Burley Idaho Family History Center/Classes and Class Schedules

Class Descriptions
Family Search and Family Tree Specific Classes

Come and learn one concept of Family Search or Family Tree, master that concept and continue on with another class. We have noted whether the class is beginner, intermediate or advanced. Don't be scared away by the classification of intermediate and advanced. As you progress along your Family History journey, you will be ready for a little more challenging class and so you move to the next level. Most importantly we don't want people to come to a class and be overwhelmed with the concepts and quit coming. We are trying to help people select the class level best suited to their abilities.

Family Tree- Beginning Family Tree - This class teaches how to move around in the new Family Tree program. What the icons mean, how to switch from one person to another, view the details page, etc. Beginner Class

Family Tree - Cleaning up Family Tree This class teaches how to add in new people, and edit existing things in Family Tree. How to delete incorrect parents, spouses or children. How to edit information put in by someone else, etc. Beginner Class

Family Tree - Sources. This class teaches about what sources are, why they are important, how to find them, and how to attach them. Includes basic instruction on using Tree Connect. Intermediate Class.

Family Tree - Merging and Separating. This class teaches how to merge people, and how to separated incorrectly merged individuals. Advanced Class.

Family Tree- Memories- Photos and Stories. This class teaches how to add photos, stories, documents and audio. Facts and numbers are nice. But it's these extra options that really bring to your ancestor to live. Intermediate Class.

Other Topics for Classes

All about Newspapers - This class will answer the following questions:  Where do I find newspapers on-line? What is the best way to search a newspaper? How do I clip the article I want? How do I use newspapers.com? Newspapers.com, owned by ancestry.com, is free to use at family history centers. All skill levels. Taught by Sharon Bowers.

Ancestry.com - One of the free websites offered to LDS Members. A two week course on how to use the basic and advance search options ancestry.com. Also learn how to use the filters to refine searches. How to use the card catalog to narrow searches. What different types of records are available and the information contained in them. A must for all researchers! Intermediate.

Ancestral Ques t- A class on how to use Ancestral Quest as your personal database for family history. Ancestral Quest is the most like PAF if you like the PAF format. There is a free version available online- no need to purchase a program. A three week class. Class one and two about using Ancestral Quest, class three is about using Ancestral Quest for Sources and Ordinances with Family Tree. Taught by Kathleen Hedberg

Basic Computers - Computers are amazing things, but can be very frustrating as well. This is a three week course offering the basics of computers in relation to family history. Things like: how to move around on your computer, organize files and folders, upload photos, using split windows, and some basics of searching the Internet, like using multiple tabs.

Basic Indexing - Hands on demonstration of the basics of indexing. Having an LDS Account or Family Search Account with sign in and password already established is helpful prior to coming to the class.- If you are interested in learning indexing, let us know and we will schedule a class.

Basic Online Research - Ever wondered where to find records online- this is the class for you. This class will give you ideas of where to start on your Family Tree in looking for individuals, and how to search for records online for them using just a few websites. Handouts include a basic overview of research.

Basic Scandinavian Records Online -Norway, Denmark and Sweden all have many records online. This class will show the basics of searching all three sites. More in-depth classes for each of the sites will be made available as the need arises. Call Kathleen Hedberg for one to one help, or to schedule a class if there are enough interested for a full class.

Church History Library (CHL) and Family History - Researching your Mormon ancestors? Come see what the CHL has to offer. The CHL has photos, documents and books that FamilySearch does not have on it's website. Learn how to use this terrific resource as you add to the story of your ancestors. Taught by Sharon. All levels.

Clues and Sources - What are the differences between clues and sources and how can clues lead to sources. Also how to use your source box more effectively to aid in your research projects. A power point presentation showing some specific examples of using clues to lead to more credible sources- and how to examine records carefully to get all of the clues.

Consultant Roundtable -A round table discussion forum for Ward Consultants and for those wanting to learn more about the updates and new options available through Family Search and Family Search Certified Programs. A presentation by Tammy or Sharon, followed by an open discussion, question and answer for all Ward Consultants to share ideas and information with one another. Held of 2nd Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and 3rd Wednesday at 1:30 p.m, January-November. Dates may change in February due to RootsTech. All levels.

Danish Records - Learn to how find free Danish Records online. Taught by Ida Chugg who can translate the records for you. Intermediate.

Database Search Techniques - Great tips for getting the most of your search results. Including how to use wild cards and filters to aid in getting better search results for online database searches. Taught by Deanna Higens. Intermediate

Descendancy Research - Just who are they? Where do I find them? For whom can I do temple work? If you direct line is all full, descendancy research is perfect match for you. This often leads to finding names to take to the temple. Beginner to Intermediate

Evernote - A cloud based note keeping system. See how to use this service to aid in Family History. This is free and can be used on mobile devices and computers. Everything is linked automatically between your accounts on different devices. There are four classes for Evernote, Sharon will be teaching one class per month and rotating through the classes. Beginner to Intermediate.

Findagrave.com - Are you making the most of findagrave.com? Are you simply using it for your own research or are you making it better for everyone? Learn how to edit inaccurate or incomplete information, add new information, photos, stories, and documents, and create virtual cemeteries of your own family. All levels.

