Follow up to Rootstech 2012

Rootstech 2012 is over!  Did you get to go?  We didn’t!  I am told that there were over 4000 people in attendance – an increase from the 3000 last year.  Would any of you who attended please share what you learned in the comments field.

Even those who didn’t attend were able to participate.  There were an unprecendented 14 sesssions broadcast live.  For many of the live sessions the handouts were available online.

If you missed the main events you can:

1. Go to Rootstech.org.  Individual videos are going to be added.  There is already a link download of the entire syllabus (go to Downloads) which is 82 MB!  Or you can select the syllabus for individual sessions.
2. Go to Dick Eastman’s Online Newsletter. http://blog.eogn.com/  He had summaries of each day of Rootstech. By the way do you realize that Dick will be speaking at the joint AGS/AFHS Conference in Red Deer on April 13 and 14? (Go to http://rdgensoc.ab.ca/registration.html  for more information)
3. The Ancestry Insider also reported on Rootstech http://ancestryinsider.blogspot.com/

There is another way to catch up on Rootstech!  There is a free app for iphones/ipods/ipads and a version for Android devices! The app has a very original name – Rootstech.  Although the app was designed to use during Rootstech it gives you more access to news, and summaries of the keynote addresses – I haven’t explored all the links yet!

Rootstech was used as the opportunity to release the beta version of an app to do indexing!  This is available for both ipod/ipad/iphone (IOS) and Android mobile devices!  It is a beta so I don’t know if I would rush out and share with everyone right now, but I was very impressed with the features and stability of the app.

Some of you might wonder just how good it is to do indexing on a mobile device.  I installed it and tried it on my ipad.  I was very impressed.  After you sign in check the settings – just so you know what they are . . . All I got on the screen was the image of someone’s first name and last name.  I typed this in and clicked submit.  I missed seeing the name in context of the rest of the page and being able to see other words on the page to help with handwriting recognition.  Then I looked at the top of the screen and saw 2 icons – one of which looked like a page.  I clicked on it and got the whole page with the ease of zooming in and out any time I wanted to.  Then I just toggled between name and seeing whole document.  Maybe this was in the instructions?  Maybe I am just a slow learner?  i never did get to the end of a batch.  The names kept coming and coming and coming.  I had to stop so I could write this article so I just Signed out!   When I felt guilty and signed back in the names just seemed to continue from where I left off.  I have a lot more to learn about mobile indexing!  The App has a lot more features than you first realize – and seemed excellent.

The following information on the app was provided in the app by FamilySearch:

“This mobile app is expected to complement the FamilySearch indexing program, which has been operating since 2006. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers from around the world have contributed their time to index genealogical records using the FamilySearch indexing desktop software. Today there are more than 2.5 billion freely searchable names in the familysearch.org database, thanks largely to their efforts. Your mobile contribution to this effort, however large or small, is greatly appreciated. To ensure quality and accuracy, the system compares your work with answers from other volunteers until a “consensus” is reached.

While you use the same account information as you would when using the desktop indexing program, it is not necessary to have the desktop program in order to use this app. This beta app is in its early stages of development and is not yet fully integrated into the indexing system. So, if you also index using standard FamilySearch indexing, your contributions and points from using this app will not be displayed in your history in the desktop program. We plan to include this integration in future versions.

In this version of the app, you may see image snippets from collections that have already been indexed or from new collections. Reusing previously indexed snippets will help us determine the quality of results from this app and make future improvements to the system.

If you have questions or suggestions, or if you experience problems with the app, please e-mail us at indexing@familysearch.org.”

Try it – share your experiences!

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Software for Mac and iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch

Happy New  Year

We don’t usually share software sales, but . . .  we often get asked about Mac software that works with nFS! – and we couldn’t wait until Jan 8 to share this information for Mac users -and also some news for ipad/iphone/ipod touch users!  Maybe it will help someone you know?

MacFamilyTree and MobileFamilyTree Pro are both half price right now – http://www.syniumsoftware.com/macfamilytree/ – it says the special ends Dec 29 but they have extended it to Jan 9

MacFamilyTree is FamilySearch certified, has some nFS interaction but also works with nFS through Family Insight – MacFamilyTree requires a Mac OS X with 10.5 Leopard, 10.6 Snow Leopard or 10.7 Lion. Additionally, 1 GB of RAM and a 1 Ghz or higher CPU is required.

