Newsletters

March invites us to look both forward and back—toward springtime renewal and toward the foundations of our families and our nation. At the Burley FamilySearch Center, we love helping individuals and families discover the stories that shaped who they are today.

Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday — Semiquincentennial Edition 🔴⚪🔵 250 Years of Freedom — 1776–2026 🔵⚪🔴 Honoring Our Ancestors Who Helped Build a Nation Red, white, and blue remind us that America’s story is not just found in…

As we turn the calendar to a brand-new year, we’re reminded that every January brings a fresh chance to reflect, refocus, and recommit to the things that…

Family is at the center of our celebrations and the focus of our hearts. As we gather, let’s share! What was...

As we reach out this Holiday season we have an opportunity to connect with those around us. We have a chance to reach out to the past as well as we connect with the living around us. 

When news feels unsettling, grounding ourselves in family stories can bring perspective and peace. Our ancestors lived through wars, depressions, and upheavals of their own. Their resilience can steady us now—and our own records will steady future generations.

Holding to Our Roots When the World Feels Unsteady These past few weeks have reminded many of us how quickly the headlines can stir worry and sadness. Families may feel a mix of grief, confusion, or simply the need to gather close.…

Labor Day, Patriot Day, the Autumnal Equinox, Johny Appleseed Day—this month is plumb full of fun opportunities with family history connections. These celebrations and remembrances allow us to turn...

County fairs, school, and the remaining days on the river are memories waiting to be slammed into the family history books. And even if you’re not showing a calf or don’t have a family member attending school…

Independence Day - One of the most beloved holidays, the Fourth of July, has come and gone again. Fireworks, watermelon, parades, a bunch of memories waiting to be pr…

Weddings, emancipation, frontier exploration, and family history can all be rolled in together like a giant cinnamon roll this June. Have fun!

May is a month chuck full of celebration, making it the perfect time to reflect on the importance of family history. From "May the 4th Be With You" to Cinco de Mayo and Memorial Day, each observance connects us to traditions, stories, and values passed down through generations.

It's almost April, and Easter month and all of its family activities, traditions, and celebrations are nearly upon us. This makes it a time of renewal, faith, and fa…

Honoring Irish Heritage St. Patrick's Day, celebrated on March 17th, is more than just a day for parades, green attire, and festive gatherings—it's an opportunity to connect with family history and honor I…

Valentine’s Day is often seen as a celebration of corny movies, a gazillion valentines, and romantic love, but at its core, it is about all the simple type of love —includi…

January Newsletter New Year’s Resolutions: Setting Meaningful Goals Rooted in Family History The New Year brings a sense of renewal and hope, inspiring millions to set resolutions that shape the months ahead. While popular goals ofte…

Christmas is a time for snowball fights, pajama parties, family gatherings, food traditions, and silly memories, making it the perfect opportunity to explore and cele…

Gratitude is a powerful sentiment, especially during Thanksgiving, when we take opportunities more often to appreciate the blessings that family, extended family, and life in general provide. Than…

Ofrendas and Family History One beautiful way to remember family is by creating an ofrenda, much like in the movie Coco , inspired by Día de los Muertos. Set up a space with photos, favorite belongings, and items that remind you of your lo…

How are you growing and flourishing? What unique talents and skills have you been blessed with? Do they need a bit more nurturing and development? Does your journey include exploring fa…

August is "Back to School Month" in our communities, but did you know there are a lot of wacky and fun holidays in August as well? Make it a month of celebrations! August 1st - Respect for Parents Day. Give your parents a call…

Family History is for All Ages! We are excited to announce our annual Summer Youth Program will be starting on June 13th! We have a new format this year. Each youth is encouraged to set a personal goal for themselves for the su…

We're Official - New FamilySearch Sign! Tons of things happening at the Center and our blog has been updated. Here's the highlights: Summer Youth Program Our Summer Youth Program will be held from 2:00 p.m. to

  Searching for Something Special!   Check out these options.... How about a Special Learning Option- from home via Zoom Classes We had some zoom classes taught at our Expo in February. Cameron has been teaching some classes via…

