California Genealogical Society blog: Going to Salt Lake City? Getting More from FamilySearch may be just the ticket.

Whether you’re planning a trip to the Family History Library (we’ve got a research trip for April 28th-May 4th) in Salt Lake City or not, this class is helpful to anyone looking to get the most research bang out of the Familysearch.org website. Interested? Join us Saturday, March 5th from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at our genealogy library in uptown Oakland for this interesting class.

What’s covered?

How to use the library catalog, the Family Search wiki, and the historical records, especially the un-indexed records.
A quick tour of the FamilySearch website
How to order microfilms and have sent to your local Family History Center for viewing

Planning a trip to the Family History Library?

Lisa says, “The library catalog is the most important aspect to understand. If you do, then you’ll know what’s available at the library specific to your area of research. The second ‘must-do’ is for you to make a list of the books, films, and microfiche now. This way your time will be better spent once at the library.”

Not taking a trip to the Family History Library?

You still get a lot out of this class because many of the films you find in the catalog can be ordered and viewed at your local Family History Center.

Details on what you’ll learn in the class include:

The FamilySearch Wiki: a wonderful resource that allows you to learn about the geographic area you are researching and what types of record sets you can find related to it.
Un-indexed record sets: make up a majority of the images available on FamilySearch. Because they are not indexed, they are a little tricky to use.
Lisa will cover the most efficient ways to maneuver throughout the record sets. Record sets include land, probate, tax, and other records.

What’s the class format?

The class will be a mix of lecture slides and live demonstrations on FamilySearch.org.
Laptops/tablets are optional, but can be helpful for following along in class.
A practice exercise will be given for home use.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

Pre-registration is required. Class size is limited so please register early. CGS members enjoy free admission.

Not a member? Not a problem.

Non-member admission fee is $30.00 and can be applied towards a new one year CGS membership (starting at $40) the day of the class.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Lisa Gorrell has been researching her family for more than twenty years. It was the birth of her daughters that began the journey connecting the past and the future generations.

What got her hooked? One trip to San Francisco’s Sutro Library where she used the 1920 census microfilm that ultimately led her to find her grandfather’s family. Now, a yearly trip to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City keeps her going.

She is currently the Recording Secretary for the California Genealogical Society, a board member with the Contra Costa Historical Society and a volunteer at their archives at the History Center in Martinez.

Lisa loves learning and has attended several genealogy institutes in Salt Lake City, Pittsburgh, and Birmingham. This is her second year as tour co-leader for the California Genealogy Society’sresearch trip to Salt Lake City.