Los Angeles FamilySearch Library/Online Classes
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Click here for our Monthly Class Schedule
Class Registration
You can register for one of our classes by clicking on the Open Details link to the right of any of the classes, then clicking on the registration link for the date and time you wish to attend. Here you will also find a class description and class handouts.
- If you are having trouble locating a particular class, press control + F (command + F for MacOS) and type a keyword for the class that you are looking for. For example, if you were looking for classes about using Ancestry, simply type "ancestry" in the search field and it will take you to that class. Click here to see an animated guide.
*We recommend joining classes 5-10 minutes before they start to resolve any connection issues.
Classes will be hosted through Zoom. Please be sure to create an account before your class at the website zoom.us. Your confirmation email from the registered class will include a zoom link to join your class. The day of the registered class click on the zoom link and be ready 5 minutes before your scheduled class. Also, please meet requested prerequisites.
For help with Zoom, select one of the links below.
Instructions for Zoom Partication Registration.pdf
Zoom Classroom video
Zoom Classroom.pdf
Zoom for FamilySearch Classes Video
Zoom Para FamilySearch.pdf
FAMILYSEARCH CLASSES
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BEGINNING
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Navigating FamilySearch - Debbie Armstrong
New to FamilySearch? Come and learn how to set up a free FamilySearch account. You will learn how to navigate FamilySearch/Family Tree, how to build your family tree, and how to take advantage of the fun and powerful tools FamilySearch has to offer.
Class Handouts
Intro to FamilySearch pdf 2021
Upcoming Dates
- Wednesday, May 11th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
- Saturday, June 18th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
Blue Box Hints - Leslie Hackney
What are those blue boxes? Where can I find them? Can I trust them? Let FamilySearch’s computer system do some of your research for you. It’s painless and only takes a few minutes. This is a 20 minute class for FamilySearch beginners.
Class Handouts
Upcoming Dates
- Tuesday, May 31st, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
- Wednesday, June 8th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
Descendancy Charts - Cindy Mills
Learn how to use the FS Descendancy features to systematically locate and/or verify members of your ancestor's families. There will be a specific emphasis on looking for missing family members. We will seek to accomplish this by searching in FS databases and those of other family history websites for vital records and other ancestral documents.
Class Handouts
Descendancy Charts ppt 2022
Upcoming Dates
- Thursday, May 26th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
- Saturday June 11th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
Memories Phone App - Debbie Armstrong
This class focuses on adding memories using the Memories app. Participants will learn to add photos, add details and learn to add audio to make their photos more interesting.
Class Handouts
Memories App Handout pdf 2021
Upcoming Dates
- Wednesday, June 29th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
Using the Family Tree Phone App - Debbie Armstrong
Learn all about how to use the Family Tree app on your phone. FamilySearch has made using the app simple and convenient.
Class Handouts
How to use FamilySearch Mobile Apps pdf 2021
Using the FamilySearch Tree Smart Phone Mobile App pdf 2021
Upcoming Dates
- Friday, May 6th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
Adding Memories to FamilySearch - Debbie Armstrong
Learn how to add photos, documents and stories to the Memories section on FamilySearch. Come prepared with a photo ready to upload into FamilySearch.
Class Handouts
Memories Handout pdf 2021
Upcoming Dates
- Wednesday, May 4th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
- Tuesday, June 14th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED
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Using the FamilySearch Catalog - Debbie Armstrong
Learn advanced tips for finding records about your ancestors. Using the search tab, search for FamilySearch Records, Images, and Catalog.
Class Handouts
Upcoming Dates
- Thursday, May 19th, 7pm Registration required. Click here to register.
- Tuesday, June 28th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
Find Original Records/Save as Sources - Debbie Armstrong
Sometimes an image to an original record is not linked to the indexed information. In this class you will learn how to find original records and add scanned documents as sources. We will fill out the source form with a citation, web address, and important information from the document, and then attach it to that person. We will also learn how to attach records from the Source Box to individual people. Please come prepared with some scanned, digitized documents that you would like to attach to Family Tree.
Class Handouts
Upcoming Dates
- Saturday, May 21st, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
- Wednesday, June 22nd, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
Source Box - Leslie Hackney
Everything you needed to know about the Source Box and maybe some things that you never knew you needed to know.
