New Collections from FamilySearch

This is from FamilySearch.org. Look at the China collection of genealogies! So cool!

FamilySearch Adds to Austria, Brazil, China, Italy, New Zealand, and the United States Collections

FamilySearch has added more than 1.7 million index records and images this week from Austria, Brazil, China, Germany, Hungary, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, Ukraine, and the United States. Notable collection updates include the 369,729 index records and images from the U.S., North Carolina, Estate Files, 1663–1979, collection, and the 596,078 images from the Italy, Ravenna, Ravenna, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929, collection. See the table below for the full list of updates. Search these diverse collections and more than 3.5 billion other records for free at FamilySearch.org.
Searchable historic records are made available on FamilySearch.org through the help of thousands of volunteers from around the world. These volunteers transcribe (index) information from digital copies of handwritten records to make them easily searchable online. More volunteers are needed (particularly those who can read foreign languages) to keep pace with the large number of digital images being published online at FamilySearch.org. Learn more about volunteering to help provide free access to the world’s historic genealogical records online at FamilySearch.org.
FamilySearch is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources for free at FamilySearch.org or through more than 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Collection	Indexed Records	Digital Images	Comments
Austria, Tirol, Innsbruck, Sankt Jakob Parish Register Index, 1578–1970	0	5,877	New browsable image collection.
Austria, Upper Austria, Wels, Census Records, 1613–1900	0	5,204	New browsable image collection.
Brazil, Civil Registration, 1870–2012	53,981	0	Added index records to an existing collection.
Brazil, Parish and Diocesan Records	61,416	0	Added index records to an existing collection.
China, Collection of Genealogies, 1239-2011	0	123,184	Added images to an existing collection.
Germany, Brandenburg, Wittenberge, City Directories and Citizen Lists, 1851-1921	0	3,326	New browsable image collection.
Hungary, Civil Registration, 1895-1980	0	38,663	Added images to an existing collection.
Italy, Bologna, Bologna, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866–1941	0	102,509	Added images to an existing collection.
Italy, Napoli, Casoria, Civil Registration (Comune), 1809–1929	0	40,753	New browsable image collection.
Italy, Napoli, Portici, Civil Registration (Comune), 1809–1929	0	48,547	Added images to an existing collection.
Italy, Pistoia, Pistoia, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866–1937	0	5,228	Added images to an existing collection.
Italy, Ravenna, Ravenna, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866–1929	0	596,078	Added images to an existing collection.
New Zealand, Probate Records, 1848–1991	0	12,620	Added images to an existing collection.
Poland, Radom Roman Catholic Church Books, 1587–1966	7,873	16	Added index records and images to an existing collection.
Ukraine, Kyiv Orthodox Consistory Church Book Duplicates, 1840–1845	0	145,535	Added images to an existing collection.
U.S., Indiana, Marriages, 1811–1959	88,253	0	Added index records to an existing collection.
U.S., North Carolina, Estate Files, 1663–1979	13,302	356,427	Added index records and images to an existing collection.
U.S., Ohio, Trumbull County Court Records, 1795–2010	0	68,873	Added images to an existing collection.

A Blogging We Will Go!

Family Tree Magazine has just released it's 2013 list of the Top 40 Genealogy Blogs. If you like blogs and genealogy together, go check it out!

FamilySearch Adds New Collections!

FamilySearch Adds to Collections from Australia, England, Italy, Philippines, Spain, and the United States

FamilySearch has added more than half a million images this week from Australia, England, Italy, Philippines, Spain, and the United States. Notable collection updates include the 92,436 images from the new U.S., Ohio, Southern District Naturalization Index, 1852-1991, collection, and the 73,580 images from the new Australia, Tasmania, Civil Registration, 1803-1933, collection. See the table below for the full list of updates. Search these diverse collections and more than 3.5 billion other records for free at FamilySearch.org.
Searchable historic records are made available on FamilySearch.org through the help of thousands of volunteers from around the world. These volunteers transcribe (index) information from digital copies of handwritten records to make them easily searchable online. More volunteers are needed (particularly those who can read foreign languages) to keep pace with the large number of digital images being published online at FamilySearch.org. Learn more about volunteering to help provide free access to the world’s historic genealogical records online at FamilySearch.org.
FamilySearch is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources for free at FamilySearch.org or through more than 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Collection	Indexed Records	Digital Images	Comments
Australia, Tasmania, Civil Registration, 1803-1933	0	73,580	New browsable image collection.
England, Northumberland, Miscellaneous Records, 1570-2005	0	11,631	Added images to an existing collection.
Italy, Bari, Trani, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1910	0	6,549	Added images to an existing collection.
Italy, Caserta, Santa Maria Capua Vetere, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929	0	2,961	Added images to an existing collection.
Philippines, La Union, Diocese of San Fernando de La Union, 1801-1981	0	25,464	New browsable image collection.
Spain, Cádiz, Testaments, 1550-1920	0	48,616	Added images to an existing collection.
Spain, Province of Cádiz, Municipal Records, 1784-1931	0	49,363	New browsable image collection.
Spain, Records of Widows and Orphans of Spanish Officials, 1835-1960	0	44,021	Added images to an existing collection.
U.S., Missouri, Cole County Circuit Court Case Files, 1820-1926	0	28,638	Added images to an existing collection.
U.S., Ohio, Southern District Naturalization Index, 1852-1991	0	92,436	New browsable image collection.
U.S., South Dakota, County Naturalization Records, 1865-1972	0	124,277	New browsable image collection.

