Monday, September 25, 2017

FamilySearch's New Web Tool Makes Ancestry Records Easier to Find

Hurray for indexing! This is great news!

The following is a press release from FamilySearch.

FamilySearch's New Web Tool Makes Ancestry Records Easier to Find 


infographicSalt Lake City, Utah 

(25 September 2017), FamilySearch International, a leader in historical records preservation, has launched its new web-based indexing tool. Indexing is a technology used to make the world’s historical records freely searchable online for family history research. The new program makes it easier for online volunteers to participate using web-enabled computers, laptops, or tablets, and enables FamilySearch to expedite its online publishing of completed indexes. (Find and share this announcement and its graphics online in the FamilySearch Newsroom).

New features enable volunteers to work on tablets, modify the layout of their dashboard based on personal preferences, set and track individual goals, and create groups with friends or others interested in working on a common project.

Global nonprofit FamilySearch digitally preserves billions of historical records online to help individuals with their family history research. It has published billions of images of historic records from all over the world online. Researchers can find the record images in FamilySearch's Catalog or Historic Records Collections online. But searching through billions of images online in search of one's elusive ancestors is not fun for the average person. They want to type in an ancestor's name and known context, press Enter, and voilà, see highly matched results from their search query.

"That requires an index," said Jim Ericson, marketing manager for FamilySearch Indexing. "Until the records are indexed online, they can only be discovered by browsing through often enormous collections of digital images. With a digital index, researchers can locate records in seconds by using a person's name and other helpful information as search terms. A searchable index saves researchers time and effort by returning search results from the entire collection in a matter of seconds."

Ericson says the new web-based indexing platform will enable more volunteers to participate worldwide and increase the rate at which FamilySearch can make indexed records accessible online. "It is a straight-forward experience that no longer requires people to download software," said Ericson.
Using the new tool enables volunteer indexers to help make it possible for millions of people to have personal family history discoveries quickly with just a few keystrokes. Indexing also fuels hints, a new feature on FamilySearch.org that makes finding records even easier by mapping indexed records against a person’s family tree and sharing high probability ancestral matches with them.
The web-based indexing program also has new built-in helps, plus a lab section that allows you to test upcoming product features and enhancements for the new program.
For first-time volunteers, simple training provides step-by-step instructions. To participate, go to FamilySearch.org/indexing, and click the link to web indexing.

RELATED
Check out or plan to participate in the Worldwide Indexing EventOctober 20-22, 2017.


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About FamilySearch
FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 5,000 family history centers in 129 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Adding Yet Another Sweet Little Leaf to Our Family Tree


We added another sweet little leaf to our family tree. An adorable baby girl was born last month to our second-oldest son and his wonderful wife. Our new little granddaughter is just so beautiful!

It was awesome to add our new granddaughter's name to my Legacy Family Tree database. Our family tree continues to grow. 😊

We now have three grandchildren, with one more on the way this year. We are so excited!

Being a grandparent really is the best!

Thanks for stopping by!

Jana

© 2017 Copyright by Jana Iverson Last, All Rights Reserved


Tuesday, September 19, 2017

RootsTech 2018 Now Open for Registration

Don't miss out on early bird discount prices for #RootsTech2018. See you there! 

The following is a press release from FamilySearch:

RootsTech 2018 Now Open for Registration

SALT LAKE CITY (19 September 2017)--FamilySearch International has announced that registration to RootsTech 2018 is now open. RootsTech is a popular 4-day annual family history and technology conference where individuals and families are inspired to discover, preserve, and share their family roots, heritage, and stories. The conference will be held February 28 to March 3, 2018, at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. For more information, go to RootsTech.org. (Find and share this announcement online in the FamilySearch Newsroom.)

In 2017 the growing event attracted more than 26,000 attendees in-person from all 50 U.S. states and more than 35 countries. Family Discovery Day, a free 1-day event held on Saturday as part of the conference, is also open for registration.

RootsTech 2018 will offer attendees a full lineup of inspiring and well-known keynote speakers; over 300 informative sessions, including hands-on computer labs taught by industry professionals and leaders; interactive activities and helpful exhibitors in the expo hall; and entertaining evening events. All are designed to inspire and empower personal family discoveries.

INNOVATION SHOWCASE

RootsTech 2018 officially begins on Wednesday, February 28, with class sessions beginning at 9:30 a.m. The all-new general session begins at 4:30 p.m. Steve Rockwood, CEO of FamilySearch International, will be the keynote speaker. Following Rockwood's address will be the all-new Innovation Showcase. The Innovation Showcase will feature the best new technology in the industry from around the globe. RootsTech is now accepting nominations for the 2018 Innovation Showcase from the public. The public can nominate its favorite family history related app, product, or service by using #RootsTechInnovation on Facebook or Twitter, or visit the Innovation Showcase page at rootstech.org. The submission deadline is October 15, 2017.

The showcase also offers attendees the opportunity to interact and connect with industry influencers, executives, and investors. Online viewers will also be able to vote for their favorite product or service during the live showcase event on Wednesday. (See RootsTech 2018 Grows to 4 Days, Introduces New Innovation Showcase.)

FAMILY DISCOVERY DAY

Registration for Family Discovery Day is also now open. The event takes place on Saturday, March 3, 2018, and is designed for families and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This free and fun 1-day event includes inspiring messages from Church leaders; engaging classes for families, youth, and young single adults; and evening entertainment to inspire and help families and members discover, preserve, and share their family connections. Family Discovery Day attendees will also have access to all the interactive activities and exhibitors found in the RootsTech Expo Hall. Event details, including speakers and classes, will be made available soon at RootsTech.org. Registration is required.

PRICES

Early bird discount pricing is available for a limited time on 4-day passes at just $169 (a $100 discount). Single-day RootsTech passes are also available for $99. A 4-day Getting Started pass is only $69. All passes include access to the popular Expo Hall and morning keynote sessions.

RELATED

Watch archived sessions of RootsTech 2017

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About RootsTech

RootsTech, hosted by FamilySearch, is a global conference celebrating families across generations, where people of all ages are inspired to discover and share their memories and connections. This annual event has become the largest of its kind in the world, attracting tens of thousands of participants worldwide.

Saturday, September 16, 2017

I'm Excited to be Serving as a RootsTech 2018 Ambassador!



I am so excited to announce that I've been invited to be a RootsTech 2018 Ambassador!

I served as a RootsTech Ambassador in 2016 and had a wonderful time attending the conference. I was invited to be a RootsTech 2017 Ambassador, but I wasn't able to serve that year because we moved into a our new home in early 2017.

What is RootsTech you ask? It's the world's largest family history and technology conference, and is hosted by FamilySearch.

RootsTech will be held in the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah from February 28 - March 3, 2018.

The theme for RootsTech 2018 is: Connect. Belong.

Registration for RootsTech 2018 opens on September 20, 2017.

To learn more about RootsTech 2018, click HERE.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you at RootsTech 2018!

Jana

© 2017 Copyright by Jana Iverson Last, All Rights Reserved