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Subject: [DEARMYRTLE-L] Using a LDS FHCenter #7 - Family Registry (revised)
Date: Fri, 9 Apr 1999 15:26:06 EDT

DearMYRTLE's DAILY COLUMN
Using a LDS FHC #7: Family Registry (revised)

HTML version: http://members.aol.com/dearmyrtle/fhc7.htm

DearREADERS,

This is the 7th in a series lessons on USING A LDS FAMILY HISTORY CENTER
(FHC), found on America Online at keyword: myrtle and on the web at
http://members.aol.com/dearmyrtle/lessons.htm

There are over 3,400 branches of the main Family History Library (FHL) in
Salt Lake City. Each branch has a core collection and access to microfilm and
microfiche through a rental program. Each center varies in size, staff
experience, hours of operations, equipment and scope of indefinite loan
micofilm/fiche collection.

Today's lesson describes the Family Registry, which is an index to 286,000
individuals and family organizations interested in sharing family history
information about common ancestors with other researchers. These living
people are so motivated to share genealogical information that they completed
a questionnaire and submitted it to the LDS Family History Library in Salt
Lake City, Utah. Subsequently, the Family Registry microfiche was created.

How do I access the Family Registry?
This database is available at all local LDS FHCenters in microfiche format.
Look through the fiche, alphabetically by your ancestor's surname and given
name.

You'll find such references as:
WEISER FAMILY ORGANIZATION
GIST, Christopher

The first entry describes a family organization. The second entry describes a
coordinator for all descendants of an individual. Both type of entries also
include the name, address and phone number of the individual willing to act
as coordinator of research. In the sample shown on the HTML version of this
column, the "FR 147669" is the number assigned to the registration form. It
is not necessary to obtain a copy of the registration form, since you will be
able to write to the address listed in the Family Registry. I've added column
heading for instructional purposes.

Name of Ancestor
Male or Female
Dates of birth, death and marriage
father
mother
spouse
registration form number
Research coordinator's name
address
phone number

What do I do when I find an entry for my ancestor?
Make note of the entry and write a letter to the genealogist listed. Provide
copies of family group sheets and other documents proving your known
relationship to the individual. Ask the researcher if he has more information
on your common ancestry. Offer to pay for photocopy expenses, and be sure to
provide a business size stamped envelope, self-addressed, of course!

The Future of the Family Registry
It is rumored that the Family Registry will eventually be replaced by the
Ancestral File on CD-ROM available at FHCenters equipped with FamilySearch
computer systems. With the recent announcement of LDS FamilySearch Test Site
and its proposed permanent debut in the summer of 1999, online genealogists
will use the option: COLLABORATE WITH OTHERS to communicate via surname mail
lists. Certainly this makes sense for the future as more genealogists are
becoming computer literate. If an individual submits his entire database on
floppy disk to the Ancestral File, which is then made available at the LDS
FamilySearch site, then this cuts out the need for researchers to write as
many letters back and forth. The mail list will facilitate communication if
source documents need to be shared via snail mail or web site display of
scanned images. Information sharing is immediate if you find a submission in
the Ancestral File!

Even if you find records in the computer through the Internet or at your
local LDS FHCenter, don't overlook the Family Registry on microfiche as a
coordinated listing of like-minded researchers.

Myrt         :)

For further reading:
Cerny, Johni & Elliott, Wendy, editors, THE LIBRARY:  A Guide to the LDS
Family History Library, 1988.  Salt Lake: Ancestry Publishing.

LDS Family History Library, News of the FHL in Salt Lake City. A periodic
newsletter sent to all FHC directors.

LDS FamilySearch Test Site - http://www.familysearch.org

v 3.0 (my960412) (revised)

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