Family History for Non-Members and Less Active Members by Elder O. Richard Boen Layton Valley View Family History Center Layton, Utah

Every missionary should have a goal in reaching out to both non-members and less active members. Statistics show it’s harder to go door to door or talk to someone on the street, without them saying: “ I’m not really interested.” or “Thank you.”

How would you like to increase your odds getting into homes without being a so-called threat to their way of life…

…or their religion?

How about a “family history approach?” When going door to door or just talking to anyone on the street, try opening up with this approach: “We are from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Would you like to know more about how to find your family history for free.”

Statistics show that 70% to 80% of people want to know more about their families.

By using family history as your approach, you don’t come off as a threat to people.

The first thing you need to teach is how to log in on the church’s website familysearch.org familysearch.org

At the top right you see “sign in.” Click on “sign in.” If they already have an account, just sign in.

If they don’t have an account, create one as follows: Click on “free account” and fill out all the information as best as you can.

When you come to the part asking about being a member or a non-member, click on one or the other. If you click on yes, do the following: Call someone of the Bishopric for the person’s membership number. You can also click on: “Don’t know your MRN?”

If they aren’t members, just click “no.” Make sure they have an account within 24 hours and follow the agreement to create an account. If they don’t agree within 24 hours, the account cancels and a new account has to be created.

Once logged into Family Search, the following needs to be done: Click on and go to Family Tree

This is what you may see.

But if you don’t see any deceased family members, do not Panic!

Everyone has to fill in their tree starting with the first person, and that is you.

This chart comes up to start your tree.

A personal file appears for adding or finding a person. Fill in as much information as you can recall. Once you are done, click “find” or “add” the person.

Remember: in order to build a chart, you must go back to someone who is dead and not living.

Remember to put in as much information as you can. You can also get other family members to participate by calling your mom and dad and other family members for help with building your family tree.

The next step is using the family research tool.