Promoting Ward

Family History

Promoting Ward Family History

•Essentials of a Successful Ward Family History Program

•How to Organize a Family History Committee

•Ward Family History Self Help Guide Documentation

Prerequisite: Hands-On

To be successful, a ward Family History Program must be hands on. It cannot be just a Sunday class. Ward members need side-by-side instruction in all phases of Family History work to not feel overwhelmed by this effort.

Ward Unity

If a ward member attends the Sunday class, has in-home personal computer help and attends the Family History Center with a committee member who guides them through the research process, family history will become one of the most exciting activities a ward can be involved in.

“Genealogical work has the power to do something for the dead. It has an equal power to do something to the living. Genealogical work of Church members has a refining, spiritualizing, tempering influence on those who are engaged in it.

Elder Boyd K. Packer, The Holy Temple

Ward Spirituality

The spirituality in a ward will increase as ward members attend to temple ordinances for their own family members.

“Revelation comes to individual members as they are led to discover their family records in ways that are miraculous indeed. And there is a feeling of inspiration attending this work that can be found in no other. When we have done all that we can do, we shall be given the rest.

Elder Boyd K. Packer, Elder Boyd K. Packer, EnsignEnsign, Nov 1975, , Nov 1975, 9999

A Successful Ward Family History Program

CommitteePriesthood

– Bishop– Group Leader

GoalsPublicitySunday Classes

YouthFHCSelf-Help GuideCard FileTempleFairLibrary

Family History Committee

EssentialLeadershipCoordinationMembership

Bishop Commitment Testimony Ward Callings

– Dedicated– 5 to 10 Committee

Sacrament Meeting Pulpit Participation

HP Group Leader Budget Resources Encouraging Ward Fair

High Priest Group Leader

StewardshipParticipationMeeting AttendanceFH InvolvementVerbal AttentionHP Encouragement

Set GoalsTemple Day

– Endowments– Sealings– Baptisms

Names Prepared

Publicity Announcements Sign-up Sheet Newsletters Hand-outs Role Playing Sacrament Meeting

Super Saturday– Classes– Displays– Hands-on Training– Hands-on Research– 5 Generation Pedigrees– Photo Scanning– File Folder Organization– Who’s Related to Whom

Sunday Instruction Modern

Technology– Laptops– Big Screens– Internet Access

Power Point Slides Fun Graphics

Involve the YouthWard BaptismsResearchName PreparationTemple AttendancePriesthood

Participation

Family History Center

AppointmentsSign-up SheetsFH Consultants

Family History Self Help Guide Documentation

Booklet or CD Format How To’s Checklists Step-by-step

Instructions– Basic Computer– Internet– Research Skills

Ward Temple Dates FHC Hours

Ward Goals Family Goal Forms Ward FH Committee

– Names– Telephone Numbers

PAF InstallationComputer

Specialists– Installation– In-home

Instruction

Ward Card File Create and Maintain Family Names

– Temple-Ready– Excess for Family

Pass-Arounds– Sundays– Complete in Week

Ward Temple DaysFamily NamesBaptismsEndowmentsSealingsSpirituality

Family History Ward Activity

Super Saturday– Classes– Displays– Hands-On– Photo Scan– File Systems

– File Folder Organization– Computer Skills– Scrap-Booking– Family Heritage Books

Relief Society FH Enrichment Night

Mini-Classes– File Folder

Organization– Computer Skills– Scrap-Booking– Family Heritage

Books

Family History Library Research Days

Salt Lake or BYU

ScheduleCommittee

Member Individual Help

How to Organize a Family History Committee

Head Family History Consultant Publicity Computer Specialists Youth Specialists Research Specialists Trainer

Lists and Files Specialist

Sunday Instructor Temple Specialists Phone Specialists High Priest Group

Leader

Head Family History Consultant

Oversees the Committee Schedules Committee

Meetings Directs Ward FH Activities Stake FH consultant Ward Council

Publicity Coordinator

Bulletin Announcements

FliersNewslettersPosters

Computer Specialists

PAF Installation

Basic PAF Instruction

Youth SpecialistsProxy BaptismsMerit BadgesPersonal ProgressFHC ActivitiesPrimary

Research SpecialistsFH CenterTrouble-ShootingConsultations

Committee Trainer Trains New Committee

Members– Basic Computer Skills– Basic FH Research– Ward Consultations

List/File Specialist Sign-Up Sheets

– FHC– Ward Temple Day

Card File– Temple Ready Names– Distribution & Return

Sunday Instructor Mini Classes

– 3-4 Weeks– PAF Program– FamilySearch– Internet Techniques

Temple Specialists Schedules Events

– Proxy Baptisms– Endowment Nights– Sealing Sessions

Temple Ready Assistance

Phone SpecialistAppointmentsReminders

High Priest Group Leader

Committee Member

Ward Council Liaison

“He’s searching for his roots.”

“I’m only interested in locating wealthy relatives.”

Yeah, they’re a bit big, but it’s a family trait I’m proud of. My grand-father was “Dumbo”!

Orem Park 2nd WardFamily History Step-By-Step

Documentation Introduction Getting Started Personal Ancestral File Download Family Files Getting Organized Research Skills Internet Family History Submitting Names For Temple Work

Getting Started Family History Fast Start Flow Chart Flow Chart Definitions Checklist

– Review the Family History Goals for the ward and meet with your family to set your personal family history goals.

Goals– Ward Goals– Research Goal– Temple Goals– Family Goals

Personal Ancestral File What Is PAF Checklist #2

– FH Consultant– PAF Self Guided Lessons– PAF 123– Enter personal data

PAF Self Guided Tours

PAF 123

Download Family Files Downloading Family Files Checklist #3

– Contact a relative who might have computer files on your family tree and ask them to send you a GEDCOM disk.

– Bring names to FHC

Getting Organized Binders Files Miscellaneous Supplies

– High-lighters– Stapler

Check List #4– Purchase Supplies– Prepare 10-20 Folders

Research Skills Check List #6

– FH Terminology– Record Types– Record Locations– FH Library Catalog– Documenting Research– Research Logs

Quiz– Primary Sources– Secondary Sources– Location of Death

Information

Internet Family History Check List #7

– FamilySearch.org– U.S. Census Online Records– FHC Census Search– Ancestry.com

Other Internet Sites– Search Engines– Google– CydisList– US GenWeb– RootsWeb

Submitting Names ForTemple Work

Check List #8– PAF Insight– GEDCOM Files– Temple Submission Disk– Ordinance Cards

Submitting Names– Guidelines– Rule of Three– Year Rule– Right of

Precedence

Conclusions Commitment

– Unity– Spirituality– Obedience– Time & Resources

Committees– Leadership & Direction– Coordination– Instruction & Support

Goals– Focus– Energize– Encourage

Documentation– Reinforcement– Member Support

• Assistance

• Direction

Family History Committee PromiseWe promise you that if you will take the steps to begin this work and continue to put forth an effort to find the names of those who need temple ordinances, that you will feel guidance and help from beyond the veil and your life and family will be blessed. You will find the quiet joy that accompanies this work and it will greatly enrich your life.

Orem Family History Fairhttp://www.oremfamilyhistoryfair.com/

ResourcesPark Stake 2nd Ward Family History TutorialPromoting Family History in Our Ward –

Jerry Kern

President Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Nov 1985, 53

“This work, unselfishly given in behalf of those on the other side, comes nearer to the unparalleled vicarious work of the Savior than any other of which I know.”