We periodically get asked this question.
We recommend that each of us have our own family history file on our own computer using any of the many excellent recordkeeping programs that interact with new.familysearch.org.
Why keep your own records? Some of the reasons include:
- I want to have full detailed records of living family and relatives – this is not the role of nFS – you need your own database
- I need a place to keep my notes and sources – at least until nFS updates their tools for sources
- I need a place to keep my records in case someone changes my information on the web site
- I need a place where I can keep images of documents and photographs linked to my ancestor information
There are more reasons than this! Knowledge document 105366 gives 8 reasons! This document discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using nFS instead of personal software on your computer. Note: most of the advantages given for using nFS can be voided by keeping good backups and giving family members a copy of your data.
Why do some people object to doing this?
- They don’t want to keep 2 files updated – the one on their computer and the web site – solution: use products that act as intermediaries with nFS so you can move any data elements to and from nFS with typing them. If you are a PAF user this would be Family Insight or Ancestral Quest. If you are not a PAF user then select a product that works with nFS such as (in no particular order) Rootsmagic, Legacy Family Tree, Ancestral Quest, Family Treemaker (Windows or Mac) with Family Insight – several of which are free (see Products link at bottom of page at FamilySearch.org)
- They don’t want to type all the information into a new file – solution – you don’t have to type all the information into a new file – you can either download data from nFS using the free program Get My Ancestors or use one of the products listed at the end of #1 above which will add names to your file for you. Of course if you download from nFS and don’t know the source of the information you will need to verify the validity of the information i.e. do some research – which you will have to do anyway if you are beginning.
Remember the purposes of nFS include: prepare names for the temple, build one pedigree chart for mankind, clean up records (as much as we can), and collaborating on Family History.
See knowledge document 100317 for the purposes for nFS
You did a great job here! Much less confusing than the KDs.
However, there are a couple of typo errors that completely change what I believe you were trying to say.
In your first Note: Did you mean to say “disadvantages” rather than advantages?
Under Why do some people object to doing this?
1. … (did you mean to say “without typing them” rather than
“typing them.”?
I would like to share this with others but need clarification on these first.
Thanks for sharing and please kindly advise.
Using a personal organizer with linkages to nFS and other features like note fields and media links is truly like organizing your information in a scrapbook to see if it all makes sense, is documented and is ready to be brought forward into a ‘temple ready’ state worthy of the Church’s data base. I think this is consistent with the concept / principle espoused in Moses 3:5.
One reason that I tell the members is, NFS is a communal database and subject to all the problems that come with that. That in 99.9% of the cases suffices and the members will keep there own file. Another reason is that in my own case I have a large number of females with only a given name and no other information, they are attached to their spouse and children and could according to NFS be done, however, they are from England and already likely done properly, if I uploaded a file like that, chances are someone who trolls NFS looking for names would submit and low and behold a duplication has occurred.
NFS is for clearing names for the Temple.