UTAH VALLEY PAF USERS GROUP
The next regular, second-Saturday-of-the-month meeting of the Utah Valley PAF (Personal Ancestral File) Users Group will be on Saturday, 10 May 2008, from 9 am until noon in the LDS "Red" Chapel at 4000 North Timpview Drive (650 East), in Provo. The main presentation this time will be NEW FAMILYSEARCH SYCHRONIZATION WITH ANCESTRAL QUEST (Gaylon Findlay), FAMILY INSIGHT (John Vilburn), AND ROOTSMAGIC (Bruce Buzbee) .
These presenters are the primary authors of these programs and as such will be able to give us a really good overview of how their programs will work with New FamilySearch (NFS) which the LDS Church is releasing a few LDS Temple Districts at a time. It is presently in operation in over 50 of the more than 125 Temple Districts of the Church and will be in more, if not all, by the end of 2008.
NFS is designed to fulfill President Gordon B. Hinckley's concern of how to make temple names submission simpler, while still avoiding duplication. It is a massive effort by the LDS Church and has been many years in the planning and programming. The LDS Church has encouraged private ventures to work on making their genealogy programs capable of synchronizing (communicating) with New FamilySearch.
In the case of Family Insight (new name for PAF Insight), the program allows PAF (Personal Ancestral File) databases to communicate with New FamilySearch. This synchronization allows editing of New FamilySearch data, e.g. searching and combining names in NFS, as well as downloading data from NFS databases to update the patrons' personal genealogy database.
These are programs that Gordon J. Clarke referred to in his presentation when he mentioned third-party products to work with New FamilySearch as he spoke to the Utah Valley PAF Users Group a few months ago. These presentations and questions and answers by the authors will take the entire time of this meeting, so there will be no classes this time. Other programs to synchronize with NFS besides these three will undoubtedly be announced later, but these are the first.
All meetings of the Users Group are open to the public whether members of the Group or not. The Users Group has the goal of helping individuals use technology to further their family history and there are usually 100-125 attending the monthly meetings on the second Saturdays. Several of the officers, including Gerhard Ruf, President; Brian Cooper, 2nd VP; Lynne Shumway, PAFology Editor; Kay Baker and Gerry Eliason working with finances and membership; and Bruce Merrill, Eileen Phelps, and Marie Andersen, working with the DVD & Video Library, will all be there. They will help with membership, questions, distribute the current issue of the monthly newsletter PAFology, and check out DVD's and videos of past presentations and classes to members of the group. Information about the Users Group, main presentations, classes, and class notes are available on the Group's website http://uvpafug.org . For further information contact President Gerhard Ruf at pres@uvpafug.org(801-225-6106), VP1 Elder Don Snow at snowd@math.byu.edu, or VP2 Brian Cooper at vp2@uvpafug.org.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Adventures in FamilySearch Indexing - Week 40
Well, I've reached the big 40 - I've consistently been indexing for 40 weeks! If that hasn't developed the habit in me I don't know what else would have. And you thought I was talking about it being my birthday - NOT. So I didn't index on Sunday - Monday is still in the same week! Flexibility gives you less stress. I was busy making backup DVD copies of my hard drive.
My computer has been acting very weird lately. Loud beeping alarms sound, sometimes it freezes up and I can't even get the task manager to come up so I can shut it down. I have to power off the surge protector to get it to shut off and then the clock reverts back to 1999. I don't know how to repair computers but I know enough that something big is planning on blowing up on me!
It is such a struggle to get things done with it at times. One night I had to hard boot the computer seven times. Then on other days it works fine - kinda slow but it works. I think this 8 year old computer's end is coming near. I have used it every day. It has been a loyal faithful friend and I will continue to push it until it is no more. The computer store I bought it from went out of business a couple of years ago, so I called the company that is honoring their warranty - labor only and they told me they couldn't get parts for it anymore. They will give me $200 as a trade in value for it to apply towards a new one for the starting price of $1,450, with a lifetime warranty. Lifetime warranties don't impress me anymore because the last company said that and went out of business. I guess I need to start shopping and comparing prices.
