The LDS Church's self-reliance program includes several "direct instruction" lesson manuals. After participating in this program I was psyched about the format. It is so easy to teach and learn!
So I wrote a four week family history course in this style.(#you'rewelcome)
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
Lesson 3
Lesson 4
I am a big believer in the idea that literally anyone can do family history research and that you don't have to be an expert to teach it. But now you don't even have to know anything about family history to teach it! The point of this course is that everyone learns together. All you need is a device to connect to family search and you're golden. Learn with your family, friends, or strangers. It doesn't matter!
PS Please keep in mind this course is written for an LDS audience.For more information about the Church please visit mormon.org.
Monday, July 16, 2018
Lesson 4: Submitting names for the temple
Lesson 4: Submitting names for the
temple
Report:
Share with the group your successes and challenges in finding
records for your ancestor this week.
1. Make goals
Read:
“Centuries ago, the prophet Malachi said that in a coming
day, God would send Elijah to “turn the heart of the fathers to the children,
and the heart of the children to their fathers” (Malachi 4:6)…
… I bear testimony that Elijah did come. The hearts of the
children—of you and me—have turned to our fathers, our ancestors. The affection
you feel for your ancestors is part of the fulfillment of that prophecy.”
Eyring April 2017 Gathering the Family of God
Discuss:
How has Malachi’s prophecy had an impact on your life?
Watch:
Discuss:
What are the blessings Elder Andersen promises for those who
complete this challenge?
Commit:
Commit to take Elder Andersen’s temple challenge or come up
with a personal goal with the challenge in mind.
2. Find family history information.
Read:
Some members of the Church have many names on their tree
waiting to be submitted for temple ordinances. For others it seems like all of
their ancestors’ temple work has already been done. Finding a family name to
take to the temple can seem impossible, but it usually isn’t.
As you do family history research on the ancestors already
in your tree you will very likely find new aunts and uncles and cousins to add
to your tree, and those cousins may also have descendants who need to have
temple work performed.
Activity:
Using your smartphone, tablet, or computer look for a record
about a sibling of one of your ancestors. See if you can find a spouse or child
for the sibling.
Read:
Because there are many people editing information on Family
Search, some of your ancestors may have duplicate pages. When you find a
duplicate for one of your ancestors, take the time to decide if the pages
really represent the same person. You may have to do some more research in
order to make an informed choice. Ask for help when necessary.
Discuss:
Why is it important to look for duplicates on Family Search?
Read:
“Just a few weeks ago, I was working on my family history
with a consultant by my side and another helper on the phone. On the computer
screen before me was a problem beyond my mortal power to solve. I saw two
names, sent to me by the wonders of technology, of people who might be waiting
for a temple ordinance. But the trouble was that the names were different, but
there was a reason to believe they might be the same person. My task was to
determine what was true.
I asked my consultants to tell me. They said, “No, you must
choose.” And they were completely sure I would discover the truth. The
computer, with all its power and information, had left me the blessing of
staring at those names on a screen, evaluating the available information,
seeking other research, praying silently, and discovering what was true. As I
prayed, I knew with surety what to do—just as I have in other situations when I
needed to rely on heaven’s help to solve a problem.” Eyring April 2017
Gathering the Family of God
Discuss:
How can you use the Spirit to guide you in your family
history research?
3. Edit your tree
Watch:
Activity:
Look for temple opportunities on your family tree and submit
names for temple ordinances if possible. Read the Church policy on submitting
names before you do so.
Commit:
Before you submit names, read the Church policy. Then attend
the temple for one of your own ancestors, if possible.
Homework:
Read Church policy on submitting names for the temple
Attend the temple for one of your own ancestors, if possible
Lesson 3: Finding and evaluating records
Lesson 3: Finding and evaluating
records
Report:
Share with the group your successes and challenges in
interviewing an ancestor and uploading photos and stories on Family Search.
1. Make goals
Read:
In the first lesson you identified some of your family
history goals and started a plan to complete them. This exercise can also be
used on a smaller scale to help with your family history research.
Research is the collecting of information on a particular
subject (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/research), so the goal of
family history research is to collect information about specific people in your
family.
Activity:
Choose an ancestor on your tree and review the information
available about that person. What information is missing? Are there records
attached to that person that prove that the information is correct? Write down
some questions about this person based on the missing information.
1.
2.
3.
