New Family History Consultant Training Available

The following is from FamilySearch.

December 2, 2009

To: Family history consultants in English-speaking wards and branches

As part of the Church’s ongoing initiative to make training available to family history consultants throughout the world, we are pleased to announce that several new training materials have been added to the Research Series Classes Online page of the FamilySearch.org Web site. New items on the Research Series Classes Online page include the following: Descendancy Research, Family History Library Catalog Overview, Research Logs, U.S. Courthouse Records Overview, and lesson 3 of Reading German Handwritten Records.

Descendancy Research introduces the principles and process for conducting research on the descendants of a particular ancestor or ancestral couple and includes many helpful tips. This is a great class for those whose ancestors have been thoroughly researched and documented or for anyone looking for a different way to do research.

Family History Library Catalog Overview is an introduction to using the Family History Library Catalog and covers how to search the catalog and how to make use of the search results. This class has been recently revised based on feedback provided by users.

Research Logs shows how to use a research log and why it is so valuable to researchers. The course clearly outlines the steps for using each part of a log and how it helps speed research. This is an important class for anyone just beginning family history research and for those who have been researching but need a way to help keep track of the research they have done.

U.S. Courthouse Records Overview introduces family historians to the records that can be found in U.S. courthouses, their genealogical value, and what to expect when searching those records.

Reading German Handwritten Records now includes a third lesson that introduces several document formats and hints about how to focus in on key parts of a record. Like the other two lessons, it is taught using a self-paced, interactive experience that includes narration and practice activities.

We are also pleased to announce that the Genealogical Presentations Online page on FamilySearch.org now contains three presentations from the Association of Professional Genealogist’s (APG) Professional Management Conference held September 2, 2009. This is an exciting trial partnership with APG to bring quality training content to the world from outside the FamilySearch organization. Two of these presentations are geared for professional genealogists and the other, titled “The Bachelor,” is applicable to all family historians.

We invite you to visit FamilySearch.org, view these classes, and then give us your feedback by using the feedback links. We also encourage you to use these classes with the members of your wards or branches and those you assist in family history centers as appropriate for their research needs.

Simply click on one of the links below, or copy and paste it into your browser.

http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/education/frameset_education.asp?PAGE=education_research_series_online.asp%3FActiveTab=2

http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/education/frameset_education.asp?PAGE=genealogical_presentations_online.asp%3FActiveTab=11

Sincerely,

FamilySearch

support@familysearch.org

U.S. and Canada: 1-866-406-1830

International: go to http://contact.familysearch.org for more toll-free phone numbers