At least I have one comfort if my computer dies, excuse me, when it dies - I have great backups. I have backups on DVDs, CDs, and an external hard drive, plus Mozy. The computer guy was trying to prepare me over the phone that I needed to do that and he was amazed this old lady knew about backups. Been there, done that! The major pain in the butt will be installing all my old programs. I wonder how FamilySearch Indexing runs on Vista? I ignored some comments about it on the message boards a few days ago. I guess I better find out.
No matter what happens FamilySearch Indexing will still happen and so will my articles. I have an old laptop that is working much better than my PC right now. In fact I am going to have to take a long look at if I should buy a laptop or a PC this time around. Isn't life just grand - never a dull moment.
Well back to FamilySearch Indexing - I was surprised to see two messages from Headquarters this week. Here is the first one.
Here is the second message for us.
On the Washington Co, NY mailing list this week they were talking about how some Irish people settled in that area. I do have some cousins marrying people from Ireland but I hadn't given it much thought on how many where in the area. My dead end lines in Washington County are Bentley, Scranton, Green, Hewitt, Robinson (Robertson) and Lamphear. I have indexed some Greens, Hewitts and Robinsons in the Irish records and can just dream that they might be my distant relatives.
I don't know how many of you feel a connection to the names you index but I just have to in order to actually want to index. Without a connection to the people you would feel like you are just wasting your time. When you get a connection, indexing becomes the adventure and a reward in itself. You don't really have to be related in order to feel a connection to them. It's the human story the captivates you. Are there twins in the families, how many died young or really really old. What kind of adventures did the family have moving from the east to the west and having children in different states along the way. There are just so many stories its the human element that compels you.
Projects do warm and grow on you and I guess thats how I am now with the Freedman Letters. It's a tragic and marvelous story all at the same time. I don't have slave ancestry in my family and I only know of one ancestor that had a slave. I guess I need to get into the letters and feel their story. It's kind of hard without the dates to identify anyone with. At least my first batch was that way. Yup it is going to take some time to grow on me, but I'm game enough to give it a try.
See ya tomorrow, for tomorrow is always another genealogy day.
My computer has been acting very weird lately. Loud beeping alarms sound, sometimes it freezes up and I can't even get the task manager to come up so I can shut it down. I have to power off the surge protector to get it to shut off and then the clock reverts back to 1999. I don't know how to repair computers but I know enough that something big is planning on blowing up on me!
It is such a struggle to get things done with it at times. One night I had to hard boot the computer seven times. Then on other days it works fine - kinda slow but it works. I think this 8 year old computer's end is coming near. I have used it every day. It has been a loyal faithful friend and I will continue to push it until it is no more. The computer store I bought it from went out of business a couple of years ago, so I called the company that is honoring their warranty - labor only and they told me they couldn't get parts for it anymore. They will give me $200 as a trade in value for it to apply towards a new one for the starting price of $1,450, with a lifetime warranty. Lifetime warranties don't impress me anymore because the last company said that and went out of business. I guess I need to start shopping and comparing prices.
At least I have one comfort if my computer dies, excuse me, when it dies - I have great backups. I have backups on DVDs, CDs, and an external hard drive, plus Mozy. The computer guy was trying to prepare me over the phone that I needed to do that and he was amazed this old lady knew about backups. Been there, done that! The major pain in the butt will be installing all my old programs. I wonder how FamilySearch Indexing runs on Vista? I ignored some comments about it on the message boards a few days ago. I guess I better find out.
No matter what happens FamilySearch Indexing will still happen and so will my articles. I have an old laptop that is working much better than my PC right now. In fact I am going to have to take a long look at if I should buy a laptop or a PC this time around. Isn't life just grand - never a dull moment.
Well back to FamilySearch Indexing - I was surprised to see two messages from Headquarters this week. Here is the first one.
From: HeadquartersThis inspired me to do a batch of the Freedmen Letters. It wasn't hard to do, I indexed 41 names. I guess I didn't quite feel the spirit of the project yet. There were no vital records or facts in my letters to help me feel a connection to the individuals. I guess I need to work on it some more.