Frustration Relieved, For Now!

In the last week there has been much talk, and criticism, about the new design of FamilySearch.org. I have to admit that I don't see the logic in some of the redesign, but most of it I can live with. However, one part of the FamilySearch.org site that I really missed was the ease of finding the Research Wiki. I use that Wiki for everything, particularly when I don't know where to start with patrons that come into either the BYU Family History Library or this local Grove Creek FHC. This morning I was pleasantly surprised when I noticed a new tab on the home page of FamilySearch.org. It is a search tab that leads to the search homepage, but there is now a Wiki tab. On the home page of the Wiki, the old background is still there, but I don't care! Oh, happy dance!

FamilySearch.org homepage (Search Tab is highlighted in green)

Search page showing Wiki tab

Home page of the Research Wiki

FamilySearch Infographic and Press Release

What is FamilySearch? For those of you who don't know, here is a great infographic that will help you figure it out! New enhancements were released for the site with more coming in the next months. For those that are interested in the official press release, read it here! Below is also a video that is now on YouTube. What a great time to be involved with family history work!

FamilySearch Has a New Look!

FamilySearch has a new look!

Go here to check out the enhancements! Explore, Play, Enjoy... and don't forget to work on your own family history! Ancestors are waiting to be discovered!

RootsTech 2013

"RootsTech 2013 has come and gone ... and the great take away? What will our grandchildren and great grandchildren wish we would've done. Can we anticipate what will tie them to their heritage? It is the stories; the stories in their family tree. Family history moves beyond the names and dates associated with genealogy. Your story, even though you may think it is mundane, is an important legacy for the future generations in your family tree. What are you doing to find, organize, preserve, and share the stories in your family that will become the heritage for your posterity?"

Liz Miller

Thanks Liz for letting me share your feelings about RootsTech, which perfectly sum up my feelings. In addition to Liz, my friend, Renee Zamora, made these observations. What a great time to be involved in family history!

The Grove Creek Family History Center is starting to hop more and more. With classes on both Tuesday and Thursday nights, there are plenty of ways to get involved. 

"What will our great-great-grandchildren wish we would have done?
They will wish that we had recorded the richness and fabric of our lives."

Dennis Brimhall, CEO of FamilySearch

IT'S THE STORIES!!!

RootsTech 2013

For those of you in family history callings, RootsTech would be a great place for you to be this coming Saturday. There will be a devotional in the morning with Elders Allen F. Packer, Elder Paul E. Koelliker, and Elder Bradley D. Foster. Classes to help you in your family history calling will be taught throughout the day. Click here to learn more. Best of all, these classes are free!

“Do you young people want a sure way to eliminate the influence of the adversary in your life? Immerse yourself in searching for your ancestors.”—Elder Richard G. Scott, “The Joy of Redeeming the Dead,” Ensign, Nov. 2012, 94

There are also classes available for the youth this year! Click here to see about those classes. Sister Elaine S. Dalton (Young Women General President) will present a special devotional and David L. Beck (Young Men General President) will lead a training session for youth leaders. It promises to be a great day!

Tuesday Night Classes at the Grove Creek Family History Center

Here is the list of Tuesday night classes scheduled to be presented at the  Grove Creek Family History Center in April, May, and June. We hope that there is something that will add to your family history endeavors! A reminder that classes are from 7-8 pm. followed by a hands-on lab from 8-9 pm. All are invited!

2012 Was a Very Big Year!

Photo in possession of Rayanne Brunski Melick

FamilySearch made huge strides in the family history community in 2012. To get a breakdown (love those stats!) of what FamilySearch accomplished, read this article! It is amazing what is going on and how fast records are coming online. Thank you FamilySearch!

What to Do With Those All those Pictures?

 Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication

You know that you have them! Zillions of them! What to do with them? Of course, I'm talking about family pictures. Well, since FamilySearch Family Tree is now open to the general public, why don't you spread your wealth. Upload your ancestor pictures to Family Tree so that the rest of the world can see those pictures that you have been hoarding! Besides, you may meet some relatives that you didn't even know you had! All well and good you say, but you don't know how to digitize pictures? For an excellent article on this very subject go to one of my favorite bloggers, James Tanner (Genealogy's Star), and read as he walks you through the process! Happy scanning!

Family Tree is Now Live for the General Public!

Family Tree is now live for all users! That means that anyone can use Family Tree, not just members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS, Mormons). Click on the Family Tree tab, just to the right of the FamilySearch logo in the tope menu bar.  If you want to learn more about it, click here! Cool stuff going on! Go to familysearch.org and discover your roots!

March 2013 Classes

Today the sun is shining and it feels slightly warm! Yahoo! The above is a self-portrait (well, not really!)

The Grove Creek Stake is offering Family History Classes on Tuesday nights from 7-9 pm. The first hour will be a class and the 8-9 pm hour will be the opportunity for a hands-on lab. The schedule for March is listed below. All levels of family history interest are invited and welcome!

March 5th     Family History-A Spiritual Endeavor
          12th    Let's Look at Family Tree
          19th    How & Where to Get Started
          26th    Beginning Research

Classes!

Clip art licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com

Our Tuesday and Thursday night classes are going well and growing! They are open to everyone, regardless of skill level. Please come join us! The schedules are posted below and they are also listed on the FamilySearch Wiki. The schedule for Tuesday nights in March will be posted next week. See you soon!

Thursday Nights

Jan 10th      Introduction and Inspiration
Jan 17th      Lesson 1—The Purpose of Temple and Family History Work
Jan 24th      Lesson 2—Getting Started
Jan 31st      Lesson 3—Gathering Information from Home
Feb 7th       Lesson 4—Recording Family History Information
Feb 14th     Lesson 5—Gathering Information from Family
Feb 21st     Lesson 6—Gathering Information from Public Records
Feb 28th     Lesson 7—Providing Temple Ordinances
March 7th    Bonus 1—Search Techniques and Best Practices
March 14th  Bonus 2-Cemeteries, Obituaries, and Newspapers
March 21st  Bonus 3-Immigration & Naturalization
March 28th  Bonus 4-Family Tree Sources & Corrections

These classes are at 7:00 pm, followed by a hands-on workshop at 8:00 pm.
Get individual help with research and all of your family history questions at the workshop. Everyone is welcome regardless of skill level.

Tuesday Nights

Feb 5th       A Spiritual Endeavor

Feb 12th     Family Tree Intro

Feb 19th     How & Where to Start

Feb 26th     Beginning Research

These classes are at 7:00 pm, followed by a hands-on workshop at 8:00 pm. Get individual help with research and all of your family history questions at the workshop. Everyone is welcome regardless of skill level.

How to Use Family Tree Wisely

If you look on this blog, you will see a new link under Family Search. It is the manual How to Use Family Tree Wisely by George W. Scott. I highly recommend the reading of this tutorial as it gives you the ins and outs, whys and wherefores of Family Tree. This manual is free to use by all who would like to download it. Although Family Tree isn't perfect, it is moving in the right direction! Check it out!

Tuesday Night Classes at the Grove Creek Family History Center

We are happy to announce that the Grove Creek Family History Center will be hosting classes on Tuesday nights. The schedule is outlined below. The classes are taught by family history consultants and others from the Grove Creek Stake area. All are invited to come join the classes. Regardless of skill level, there is a place for YOU! The schedule for February is below. Feel free to call 801-796-8805 with any questions you might have. See you there!

Grove Creek Family History Expo

Come learn some new tricks!

Thursday Night Classes

We are happy to announce that the Grove Creek Family History Center will be hosting classes on Thursday nights. The schedule is outlined below. The classes are taught by family history consultants from the Timpanogos 3rd Ward, but any and all are invited.

UVTAGG January 2013 Meeting

Our Next Meeting 12 Jan 2013from 9 AM to noon Presenter: Alan Morrell Main Presentation: The Church History Library’s Online Presence and Databases More Info

The UVTAGG Meeting is this coming Saturday, January 12th. Even if you don't live in Utah, if you will check out their website you will find a myriad of helps in your family history and genealogy endeavors!

Story@Home

This year at RootsTech there are a couple of new additions. One is the Getting Started Track and the other is Story@Home. Story@Home is a great addition, particularly as we (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints/Mormons) have been encouraged to connect with our relatives through stories. I know that my kids aren't really motivated by a pedigree chart, but a story will get them every time! If you are looking for a way to engage your family in your hobby/passion, go for the stories. Story@Home will give you some great ideas and resources. For a schedule of their classes, click here.

(Nope, not affiliated with Story@Home!)