FamilySearch’s goal is to make genealogical resources more accessible, engaging, and easy to use. As FamilySearch centers provide resources to patrons all over the world, volunteers and staff members at these centers need some fundamental resources to maintain each center and help patrons have great experiences when visiting.
FamilySearch has a new learning page for FamilySearch center volunteers, staff, and directors. This web page provides comprehensive learning resources to help center workers serve guests with individualized attention when using FamilySearch.org. It gathers many of the resources staff and volunteers are used to using into one place, so that each is easier to find.
Single Destination—Be Sure to Log In!
Everyone can access the FamilySearch Center Workers and Volunteers Learning Resources page and see the basic learning courses. Additional resources are also available, depending on your role as a FamilySearch center worker, volunteer, or director. When visiting this page, be sure to log in to see all of the links available to you.
These resources are approved and ready to use. Click the button below to go directly to the page.
You can also find the new page in the Help and Learning Center by looking for the FamilySearch Centers link in the “Find help by topic” section. Once on the topic page, find FamilySearch Center Workers and Volunteers Learning Resources in the listed resources.
Learning Made Easy
Previously, center workers and volunteers would have to search through the Help and Learning Center to find instructions on how to help a patron with a specific problem.
The Learning Lessons in the Quick Start section on the new page take some of the most commonly used knowledge articles and organize them into lessons. The structured learning path is designed for family history novices and experts alike, to increase their skills and proficiency in navigating FamilySearch.org. More experienced workers can easily pick and choose which lessons are useful to them, while beginners can choose to go through each one—in or out of order.
The Learning Videos offer educational content related to each topic, including presentations from RootsTech. Each presentation, curated by experts in the field, provides a comprehensive understanding of a specific subject.
Getting Started Resources
For individuals new to family history, the Getting Started section offers a link to an immersive getting started experience on FamilySearch.org. It is a great option to share with center patrons or to start your own journey in becoming familiar with using FamilySearch. Through interactive guides and engaging activities, FamilySearch guests can discover their family history and heritage.
In the Getting Started section of the learning page, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who are logged in can also access a quick link to church-related features.
Additional Resources—Essential Guides and Upcoming Features
For center workers and volunteers who are logged in, the Additional Resources section has several important links, described below.
FamilySearch Center Operations Guide
The operations guide details necessary information for any worker, volunteer, consultant, or director involved in FamilySearch center operations.
Center Tools (Coming Soon!)
Tailored for FamilySearch center directors, the Center Tools portal affords essential information, guidance, and reporting in one easily accessible location.
FamilySearch Center Equipment (Coming Soon!)
Larger FamilySearch Centers sometimes have specialized equipment. This page will help provide descriptions of how to use the equipment (sometimes including videos) and information about troubleshooting equipment problems.
Dive In Today
Whether you want to sharpen your own family history skills or aid others in their family history journey, the FamilySearch Center Workers and Volunteers Learning Resources page can be your best companion. Dive in and distribute the wealth of knowledge contained in the learning resources as you help yourself and others continue to discover and connect with their ancestors.
At FamilySearch, we care about connecting you with your family, and we provide fun discovery experiences and family history services for free. Why? Because we cherish families and believe that connecting generations can improve our lives now and forever. We are a nonprofit organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To learn more about our beliefs, click here.