Read:
Research questions, like those you wrote in the activity,
are a good way to plan your family history research. You may find it useful to
write down your research questions and the answers if you can find them so that
you can stay organized when you are searching for information.
If you need to seek help from a family history consultant or
expert, it is helpful for the consultant to know what information you want to
find. Coming prepared with research questions will help you make the most of
your time with the consultant.
2. Find family
history information
Read:
The Family Search wiki is a crowd-sourced encyclopedia of
family history information. It is a great place to learn what kinds of records
are available for your ancestors and where to find them.
Activity:
On your smartphone, tablet, or computer go to https://familysearch.org/wiki. Look up
a country or place where you think your ancestors lived and find out what types
of records are available for that country.
Discuss:
Where do you think you should search for family history
information? Are there online resources available for your ancestors?
3. Edit your tree
Activity:
Using your smartphone, tablet, or computer find and attach a
record to someone in your tree on Family Search.
Read:
Evaluating and making conclusions based on the records is
just as important as finding them. Look at them critically. Ask yourself
questions about the records you find. Sometimes you will find seemingly or
actually conflicting records and you will have to decide how to reconcile the
information. As you become more experienced, this aspect of genealogy will get
easier. Ask for advice from a consultant or expert when necessary.
Activity:
Below is an example of a census record from 1871 in
Abertillery, Monmouthshire, Wales. As a group discuss what conclusions you can
draw about the Barnes family based on this record? For example, ages,
occupation, family dynamics, etc. How could you verify this information?
Commit:
Choose an ancestor who was born in the 1800s and focus your
research on that person this week. Find as many records for that person and
their family as you can. You can use the ancestor snapshot sheet below as a
research journal or create your own.
Homework:
Find as many records as you can for one of your ancestors
and their family. Use the ancestor snapshot sheet or a research journal to keep
track of what you find.
Lesson 2: Preserving memories
Lesson 2: Preserving memories
Report:
Share with the group your successes and challenges in
signing up for Family Search and partner sites you think you will use and
completing and checking the first four generations of your tree.
1. Make goals
Read:
“When the Savior visited this continent following his
resurrection, he commanded the Nephites and Lamanites to bring their records up
to date. He said to them: “Behold, other scriptures I would that ye should
write, that ye have not.
“And it came to pass that he said unto Nephi: Bring forth
the record which ye have kept.
“And when Nephi had brought forth the records, and laid them
before him, he cast his eyes upon them and said:
“Verily I say unto you, I commanded my servant Samuel, the
Lamanite, that he should testify unto this people, that at the day that the
Father should glorify his name in me that there were many saints who should
arise from the dead, and should appear unto many, and should minister unto
them. And he said unto them: Was it not so?
“And his disciples answered him and said: Yea, Lord, …
“And Jesus said unto them: How be it that ye have not
written this thing, that many saints did arise and appear unto many and did
minister unto them?
“And it came to pass that Nephi remembered that this thing
had not been written, … therefore it was written according as he commanded.” (3
Ne. 23:6–13.)
“I am glad that it was not I who was reprimanded, even
though mildly and kindly, for not having fulfilled the obligation to write the
records and keep them up to date.
“And again in our day the Lord said to the Prophet Joseph
Smith, “And again, let all the records be had in order, that they may be put in
the archives of my holy temple” (D&C 127:9).
“You should continue on in this important work of recording
the things you do, the things you say, the things you think, to be in
accordance with the instructions of the Lord. Your story should be written now
while it is fresh and while the true details are available.” (Kimball December
1980 New Era)
Discuss:
Why do you think the Lord has commanded us to keep personal
records?
Commit:
If you haven’t already, decide how you will keep the Lord’s
commandment to keep a personal record.
2. Find family history information
Read:
Some of the most abundant sources of family history
information are hiding in your own family. Your living relatives can often tell
you details about themselves and other ancestors that can’t be found elsewhere.
In addition to providing vital statistics such as approximate birth and death
dates, living relatives can help you get to know your ancestors by telling you
stories about them. They may also have pictures or journals with even more
information.
You may be surprised at how many generations back you can
reach by talking to older relatives. For example, someone who was born in 1930
may be able to tell you about an ancestor born as early as 1850. As your
relatives age, recording their memories becomes more time sensitive. Once the
relatives are gone, their unrecorded memories are gone too.
It can sometimes be awkward to ask someone about their
memories, but most people enjoy talking about themselves. Make sure to let the
person know you are listening and interested with your facial expressions and
body language. If you are going to take notes or record the conversation, ask
permission first.
