*This first lesson may be a recap for most people, but I just want to make sure everyone is on the same page. If you are pretty familiar with FamilySearch icons, scroll to the bottom of this post for information you can learn on how to enter in data correctly.
There is MUCH more to do in family history than find green temples and do ordinances. So, first let’s review FamilySearch icons:
There is MUCH more to do in family history than find green temples and do ordinances. So, first let’s review FamilySearch icons:
TEMPLES represent the status of
your ancestor’s ordinances.
Green means there are probably
ordinances for YOU to do!
Blue means someone else already reserved the
ordinances and should get them done soon. (FamilySearch releases ordinances if
they don’t get done in 2 years)
Orange means more information is
needed before the ordinances can be completed. In order to do someone’s work
you must have a Name, Date of an event, Location of that event, and Gender. I
will teach you how to research this later!
OTHER icons:
This road map means there is a Research
Suggestion from FamilySearch. If you click on it, you will see clues as to
information and family members that are missing, such as “Possible Missing
Child,” “No sources attached,” or “Person May Have Children.” These suggestions
require some sleuthing on your part, but it is very satisfying when they pay
off and you find people that have been lost!
This icon represents a Record Hint. FamilySearch
has gone through censuses and birth/death/marriage certificates and found
documents that appear to match your names in your tree! You can review these documents by
clicking on the icon and then on the blue, underlined name. Select "Review and Attach". As you review the
information, make sure the information really does match before attaching it! We want everyone
to be well documented, so attaching records is well worth your time!
Data Problem! There is a standard
way to enter in Dates, Names, and Places, and if it isn't the correct format, FamilySearch
has a hard time figuring it out. You can go in and correct these so that your ancestors are easily searched in the system. Below you will find helpful instructions on how to format Names, Dates and Places.
Names:
1. ALWAYS use a woman’s maiden name. We don’t want her married name! We want
to see where she came from and who her parents were. If you make her last name
her married name, someone coming along later might think she was the daughter
of her own husband!
2. Do not use nicknames
3. Do not put titles such as “Mrs.” or “Jr.” in the name field
4. If you prefer, you can make the last name all capitals
Dates
1. Correct format: day month year. Example: 11 October 1986 OR 11 Oct 1986
2. To show that an event happened sometime in between two years use a slash.
Example: 1860/1870
3. You may see these approximations if an exact date is unknown:
abt—About
bef—Before
aft—After
cal—Calculated
Places:
1. NEVER abbreviate names, places, or anything else.
2. Make places as complete as possible. Start with the smallest unit (like
the town) and move up to county, state, and finally the biggest unit (country).
For example: Eagle, Ada, Idaho, United States.
YOUR ASSIGNMENT: Explore your FamilySearch Tree and click on these various icons. Get comfortable with what they mean and what happens when you click on them.
Please ask me any questions that may come up.
