Training FamilySearch Center Staff and Consultants
Introduction
Guests visiting a FamilySearch center have various research skills and needs. Some seek guidance in setting up, accessing, or navigating their accounts, while others require assistance with research challenges, both simple and complex. FamilySearch center coordinators should help staff members by providing training on a range of topics. While it is not expected that staff members have answers to every question, knowing where to find resources ensures successful interactions with guests.
Online Training Resources
The following resources can help staff members gain skills using FamilySearch and performing research at their own pace. They can also be used in a class setting. Because these resources are frequently updated, they should be consulted regularly.
- FamilySearch Help and Learning Resources: These resources, organized by topic, offer a wealth of FamilySearch learning lessons. Written and video instructions can help staff members increase their skills one topic at a time. The lessons can also be consulted in the center when helping a guest with a specific need or problem. Be sure and sign in so that all of the resources are available to you.
- Help Center: Find answers to your questions by using the Help Center. To locate the Help Center, in the upper-right corner of the FamilySearch main menu, click the Help icon (circle with a question mark). At the bottom of the pop-out menu, click Help and Learning. This directs you to the Help Center page. Use the search bar at the top of the page by entering a few key search terms. The search results will produce knowledge articles related to the topics you entered.
- Research Wiki: The FamilySearch Research Wiki offers research guidance on over 100,000 different topics and locations. Many experienced researchers recommend utilizing the Research Wiki as a first step whenever a patron comes into the center and needs specialized help on a location or topic. Understanding the background of a locality leads to more successful research opportunities. The Research Wiki can also help you find pertinent record collections.
- To access the Research Wiki, in the FamilySearch main menu, click Search. From the drop-down menu, select Research Wiki. From the Research Wiki page, use the search bar to search by a topic or locality, or click on the map to narrow results to specific localities. For more information on how to use the Research Wiki, review the following videos:
- To access the Research Wiki, in the FamilySearch main menu, click Search. From the drop-down menu, select Research Wiki. From the Research Wiki page, use the search bar to search by a topic or locality, or click on the map to narrow results to specific localities. For more information on how to use the Research Wiki, review the following videos:
- FamilySearch Blog: The FamilySearch Blog features articles on various topics, tutorials, resources and tools, ideas, newly released record collections, and inspirational content.
- RootsTech: RootsTech, hosted by FamilySearch, is the world’s largest family history conference and is held annually. Many recorded sessions on various inspirational and research topics are free to watch on demand. To access RootsTech content, sign in with your FamilySearch account information.
Additional Resources
FamilySearch Center Learning Resources Introduction Video
How does the Research Wiki help me find my ancestors?
Temple and Family History Consultants Help
Offering In-Person Classes
With the approval of your stake priesthood leaders, you may choose to offer family history classes for staff and/or the community at your FamilySearch center or stake center. Prayerfully consider the needs of your consultants and patrons to determine what classes to offer. If you need class topic ideas, ask the staff what topics they would like to learn and what skills they would like to improve.
The FamilySearch Help and Learning Resources also provide a great list of learning lessons that can be used when looking for class topic ideas.
Class instructors can be selected from staff and other community members with specialized family history skills. If you need a bigger classroom to hold the class, reach out to the building coordinator of your ward building or stake center to schedule it.