Class Handouts
Upcoming Dates
- Thursday, June 2nd, 7pm Registration required. Click here to register.
Attaching Records Using the Source Linker - Cindy Mills
We will model and practice two ways to locate FS indexed records… finding selected Record Hints (those little blue squares) and exploring Search Records in FamilySearch. A "Steps with Pictures" handout will guide us through the process including how to attach records to our ancestors made easy by the specially designed Source Linker program. Importantly, you will have the opportunity to practice with a consultant attaching records to your ancestors. Due to the hands-on nature of this class, the duration is 1½ hours.
Class Handouts
Attaching Family Records to FT using the Source Linker
Upcoming Dates
- Saturday May 14th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
- Thursday, June 16th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
Merging/Unmerging Duplicates - Cindy Mills
In this class we tackle the challenges of Merging and Unmerging Duplicates in a made-up family where we can practice the STEPS without doing harm to our own family in Family Tree. We refer to fictitious SOURCES to help us make merging decisions. Both STEPS and SOURCE handouts are provided ahead of class. Unmerging may be more difficult than merging, so there will be direction and practice in that. Due to the hands-on nature of this class, the duration is 1½ hours.
Class Handouts
Merging/Unmerging Intro ppt 2022
Merging & Unmerging Exercise
Sources for Merging
Upcoming Dates
- Saturday, May 28th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
- Thursday, June 30th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
3 Ways to Merge - Janis Chandler
You have a duplicate. Three ways on FamilySearch to merge. We will show you how to merge by ID, merging using the source linker and merging by breaking a relationship.
Class Handouts
Upcoming Dates
- Friday, June 17, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
Fixing Relationships - Belinda Hanks
When you find your family tree a little mixed up, don't be alarmed, it can be fixed. You will have the opportunity to practice the steps that can straighten out your tree as you attend the class on "Fixing Relationships in FamilySearch."
Class Handouts
How to Edit and Fix Relationships in FamilySearch
Upcoming Dates
- Tuesday, May 24th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
- Tuesday, June 7th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
Puzzilla - Lara Turner
You think that all the work has been done, but what about cousins, 2nd cousins once removed? Puzzilla can help you find these ancestors.
Class Handouts
Upcoming Dates
The Research Process/Find New Information - Debbie Armstrong
Learn advanced tips for finding records about your ancestors. Using the search tab, search for FamilySearch Records, Images, and Catalog.
Class Handouts
Upcoming Dates
- Wednesday, May 18th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
- Tuesday, June 21st, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
The Research Process/Evaluate - Debbie Armstrong
Learn how to evaluate records for accuracy and reliability, how to gather and organize information found on records, and identify what questions to consider when new or conflicting information is found on a record.
Class Handouts
Upcoming Dates
- Thursday, June 9th, 7pm Registration required. Click here to register.
RESEARCH TOOLS
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BEGINNING
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Gather Known Information - Debbie Armstrong
In this class you will learn what information to gather about your family, how to fill out a pedigree chart and family group record sheet, and how to organize the genealogical material you have gathered.
Class Handouts
Upcoming Dates
Choose a Research Goal - Debbie Armstrong
In this class we will learn how to use special tools in FamilySearch to analyze what we already know about an ancestor and form research questions based on that analysis. Then we will write a research goal and divide that goal into smaller steps that can be recorded in the FamilySearch To-Do List.
Class Handouts
Upcoming Dates
FamilySearch Wiki Intro - Leslie Hackney
In 20 minutes you can learn how to filter out what you don't need, so that you can successfully focus on the tools and sources that will help you get started on searching for your ancestors, wherever they came from.
Class Handouts
Wiki Intro handout pdf 2021
Upcoming Dates
US Census Records - Marlene Lee
Learn how to explore the Federal Census records to seek out your ancestors. Federal Census Records, from 1790 to 1940, are available online and contain valuable information about members of your family tree. Join us for an hour of instruction and then you can have one on one help to get you started.