Activity:
Identify a family or ancestor in your tree that you would
like to know more about.
Who could you contact
to find out more?
Write some questions you could ask below. You will get more
information if you keep the questions general. For example, “What did that
person look like?” will get you more information than “Did that person wear
glasses?”
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Commit:
Commit to interview a relative this week. You can make an
appointment and prepare questions, or you can casually bring it up in a phone
conversation or at a family gathering. Either way, make sure to record what you
learn so you don’t forget.
3. Edit your family tree
Read:
Uploading photos and stories to Family Search is a great way
to preserve your family’s memories. You can upload photos and stories on the
computer or on your phone using Family Search Memories app.
Watch:
Activity:
Using your smartphone, tablet, or computer add a memory to
Family Search now. The woman on the video uploads a photo using her computer.
If you are using the app some features may be a little different. Help each
other and try to figure it out together.
Commit:
Upload more stories and photos to Family Search this week.
This would be an appropriate activity for Family Home Evening.
Homework:
Decide how you will keep your personal record
Interview a relative
Upload a photo or story to Family Search
Lesson 1: Intro to Family Search
Lesson 1: Intro to
Family Search
Read:
In this course we will focus
on three steps for family history research.
1. Make goals
2. Find family history information
3. Edit your family tree
1. Make goals
Read:
“Over the years, I
have observed that those who accomplish the most in this world are those with a
vision for their lives, with goals to keep them focused on their vision and
tactical plans for how to achieve them…
Goal setting is essentially beginning with the end in mind.
And planning is devising a way to get to that end. A key to happiness lies in
understanding what destinations truly matter—and then spending our time,
effort, and attention on the things that constitute a sure way to arrive there.”
(Return and receive M Russel Ballard April 2017)
Activity:
Identify some of your family history goals and write them
down below. Begin a plan to achieve them by listing three steps you think will
be necessary for you to succeed.
Goal
|
Plan
|
2. Find family history information
Read:
There are many places to find family history information.
Below is a list some available resources.
Family members
Ancestor’s journals
Family history websites
Government offices
Books
Libraries
Genealogical societies
Graveyards
Discuss:
Which of these sources do you think will be most valuable to
you? Why? Can you think of any other sources that you may be able to use?
Read:
If you are interested in submitting names for the temple,
you will need a Family Search account. Family Search is one of the biggest family
history websites and it is completely free.
Watch:
Commit:
If you have not already, sign up for an account on
FamilySearch.org sometime this week. If you have a membership record number
attach it to your account so you can submit names for the temple. Your
membership record number is available from your ward clerk or on your two-year
temple recommend if you have one. If you are using a smartphone or tablet in
class, download the FamilySearch app and sign in to your account. Take some
time to familiarize yourself with the website and app.
Baptized members of the Church over the age of 13 are also
eligible for free accounts on Family Search partner sites. After you sign up
for Family Search you can access your partner accounts at
familysearch.org/partneraccess. This week sign up for any partner sites you
think may be useful to you.
3. Edit your family tree
Read:
There may already be several versions of your tree available
to you through family members or online. You may have created a tree using
paper, a computer software program (like PAF), or on a family history website.
In this course we will focus on the tree you will create and maintain on Family
Search. Watch the video to learn how to start your family tree on Family
Search.
Watch:
Read:
Many family history websites allow you to upload a tree to
which you can edit and make public if you wish. Family Search is unique in that
users’ family trees link together to create one tree that all users have the
ability to edit. It is important to have only one record of each unique
individual on Family Search so that temple ordinances are not performed for
that person more than once.
Discuss:
What are the benefits and challenges of a “master” family
tree like the one available on Family Search?
Read:
Family Search was created by merging together many different
genealogies and there may have been mistakes in the merging process. Also,
other users may have added incorrect information to your ancestor’s records or
even accidentally replaced your ancestor with someone else. You will need to do
your own research to verify that the tree you find on Family Search is
accurate. Start with your closest ancestors and work backwards.
Commit:
If you haven’t already, start your family tree on Family
Search. You will need to talk to family members, if possible, to verify the
first four generations of your tree as it appears on Family Search. Edit your
ancestors’ details based on your family records as needed.
Homework:
Sign up for Family Search and partner sites you think you
will use.
Complete and check the first four generations of your tree
if possible.