Technology Replaces the Use of Microfilm

Digital Records Access Replacing Microfilm

On September 1, 2017, FamilySearch will discontinue its microfilm distribution services. (The last day to order microfilm will be on August 31, 2017.) The change is the result of significant progress in FamilySearch’s microfilm digitization efforts and the obsolescence of microfilm technology. Check out the complete blog: Click Here

At lds.org/microfilm you can also read about how to access the digital records.  Click Here

Finding Digital Images of Records on FamilySearch.org

This article will help lead you through your options when searching for digital records.

CLICK HERE

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHT:  MINDY'S TRIP TO DUBLIN

We had the privilege of interviewing Mindy in the East Stake who made an amazing discovery as she was using her Ancestry.com account.  Read about and listen to our interview with her here.

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO

Tucson Temple Events

Cultural Celebration

On Saturday, August 12, 2017, a youth cultural celebration will be held commemorating the heritage of the region through narration, song, and dance.

Dedication

The Tucson Arizona Temple will be dedicated in three sessions at 9:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, and 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 13, 2017. All sessions will be broadcast to members of the Church in Arizona. To enable the Saints to participate in the temple dedication and to place appropriate focus on this sacred event, the three-hour block meetings will be canceled that day for these members.

Mesa Temple Will Close For Renovation

The Mesa Arizona Temple will close in May 2018 and will reopen in 2020.  This will be the second renovation for this this Temple which was originally dedicated by Heber J. Grant in 1927 and then rededicated in 1975 by Spencer W. Kimball after the first renovation.

Summer Family History Activities

Oh!  What do you do in the summertime when all the kids are home?  Don't forget to add a few Family History Activities!  CLICK HERE

New on the Family Tree App

Relatives around Me 

This is a very fun and engaging activity now found on the Family Tree App.  Find out more about it HERE

Limited internet access on Sundays?   

Try Family Tree Lite at familysearch.org/tree/lite  LEARN MORE HERE 

Have you tried Importing pictures from Facebook or Instagram to FamilySearch Memories?

If this interests you, check out this BLOG

Web Based Indexing

Adding a Photo to FamilySearch leads to a Discovery  by Edith Haws

My mother left me several pictures of relatives.  She passed away in 2004 and I am finally going through the pictures to make sure they are scanned, labeled and when appropriate, added to FamilySearch.  The other day I found a picture of a relative from Texas that was a cousin to my great grandmother.  I checked his record on FamilySearch and found there were no pictures of him there. This wasn't too surprising, since his branch of the family never joined the church and his descendants were few.  While in the record I noticed a record hint, which I added.  I also noticed two sons with exactly the same name that had died as infants.  I decided to check out the sons' sources and found two FindaGrave records. When I pulled up one of them I found he was not a son, but a daughter who had died the same day she was born.  The headstone clearly stated the parents names which matched and that she was an Infant Daughter.  The FindaGrave record had been labeled incorrectly and thus the indexed record was incorrect.  After contacting FindaGrave, the record was quickly corrected and I was able to create a record for the daughter in FamilySearch and reserve the sealing ordinance.  I think this young girl will be happy to be sealed to her parents.

We never know what can be found through checking out original images, but it pays off to read the complete record before automatically accepting an indexed record.

Is Your Family History Calling Listed Correctly?

With the name change in Family History Callings, it is a good idea to make sure your clerk has listed your calling correctly in MLS.  Here is a list of correct names:

Stake /Ward Temple and Family History Consultant-Lead

Stake/Ward Temple and Family History Consultant

Stake/Ward Temple and Family History Consultant-Indexing

Stake Temple and Family History Consultant-Family History Center

Index Worker  (Ward Level only)

Temple and Family History Consultants will soon have access to the "Family History Activity Report" online, but will need to have their calling listed correctly.

Have you Viewed the Gathers in the Kingdom Presentations?

"One of the great blessings of your calling is helping Church members become truly converted to family history. This conversion often happens when members have meaningful, one-on-one family history experiences with an inspired helper. 

It also happens when members hear important truths about family history and feel the confirming witness of the Holy Ghost."  Read more of this FamilySearch post Here

Mesa Family Search Library

Check out the classes for June:  Click Here

Hours of Service:
Monday  9 am - 5pm
Tuesday- Thursday  10 am- 8:30 pm
Friday- 10 am - 6 pm

Consultant/Priesthood Leader Classes
1st four Tuesdays of each month 7 -8:30 pm

Plan now:  ASU Family History Conference is coming in October---more information later.

Learn About the New Web Indexing

No need to wait any longer!  You can now index on the web using an Ipad/Phone or Android Device.

It is easy and fun to do.  Just sign-in to FamilySearch and look for the Indexing tab.

For those who like the old download program, it is still available for download.

For those of you who just love WH videos; here is a 1 minute video on web indexing including how you can create your own Indexing group.   WEB INDEXING VIDEO

The Kimball East stake created a very attractive certificate to encourage members to set a personal indexing goal.