Class Handouts
US Census Record handout pdf 2021
Upcoming Dates
- Friday, May 27th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
Vital Records - Debbie Armstrong
Civil records, church records, vital records. Birth, marriage and death records have different names depending on who created or retained them, and frequently contain information about family relationships that is extremely helpful to researchers. This class will discuss where to find these types of records, depending on time period, location and religion.
Class Handouts
Vital Records 2022
Upcoming Dates
- Tuesday, May 10th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
- Wednesday, June 15th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
INTERMEDIATE
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Research Wiki - Cindy Mills
Explore the Power of the Research Wiki - FamilySearch’s online family history encyclopedia. Learn how Locality pages, Record Type pages and more can help you do your family history research and how the new Guided Research links can take you to key birth, marriage, and death databases to find those precious vital records. You will have an opportunity to work with a consultant to see what is available to help you research your ancestor. Because this class includes hands-on guided research, the duration will be 1½ hours.
Class Handouts
Research Wiki Handout pdf
FS Research Wiki Exercise 1-28 2021 png
Upcoming Dates
- Saturday, May 7th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
- Thursday, June 2nd, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
Newspapers and Obituaries - Janis Chandler
This class looks at Newspapers.com as a resource for finding information about your ancestor(s). There are over 700 million newspaper pages available at the site. Often there are obituaries that can give information not only about the ancestor but also the entire family which is a great resource when building your family tree.
Class Handouts
Upcoming Dates
- Wednesday, May 25th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
ADVANCED
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DNA Part 1 - Ralph Armstrong
Learn about at/mt/yDNA testing and strategy on which tests to take. Basic DNA vocabulary will be discussed and misconceptions about taking the tests.
Class Handouts
Upcoming Dates
- Thursday, May 5th, 7pm Registration required. Click here to register.
DNA Part 2 - Ralph Armstrong
Review DNA vocabulary and discuss markers used for matches. Learn strategies for using test results in genealogical research.
Class Handouts
Upcoming Dates
- Thursday, May 26th, 7pm Registration required. Click here to register.
Immigration and Naturalization
This class will help you find your immigrant ancestor, by not only the ships lists and naturalization records but more.
Class Handouts
Immigration Worklist pdf 2021
Upcoming Dates
- This is a pre-recorded presentation by Yvonne Sorenson, AG Course title: Immigration - Crossing the Pond, part 1: Collecting Records
Description: In order to search for your ancestor in the records in Europe, you need to know the town of origin. If you do not know the town of origin, you need to start searching in United States records. This lesson will teach you what U.S. records you can collect to help you find where your ancestor came from before arriving in the United States.
Click here to view this pre-recorded presentation.
- Handout: Immigration Crossing the Pond pdf
Crossing the Pond, part 2: U.S. Passenger Lists
Part 2 will teach you about U.S. Passenger Lists, and what information you can find to help discover where your ancestor came from before arriving in the United States.
Click here to view this pre-recorded presentation.
Crossing the Pond, part 3: European Sources
Part 3 will teach you what European records are available to help you determine where your ancestor came from in Europe. Click here to view this pre-recorded presentation.
Russian/Caucasian Research - Armen Wood
This class will provide useful information and tips to do research for your Russian, Armenian, and Georgian ancestors.
Class Handouts
Russian/Caucasian Research ppt 2022
Upcoming Dates
- Wednesday, June 1st, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
Swedish Research - Leslie Hackney
Sweden's Church records are amazingly detailed, and navigating them is easy on Ancestry.com. Research strategies and helps will also be covered.
Class Handouts
Upcoming Dates
- Thursday, June 23rd, 7pm Registration required. Click here to register.
Italian Research - Lynnette Kelly
This class will show you how to find birth, marriage, and death records in Italy by using the research wiki. You will also learn some tools and strategies in your search for Italian records.
Class Handouts
Upcoming Dates
Brazilian Research/FamilySearch Catalog - Adriana Gehr
Learn how to search for original records in the FamilySearch catalog. Records are organized geographically first and then chronologically by date. In order to search the records, a name, date, place, and event is necessary. We will show you how to find records in both indexed and unindexed record books.
Class Handouts
Upcoming Dates
- Tuesday, May 17th, 11am Registration required. Click here to register.
