Want to Serve?

How about a Virtual Service Mission?

We are excited to announce: we have found a way for people in our area to serve a local family history mission.  It’s a special mission, the virtual NAO- FamilySearch Records - BYU Senior Service mission. The purpose of this mission is “Gathering of Israel by growing The Tree in FamilySearch.” What’s great about this mission is it can be completely done anywhere by anyone with a computer and internet access. This is basically the next step to indexing.  They are attaching records in the Family Tree.

Tammy has spoken with Sister Lisa Gardner who is the administrative lead for this mission.  She has also talked with Joe Price, the director of the BYU Record Linking Lab.  We are all in agreement this is a great opportunity for members of our community to serve a family history mission and assist with the Gathering of Israel!  A win-win for all.  This is officially a call from the Missionary Department, and as such, these persons cannot be assigned or called to work at the FamilySearch Center as part of their mission.  However, they are welcome to come to the center as patrons for help and assistance as needed.

Several consultants, assistants, and the Young Church Service Missionaries at the center are already working on the easy projects in the Record Linking Lab.  They love it and are able to work successfully on their own in only a matter of a few minutes training.  These projects are not restricted to only the Senior missionaries; anyone can volunteer to assist in this great work.  We will be using it for our Youth Consultants this summer.  We hope to eventually open one evening a week for others in the community to volunteer and work on these projects without the commitment of a mission.

For the mission, the time requirement is 12 hours per week, with an initial minimum commitment of 12 months.  There is a weekly devotional for all missionaries to attend, via Zoom, on Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m. MST/MDT.  If not able to attend “live,” they can watch the recording at their convenience.  The sign up is all done online with the assistance of Sister Lisa Gardner.  Below are excerpts from the email she sends to all potential applicants.  If anyone wants to try it out before committing to a mission, they are welcome to come to the center and work as a volunteer on this project first.

We are really excited about the option for people in our community.  Some at the center have already expressed interest in serving a mission.  If there are people in your stewardships who could benefit from the blessings of family history in their lives, please consider offering them this opportunity.  And, watch for the emails coming about potential missionaries from among current consultants and patrons wishing to serve as we begin advertising to the whole community about this option through our newsletter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts.

Great blessings await us all as we move forward in the work of gathering Israel!

Any questions, please don’t hesitate to call, Tammy 208-431-4504, or come to one of the classes this month about serving a mission or working as a volunteer on these projects.  We will answer whatever questions you might have and also provide hands on demonstrations of some of the projects that can be included in this mission.  Classes will be May 3rd at 2:00 p.m. and May 7th at 4:00 p.m.  

Excerpt from Sister Gardner's introductory email:

“We are a virtual senior service mission affiliated with FamilySearch and BYU Record Linking Lab, which means you serve from home.  All training is done virtually and we do not travel to BYU or meet in person.  Initially, you may choose to serve for 12 or 18 months.  After the initial term, you may choose to extend your mission by 6 months, 12 months, or 18 additional months, as many times as you would like.  I have extended my mission because I really love what we do!"

“The basic requirements are that you are willing to commit to working on our mission work for 12 hours a week and attend a weekly devotional.  Our mission is to assist in the Gathering of Israel by growing The Tree in FamilySearch.  We work on a broad number of projects, including the volunteer projects listed in BYU Record Linking Lab's volunteer tab."

“To start the process, you will need to apply online on the Church's website for a mission.  I can help you do that.  I have the mission number that you need to use to ensure you get into the correct mission. There are many senior service missions, with different tasks.  Once the online application is complete, it will be sent electronically to your bishop.  You will need to have an interview with your bishop and then with your stake president.  Once these interviews are complete, the stake president hits a button and the information is sent to Salt Lake and a mission call is issued.  This process can take 2-3 months.  Your stake president becomes your mission president.  I become your administrative mission lead.”

If interested in more information or signing up for a mission, contact Sister Gardner (NAO BYU-Lead) at barbara.gardner@familysearch.org

Center Happenings --- Did you know?

1 - Group Reservations:  Groups are welcome to schedule appointments at the center.  Groups of any size, including families, church groups, community groups, etc.  Appointments are available during regular center hours, weekends, or evenings.  For more information about all the options and who to contact, check out the Group Visits tab.

2 - Summer Program:  We are sponsoring a Summer Youth Program again this summer.  It will be held on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., June 14th - August 10th.  We will have trained youth consultants here to work with other youth and adults.  We will be having a lesson at 2:00 p.m. on those days, an introduction to community projects at 3:00 p.m. each day, and then time to work on either personal family history or help with the projects.  We encourage youth and adults to come and learn more about their own family and how to assist in growing and enhancing the Family Tree for the world through our projects.  No prior family history experience is necessary to work on the projects - come have fun with the youth!  Watch for the class listings and community projects shown on the calendar starting on June 14th. 

3 - Book Offering:  Kathleen Hedberg wrote a book called, "It Couldn't Happen Here" about the heavy flooding in 1984 in Cassia County.  She has some additional copies of the books available.  She would be willing to give one to anyone who was involved directly with the service project undertaken by the community or the descendants of those involved with the project.  We have a few copies at the center; just drop by and pick up one.  If you or your ancestors weren't directly involved and you wish to purchase a book, she is offering them at a discount price.  You can contact her directly at 208-878-2406.

4 - Night Classes - Family History Club:  There is a group starting on Thursday evenings by Jonathan and Jenny Shurtliff called the Family History Club.  They will start meeting on June 1st from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.  Each week they will have an instructor present a lesson, or occasionally have a "Bring your own questions" and the group will work through the questions together.  Feel free to join the club and attend each week to learn from one another.  Or, watch for the topics and attend those classes of interest to you.  

Links of Interest

1- Check out the History Hub - article by Lisa Louise Cooke

2- Memorial Day Helps- Cleaning Tombstones - article by Funeral Help Center

3- Piece Together a Family Member's life using Newspapers - podcast by Family Tree Magazine

4- Discover the Power of the Numident Collection recently released on FamilySearch - Genealogy's Star Blog 

5- Map My Ancestors -As you vacation this summer, see if your ancestors lived in the areas of your travels. -- YouTube video about how to use this option on the FamilySearch app.

6- Enjoy Podcasts while you work in the yard or garden, here are some genealogy based options.  Seven of the Best Genealogy Podcasts as suggested on Family Tree Magazine.

7- Start Your Genealogy Research Right- Avoid These Mistakes - YouTube by Amy Johnson Crow

8- Ten Steps to Family Reunion Success - by Mary Snyder on Family Tree Magazine.

9- Elder And Sister Gong's Roots Tech Presentation

10- The Family History Guide Spotlight-  Kids Section- looking for some fun activities for the kids this summer, check out this collection of ideas. 

What is Puzzilla?  According to Google, Puzzilla is a website that displays ancestors or descendants in a flower-tendril pattern, with information nodes for each person.  Well, that makes perfect sense - NOT!

Come to the FamilySearch Center on Monday, May 8th at 3:00 p.m. for Part 1 of 3 of "Basic Puzzilla."