MobileFamilyTree Pro is the only full FH program for the ipad/iphone/ipod touch we know that syncs data over wifi between devices either mobile device or mac! – great for charts – see their virtual tree, and fan! If you don’t have a Mac the app will accept a Gedcom file.

There is also FamilyTreeMaker for Mac that also works with Family Insight but haven’t seen any special prices for that!

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Help with Feature Changes at FamilySearch as of 23 Nov 2011

Should I be saying “Thank you” to those of you who joined with me in asking for a document listing Feature Changes in FamilySearch.org?  or maybe they intended to do this all along and just caught up with their work load?

Under the link to the Blog at FamilySearch.org you will find 2 helpful new documents that help with the November update to FamilySearch.org:

1.  Feature changes at FamilySearch.org – 23 November 2011

“The November release of the FamilySearch website includes some powerful new search capabilities that our users have been requesting. It does this while at the same time making the search experience simpler and more intuitive. Let us show you what we mean” – then click on the link to the Full Story.

2.   Using the New FamilySearch Historical Records Search Form

“Below is a summary of what the new historical records search form offers and how to use it. Most users will find this new form simpler to use, more intuitive to interact with and more powerful than the older forms.”  – then click on the link to the Full Story.

These documents are very helpful!

Thank you to CFHC for tipping me off about these articles!  I really like the weekly challenges they send out to their members of Staff!

2 other short items regarding software:

1. There is a version of Family Insight for the Mac that works with MacFamilyTree – this is good news for Mac users as it gives them more choice of products that work with nFS.  Another option is FamilyTreeMaker – otherwise you need to install Windows and use a Windows program.  MacFamilyTree offers a 25% discount to anyone who owns other FH software.  MacFamilyTree is already certified by FamilySearch and has some features within the program that work with nFS – just not as many features as Family Insight.  There is a version of MacFamilyTree called MobileFamilyTree Pro ($14.99) that works on the ipad and iphone and which will sync with the MacFamilyTree file so you can add or update information either on your ipad or your Mac and simply Sync.
2. Rootsmagic have released a new version of their software.  This is version 5 and there is a fee to upgrade from the current version 4.  See Rootsmagic.com for details.

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Family History Software for the Mac computer

Perhaps you own a Mac?  Probably you know someone who owns one?  Perhaps you have been asked what Family History (FH) software is available for the Mac?

There is good family history software for the Mac.  Unfortunately for the LDS family historian there are fewer choices than for the Windows computer user.

As we have written before (see article 5 June 2011 at http://peterfh.wordpress.com/) we encourage everyone to keep their own family history records on their own computer.  These are then my records.  What is on the Internet at sites such as new.familysearch.org are “our” records – where we collaborate with others and share with the world.

It is unnecessary for any Windows computer user to double enter data on their own computer and on new.familysearch.org (nFS).  There are several excellent software choices available that allow data to be moved to and from new familysearch without re-entering the information as well as allowing other interaction with nFS. Even PAF – old as it is – can do this with the help of either Family Insight or Ancestral Quest.  Several good alternatives to PAF can synchronize data with new familysearch such as Rootsmagic, Legacy Family Tree, Family Tree Maker with Family Insight, and Ancestral Quest to name but four.  Family Insight works as an intermediary between just about all the most popular programs and nFS!

What is available for the Mac and what works with the FamilySearch website?

To answer this question go to Familysearch.org, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click on Products (you can get to the same information from the sign in page for nFS  – look for the heading More Great Products).  Here you can see the lists of products certified by FamilySearch – we often call them affiliates.  Many of them are utilities to help with printing or contacting people and some are personal family history record keeping products.  For each of these products there is a list of access features.  There is a long list of web products (18 as of 24 Sep 2011), a long list of Windows products (14) and a very short list for the Mac (5), and an even shorter list for mobile devices (1).  There are only 5 items on the Mac list!  Family Insight is there with a good list of features certified for working with nFS, and Mac FamilyTree with a short list of features for working with nFS.

What is the Mac user to do?

The situation is not quite as bad as it looks.

1. The FamilySearch list does not include Family Tree Maker (FTM) for the Mac which does work with the current Mac version of Family Insight.  But what if you don’t like FTM, or its price? – although remember that the price of FTM often includes several months access to an Ancestry web site.
2. Family Insight are beta testing a version of their product that will work with Mac FamilyTree and deliver a good list of features that work with nFS.  This is important news for many Mac users.
3. Rootsmagic have said that they intend to have a Mac version of their product available – perhaps by the summer of 2012.

