Family History Has Changed Over Time

Today, research is secondary to strengthening our personal relationship with Jesus Christ, including through worship and covenants in the temple. As a new convert in 1962, I was placed in the genealogy class in Sunday School. It was heavily focused on research, and we felt guilty if we failed to discover a direct ancestor that no one had discovered before. I learned to love research and I still do. Guilt is no longer my motivation.

I am glad that today all members are not expected to become dedicated researchers, but that all can enjoy the spiritual aspects of service in the house of the Lord. I hope you will continue to add what you know to the family tree, and that those of you who love a good puzzle will enjoy learning to research your ancestors. The resources keep getting better all the time. And your ward temple and family history consultants will be thrilled to help you, if you ask. And your stake consultants love to help too. I have had wonderful experiences while helping others.

And with 98% of new accounts in FamilySearch being by non-members, some of them may incidentally do research on your part of the shared family tree.

These changes are testimonies to me that the Lord loves us deeply and personally, whether we are living or dead; and He is hastening his work of redemption. He invites us to help.

Hidden Records in Family Tree

 

Hidden Records in Family Tree
In Family Tree, records of living people are hidden from everyone except the person who created them. 
And the record of live ordinances of living members is visible only on the record created by Membership Department, and hidden from everyone else. Today I was contacted by a friend from Béziers, France asking the ordinance dates of his deceased mother. He and his sister want to be sealed to their parents, but their mother's completed ordinances are not shown on her record that is public.

What is the problem and what is the solution?
The problem is that Membership Department thinks she is still alive, and is protecting her privacy.
The solution is to get her death recorded. The easiest way may be to have my friend's branch president request her membership and record her death. Then the private record will become public.

[I hope this information is helpful. - Bill]