You can download a full sized copy of this certificate here:  INDEXING CERTIFICATE

Media Sources to Support Consultants

"How To" videos can be accessed on LDS.org Click Here

The Gospel Library can now access all needed manuals and updates to Family History

The Family History Leadership Guide

The new Family History Leadership Guide which supersedes the "To Turn the Hearts, a Leaders Guide to Temple and Family History Work", is now available in the Gospel Library app on your electronic devices.  It is important to become familiar with this guide and how to access the links to understanding your calling and tools and resources.

Mesa FamilySearch Training Center now has extended hours

    

LOCATION:            Hours:  Monday- 9 am - 5 pm
464 E. 1st Ave.        Tues, Wed, Thurs 10 am - 8:30 pm  
  Mesa, AZ                               Friday - 10 am - 6 pm

View class schedule:  click here

Training for All Temple and Family History Consultants Every Tuesday night classes begin at 7:00 p.m. for:
 Priesthood LeadersTemple and Family History Consultants

Patrons This is a 4 Tuesday commitment (start any Tuesday)
(no classes in July, Dec, or 5th Tuesdays)

Film can now be ordered to the Mesa FamilySearch Training Center Click Here for more information

Tucson Temple Open House

Tucson Temple video

The free public open house for the Tucson Arizona Temple will begin on Saturday, June 3, and continue through Saturday, June 24, 2017, except for the Sundays of June 4, 11 and 18. The cultural celebration will be held Saturday, August 12. The temple will be dedicated the following day on Sunday, August 13, in three sessions at 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. The dedication will be broadcast to members of the Church in Arizona. Open house tickets will be made available through an online reservation system beginning Monday, May 15, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. MDT.

FamilySearch App Gallery Check It Out - Here

Consultant Planner- Have you use it yet?

Go to FamilySearch.org/Get Help/Help Others

Using these steps are vital to having a spiritual experience!

TEMPLE AND FAMILY HISTORY CONSULTANT : 

The name of consultants has changed.  The purpose of the name change is to emphasize that the purpose of all we do is to 'Gather' our families and deceased relatives into the Temple.

Please verify with your stake/ward clerk the correct title names for callings:

                                 Stake/ward Temple and Family History Consultant

                                 Stake/ward Temple and Family History Consultant-Lead 

                                 Stake Temple and Family History Consultant-Indexing

In addition on the Ward level a person may be called as an Indexing Worker

Follow this link to receive training:   

                              TEMPLE AND FAMILY HISTORY CONSULTANT FAST START

                                 

Now is the Time of Gathering

At General Conference, Saturday, April 1, 2017 President Eyring reminded us that we are in the midst of a great gathering of the Family of God.

"The Savior gives no commandment, save he shall prepare a way for it to be accomplished. . .  We do not know what marvels God will inspire people to create in gathering His family, but whatever the marvelous inventions be that come, their use will require the spirit working in people like you and me.  . . He will send whatever inspiration is needed to give them the opportunity to return to Him. . . This work saves not just the dead, it saves all of us. . .  The work of gathering Heavenly Father's family is not just for young people, it is not just for grandparents, it is for everyone. We are all gatherers.  This is the work of our generation."  Henry B Eyring, General Conference, Saturday, April 1, 2017     Click here for complete talk

To Stake and Ward Temple and Family History Consultants

We are encouraged to emphasize One-on-One teaching.  We as the Area Temple and Family History Consultants are responsible to train the Stake Temple and Family History Consultants.  Please give us a call.  We look forward to meeting with you!  480-313-0169

Mesa FamilySearch Library    Closed at 5 pm through April 14th
Training Center                              for the Easter Pageant
464 E. 1st Ave.                     Call 480-964-1200                              Mesa, AZ                              for information

Mon: 9 AM - 5 PM

Tues: 10 AM - 8:30 PM

Wed, Thurs, Fri: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Please note: All the films that were in the Library will be returned to the Salt Lake Library on May 1. To get a film you will need to submit a request.
Click Here 

New Power Point Leadership and Member Training Online

Click Here

Tucson Temple Open House Announced

The free public open house begins Saturday, June 3, and continues through Saturday, June 24, 2017, except for Sundays. Starting May 15th the public can make reservations at templeopenhouse.lds.org.

RootsTech Training is still available Click Here

Visit the Media Library for Inspiring Videos

Click Here

Sink Your Taproots Deep--Feed the Living Tree

What is a Taproot?

The Merriam Webster gives this definition:

 "A primary root that grows vertically downward and gives off small lateral roots."

 Thus a taproot provides the nourishment to a growing plant.   Without it the plant will not survive!

"To anchor our children against the winds of the world, we mush help them to see themselves in God's great plan of Salvation."  (Rosemary M. Wixom, former primary General President, February Ensign 2017, page 41.

Nephi understood the Tree of Life represents the Love of God.  Your ancestors are the Roots.  The Tree above ground is you and the living member of your family.  The very essence of our life--who we are, our characteristics and our heritage is a direct result of the 'roots'.  The 'Fruit'  of the 'Tree' is the love that flows from your ancestors to fill your own heart and fortifies you and your family to face life's challenges.  The following article teaches you how to nourish the 'Roots', that the tree might grow and bear 'Fruit'.

