New United States quicklink map added to Internet Resources page of Genealogy Trot

Family Search In-Home activities

FamilySearch has released a new resource for families and individuals to help you discover, gather, and connect your family—past and present.

In-Home Activities are themed activities that help individuals or families to participate in Family History in fun and basic ways. It is easy to feel overwhelmed with getting started or participating in family history. 

There are currently eleven different activities in the About Me section. Each activity is displayed with a name, star ranking from participants, and a short description. 

There are 15 different activities in the My Family section. Like the About Me section, each activity is displayed with a name, star ranking from participants, and a short description. 

Also included is a Tip for Parents page that helps to remind about the purposes of the activities and suggestions on how to make them meaningful and impactful.

The Family Traditions activity in the My Family Section gives ides for three possible activities as well as two ways to enrich or preserve the activity.

The Remembering My Photos activity centers around family photographs and the memories they capture. There are four possible activities along with a way to preserve the pictures and memories online

The My Name activities help to find out more about your own name as well as those family members who may share your name. There are four possible activities and two digital preservation ideas.

At the bottom if the My Name page there is a link to an All About Me activity online.

This Discover Experience currently has 23 different information points that has to do with you and your birthday.

In one I can find out the meaning of my name and of any name of my wife, children, parents, and great-grandparent.

In one I can find out how many people in my country share either my first, middle or last name. It will also look at the names of the five generations of family whose picture are at teh bottom of the page.

There are 289,801 people who share my wife's name in the United States. It is also interesting to note that my father-in-law is from Texas and my mother-in-law is from California. The top two states on the map with the most Rachels.

I almost did not post this one. I feel a little old knowing the first personal computer was invented the year I was born.

One of the modules shows relatives who share a common year with you. In this case my great-grandfather died the same year I was born. The page is filled with information about him including pictures, stories, documents, and audio records if any are available.

I think the In-Home Activities page is a wonderful place to find worthwhile activities that he you to learn about yourself and your family. You should try it out.

Find a Person on the FamilySearch Family Tree App

FamilySearch has a new feature on the Family Tree app for those who do not have accounts or have not filled in their Family Tree.

When downloading the app be aware that FamilySearch has two different apps.

1. FamilySearch Tree
2. FamilySearch Memories

I don't want to discourage you from downloading both but the feature discussed here is in the FamlySearch Family Tree App.

Users without accounts or who are not logged in will see a page to learn about your family. Click the Search for an Ancestor button or swipe to the left.

This page allows you to search for an ancestor without having an account or being logged in.

You will be given information about the family name as well as multiple results to choose from.

  Basic information for your relative will be displayed. If you want more information or functionality you are then asked to log in or create a free account.

Users who already have an account can access this feature by clicking the  more button.

Then select Find a Person.

Enter information about your relative.

You will also receive multiple results and information about the surname you entered.

Once logged in you can see more details about the person and their spouse, and parents. You also can see any sources or memories attached to the person.

If you have not tried the app or if you do not have a free familySearch account you should give this a try.