CLASES DE ESPAÑOL
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Reseña de FamilySearch - Margarita Salazar
Una introducción a FamilySearch. Pautas para comenzar tu propio Árbol Familiar. Regístrate GRATIS.
Class Handouts
Reseña de FamilySearch Handout pdf 2021
Upcoming Dates
Búsquedas Eficaces - Margarita Salazar
Estrategias para encontrar y adjuntar registros originales a tus antepasados en FamilySearch. Regístrate GRATIS.
Class Handouts
Búsquedas Eficaces Handout pdf 2021
Upcoming Dates
La aplicación ‘Recuerdos’ en iPhone/Android - Margarita Salazar
Utilizando la aplicación Memories App para adjuntar fotos y documentos en FamilySearch. Regístrate GRATIS.
Class Handouts
Upcoming Dates
- Thursday, May 19th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
ANCESTRY.COM
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Syncing your FamilySearch and Ancestry Trees - Leslie Hackney
Did you know that there’s a shortcut for transferring information and sources between FamilySearch and Ancestry.com? This tool requires a Church of Jesus Christ Membership Ancestry account (AKA a partnership account.) In 20 minutes you can learn how to save yourself hours of work with a few clicks of the mouse.
Class Handouts
Upcoming Dates
- Thursday June 30th, 7pm Registration required. Click here to register.
Ancestry.com Making it Work for You! 3 Classes - Jackie Ireland
Ancestry 1: Overview- Jackie Ireland
Take advantage of the power that is Ancestry. Prime focus is on understanding the power of public trees in Ancestry. On-line learning opportunities are also explored. Become familiar with the subscription types available to you.
Class Handouts
Ancestry.com Making it Work for You! Part I 2022
Upcoming Dates
- Thursday, June 9th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
Ancestry 2 - Effective Searching on Ancestry Jackie Ireland
Be aware of three important things to consider prior to beginning your search. Explore in depth the places we generally begin our search – Tree Hints and their companion Suggested Records and the general All Records search. Learn the value of also beginning a search in the Ancestry Card Catalog.
Class Handouts
Ancestry.com Making it Work for You! pdf 2021
Upcoming Dates
- Thursday, June 23rd, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
Ancestry 3: Effective Searching-Jackie Ireland
Increase your familiarity with searching within Ancestry Specific Categories and Special Collections. Become conversant with the variety of options available to you as you decide what data elements to include in your searches.
Class Handouts
Ancestry.com Making it Work for You! Part III pdf 2022
Upcoming Dates
- Thursday, May 12th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
INDEXING
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Beginning Indexing - Janis Chandler
It is so exciting to find a hint for that dear ancestor. Indexing is the process of taking information from historical records images and putting it into a digital format. Indexing turns the records into searchable sources, allowing researchers to find and attach them to ancestors in their family tree in FamilySearch, i.e. HINTS! Your help is needed! No matter your experience, a refresher course is always helpful and you might just learn new tricks. This class is also helpful for beginners.
Class Handouts
How do I use FamilySearch Indexing pdf 2021
Other Sources:
Indexing Icons
Upcoming Dates
Intermediate Indexing - Janis Chandler
Indexing is the process of taking information from historical records images and putting it into a digital format. Indexing turns the records into searchable sources, allowing researchers to find and attach them to ancestors in their family tree in FamilySearch. Your help is needed.
Class Handouts
How do I use FamilySearch Indexing pdf 2021
Other Sources:
Indexing Icons
Upcoming Dates
- Friday, May 20th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
Advanced Indexing - Janis Chandler
Indexing helps all people find their ancestors. Indexing is the process of digitizing records and we hope to give you some ideas of how to improve. Come and see how your help is needed!
Class Handouts
How do I use FamilySearch Indexing pdf 2021
Other Sources:
Indexing Icons
Upcoming Dates
Indexing and Handwriting Tips - Janis Chandler
This class will help you find resources to help read handwriting from different eras as well as different countries. This is a helpful introduction for anyone who has needed to read records from another country.
Class Handouts
How do I use FamilySearch Indexing pdf 2021
Upcoming Dates
- Friday, June 24th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
SPECIALTIES
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AFRICAN-AMERICAN RESEARCH
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African American Research Classes - Jackie Ireland
African American Research Part I - Jackie Ireland
Inasmuch as African American research post-1870 is the same as United States research, focus is upon the two best websites for US research. Therefore, this class explores African American research on Family Search.org and Ancestry.com, the best free and paid subscription websites respectively for family history research.