Find a record - This is a great tool to use in finding issues in your Family Tree, for cleaning up records, and for finding persons missing information or sources. Described as "genealogy in 3 minutes." A Family Search Family Tree certified program. Free! Amazing results in minutes. Beginner to Intermediate

Google for Genealogy - A class on the different aspects of using Google searches and other google products for use in family history research. Taught by Deanna Higens. Intermediate

Google Books - Google has digitized thousands of books. Come see how to search, find and print from these books- all available online and many for free. Intermediate

Help with Ancestry - Third Fridays at 10:30 am Bring your own names and Chuck Jones will help you search ancestry. Beginner

How Do I Research- Case Studies. This will be a demonstration by the presenter on how they personally do family history using one of their own families as the example. Included will be tips on searching, which charts or logs they use, and how to use clues to proceed forward to the next step.

Keyboarding - A two week class. Learn how to use: keyboard shortcuts, split windows, finding and organizing files, time saving tips, and other helpful tricks and shortcuts for computers. Taught by Sharon Bowers Beginner and Intermediate

Legacy - classes on how to use Legacy for your personal database. There is a free version available online- no need to purchase a program. A two week class with basic of using Legacy as your personal database and how it syncs with Family Tree to sharing information back and forth. Beginner to Intermediate

MyHeritage - one of the many free websites to LDS members. Come see how to upload a tree, and how to use the automatic Record Matches and Smart Matches capabilities of their system. Plus how to search the site for records and how to attach them to people in Family Tree. Great way to contact family members from other countries working on your lines. MyHeritage just gained access to all of the Danish, Norwegian and Swedish church records- they will indexed and available online soon! Intermediate level.

Online LDS Records - There are many websites with LDS records available online. Some are paid websites (although free at the Family History Center) and some are free websites. Intermediate

Online Immigration Records - Learn where to find immigration records online and how to search those websites. Intermediate.

Personal History Workshop - Want to get started on your personal history? This class will get you started and help keep you going. Meeting once a month, you will leave each workshop with 2-3 stories written. Learn different approaches to writing your history. This class can also help you write a history for one of your ancestors. Taught by Sharon. All levels.

Portal Options - The Family History Center has access to several paid websites through the Family History Center Portal. Come learn what websites are available and how to search them. The cost of these individually would be hundreds of dollars- all for free! Taught by Sharon or Tammy. Intermediate.

Puzzilla and Google+ - Two mini-classes together in one lesson. Learn how to use Puzzilla to find those missing cousins. And check out the options of using Google+ to connect with extended family. Taught by K D McCombs. Intermediate.

Roots Magic User Group -learn to use Roots Magic to keep track of all your own genealogical information. There is a free version available for download- no purchase is necessary to use this program. This workshop is 1-1/2-2 hours. You will work on your own family lines and are welcome bring your own questions. Taught by Sharon Bowers. Beginner to Intermediate.

Technology in Research - Learn how to use different types of technology in all of the steps of research. Great review for basic research steps and as well as a look at some different technologies available. Intermediate.

Using Find my Pas t- One of the free websites offered to LDS members. Mostly UK Records, though some throughout the world. Bring your own names and learn how to research them using Find My Past and other free web sites. Taught by Mary Curtis Beginner to Intermediate.

Ward Consultants - A round table discussion forum for Ward Consultants and for those wanting to learn more about the updates and new options available through Family Search and Family Search Certified Programs. A presentation by Tammy or Sharon, followed by an open discussion, question and answer for all Ward Consultants to share ideas and information with one another. Held of 2nd Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and 3rd Wednesday at 1:30 p.m., January-November. Dates may change in February due to RootsTech. All levels.

Wikis- One of the most underutilized options for learning about records, where to find records and which records to use. A hands on class learning how to search and navigate through the Wiki. Intermediate.

Where do I Start? - A beginner's class in how to start working with Family Tree and Family Search. Some basic organization tips and tricks, very basic research introduction, and basic overview of Family Tree. Beginner.

Whoo's in my Tree? - A class geared for young children. Classes on Me, Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa. Need not be taken sequentially. These classes are offered at the same time as other classes for adults. Taught by Trina Winn. Beginner.

Whoo's in my Tree? (Adults) Come grandparents, parents, teachers and leaders. Learn how to invite children to feel the spirit of family history through listening, sharing and recording memories. Take home specific ways to help children interact with their family tree through stories, games, music and more. Apply in classroom, home and family settings. Taught by Trina Winn. Beginner.

Youth Family History - A four-week how-to class designed for teaching youth. Basics of working with all aspects of family history, with an end goal of finding family names to take to the temple. Wards or stakes can set up their own training for youth consultants, if desired. Contact Sharon Bowers. Beginner to Intermediate.

New Group Class Requests

We are not scheduling a lot of classes during the evenings. This will allow Young Men, Young Women, Relief Society, or families to arrange special classes for their groups. If you have a group that would like a special class, contact Tammy 431-4504 or Sharon 670-4400 or your ward family history consultant to arrange for them to teach. Or call the Burley Family History Center to reserve the basement classroom for your group to work together on your own projects. We have 11 computers in the basement with full access to the portal (all the free websites available only at Family History Centers.) There is enough table space for more at least ten more people to bring their own devices. It's more fun working together and sharing our discoveries!