Find Answers With Some Specific Searches

The vocation of computers cannot be divorced from the advocation of genealogy. The two go hand-in-glove. Maybe computers can survive without genealogy, but genealogy research can hardly be done these days without computers.

Welcome to the age of technology. One you get the knack of it, you’ll wonder why it took you so long to try it.

Today’s column continues the discussion designed to help genealogists understand and use the FamilySearch computer program, available in all Family History Centers.

When using the program’s Locality Search, specify a city, county, state or country. The computer will then display a Topic List of all records pertaining to the locality you’ve chosen that’s available in the Family History Library.

Most folks begin with the Vital Records topic.

For instance, if you want to document a birth, death or marriage, select Vital Records from the list offered. This topic lists the available microfilmed birth, death and marriage records for the place you’re searching.

Remember, the actual information you’re looking for is not in the catalog. But the catalog will tell you where to find the information in the Salt Lake City library (which is also accessible on loan through local Family History Centers).

Once you have chosen a record group from the Locality Topic List, depress the F7 key for a brief description or display of the item, or the F8 key to read the full description.

If the topic includes many items, use the F7 key. If, for instance, you want to locate an 1887 birth record, but the list shows there’s nothing available for that year, don’t bother with the full display key. The brief description has already told you what you need to know.

When you do spot an item that makes you smile, however, use the F8 key to pull up the full display for the item’s call number.

Then depress the F2 key for a printout of the information.

You can print out anything you see on the screen. Follow the on-screen directions: F2 is the print key.

It’s helpful to print out the entire Topic List for a given locality to use as a memory-jogger list.

But make this a Gold Plated Rule: When you call up the full display for any item, whether from the surname or locality lists, print out the page. Don’t just jot down the call number somewhere!

Making a printout of the catalog information only takes a minute and only costs a nickel. But, I promise, it will save you hours of frustration.

With the printout in hand, you have the item’s full description and the complete and correct call number. Furthermore, you can make notes about your findings on the sheet and keep it in your research notebook.

One final note, pick up copies of the free FamilySearch guides, printed for each part of the program, available in the main library and at all centers.

Remember, no matter how many printed guides you collect, and no matter how much talking you do about the FamilySearch program, you won’t fully understand and know how to use it until you practice using it.

Your research success depends on how effectively you use FamilySearch. So keep practicing and asking questions until you’re comfortable with it.

, 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