Are you familiar with the free websites FamilySearch provides to all family history centers? Each site offers new ways for center guests to find their ancestors. As you become more familiar with each of these websites, you can offer valuable help to those who are seeking their ancestors. Make it a goal this month to check that each computer is correctly configured and gives correct access to guests as they find their ancestors and prepare their names for temple ordinances. If you are not familiar with the premium websites, try to focus on one each month until you and your staff are comfortable using the websites and teaching others how to use them and what they have to offer. Premium websites are available to all guests through local family history centers. If the center computers are correctly configured with the Family History Center Services Portal, the sites should not require passwords or signing in. The Swedish website ArkivDigital requires clicking a link on the Family History Center Services Portal initially to install access to the latest version on center computers. Following the initial download, ArkivDigital should be permanently stored on the computer and should also open without requiring a sign-in process. (NOTE: The Family History Center Services Portal is available only on computers that registered for access to the portal and are located within the family history center.) Common Problems and Quick Fixes If you having problems accessing premium family history websites, go to the Family History Services Portal home page, and click Premium Family History Websites. Scroll down, and follow the instructions under No Website Access. If one premium site askes for sign-in credentials, but other premium sites work, clear your browser cookies. Close the browser, and then restart the computer, and try again. If you continue to have access problems, first note if one or all of the computers in the center are experiencing the same problem. Then call 1-866-406-1830, and ask for Family History Center Support. If you are experiencing problems with a specific website, but access to the site is working well, you will need to contact the owners of that website. FamilySearch supports access issues but not specific website problems. If guests bring their own computers into the family history center, they will not have access to these sites. However, you can help Church members sign up for free access to Ancestry, MyHeritage, and findmypast and to establish their own accounts.A List of Premium Family History Websites Below is a list of premium sites that are available to patrons for free at most family history centers. For a full description of what each site offers, click on the Premium Family History Website Descriptions page. The 19th-Century British Library Newspapers Digital Archive Access Newspaper Archives Alexander Street Press, American Civil War.com—Institution version ArkivDigital Online Create a Who Do You Think You Are? Story for Free findmypast—Institution version Fold3 (formerly Footnote.com) The Genealogist. Historic Map Works Library Edition KinpointPremium Legacy Stories MyHeritage—Library Edition Paper Trail ProQuest Obituary Listings Puzzilla—Premium Services World Vital Records Make 2016 the year you make best use of these free premium websites that are available to you and to the guests at your family history center. Great discoveries can be just a click away when you and your staff are prepared to use the free websites offered on the Family History Center Portal.
