Coaching the Beginner
For those helping UTSA students with their Family History project
Embedded Files
Agenda
Agenda
Get ready
Log in to Liahona network
Password: alma3738
Log in to
beta.FamilySearch.org
use your username and password
FamilySearch--a gift to the world
Why the Church offers FamilySearch for free
Helper Quality Standards
UTSA student project
Link to the professor's instructions
Skills helpers will most likely need
Free for all
Free for all
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides FamilySearch free of charge to everyone, regardless of tradition, culture, or religious affiliation. FamilySearch resources help millions of people around the world discover their heritage and connect with family members.
To learn more, click here.
(Copied from the FamilySearch about page.)
"Yes, FamilySearch is the world's largest collaborative family tree, with more than 1.74 billion searchable names as of July 2025. It is a public, shared tree that allows users to contribute information, find ancestors, and connect with other descendants." (Google AI Overview, 23 Oct 2025)
(picture links to video clip)
We each have a story
We each have a story
Friends, brothers and sisters, we each have a story. As we discover our story, we connect, we belong, we become. …
Do you know your story? …
link Elder Gong, 2022
Worksheet Challenge 1: Listen the video, what are three things Elder Gong promises those who discover their story?
Operations Guide
Operations Guide
The FamilySearch Center Operations Guide includes quality standards for our interactions. The quality standards are:
inspiration,
trust,
kindness,
effectiveness, and
simplicity.
Worksheet Challenge 2: Find the FamilySearch Center Operations Guide. Read the Guide's discussion of quality standard of Kindness. How is this standard consistent with gospel doctrine?
Click image to review the assignment.
It is designed as a scrolling HTML. So, once open scroll down to read the details.
The Student's Assignment
The Student's Assignment
Professor Jodi Peterson has assigned her students this project. It may be helpful to review it by clicking the link.
Our job is to help students build a four-generation tree. And to find sources (documents, pictures, etc.)
Jodi references many FamilySearch pages and videos in the assignment. Please ensure your coaching is consistent with the FamilySearch instructions.
Worksheet Challenge 3: In the third paragraph of Professor Peterson's Purpose statement, she suggests how to begin the project. How does that beginning challenge relate to Elder Gong's promise?
The Sandbox: beta.familysearch.org
The Sandbox: beta.familysearch.org
For the next experiences we suggest you use beta.familysearch.org. "You can use the beta version of FamilySearch as a sandbox or learning place. You can experiment, learn, and teach about FamilySearch Family Tree without having to use real data. The changes you make on beta Family Tree do not synchronize with the live FamilySearch Family Tree."
Enter known information. Call relatives to collect additional info.
FamilySearch will help identify deceased relatives that are already in the tree
Watch for record hints.
Click image for more getting started suggestions, or
Try Google Search for
Create a FamilySearch Family Tree
The world's largest family tree
Worksheet Challenge 4:
Worksheet Challenge 4:
HowTo:
Log in to beta.familysearch.org
Navigate to your tree.
Click on Recents in the bar just under the green FamilySearch logo
+ ADD UNCONNECTED PERSON
The purpose is to simulate what someone sees after first creating an account.
Create your student from the handout.
Worksheet Challenge 5:
Worksheet Challenge 5:
Many patrons have already added their parents. If not, they know some information and you can help them get started.
Create the parents listed on your handout.
Worksheet Challenge 6:
Worksheet Challenge 6:
While in beta.familysearch.org, add the information obtained in the fictitious interview or other information on your handout.
Challenge 7: Try it on your own
Challenge 7: Try it on your own
Reference the information page distributed about Aloisius.
Create a Aloisius with + ADD A DISCONNECTED PERSON
Add parent information
Add sibling information
Add information about Ramos's mother
Use this link to download image:
https://tinyurl.com/29w5any3
Challenge 8: Create a Memory Source
Challenge 8: Create a Memory Source
Download image using the tinyurl in the caption.
Then accomplish three things
get the image into your gallery
tag Nancy to the image
create a source for the image
There are many ways to get this done!
Time to Return to FamilySearch.org
Check Existing Sources
Check Existing Sources
Students need to identify sources as part of their project. You have learned to create a source from a memory.
Another way to identify sources added by others. If your student has created a tree far enough to connect to the existing tree, you can look at the sources for those individuals.
Worksheet Challenge 8:
Worksheet Challenge 8:
Check how many sources in Fan Chart
Find a source that includes original document.
Add a Memory
Add a Memory
Learn more here.
In this workshop, we will use memories to record information obtained through an interview. This can then be used as source. Of course, photos and documents can also be valuable sources stored in Memories.
AI Research Assistant
AI Research Assistant
Consider adding the AI Research Assistant. It will become useful once the patron's tree attaches to FamilySearch Tree.
The AI Research Assistant is activated in FamilySearch Labs.
You can learn more about the AI Research Assistant from Fresno North Stake FamilySearch Center training: FamilySearch AI Research Assistant. This is for your information.
(We'll return to this is a minute.)
This will be helpful in finding sources.
Workshop Challenge 8:
Workshop Challenge 8:
After activating the AI Research Assistant, then return to the homepage and consider the five suggestions provided by the Assistant.
If time permits, consider REVIEW of one or more of the suggestions provided by the Assistant.
Thank You!
Volunteer as a helper
Learn more about the Stone Oak Texas FamilySearch Center
Questions about Zoom will be discussed after the workshop
stick around if you want that discussion.
Where to learn more:
Where to learn more:
? > Help and Learning
Also see the "Get help"
Page updated
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