Church Resources and GEDCOMs Introduction to Family Search and understanding GEDCOMs

FAMILY SEARCH A free website run by the church. Anyone can access, but must be a member to see temple ordinance work. Currently being updated to incorporate the new FamilySearch and Family Tree.

FAMILY SEARCH Currently includes these search databases: Ancestral File (AF) International Genealogical Index (IGI) Pedigree Resource File (PRF) United States Social Security Death Index (SSDI) Vital Records Index Family History Library Catalog Record Search Pilot

RECORDS SEARCH PILOT Can access through familsearch.org or through labs.familysearch.org . Includes: Vital Records (Birth, Marriage, and death records) Census Records Military Records Immigration lists/records Church Records

GEDCOMs Can export a GEDCOM from: Stands for GEnealogical Data COMmunication Can export a GEDCOM from: Another PAF file Ancestral File IGI Pedigree Resource File Rootsweb.com

GEDCOM Focus on quality not quantity Importing procedure is the same process regardless of where the GEDCOM came from Make sure to MATCH and MERGE people and CLEAN UP YOUR PAF FILE afterwards!

MATCHING AND MERGING Very important so that a person from the new file is merged to a person in your file and links the new information in your file. Make sure that you are absolutely sure the individuals are the same before merging. If you are unsure or know that the individuals are not the same, DO NOT merge!

CLEANING UP YOUR FILE From your tools tab in your PAF file Merge duplicate sources and citations” Change names to mixed case PAF Pal Expand Place Abbreviations (takes abbreviated cities and states and spells them out automatically) Add USA to places with states (preliminary to editing places using new FamilySearch) Go to the Individual tab Delete all UNKNOWNs from your file

ASSIGNMENTS Make sure you have your confirmation date and membership number. Continue to gather family records: Ask parents Call family members Research Do PAF tutorials on-line