Laura,

Yes, you can do pretty much the same research at home that you can do at your local Family History or at the Main Library in Salt Lake City.

The difference is that there are staff members at the centers and the library, who are willing to help one in their research. Of course depending on the center there may be a staff member who specializes, in the area that you are researching. And they would be willing to help you in anyway that they can.

Also, as it was stated, not all the microfilm have been digitized yet. So if you, want to get access to those undigitized images, you need to order the microfilm and read. And you can only have access to the microfilm at your local Family History Center. And the Library in Salt Lake, has a big collection of books. Some of those have been digitized, some have been mircofilmed, and the others are sitting on the bookselves, in the library. And the only way to have access to the books, is by going to the Library in Salt Lake, since they don't do inter-library loans.

But, what is the most important thing is. Is get to know the local Family History Center, and get to know what resources, that they have available beyond FamilySearch.org .

In the Family History Centers, their work is to help people do their genealogical research. They have been instructed not to preach to the non-LDS patrons, unless the patron specifically requests more information.

As, to keeping records. That is pretty much, a personal preference. Some people enjoy having paper copies of everything and some don't. There are several genealogical software packages out there, to choose from. What I would suggest, is to find something that works for you, and does what you want it to do. And then follow it.

I hope that this helps. If I or anyone else in the group can help you further, feel free to ask.

Jonathan

Randy McNeal, I scan all of my documents but I also have files of the paper documents I get. The files are by family lines. I find this easier since so many of my lines have the same last names in them. The only time this becomes a problem is when families combine then I print another copy and keep going by line. I also have a geneology program that I attach the documents to.

Yes, I have visited my local FHCs as well as the main one in Salt Lake City. Everyone is very nice and helpful. They are anxious for you to share your genealogical information and they have much to share with you---their PAF genealogy program that I have in my computer, and CDs of family trees they have gathered.

No, they don't try to convert you, but if you ask about their practices and beliefs they will tell you. They will give you a tour of their facilities in the temples except for some areas where only members are allowed.

One thing they did not tell me is that everyone in their microfilms has been baptized and "sealed" via their Baptism for the Dead, the reason they went worldwide microfilming the documents they did, so in a way it is conversion after the death. Google that for more information.

Since many of their microfilms are not online yet, it is worthwhile to go and ask the local FHC to send for some films to be reviewed by you; they have microfilm readers, copiers, etc. They also have genealogy help books and forms.

What has worked for me in organizing my print-outs is to have a binder for each line with dividers for the different types of documents----pedigree charts, descendancy reports, photos, maps, border crossings, WWI and WWII registrations, census, baptisms, marriages, deaths, messages, etc.

Looks like you are off to a good start.

Emilie
Port Orchard, WA

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> To: research@lists.nuestrosranchos.org
> From: mayangrl@sonic.net
> Date: Mon, 4 Jun 2012 23:18:14 -0700
> Subject: [Nuestros Ranchos] Visiting LDS Family Search Centers & keeping records
>
> I was wondering if anyone has visited their local LDS family search center. What's different from what you find online at familysearch.org? Is it worthwhile to go? One's here in town, and I'm debating. Will they try to convert me? ;-p
>
> Also, how do people organize their genealogy papers? Besides online, I like to keep physical copies, because it's easier to look and find stuff. Do people have a different binder per person/family/etc?
>
> Just started doing this and not sure what would be best way. Currently have paternal and maternal binders, with dividers for direct descendents, followed by siblings, next generation, siblings, etc. I also have maps in the binder.
>
> Thanks!
>
>
>

Mayangrl,

I have not visited a family search center since the records went on-line. I found the people volunteering at any of the centers to be very kind and extremely helpful and not once did anyone try to convert me. Some of them even became friends.

I no longer print hard copies. I copy the records I need from family search and save them on an external hard drive. I file the records according to the film number/type of record whether birth, marriage, info matrimonial etc. In my notes on PAF I make a complete source notation such as film#, image#, folio or page#, item#, therefore I can go to my hard drive and with the film# and all other pertinent information I can easily find it. I do all of this at the time I find the record, it's time consuming but it works very well for me.