Subject: Freedmen Letters project
Date: 24 Apr 2008
We need your help! We have partnered with the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia and its volunteers to index the Freedmen Letters. Our goal is to finish in early June. This means we need help from as many indexers as possible, especially those with an inherent interest in African American history and genealogy.
The project is available from the Download From... menu. It is different from most of the other indexing projects. Please read the project-specific instructions before indexing your first batch. If you still have questions, please call Indexing Support at 1-866-406-1830 or send an e-mail to indexing@support.familysearch.org.
The Freedman Letters from Virginia are the first collection we have worked with from the Freedman's Bureau records, held in the National Archives. Data created by this and subsequent Freedmen's Bureau projects will enable historians and descendants of emancipated slaves, freed Blacks, and Black Union soldiers to access historical information, much of which was never before available.
The Freedmen's Bureau records provide the earliest major compilation of information on many freedmen, documenting for the period 1865-1872 their names, legalized marriages, educational pursuits, work contracts, and receipt of rations, health care, legal, and other support.
Here is the second message for us.
From: HeadquartersI decided I needed to do more indexing so I went ahead and indexed a batch of the Irish Death Indexes - 1945-1958. I indexed 216 names and got credit for 250 records indexed. Right now I have a total of 6,777 records indexed to date. I am really into my Irish records. I just love the names and feel so connected to them. I feel like they are my people but as of yet I have found no Irish ancestors - YET - I hope I do someday.
Subject: Indexing Support E-mail Address Change
Date: 24 Apr 2008
TO: EVERYONE
The Indexing Support e-mail address will be changing to indexing@familysearch.org in the next few days. The old address (indexing@support.familysearch.org) should work for the time being. If you are having difficulties sending e-mails to the old address, please start sending your e-mails to the new address immediately. The Indexing Support phone number will continue to be 1-866-406-1830.
Stake extraction directors and group administrators: Please update any presentation, training materials, or handouts that you use. We greatly appreciate your help in circulating this new information.
On the Washington Co, NY mailing list this week they were talking about how some Irish people settled in that area. I do have some cousins marrying people from Ireland but I hadn't given it much thought on how many where in the area. My dead end lines in Washington County are Bentley, Scranton, Green, Hewitt, Robinson (Robertson) and Lamphear. I have indexed some Greens, Hewitts and Robinsons in the Irish records and can just dream that they might be my distant relatives.
I don't know how many of you feel a connection to the names you index but I just have to in order to actually want to index. Without a connection to the people you would feel like you are just wasting your time. When you get a connection, indexing becomes the adventure and a reward in itself. You don't really have to be related in order to feel a connection to them. It's the human story the captivates you. Are there twins in the families, how many died young or really really old. What kind of adventures did the family have moving from the east to the west and having children in different states along the way. There are just so many stories its the human element that compels you.
Projects do warm and grow on you and I guess thats how I am now with the Freedman Letters. It's a tragic and marvelous story all at the same time. I don't have slave ancestry in my family and I only know of one ancestor that had a slave. I guess I need to get into the letters and feel their story. It's kind of hard without the dates to identify anyone with. At least my first batch was that way. Yup it is going to take some time to grow on me, but I'm game enough to give it a try.
See ya tomorrow, for tomorrow is always another genealogy day.
Church Announces Plans for Two New Temples in Arizona
LDS Church News
Published: Friday, Apr. 25, 2008
Plans to build two new temples in Arizona, one in the Gila Valley and the other in Gilbert, were announced by President Thomas S. Monson. This will bring the total number of temples to 134 already in operation or in the planning and construction phases.
"It is my personal priority to make sure members of the Church have access to the blessings of the temple," said President Monson. "It is here where members learn of their divine origin and destiny; where they are strengthened spiritually as individuals and as families. Temples are sanctuaries from the storms of life."
There are currently two temples in Arizona: one in Mesa and another in Snowflake. The temples in the Gila Valley and Gilbert will bring the total number to four.
The two new temples are the first to be announced by President Monson since he became president of the Church on Feb. 3.
The history of the Church in Arizona dates back to the earliest days of the western migration of the Church. The Mormon Battalion marched through the area now known as Arizona in 1846 on its way to California.
