There is always something new to learn at FamilySearch.org – either something you didn’t realize was there or something that has been recently added to help us with our Family History.
How do you keep up?
Try to regularly – at least once a month – go to familysearch.org then click on the blog and look to the right to the link under the heading Categories to What’s New at FamilySearch?
Since the beginning of May 2012 there are 5 items:
1. Site Scoop – May 9 – details some changes to FamilySearch -
“Search Form Refinements – Small tweaks in formatting and presentation.. . For example, the search fields now have a descriptive word or two to help you know exactly what information should go into a field.
The All Record Collections Page – FamilySearch adds new records collections almost daily. . . . Some have noticed that the system seems to be responding slowly when uploading a record collection. We have fixed that problem so that all record collections upload nearly 400% faster. Several other behind the scene changes were made that users will probably not notice but will make the search experience in FamilySearch a better experience for everyone.. . .
Looking Ahead – We’re currently engaged in focus group testing of a new main page interface that allows for easier search, location of records, and an improved new user experience. Look for that in second quarter.”
2. Ron Tanner Live from Salt Lake City – May 17 – product manager for FamilySearch (and stand up comedian!) – this is a link to his presentation at Rootstech in Feb 2012. Besides being entertained, you will learn why and how Family Tree is going to work.
3. New FamilySearch Feature – IGI – May 25 – this doesn’t mean new.familysearch.org but a new feature being added to FamilySearch.org! Reminds us that the IGI consisted of inputs from 2 sources – “Community Indexed IGI: This collection consists of sources that were indexed by the genealogical community from collections of vital and Church records” – generally very dependable and a good research tool, and “Community Contributed IGI: This collection consists of personal family information submitted by individuals to the LDS Church.” – varied in quality but still can be helpful. The article then goes on to tell you how to access the IGI at FamilySearch. At the time of writing this article the community contributed IGI was not yet available.
4. My Source Box – May 25 – ““FamilySearch now provides a new feature called My Source Box. This Source Box serves as a place to capture a record source and preserve it. Your source box contains the sources that you want to attach to your ancestors. It lets you reuse sources instead of retyping a source each time you need to use it.
If you have access to the Family Tree, you can find a record, add it to the source box, and then attach it to an ancestor on the Tree immediately or at a later date.
If you don’t have access to the tree, it can be a very useful way to bookmark or store records you find for later use. You won’t have to re-do searches to find and bring in sources you want to use to document an event.
To use the Source Box you must be signed into the FamilySearch system.
The Source Box option is located in the upper-right of the a record page.
5. Robert Kehrer presents a FamilySearch webinar – June 15 – “On Tuesday, June 19, 2012, at 2pm Mountain Time, we will present a 60 minute webinar with Robert Kehrer. The purpose of this webinar is to help instruct and educate users on the FamilySearch search experience. We will focus the discussion on the Library Catalog, the Historical Records Collection and especially on the IGI (International Genealogical Collection.” A recorded version of the presentation will be made available after this date.
6. New Books at the FH Library – 21 June – not really of interest unless you are close to the FH Library in Salt Lake or planning a visit . . . . .