Is that all?

One of the most popular Family History products on the Mac is Reunion.  You could export your data as a gedcom and then use Family Insight – but this is cumbersome and  I think unnecessarily complicated.

Are you willing to run a Windows FH program on your Mac?

There are 3 ways to do this and you can very successfully use any Windows FH program on your Mac.

1. Turn your Mac into a Macindow (????) or a Winmac (just joking!) by buying either Parallels and Fusion and then installing a full copy of a Windows operating system – if you don’t own a full copy of Windows you will have to buy one.  I have done this and with a click can move between the Mac and Windows operating systems.  I have PAF, Ancestral Quest, Family Insight for Windows, Rootsmagic, and Legacy Family Tree all working in Windows on my Mac. Files are shared between the 2 operating systems. Besides cost what is the downside of doing this?  You need to learn 2 operating systems, and you need to update 2 operating systems.
2. Every Mac comes with a free copy of a product called Boot Camp.  This will allow you to install a version of Windows – which you would have to own.  Then you can install any Windows FH program.  The downside is that you have to re-boot your computer to move between Windows and Mac operating system, as well as having to know and update 2 operating systems.
3. Install a Windows emulator program on your Mac and then install the Windows FH program of your choice. You do not have to install a copy of Windows and therefore don’t have to own a copy of Windows.  There are several Windows emulator programs available, such as Wine and Crossover Mac.  Some are free and some cost as much as $40.

One of the nicest articles on the ways to run Windows programs on a Mac can be found at Rootsmagic.com under the link to Support then Knowledge Base.  Search for “Mac” and then select Will Rootsmagic Run on a Mac? – go to the bottom of the article where there is a link to more information which gives you access to a table of choices and other information.

Well, that’s how I see things.  I hope this helps.

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BYU FH Conf 2011 – a few gleanings

The conference was wonderful – there were over 600 people in attendance – I thought about each of you and wondered how I could share what I learned . . . .  then I realized that you are all on holiday and probably don’t want to know right now – so I had better keep this short!

There were thunderstorms the first 3 evenings I was in Provo including one quite violent storm – so I felt right at home!

1. Familysearch is trying to bring all data sets and tools into one place – this first version feels a little stitched together – 2nd version being mapped out now will allow parts to talk to each other.  Some products built on old technology e.g. fs.org almost 15 years old, record search could not be scaled up .  There are 2.25 billion records on the new site so far – and growing.
2. Images owned by various organizations – will shortly indicate if there is an image freely available or where it is available if not for free.  Current image viewer built on Flash – will be replaced in a few months with one built in HTML
3. FamilySearch.org has added Pedigree Resource File (PRF) to the Trees tab – and not the 100 million records that are on the old FamilySearch.org but after eliminating the living there are about 200 million records in the collection on the new site.  At the moment searches for the PRF are mixed in with searches for Ancestral File (AF) – but expect that to change in the future – it would be good to send Feedback suggesting the kinds of filters you would like.  I attended a session with one of the engineers working on the search engine.  They are working hard to continue to improve the product and appreciate our Feedback.
4. Search tips for Familysearch historical records – down arrow on right in list of search results to see a preview within the results list.  See articles on searching posted on this blog on 12 and 19 June 2011.
5. Historical records collections are being added to almost weekly – keep encouraging the indexing!  Now 681 collections.  Tip:  if you browse collections did you know you can sort any of the 3 columns by clicking in the column heading!  So you can sort by Records or by Last updated or by Title.
6. Catalog at familysearch.org continues to be improved – data is all there now but the design in not finalized – send Feedback – when get a results page it tells you how many items in each result and clicking on one of the results creates a drop down preview within the results list so you can easily go back.
7. maps.familysearch.org – continues to be a great product for those of us researching England (cry your heart out if you are researching other countries!).  I noticed during the conference that they now have a view that uses the UK Ordnance Survey maps – look for OS map button on upper right.
8. Rootsmagic news – I asked Bruce Buzbee if they were going to create a Macintosh version of Rootsmagic.  He said that they are awaiting the release of a mac compiler from their software tool company and then would be working on a mac version.  Reasonable estimate of public release is one year from now!  Meanwhile Rootsmagic have a great article on how to run Rootsmagic on mac (go to Rootmagic.com and the support and search for mac).  They offer several ways to do this.
9. Please consider and encourage the use of the FamilySearch Research classes in your FHC.  You can find the ever growing list at Learn and then the link to Research Classes in the lower centre.  I can see this being done very effectively by inviting a group of people to a lesson in the FHC – watching the lesson together and then discussing parts of it.  Is pop corn allowed in a FHC for the first part?  Perhaps the list of possible lessons could be circulated and people could select the ones they are interested in and then you could schedule them for the group.

