tips for Tracking Your Research
One of the biggest challenges of research is recording your findings so they're easy to organize and use. In this class we'll look at several approaches that can help.
(No Recording Available) Slide Deck
What I Wish I'd Known When I Started Doing Family History
When you start doing anything worthwhile there’s usually a learning curve, and that’s true of family history. This presentation suggests ways to shorten the curve and prevent errors as you start working on your family history.
Where to Start When You Don't Know Where to Start
Figure out where to start can be one of the trickiest parts of family history, whether you're a beginner or have some experience. This webinar covers tips for getting started as well as things to avoid.
Latter-day Saint
Christmas Devotionals
2020: Christmas Devotional Slide Deck
2021: Turning Hearts at Christmastime Webinar Slide Deck
2022: How Family History Helps Us Hear and Follow the Spirit Webinar
Slide Deck
Discover-Gather-Connect: An Expanded Emphasis for Family History
This presentation provides an overview of Discover-Gather-Connect, the expanded approach to family history which was announced in early 2018. Learn how you can take family history to the next level with Discover-Gather-Connect.
Discover-Gather-Connect and Helper Resources
Learn how to use FamilySearch Helper Resources (formerly consultant planner) with the Discover–Gather–Connect approach.
Note: This webinar was recently updated. The new webinar doesn't include a discovery experience, because there's now a separate webinar with a live discovery experience. Both the old and new links are included below.
Webinar (Updated) Webinar (Original) Slide Deck (Updated)
Preparing and Providing a Successful Discovery Experience
This presentation explains a simple way to help people find names to add to Family Tree. It includes an unscripted live demo.
Ready for Temple Work? Top Tips for Checking Names in FamilySearch Family Tree
Learn why it's important to verify names in Family Tree before doing temple work, get tips for verification, and see examples.
The Holy Ghost: The Best Family History Helper
Family history is a spiritual work, so it's not surprising that the Spirit plays a key role. This presentation talks about how the Holy Ghost helps us in family history and provides examples. It also discusses the Spirit and technology, and how we can grow in our ability to hear the Spirit's voice.
Thoughts on Hastening the Work of Family History
This presentation offers spiritual and practical ideas for being more productive in doing family history.
What Every Family Tree User Should Know About Name-Finding Apps
It sounds so good: run an app and find dozens or even hundreds of temple names. But as with most things that sound too good to be true, name-finding apps come with significant downsides for you and others. This presentation illustrates how to find names without a name-finding app and provides cautions if you choose to use one.
Special thanks to my sister, Suzanne, for providing subtitles for the webinar!
When Your Family History is "All Done": Temple Work Through Descendancy Research
At a loss for finding names for temple work because your family history is "all done"? Learn how to reap a rich harvest through descendancy research. You will learn a reliable process, along with tips and tricks to help you proceed effectively and avoid common pitfalls.
Memories
Down Memory Lane: Using the Memories Tab on the Family Tree Person Page
Photos, stories, and audio recordings can bring family history to life. In this webinar, you'll learn how to use the Memories tab on the Family Tree person page to upload, organize, and share your family history memories.
Thanks for the Memories 1: Basics of the FamilySearch Gallery
Learn about the FamilySearch Gallery and how it can help you preserve and manage your family history memories: photos, stories, documents, and audio recordings.
Thanks for the Memories 2: FamilySearch Gallery Features for Power Users
Learn about advanced features of the FamilySearch Gallery: multiple methods of adding, using the Actions menu, adding details to multiple memories, and more.
Miscellaneous
Christmas Devotionals
2020: Christmas Devotional Slide Deck
2021: Turning Hearts at Christmastime Webinar Slide Deck
2022: How Family History Helps Us Hear and Follow the Spirit Webinar
Slide Deck
Connect and Collaborate in the FamilySearch Community
The FamilySearch Community is a virtual gathering place for family history enthusiasts of all levels. Wondering how to use it and how it can benefit you? This presentation covers the basics.
From Snarky to Civil: Improving the Way We Treat Each Other in the Genealogy Community
We love family history. Why do we sometimes treat other family historians in a less than civil way? This presentation explores from a faith-based perspective why we sometimes have difficulty relating civilly to each other and how we can change things.
Fun, Free Family Tree Charts
Learn about some clever, creative, and free options for viewing your family information.
Fun Tips
This presentation has miscellaneous tips for FamilySearch and Family Tree. It was originally included as part of this webinar.
Getting Started with FamilySearch Web Indexing
Learn about FamilySearch's new web indexing program, the guided tour, and how to index your first batch. Discover the many help resources that are available for indexing in English and other languages.
Giving the Gift of Family History
Looking for a gift for the family historian in your life? Hoping to inspire someone to get involved with family history? Check out this presentation for ideas.
Helping Others Learn to Love and Do Family History
If you love family history, you probably want to help others get involved. But that can be easier said than done. Watch this presentation for ideas to help you engage others while avoiding roadblocks.
Learning Skills for Family Historians
A question frequently asked by new family historians is, "How can I learn to do family history?" Of course we can learn from classes and books. But we can also acquire and practice skills that accelerate learning and make it last longer.
Thinking Skills for Family Historians
This class focuses on the key mindsets and reasoning skills that can help you be successful in doing family history.
Research Skills and Strategies
Answers Hiding in Plain Sight: Using What You Know to Discover What You Don't Know
Ever feel like you're looking into a genealogical dark tunnel, with no idea where to go next? Turn on the light by using what you already know to discover what you don't know. We'll see examples of how this simple but sometimes overlooked principle can help solve puzzles and extend your family lines.
Boost Your Family History Brain Power #1: Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Learn about causes and solutions for common mistakes.
