Dive Into Technology Available Today

Genealogy has entered the world of computers, which are now a necessity for research. But don’t be afraid of the technology. Just muster your courage and dive in.

Today’s column continues the discussion of the FamilySearch computer program available at no charge at any area Family History Center.

The Family History Library Catalog has a Main Menu offering six Patron Searches.

Here is a brief explanation of each search:

Locality Browse: Provides lists of localities used in the catalog.

Surname Search: Where to find family histories or biographies.

Film/Fiche Number Search: Where to find a description of what is on a certain film or fiche.

Computer Number Search: Where to find a description of what is in a certain catalog entry.

Introduction: Use this search to learn how to use and understand the screens of the catalog or to know what the catalog is.

Locality Search and Surname Search are the most-used portions of the Library Catalog for research. This is where you look for information on specific families and where to find those families in specific places.

Here’s a game plan to logically use the searches of the Library Catalog: Begin with the easiest and most fun, the Surname Search.

Following on-screen directions, enter your family surname. The catalog will list the names nearest to your request and will tell you how many items in the collection pertain to that family.

Use the F7 key to do a quick “scroll through” or “look through.” The F8 key allows you to look at the full description (or full display) of each item.

If the catalog only finds a few items for your surname, then begin by using the F8 key, or full display.

If there are too many items to do that first, take a brief look at each item with the F7 key. When you find an item that looks interesting (like a book or microfilm you might want to look at in depth), use the F8 key to learn more specifics about it.

Remember, only the F8 key will provide the location number of the book, film or fiche you might want to access, so print a copy of the information from that screen.

Next, you’re ready to use the Locality Search.

Directions on the screen will prompt you to type in one or all of the four definers: city, county, state and/or country.

It’s advisable to try the smallest definer first (city or town locality) and then work through each one in order of size (town, county, state and country).

The program will present you with a Topic List for that locality. The smaller the place, the shorter the list. The larger the place, the longer and more varied will be the list.

These topics include cemetery records, census records, genealogies, histories, land records, military records, probate records and vital records. There might be as many as 50 topics listed for a big place like a state, and up to 100 topics listed for the United States.

From the Topic List, pick an item (or a record group) you think might have information on your family. You will probably begin with Vital Records if that is an option.

Look for more information on FamilySearch in next week’s column.

, DataTimes MEMO: Donna Potter Phillips welcomes letters from readers. Write to her at The Spokesman-Review, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. For a response, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Donna Potter Phillips The Spokesman-Review