March - Family History Fun

(disclaimer:  this post became extremely long as I started putting everything together, but I couldn't help myself!  I had so much fun with this month's project.  If nothing else, scroll to the end to watch the cute commercial by FamilySearch...)

my great-great-grandpa George Albert Goodrich in the Uintah Basin, 1893

What could be more fascinating than discovering that you're great-grandpa was part of the excavation of a brontosaurus? 

Or that you're great-great-great grandfather was a Revolutionary War General?    

Better yet, how about discovering that you've descended from Clodius III, king of the Franks?  

Clodius III, currently listed as my
 infinitely great-grandpa on the Hunt family side

Ok, that might not be something to brag about seeing as the Franks were ruthless conquerors, but cool nonetheless (maybe explaining some of my own tendencies??)

I have felt the guilt of not doing family history for years, shrugging it off as something I would do in the future because I have plenty to keep me busy now.  And really, my dad has done all the work we can possibly do, so there's nothing left, right?  At least that's what I tried to convince myself, but the impressions wouldn't leave and I knew I needed to just do it.  

My top 3 Reasons for doing family history:

1. builds family ownership, family unity

In The Entitlement Trap by Richard and Linda Ayre, one of the things they emphasize is building family ownership by sharing family history stories.  They tell of their kids begging for family stories in place of bedtime stories,even though the stories have nothing to brag about.  I'm thinking, ya right.  My kids would never beg for family history stories.  So I tested it out.  I pulled the thick bound copy of my mother's family history from the shelf, dusted it off, and turned to stories of my great-grandpa.  One of the few I never met.  (Being the oldest grandchild on both sides of the family, I knew four of my great-grandparents.)  I read his life history in just a few minutes.  The next night as we head up to bed, my 10-yr-old son asks, "Can you read some more family stories?  Please?"   I'll admit I was wrong.  There's no shame in in it.

2. eliminates the influence of the adversary

In October 2012 General Conference, Elder Scott said, "Do you ... want a sure way to eliminate the influence of the adversary in your life? Immerse yourself in searching for your ancestors, prepare their names for the sacred vicarious ordinances available in the temple, and then go to the temple and stand as proxy for them....I can think of no greater protection from the influence of the adversary in your life."  

3. strengthens your character and sense of self.  

Learning about my ancestors has given me a stronger sense of who I am.  I feel more confidence, compassion, and desire to do good because of the stories I've read about who they were and what they did. It gives me pride to know I am part them.

The Plan:

If you've read my previous posts, you've probably caught on to the fact the I don't tend to over complicate things.  This month was no exception.  We simply set out to do a month of family history work; my goal was to to have someone involved in family history for half an hour each day.  And I just hoped it wasn't always me.  I had a basic idea of what I wanted to accomplish and as the days went by, it slowly evolved.   

Areas of focus:

1. reading family history stories

2. indexing

3. searching through www.familysearch.org

Initially we were just reading lots of stories from family history.  My husband has a compilation of letters between his grandma and grandpa.  My dad typed his part of his journal which covered the first ten years of my life.  And then I mentioned the published family history on my mom's side.  Lots of stories to choose from.  

Other times I'd take half an hour to do indexing, trying to decipher different writing styles, and often being pulled in by curiosity, wanting to know more about these peoples lives.

 My 10-year-old got into the habit of browsing through FamilySearch on Sunday mornings (because it was the only thing I'd allow him to do).  And that's where we discovered all the fascinating links in our lineage.  As I was busy getting the three other kids ready, I'd often hear, "Mom, come look at this!"  I'd rush over and we'd share a moment being thrilled about a connection he'd found.  Not only that, but he discovered a number of sealings that needed to be done and my husband and I were able to take a Sat. morning to complete that temple work.

Halfway through the month I decided to take my oldest two on a trip to the Riverton FamilySearch Library.  That was a turning point for me.  Up until then, I really had no idea how to contribute to family history research.  Or how to find names to take to the temple-other than randomly browsing my family tree.  In half an hour, I learned some fantastic tips and tools to get us going on research.  (Although they deflated my ego by telling me not to put too much stock in family lines going back to the Franks; we're going to need proof.)

But can I just tell you how awesome the new FamilySearch website is?  Three different family tree formats.  You can look at a portrait tree. I've looked at pictures I never knew existed, that I never would have had access to otherwise.  You can download and print a fan chart.  At the Riverton library we printed and laminated a nine generation fan chart for each of my boys for less than two bucks.  You can read documents and stories that have been linked up.  I find myself pausing on each ancestor's name, wanting to read the memories that have been posted, look through the photos, and search the internet trying to glean any other data out there about my family. 

When I asked the missionary at the Riverton Library what I could do to be most helpful, here's the direction I received:

1. work backwards, starting with yourself
2. record sources
3. try to reconcile any possible duplicates

I was told that the biggest help our generation can do is to record sources.  My dad has done family history research for as long as I can remember, but had never taken time to document the source of his own father into FamilySearch.  I got that privilege.  In less than 10 minutes.

With that direction, my family history research now has purpose.  We have lots of work to do, going back through all the data to check for and add sources.  One generation at a time, linking the sources I find into FamilySearch.  Clarifying and refining.  It's been a thrilling journey I never thought I'd get into.  And it's really so simple.  Especially with the way the FamilySearch website is set up.  

Simple steps to adding sources: 

1. Click on a name and check the sources.  If there are no sources listed, 

2. Click on the 'search records' button on the right side.  A new window opens with lots of possible records.  

3. Click on any record for more information or possibly even an image to explore.  

4. If the record is a match, click on the big blue button that says 'Attach to Family Tree'

5. Then one more window pops up where you can verify before clicking 'Attach'

It's exciting!  Just hope we get to keep our claim to Frankish ancestry.

And just for fun, watch this commercial created for FamilySearch. 

(btw, my son is in the vneck blue shirt with long hair.  

I know, shameless plug. )

On to next month:  April – It’s a month of birthdays. Three of my four kids have birthdays this month, so the focus will be cakes and parties.  There'll be more pics and less words, promise!