Case Study: Using FamilySearch Historical Records to Reconstruct Families from English Parish Registers
This class walks through the process of searching for families in English parish registers in FamilySearch Historical Records, then downloading and organizing the results.
Extra! Extra! Read All About It: Finding Your Family History in Newspapers
This presentation provides an examples and practical tips for researching your family in newspapers.
Finding a Starting Place on a Full Tree
When your tree looks full in Family Tree, how do you find people who are missing? This presentation offers one approach.
Getting Better Search Results with Wildcards
This presentation gives a basic introduction to using wildcards when searching historical records.
"How did you find that?" Tips for Searching FamilySearch Historical Records
FamilySearch Historical Records contains upwards of 16 billion records. With that many records, finding the one you want isn't always easy! This class covers strategies and principles that make it easier. Search examples are included.
Ideas for Stepping Up Your Family History Game
Want to take your family history game to the next level? Regardless of where you are, this presentation offers ideas for becoming more effective in doing your family history.
Learning to Love Family History . . . Research!
Have you noticed that family history research has (unfairly) gotten a bad name? Some claim that research is boring and that most people won't do it. Others mistakenly call research "old school" and say it's no longer necessary. But understanding how to do basic research is a major factor in family history success. How can we learn—or help others learn—to love family history research?
Observation and Common Sense: Two Valuable Family History Tools that Everyone Can Use
Do you ever feel hampered in family history because you're "not a genealogist"? Specialized skills can be helpful. However, some of the most important skills are those we use every day. Learn how to apply two of these skills—observation and common sense—to your family history efforts so you can avoid some of those tricky "gotchas" and enjoy greater success.
Thinking Skills for Family Historians
This class focuses on the key mindsets and reasoning skills that can help you be successful in doing family history.
Learning Skills for Family Historians
A question frequently asked by new family historians is, "How can I learn to do family history?" Of course we can learn from classes and books. But we can also acquire and practice skills that accelerate learning and make it last longer.
Tips for Tracking Your Research
One of the biggest challenges of research is recording your findings so they're easy to organize and use. In this class we'll look at several approaches that can help.
(No Recording Available) Slide Deck
Unrehearsed Genealogy Research with Richard Miller of Goldie May
In this video, Richard Miller and I work together to clean up a messy situation on his English Hutt line in FamilySearch Family Tree. In the process, we discover a missing child. This unscripted video includes tips for using the change log, repairing an incorrect merge, and removing incorrect sources and facts. We focus not only on the mechanics of the tasks, but the judgment used in the tasks.
Sources and Historical Records
Census 101: Basics, Benefits, and Cautions
Census records are widely used in family history research, and they're a great boon to researchers. They're also error-prone and can lead to mistakes and false conclusions. Learn how to take advantage of the benefits while avoiding the problems!
Finding and Adding Sources to Records in Family Tree
It's easier than ever to attach sources to people in Family Tree. This presentation explains how.
Getting the Most from FamilySearch Family Tree: Sources
This three-part webinar explains the value of sources and how to attach various types of sources in FamilySearch Family Tree.
Part 1: Sources on the Person Page
Part 2: Adding FamilySearch Historical Records as Sources in Family Tree
Part 3: Adding 3rd Party Sources in Family Tree
Getting the Most from Record Hints on Family Tree
This presentation covers record hints in Family Tree: where you can see them, how accurate they are, how to evaluate them, and how to attach or dismiss them. You'll also learn how they can help you find people to add to Family Tree.
"How did you find that?" Tips for Searching FamilySearch Historical Records
FamilySearch Historical Records contains upwards of 16 billion records. With that many records, finding the one you want isn't always easy! This class covers strategies and principles that make it easier. Search examples are included.
Tips for Tracking Your Research
One of the biggest challenges of research is recording your findings so they're easy to organize and use. In this class we'll look at several approaches that can help.
(No Recording Available) Slide Deck
The Source Linker on FamilySearch.org: Basics and Beyond
The source linker is a quick and easy way to attach Family Search Historical Records to profiles in Family Tree. Learn the basics as well as some advanced features.
When One Record Isn't Enough: Building a More Complete Picture with Multiple Records
When doing family history, we often rely on historical records (census, birth, marriage, etc.) for facts about our ancestors. Sometimes we're tempted to rely on just one record--for example, the 1880 census. But when is one record not enough and how do you find more?
Stories
Simple Tips for Writing Life Sketches in Family Tree
A place for a life sketch appears at the top of every Family Tree person page. Learn why life sketches are helpful and how easy they are to write!
The Power of Stories in Family History: Finding and Telling Your Family Stories
Family stories play a surprisingly powerful role in our lives. Get ideas for preserving and sharing your family stories.
Timeline Grid
The Timeline Grid: An Easy Way to Track, Organize, and Use Your Research
The timeline grid is a simple, unique research log that helps you track and use the information you find. You create it using a word processor or spreadsheet program. It's simple enough for beginners, but powerful enough for advanced users. More information is available here.
How to Start Using the Timeline Grid
This presentation is a sequel to "The Timeline Grid: An Easy Way to Track, Organize, and Use Your Research." It provides step-by-step instructions for saving a timeline grid template, along with examples of entering census, birth, and other information.
Using the Timeline Grid to Build Your Tree
This practical presentation shows how to use the timeline grid to build your tree systematically and accurately.
Answers Hiding in Plain Sight: Using What You Know to Discover What You Don't Know
Ever feel like you're looking into a genealogical dark tunnel, with no idea where to go next? Turn on the light by using what you already know to discover what you don't know. We'll see examples of how this simple but sometimes overlooked principle can help solve puzzles and extend your family lines.
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