Class Handouts
African American Research part 1 pdf 2021
Upcoming Dates
African American Research Part II - Jackie Ireland
African-American-specific family history websites are the focus of this class. Included are well-known sites, such as Afrigeneas, as well as outstanding sites selected annually as a part of the 101 best genealogy websites featured in Family Tree Magazine. Major websites that feature African American collections are also included.
Class Handouts
African American Research part 2 pdf 2021
Upcoming Dates
African American History Research using Pre and Post 1870 Resources - Dr Edna Briggs
Check here for more updates!
Class Handouts
Upcoming Dates
MEXICAN AND GERMAN RESEARCH WITH JOHN SCHMAL
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German Geography and History
Many people know that they have German ancestors, but they know and understand very little about German history. This presentation explores Germany’s history over the centuries, utilizing several maps. There will also be a discussion of the factors that led so many Germans to come to America during the Nineteenth Century. In addition, profiles of the primary states will be discussed.
Class Handouts
Upcoming Dates
Tracing Your German Roots
This presentation will discuss certain research techniques for locating your German ancestors. John will discuss certain tools for LOCATING A PLACE OF ORIGIN (which is essential to even beginning your search). He will also show the attendees how to use some of the German databases available on the web. Handouts will be included.
Class Handouts
Upcoming Dates
Tracing Your California Roots Through FamilySearch
This presentation discusses how you can do research on your California roots, utilizing the FamilySearch catalog. Many people don’t realize how valuable the catalog is, but sample searches will show people how to utilize the catalog to find the records you are looking for.
Class Handouts
Upcoming Dates
Indigenous Guanajuato and Michoacán
This presentation will explore the history of the indigenous groups of these two Mexican states. Both Guanajuato and Michoacán were conquered by the Spaniards in the Sixteenth Century, but many Americans are curious about the history of their distant indigenous ancestors, including the Purépecha (Tarascans), Otomies, Guamares and Pames.
Class Handouts
Guanajuato and Michoacán Indigenous History April 2022 pdf
Indigenous Mexico Presentation June 2022
Upcoming Dates
Indigenous Mexico: An Introduction to Mexico’s Remarkable Diversity
John Schmal’s presentation “Indigenous Mexico: An Introduction to Mexico’s Remarkable Diversity” is a PowerPoint Presentation that discusses many aspects of Mexico’s indigenous people from the pre-colonial days to the most recent censuses. This lecture will help the attendees to understand that Mexico’s indigenous peoples thrived in every corner of Mexico. While many of the original native groups have disappeared as “distinguishable cultural entities,” many others still survive today in many parts of the today’s Mexican Republic. And although most Mexicans do not speak indigenous languages, recent census data indicates that many do recognize their indigenous roots, thanks to the “autoadscripción indígena” (indigenous self-identification) policy utilized by the Mexican census since 2000.
Class Handouts
Upcoming Dates
- Saturday, June 4th, 1pm Registration required. Click here to register.
Finding Your Roots in Mexico
If your ancestors came from Mexico, you have a unique opportunity that is not available to many other ethnic groups. Many Mexican church records going back over 300 years are filled with details that are lacking in many other countries. Some Mexican records even go back to the 1500s and 1600s and many of them are available to you in the comfort of your home. Veteran genealogist John Schmal will show attendees how to access the records of their Mexican ancestors online and give them pointers about how to use that information once you have located it.
Class Handouts
Finding Your Roots in Mexico June 25, 2022
Upcoming Dates
- Saturday, June 25th, 1pm in the Los Angeles FamilySearch Library
Finding Your Roots in Germany
Class Handouts
Upcoming Dates
Online Class Offerings
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Oakland FamilySearch Library
Sacramento FamilySearch Library
Orange County FamilySearch Library
St. George FamilySearch Center
Ogden FamilySearch Center
Layton FamilySearch Center
Riverton FamilySearch Library
Lehi FamilySearch Classes
Classes in the Learning Center
BYU Webinars