Various efforts to colonize the area followed with the first large-scale effort coming in March of 1873. By Jan. 27, 1878, the Little Colorado Stake, the first stake in Arizona, was created.
Eventually, more than 30 colonies were started, with others in northern Mexico. These hardy pioneers overcame severe hardships in the early years, including drought, crop failures, difficulties with neighbors and floods.
Over the years, members gained prominence and were involved in the progress of the state. They earned a good reputation for their industry and integrity.
On Oct. 23, 1927, the first Arizona temple was dedicated in Mesa. Prior to that time, members traveled to the St. George Temple in Utah. So many bridal parties traversed the trail during the early years that the wagon road to St. George became known as the Honeymoon Trail.
President Spencer W. Kimball, 12th president of the Church who served from 1973-1985, was reared in the Gila Valley community of Thatcher.
Today, membership continues to flourish with approximately 370,000 members divided among 84 stakes and four missions.
(This story is provided by the LDS Church News, an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is produced weekly by the Deseret News. The contents of each week's edition of LDS Church News is available to subscribers online at ldschurchnews.com. To subscribe to LDS Church News, please click here.)
Published: Friday, Apr. 25, 2008
Plans to build two new temples in Arizona, one in the Gila Valley and the other in Gilbert, were announced by President Thomas S. Monson. This will bring the total number of temples to 134 already in operation or in the planning and construction phases.
"It is my personal priority to make sure members of the Church have access to the blessings of the temple," said President Monson. "It is here where members learn of their divine origin and destiny; where they are strengthened spiritually as individuals and as families. Temples are sanctuaries from the storms of life."
There are currently two temples in Arizona: one in Mesa and another in Snowflake. The temples in the Gila Valley and Gilbert will bring the total number to four.
The two new temples are the first to be announced by President Monson since he became president of the Church on Feb. 3.
The history of the Church in Arizona dates back to the earliest days of the western migration of the Church. The Mormon Battalion marched through the area now known as Arizona in 1846 on its way to California.
Various efforts to colonize the area followed with the first large-scale effort coming in March of 1873. By Jan. 27, 1878, the Little Colorado Stake, the first stake in Arizona, was created.
Eventually, more than 30 colonies were started, with others in northern Mexico. These hardy pioneers overcame severe hardships in the early years, including drought, crop failures, difficulties with neighbors and floods.
Over the years, members gained prominence and were involved in the progress of the state. They earned a good reputation for their industry and integrity.
On Oct. 23, 1927, the first Arizona temple was dedicated in Mesa. Prior to that time, members traveled to the St. George Temple in Utah. So many bridal parties traversed the trail during the early years that the wagon road to St. George became known as the Honeymoon Trail.
President Spencer W. Kimball, 12th president of the Church who served from 1973-1985, was reared in the Gila Valley community of Thatcher.
Today, membership continues to flourish with approximately 370,000 members divided among 84 stakes and four missions.
(This story is provided by the LDS Church News, an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is produced weekly by the Deseret News. The contents of each week's edition of LDS Church News is available to subscribers online at ldschurchnews.com. To subscribe to LDS Church News, please click here.)
Friday, April 25, 2008
New Resources Available for Family History Leaders
Press Release 25, 2008 — News from the Church
New training resources for priesthood leaders who oversee temple and family history work are now available on LDS.org.
These resources include interactive lessons designed to help leaders provide direction and leadership to family history efforts. Additionally, the Administrative Guide for Family History, which supplements the Church Handbook of Instructions, is now available in 19 languages.
These resources can be found at LDS.org by following links from Serving in the Church, to Family History, and then to Priesthood Leadership of Family History.
New training resources for priesthood leaders who oversee temple and family history work are now available on LDS.org.
These resources include interactive lessons designed to help leaders provide direction and leadership to family history efforts. Additionally, the Administrative Guide for Family History, which supplements the Church Handbook of Instructions, is now available in 19 languages.
These resources can be found at LDS.org by following links from Serving in the Church, to Family History, and then to Priesthood Leadership of Family History.
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