Spring is in the air!  Then again, it's Idaho, it might snow again tomorrow.     The spring equinox is March 19th.  It's time to start thinking about getting things planted in the ground so they can "grow." How abo…

February - The Month of Love Make it Your Month for the Love of Learning! The Burley FamilySearch Center has some options to help you learn more about family history.  Our Expo is coming on February 10th.  It's bigger and better…

What are your plans for this year?   Do they include some family history projects?   Do you want to start doing family history?   Perhaps you'd like to learn more about your ancestors.   Is a family history mission on y…

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Christmas Cards Every year millions of Christmas cards are exchanged between families and friends.  Even some companies and organizations send out Christmas cards to their customers and vendors. Wik…

21 Day Challenge A friend recently suggested to read Wendy Watson Nelson's book "The Covenant Keepers."   While reading it, the idea came for this month's newsletter "The 21 Day Challenge".   The book expands on the talk Sister N…

  October is Family History Month Below are several links with great options to celebrate Family History Month.    Here is the list of some of my favorite options: Start collecting interview ideas for family gatherings comin…

Happy Grandparents Day! Grandparents Day is an official national holiday.  The proclamation was signed by President Carter in 1978 and is celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day.  In part the proclamation reads: "Grandpare…

 This month's topic is the Person Page. A brief overview Top banner: Change the portrait photo (click on center of photo to change), view the family tree, and see your relationship to the individual, and follow/unfollow (receive notif…

Why you should be involved in family history?  Here are a few reasons.  Check out the links for tons of other benefits. Draws family closer together.   "Never forget that family history - and the temple ordinances enabl…

Top reasons to come to the center.... Get it done .  Many say, I can do my family history at home with all that the internet offers.  But, do you?  Or, does life get in the way with too many distractions?  Maybe by sett…

Creating and managing accounts on FamilySearch.org Why do I need an account?   Anyone using FamilySearch must create a free account.  What information do I need to create an account?      One can sign in with…

Our Summer Program isn't just for youth this year...  All ages are welcome to come see how you can make a difference!  Wednesdays and Thursdays from June 14 to August 10, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Our youth consultants have been doi…

Ward Plans are the basis for all Temple and Family History Work in our ward.  Here's a short 3 minute video from RootsTech which explains  Ward Plans. Elder Renlund's 2019 RootsTech instruction clarifying of leadership responsibi…

Want to Serve? How about a Virtual Service Mission? Here's the information about this opportunity which was recently shared with the Bishoprics and Stake Presidencies in our area (the option is available for anyone living anywhere): We are…

Using Help on FamilySearch Sign into FamilySearch (by sure to sign in- results are different for member or public accounts)  Click on the little "question mark icon" in the upper right hand corner. Options include:     Help…

Family History Has Changed!   Family history isn't just the names, dates, and places all written out on stacks and stacks of papers.   It's about changing hearts.  "And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the chil…

Using FamilySearch Family Tree App The FamilySearch Family Tree App will allow you to do the following: View your family tree in the portrait or fan view Add or edit information and relationships. Search and attach records as sources. Gene…

From an official communication in January 2023:  "To better align the identify of family history centers with FamilySearch.org, the Church's free online family history resource, all centers are being renamed 'FamilySearch Centers'...F…

This month training in all about the Activities available on FamilySearch.  FamilySearch Activities are simple and fun. Activities are a great way to help youth and children understand more about their heritage and family. Most requir…

Come One!  Come All!  Join in the Fun! Burley Family History Center Expo   We are having our expo on February 11, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Burley West Stake Center.   The theme is Turning Hearts.  …

Using the Memories App FamilySearch has three apps- FamilySearch Family Tree, FamilySearch Memories, and Get Involved.        FamilySearch Family Tree App allows you to view and edit information about your relatives, in…

Extra! Extra! Exciting News! We are pleased to share more information about our expo. February 11, 2023, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Burley West Stake Center, 2420 Parke Ave, Burley. The theme is Turning Hearts. President Harris, the Twin Fa…