Great keynote presentations!  They flew in Joshua Taylor from the New England Historic  Genealogical Society.  You don’t want to know how young he is!  He helped with some of the Who Do You Think You Are tv shows – and shared some experiences.  He showed some pictures behind the scenes during the making of the Ashley Judd episode.

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Synch your PAF data across multiple computers

by Bill Buchanan

I used to have a problem keeping my PAF data synchronized across multiple computers. Now I can do work on any of my computers and the changes are automatically made to all of them.

Dropbox.com offers 2 GB of free online storage, as does various other sites. The difference is that you can install Dropbox on multiple computers and Dropbox automatically synchronizes your data on each computer when that computer connects to the internet.

I have PAF installed on each of my computers, with my PAF data file (and linked photos) uploaded to Dropbox, which also stores a copy in my local DropBox folder. The rest is automatic. When I start PAF on any of my computers, it opens the file stored on the local computer and this folder is automatically synched across all of my dropbox folders.

So I can edit a PAF file on my laptop while doing research at a remote location and any changes will automatically be made to my desktop computer, my wife’s computer, and to all of the other Dropbox folders keyed to my email address and password (whether on a Windows PC, Mac, Linux, Android phone, or iPhone).

So I just use PAF as usual. There is nothing new to learn or do, but before shutting down the computer I check my Dropbox icon in the system tray to make sure that my PAF data file has a checkmark on it (showing it has been synched to my Dropbox “cloud” account). People with a faster internet connection probably don’t need to bother with that step.

I should never lose my data again or end up with multiple different versions of the same file. Dropbox also has other useful features.

Disclosure: I have no connection to Dropbox.com, except as a happy user of their free account.

(note from Peter:  Thank you, Bill.  I too am a happy user of Dropbox – works with Mac, Windows and Ipad – synchs all kinds of files – really good for personal history too! – and the program is free!  - for up to 2 GB of storage!)

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Why do we need to use a genealogy program on our computer instead of just using the new.familysearch.org website?

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:

1. I want to have full detailed records of living family and relatives – this is not the role of nFS – you need your own database
2. I need a place to keep my notes and sources – at least until nFS updates their tools for sources
3. I need a place to keep my records in case someone changes my information on the web site
4. 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?

1. 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)
2. 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

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FamilySearch.org updated 27 April

We are used to updates to nFS but now we also need to watch for updates to FamilySearch.org

On the main page for FamilySearch.org there is a link on the right entitled What’s New  - click on it and there is a a posting dated 27 April which is titled “New Features Added 27 April 2011″

What has changed?  Here is a brief summary – not excusing you from reading the real article!

1.  Filters for searches – more like the ones in the old Record Search pilot – so you can now filter:

• Birth (and birth-like event) date and place
• Marriage (and marriage-like event) date and place
• Residence date and place
• Death (and death-like event) date and place
• Other event date and place (such as immigration, military service, etc.)
• Gender
• Category (record type)

There is also a link to a more detailed article on using the filters.  This is not the final version of the filters – so send suggestions through the Feedback link on the right.

2.  Some titles of links on the main page have been simplified – so Historical Records is now Records and Family Trees is now Trees and Library Catalog is now Catalog

3.  Next to the link to the Catalog is a new link to Books – which means the BYU scanned books collection – currently over 17000 historical books – give it a try!

4.   The Give Back link at the top of the page is now gone and replaced by a link to Indexing

5.  In the Footer on the right under Resources is a link called Products that takes you to a page where you can download PAF as well as access links to 3rd party affiliate products certified by Family Search.