For example: I have separate folders. labeled as such: 226665-Bapt-Nochis-Vol#35-1837
for each file going into this folder I include the following. I don't use the birth date because it's not always easy to see, sometimes they say 10 dias nacido. I want to see the name of the file and be able to open up the record and easily see the baptism date, person's name etc and in this way I know I've accessed the correct record.

Name of person, Image#, Page#, Baptism Date, name of rancho or locality within the jurisdiction.

Example: Ma Gertrudis Ibarra-Img237-Pg62-3-27-1837-Monte Duranes

I always use the same sequence of data for each file, in this way I can always file it and find it.

Each one of us will find a way that works for us. What works for me may not work for someone else. You need to attend one of Nueva Galicia's genealogy conferences. We have speakers who help us with record saving and record retrieval ideas, tips and suggestions.

Good luck in your search,

Alicia,

San Jose, Ca

________________________________
From: "mayangrl@sonic.net"
To: research@lists.nuestrosranchos.org
Sent: Monday, June 4, 2012 11:18 PM
Subject: [Nuestros Ranchos] Visiting LDS Family Search Centers & keeping records

I was wondering if anyone has visited their local LDS family search center.  What's different from what you find online at familysearch.org?  Is it worthwhile to go?  One's here in town, and I'm debating.  Will they try to convert me? ;-p

Also, how do people organize their genealogy papers?  Besides online, I like to keep physical copies, because it's easier to look and find stuff.  Do people have a different binder per person/family/etc? 
Just started doing this and not sure what would be best way.  Currently have paternal and maternal binders, with dividers for direct descendents, followed by siblings, next generation, siblings, etc.  I also have maps in the binder.

Thanks!

You didn't post your name so I have no idea what to call you.
 
You are one of the lucky ones who can now get all the information online instead of going to a history center for Mexican records. 
I spent 16 years going to history centers, ordering film at $6. a film, wait up to 6 weeks for it to arrive, be able to view it for 30 days or pay another $6 to keep it another month and was happy to do it! Like you in the beginning I had loads of paper work and file after file and reams of paper. And NO, not one person ever tried to convert me but they were more than willing to help me find information and answer genealogy questions. I would suggest you do whatever works for you. I use the Family Tree Maker for my records and put all my information in there since it keeps track of families and blood lines.
 
Marriage dispensations were for blood relationships and any offense that caused a couple to seperate and wanted to marry again. You may be surprised how many blood relatives you have so making seperate files gets complicated since they are on your Mother and Fathers side. My 4 Caldera ancestors go back to the same family.  I'm sure you will get more than one example of how people arrange and keep or share files.
 
good luck in your search for ancestors
Linda Castanon-Long in Gold River, B.C.

________________________________
From: "mayangrl@sonic.net"
To: research@lists.nuestrosranchos.org
Sent: Monday, June 4, 2012 11:18 PM
Subject: [Nuestros Ranchos] Visiting LDS Family Search Centers & keeping records

I was wondering if anyone has visited their local LDS family search center.  What's different from what you find online at familysearch.org?  Is it worthwhile to go?  One's here in town, and I'm debating.  Will they try to convert me? ;-p

Also, how do people organize their genealogy papers?  Besides online, I like to keep physical copies, because it's easier to look and find stuff.  Do people have a different binder per person/family/etc? 
Just started doing this and not sure what would be best way.  Currently have paternal and maternal binders, with dividers for direct descendents, followed by siblings, next generation, siblings, etc.  I also have maps in the binder.

Thanks!

Before all of the records were on-line we all had to go to order the individual films and view them after they arrived about a week later. The benefit of going to your local center is that the people who run them, though volunteers, are very friendly and knowledgeable. They may have access to some books that have been donated. No, they don't try to convert you. Now if you have a chance to go to one of the more metropolitan centers, ie Los Angeles, and especially the parent center in Utah, you will find everything. Deedra Corona