RootsTech may be over, but the sessions have been archived for both 2021 and 2022. You can access those sessions by going to www.familysearch.org/rootstech/search
There are several ways to search for sessions that may
interest you or a ward member, but the two most helpful are to search by location
or by topic.
If you have not yet watched the 2022 Temple and FamilyHistory Leadership Instruction, please do so by following this link to the
presentation.
FamilySearch is encouraging the use of this indexing project
as an activity for wards and stakes across the United States.
Find out more about this historical event here: https://www.familysearch.org/1950census/ and here https://www.familysearch.org/en/blog/indexing-1950-census
The indexing will be conducted on the new FamilySearch Get Involved app available for both android and Apple devices. You can read more about the app and watch the video introduction here: https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2022-03-04/rootstech-2022-familysearch-get-involved-participa-app-allows-simple-family-history-tasks-indexing-handwriting-244926
Records relating to early Church members may be found on the Church History Library website here: https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/landing/church-history-library?lang=eng
This is a particularly valuable resource for those who
prefer not to travel to the library in Salt Lake City. Records include letters,
journals, images, and other primary source documents. Documents that include
living people may be restricted for use only by immediate family. Some may also
only be available for in-person viewing in Salt Lake City as not all resources
are digitized at this time. Free research consultations with Church historians
are available through the “Ask Us” service here: https://chl.libanswers.com/form?queue_id=3148
The Missionary Database and Pioneer Database were merged recently to form a single online resource for finding records and information about early members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Church historians are working on several other key database sets that will be added to this resource as those projects are completed in the future. You can learn more about this resource and search this database here: https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/chd/landing?lang=eng
Newer services at FamilySearch include the Online Genealogy Consultation and Records Lookup. Patrons can now schedule a free 20-minute online consolation with a professional researcher (limit once per week) who can provide information on records, research methodology, and next steps in the research process. Consultations are provided in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese. Appointments may be scheduled here: https://www.familysearch.org/en/family-history-library/virtual-genealogy-consultation-faqs
The Records Lookup Service has been provided to help patrons
access materials that are not yet available online. If you have ever felt some
disappointment to discover that a particular book or record has not yet be
digitized, this may be the resource that can assist you in your research goals.
While there may be some limitations, this is a valuable resource for those who
cannot travel to Salt Lake City to view non-digitized records in person. You
may access this resource here: https://www.familysearch.org/en/family-history-library/family-history-library-records-look-up-service
While many in-person classes are available such as those offered by our local family history center, for those who prefer their genealogy instruction online, FamilySearch offers many free webinars each year. These may be accessed here: https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Family_History_Library_Classes_and_Webinars
There are also videos available on many key topics in
beginning and intermediate family history research here:
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Classes_in_the_Learning_Center
This valuable resource offers a wealth of information about records and research methods for conducting research in countries around the world. Depending on the location, pages include information such as years covered by online and physical records, major archives and online repositories, handwriting samples, genealogy word lists, and so forth. Ward members may access the website here: https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Main_Page
[“Chapter 8: Temple Blessings for Ourselves and Our
Ancestors,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith.]