Please use Feedback – either to applaud new features or to make suggestions for improvements

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Bits and Pieces

1.  Online film ordering and PayPal.  Am I the last one to find out?  Do you ever struggle with trying to keep up to date? – and feel that you are the last one to find out?  Well, I sometimes get that feeling too!  Somewhere sometime in the past week I seem to remember – no small feat – talking to someone about online film ordering and giving them a brief overview of the process.  I told them you could use a credit card or a fixed amount disposal credit card – but I didn’t tell them that you could use PayPal!  Oops!  I see that PayPal is now an option for online film ordering . . . .   Don’t tell me how long ago the change was made – probably a long time ago!  Now those who didn’t want to use a credit card should be happy . . . but perhaps there will be people who don’t know what PayPal is nor how to use it! (go to paypal.com and look on the left mid screen for the link to “How PayPal Works”).  I have had a PayPal account for a long time and found it useful for online ordering.
2. familysearch.org/serve  I used to type in consultant.familysearch.org but now I type in familysearch.org/serve and get to the same site!  Fewer letters to type! This is the place to register if you are a FH Consultant or FH Centre Director or Priesthood leader with FH responsibilities.  You can also edit your registration – and update your email address! You need to sign in to use this site – use your LDS Account.  This web site is also the new location for training resources for FH Consultants and FH Centre Directors.  There are already several resources listed.  The first item on the list under Core Training is “online training.”  This takes you to Internet learning where you can see the modules available to you based on your calling – and which ones you have completed or have underway.
3. Wiki page for your FH Centre  Did you know that your FH Centre can have its own wiki page provided by FamilySearch? To see a sample go to familysearch.org then click on Learn and search for FHC.  A good example of what you can do is the Logan FHC. There is a link also to a template and instructions on how to create your page.  Let us know if you create one.
4. The Future of PAF  Periodically this topic seems to pop up!  If you are a PAF user and like using it – do not stress!  You can still use it . . . .  and products like Family Insight will help you work between your PAF file and nFS.  It used to be that everyone in the church used PAF – but now we have choices.  There are several products that work with nFS.  There are even several free alternatives.  You get to chose for yourself! We hope you like your choice – if you don’t then change to something else – moving data between programs is usually not too hard.  We hope you are an enthusiast for whatever product you use.  Please be careful however that you don’t try to force your choice on others!  Resist saying that one product is better than another.  There are lots of good products and what is good for one person’s style of working may not be good for another person.  Resist pressure from patrons to just tell them what to use.  If you can’t resist the pressure – they really are putting the thumbscrews on you! – then suggest they use PAF!

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Family History Projects for Youth

by Ralph and Linda Miller, Area FH Advisers for the northern part of New England

Young people have the opportunity to complete projects to gain experience with family history and following the spirit.  Young men and women can start on potentially life-changing or life-enriching experiences.  One of the difficulties is finding interesting, modest projects that won’t take their entire life but will yield significant results.  Here are a few thoughts that you could share with YM/YW leaders, families and youth.

• Learn about one of your ancestors.  What were they like?  What challenges did they face?  What blessings do you have because of them?  Record a faith-promoting or inspirational experience of one of your relatives (parent, grandparents, uncle, etc.).  Write how that experience strengthens you.

• Begin a book of remembrance.  Get a binder with divider tabs for pedigree charts, family group sheets, biographies, pictures.  Also include your patriarchal blessing and your testimony (date it).  Begin your personal history (life story).

• Index for 30 minutes each day for 4 weeks.  Record the number of names indexed and describe what you learned during this experience.

• Prepare a talk about an inspirational experience of one of your ancestors (could be parent or further back).  Write it neatly and put it in your scriptures for reference as an “instant talk.”

• Interview one of your parents or grandparents about how they received their testimony.  Write it down and put it in your Book of Remembrance or scriptures.

• Download Personal Ancestral File (PAF) from the www.familysearch.org website.  Create a picture pedigree, starting with yourself.  Seek help from your extended family in getting pictures (headshots) of your family going back as many generations as you can.  Experiment with several printing formats (PAF helps you do this) – try four generations, five generations, and see what difference it makes when you check the “allow last generation to split.”  Print out the picture pedigree you like best and put it in your scriptures and/or your book of remembrance.

• Identify a deceased relative who needs temple ordinances and use New FamilySearch to prepare that person’s name to take to the temple.  (Your ward family history consultant can help you do this.)  Then go to the temple to be baptized for that person.  Have someone take your picture near the temple door holding the temple card.  Write your feelings about the experience in your journal

 

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