'Tis the Season 'Tis the season for what?  The season of gladness and cheer.  The season of happiness and joy.  The season of goodwill and love of fellowmen.  The season of thanks for our many blessings.&…

Using the Consultant Planner What is the Consultant Planner? FamilySearch "The Planner is a tool available for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for helping someone else with his or her family history. Use it to vi…

  Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the Burley Family History Center.    We are thankful for each of you for coming to the center.   And, so thankful for the wonderful assistants and consultants who so willingly…

 Topic-  Sources, Record Hints and Tasks   What are sources? Sources provide evidence of the names, dates, places and relationships shown in Family Tree.  There are basically two types of sources:  Primary and…

"Come, Listen to a Prophet's Voice" General Conference  Saturday, October 1st and Sunday, October 2nd, 2022. October is Family History Month From Steven Anderson of FamilySearch.org , "Now that we are into the month of October an…

 Topic-Basic FamilySearch Skills Standardization of dates and places, adding information, editing information, and changing relationships. Standardized dates:        31 December 2000 -- date, month spelled out and…

  Happy Grandparents Day - September 11, 2022 Grandparents Day is an official national holiday, the proclamation was signed by President Carter in 1978 and is celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day.   In part the pro…

 Topic from the month: New Person Page Person page Knowledge Article The Family History Guide Newsletter about the New Person Page YouTube Video about the New Person Page  Top banner:  Change the portrait photo (click on cen…

  A lot of things are happening at the center: 1-   Youth Days are continuing in August .   We have decided to try something a little different for the last two weeks.   On August 3rd and 10th, we are encouraging youth…

Monthly Topic- Navigation of Family Tree and Using Help Options Home page views- The Family History Guide Basic Navigation    Family Search icon is the magic home button.   Clicking on the FamilySearch icon in the upper…

  Happy Pioneer Day! July is the month we honor the original pioneers; those faithful Saints who paved the way for us to enjoy the blessings of the gospel in our lives.  Many sacrificed much.  In return, they learned valuabl…

This month we will be discussing everything to deal with accounts.   How to create an account and change settings   Creating FamilySearch account and settings- How to Video Creating a FamilySearch Account Creating a Church A…

  We have two fun projects happening in our area this summer in relation to family history. 1- We are pleased to announce will be having a Youth Summer Program.   The youth consultants will be trained this week at the center. &nb…

We are excited to be starting our Ward Temple and Family History Consultant Trainings again.   Each month we will feature one topic rotating topics throughout the year.   We will offer some tips and tricks to assist in…

“While temple and family history work has the power to bless those beyond the veil, it has equal power to bless the living.  It has a refining influence on those who are engaged in it.” – President Russell M. Nelson “You’ll find not o…

Didn't get to attend Rootstech?  Like to review sessions you did see? Click here:   RootsTech 2022 Be sure to check the  calendar  for all classes! April Closures: The Burley Family History Center will be closed on…

  It's  Not Too Late to Sign Up for  RootsTech! March 3 - 5, 2022 It's virtual and it's free. To register, go to their website.   Rootstech.org Come to the Family History Center and enjoy this event with friends!&n…

  How large is too large?  We don't know, we haven't found out yet.   This is a group from the Star 2nd Ward and not everyone who attended was in the photo.   We are happy to accommodate groups of all sizes.&n…

  Exciting Happenings at the Center We are excited to welcome in the new year with some new offerings at the center.   Starting January 4th, we will be opening for our regular days and hours, with limited closures for holida…

Merry Christmas from everyone at the Burley Family History Center!   In an attempt to make the links more prominent, they are shown in bold letters with a light yellow background behind the text.   Simply click on the b…

November- A Time of Thanks We have been open for almost six months now.  It's been great!  We are so excited to have opened back up.  It's been great to meet together as assistants and consultants.  And especially excit…

                           Welcome to our new newsletter format                        &n…

As a family history center, it seems only fitting that the first post should be about our history. In the files found at the center,  there are newspaper clippings dating back to 1961.  But the official agreement with The Church…