Boise Idaho Family History Center/Group Visits

Group Visits
The Boise FamilySearch Center offers the opportunity for individuals, organizations, and others to schedule a group visit to the center. A variety of options, listed below, are available for your group.

Review the following guidelines for scheduling a group visit. Scroll to the end of this page for the link to submit a request for a group visit, after reading the information below.

Logistics

 * Group Size: Because of our staffing, regular patrons, facility and equipment limits, we limit the total of visitors in groups to 20 per session. This can be a single group or multiple groups meeting separately or combined. Please do not come to the center with more than 6 people without a group reservation. This ensures that staff, building facilities, and computers will be available to support your group and its objectives.


 * Request Procedure: Telephone or email requests are accepted. Call: [tel:208-338-3811 208-338-3811], or send an [mailto:boisefamilysearch@gmail.com boisefamilysearch@gmail.com] Please include the following in your email: Your Name, Phone Number, Ward, Stake, Group name, Date and Time you are requesting, Purpose or Desired Class and how many you expect.


 * Supervision: Adults accompanying youth groups should prepare to actively participate with their youth. For example: if the youth will participate in Indexing, then each adult in the group should be registered and have some experience with Indexing before the visit. Local temple and family history consultants are an excellent resource to bring with your group and will provide continuity after your visit.


 * Printing: Copies of any documents found during your visit can be printed at the center for a nominal charge.

Important Preparation for a Successful and Rewarding Visit
LDS Account Login: Very Important! Each LDS member of the group needs to have an LDS Account before coming to the center. Please have them Sign in or go to another Church account site to make sure their username and password is working.

LDS Account Registration: For members who don’t have a current account, have them register for one prior to your visit. They can do this by going to Sign in and clicking on the Register for an LDS Account button on the right side of the screen and entering the necessary information, which includes their Membership Record Number (MRN) and birth date. Their MRN may be on their temple recommend or can be provided by their ward clerk. Youth 8-12 years old (under 13) will also need permission from a parent and the parent's MRN. To activate a new account, an email address is needed.

Personal Family History Information: Except for Indexing visits, please have everyone attempt to create a personal pedigree chart with as much family information as possible.

Specific Goal or Objective to Accomplish: Each group should have an idea or goal, before they arrive, of what they would like to accomplish during the visit to the center.

Selecting the Group Presentation: Select from the following options. We are not able to combine presentations in a single visit. We suggest that you schedule additional times for other topics of interest.

Group Visit Options
The visits include a short presentation, 15 to 20 minutes, in our meeting rooms, with the remainder of the time working at computers in the center.

1.  Finding Names to Take to the Temple Recommended for those who are searching for names of ancestors or their descendants to take to the temple and complete their ordinances. Learn how to do original research with tips on using search functions to find and document new people on ancestor or descendant lines. Shows how to reserve names for temple ordinances and print ordinance cards. Help others feel the Spirit in this important work. Discusses the Apostolic Temple Challenge.

2.  Introduction to Indexing An overview of the why and how of indexing and demonstration of the indexing application for indexing in the center or at home. Includes hands-on training.

3.  Preparation for Pioneer Trek A presentation on how to identify a pioneer ancestor, locate the pioneer company the ancestor was in, and then find information about them, including how to identify family members requiring temple ordinances. Creating a 9 generation fan chart is also demonstrated.

4.  Introduction to Family History (ages 8 - 12)   Help excite this age group in the ward about their ancestors.The "My Family" booklet is introduced and group sheets and pedigree sheets are completed.

5.  Group Visit without a Presentation   Designed for those who have been trained or oriented but just want to schedule a time when group members can go directly to the center and make use of the computers with our staff assistance, as needed.

Group visit organizers need to view the available dates and times prior to registering for a group visit.