Feed the Living Tree

Deep taproots are the key to building a tree that fortifies your family.  FamilySearch.org provides the place you can build your Family Tree.  As you build it think of those stories, photos, audio clips and documents that bring ancestors to life, building faith through their life experiences that create a bond between descendant and ancestor. 

Here are some suggestions to "feeding your living tree':

• Add missing names, dates and places
• Add documents
• Add stories
• Add photos
• Add audio clips

For those who need help with these tasks, do the following:

1.  Sign into FamilySearch.org

2.  Watch the "Getting Started" training lessons.  Follow this link: https://familysearch.org/ask/gettingStarted or click "Getting Started" under "Get Help" in the upper right hand corner.

3.  Learn how to add documents, photos and audio files to FamilySearch by typing into the google search box any question you need help with.  How to add documents to FamilySearch?  How to add photos to FamilySearch?  How to add audio files to FamilySearch?  There are links to videos, written instructions, etc., returned by Google.  Here is an example:

Helping Someone Without a Tree

The Media Library can help click here

1) Start with the My Family Booklet click here
2) Create a free sign-in account click here
3) Build the Tree by first adding living ancestors and then finding deceased ancestors click here
4)  Look for ancestors that need Temple Ordinances click here
5) Reserve the name
6)  Take the name to the Temple and Teach someone else how to do it.
For more information, check out The Family History Guide

Did you go to Rootstech?  If you missed it, here are some links to keep you informed as to what happened.

Classes and Opening Ceremonies:  https://www.rootstech.org/
Family Discovery Day Speakers:  Click here
LDS Track classes:https://www.rootstech.org/videos/lds-track-sessions
Priesthood Leadership Session (Calling Name Change introduced):  Click Here

New Consultant or Priesthood Leader over Family History

Next Training Class in May

Tuesdays in May, 7:00 to 8:30 pm
Mesa FamilySearch Library Training Center (464 E. 1st Ave., Mesa, Arizona) 
(2017 - No classes in March, April, July and December or 5th Tuesdays)
Call 480-964-1200 for more detailed class schedule information

Mesa FamilySearch Library   Will be Closed During the 
Training Center                               Easter Pageant
464 E. 1st Ave.                     Call 480-964-1200                              Mesa, AZ                              for information

Mon: 9 AM - 5 PM

Tues: 10 AM - 8:30 PM

Wed, Thurs, Fri: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

New Reports for Stake Presidents

The report form for Stake Presidents has recently changed.  Here is an explanation of how to read the report.

You can follow this link to get a printable form of this explanation sheet:
                      Click here

New Consultant Portal/Planner

From the FamilySearch Arizona User Group:

". . . thanks to those of you who tried the Consultant Portal/Dashboard last year, and provided feedback . . .  That tool has now been released . . ."

"You will find the new tool now named "Consultant Planner" by logging into FamilySearch.org and clicking Get Help (upper right).  You will see a new Help Others link at the bottom of the list."

If you have the desire to get involved with the Arizona User Group, you are welcome to attend their meetings at the Mesa FamilySearch Training Center at 7:30 pm on the fourth Thursday of each month.  For more information you can contact Mike Ostler at 480-331-7172 or michaelostler@gmail.com. 

FamilySearch has an exciting year planned for 2017

              1.   Personalized Dashboard

·        Recommended Tasks. 

·        Ancestor Hints. 

·        Recent Ancestors. 

·        To-do Lists. 

·        To-do Cards. 

             2.  New and improved Mobile Apps

Download FamilySearch FamilyTree and FamilySearch Memories Apps and enjoy the convenience of searching your tree and adding memories from your phone or tablet. 

             3. Improved Searching

The FamilySearch.org search engine is already best-in-class, but in 2017, users will notice even faster search results from newly published historic records worldwide, and quicker hints from those new records and user-contributed trees. 

             4.  New Indexing Tools

The web based program is to be released!  You will be notified when it happens! 

             5.   New Discovery Experiences  The Salt Lake FamilySearch Library will open a new Discovery Area. Other areas will be having Libraries opened with Discovery Areas.  

             6. More Free Historic Records

Enjoy reading the whole blog:  Find and share this release easily online from the FamilySearch Media room.

Unable to Attend Roots Tech in Person?    Now you can participate virtually!

You can still attend Roots Tech from anywhere in the world!  Check out this blog to find out what is available and when.  Click Here

 Saturday February 11th is Family Discovery Day.  Check out how to participate online: RootsTech Online

 Temple News

The Mesa Arizona Temple re-opens on February 14th.

The Gilbert Arizona Temple is closed for maintenance February 13-27.

To print out Handouts or Register for the Glendale Conference Click Here

For a list of classes go here

Have you updated your training lately?

click here

Family Search Users Group: 

The monthly webinar for the FamilySearch User Group will now be presented the last Thursday of each month at the Mesa FamilySearch Library Training Center. FamilySearch User Group When: Thursday, Feb 23 Time: 7:30pm Place: Training Center, 464 E. 1st Ave, Mesa. For more information, contact Mike Ostler:  michaelostler@gmail.com

TIPS and TRICKS:   AUDACITY 

CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO DEMO