Not everyone will agree with you

Since my last post I am hoping some research has happened on your part. I have done a lot of research in putting families together, adding pictures, adding documents, etc.

Whenever I add or change something I strongly believe is correct I feel good about it- until someone emails me.

Recently, I was received an email from an old woman, I knew she was old because her picture was next to her email address and all I could see was large brass colored glasses with curly white hair. The glare on the glasses  prevented me from seeing her eyes.

This woman seemed upset with changes I had made to a certain ancestor born in 1650. She seemed so upset with me that it triggered that human response of "How dare she say that?' I wanted to send an equally negative email back to her but, I had the thought that maybe I should figure out the reason of her being upset (thank you to the Holy Ghost for that one).

After 20 minutes of emailing back and forth, I learned her emotional response were based off the journal entries written by the ancestor she had in her possession (very cool possession if you ask me). She emailed me a scanned copy asking me to upload them to FamilySearch for her, I obliged immediately.

My "strategy" for you is to take great care in your interactions with those you communicate with regarding the lives of  your ancestors. If someone disagrees with you, learn the root of the "disagreement" - see if they have documentation you don't have or if they knew the ancestor personally.

We were not put on this earth to complete His work all alone; learn from everyone you can. You may need to work together to discover your ancestors.

Hope is Not Lost If You Know Where to Look

All you want is to find a name to take to the temple but no green temples are to be found.

If you use the Hope Chest App your chances are greatly increased.

The app can be downloaded on a mobile device but I have only used it on a desktop computer-

• Its only available on Google Chrome Browser 
• Once downloaded it should appear in the bar where the url is (see picture)
• Click it and you'll see you can search descendants or ancestors.
• Once you click search= the app does the looking for you and leaves no stone un turned.
• When its complete you'll see your list pop up in a new window. 

Good luck!

#templechallenge 

Now It's Your Turn

I've posted almost two dozen strategies to help you find your family. I have nothing else in my notes but I have one final tip for you to help you and whoever comes after you. Its time to write down your story!

Get on FamilySearch and go to YOUR profile- no one will ever see what you put on here until you die. It's a bit overwhelming trying to think of everything that has happened and you don't have to; what has helped me is having one question guide me, "When I leave this life, what do I want people to know about me?"  Personally, I have uploaded pictures from college, uploaded documents, written stories my parents have told me. 

Get on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter... wherever you've got pictures and look for memories you want preserved forever. 

Grab A Pen! You Don't Want To Miss This

Histories and journals of my ancestors are some of my most treasured possessions. Here are tips to get you started finding histories and journals-

• Go about 2-4 generations out in your tree
• Look at their profiles on FamilySearch- If a history/journal has been uploaded it will be under Sources or Memories. 
• Ask relatives for them - scan and upload to FamilySearch. (Example: my father has the histories of his parents)
• Google search using the name and adding life history and/or journal (Ex: Ryan Archibald life history)

Websites to start your search-

• FamilySearch Catalogue and Books 
• dupinternational.org
• sonsofutahpioneers.org
• history.lds.org

Put Your Family Tree in Your Pocket

Thats right, grab your phone and download the Family Tree App and the Memories App too.

• Update information on an ancestor and it automatically syncs to FamilySearch.com
• Take a picture of a grave with your phone and upload it to your ancestors profile
• The Memories App allows you to record the stories your living ancestors tell you - upload the recording to FamilySearch so you have it forever.
  

One Strategy You and I Overlook

A story to begin-

"I have searched everywhere for this ancestor and can't even get a hint of who he/she is! None of my past strategies have worked; I am starting to think they never existed!"

I feel your pain- I've been through this scenario far more than I'd like to admit but I have hope for you. My strategy for you is to alter the spelling of the last name.

Tips on how to change the spelling to increase the chances of finding them-

• Examine their FamilySearch Profile- their profile on FamilySearch may provide multiple insights.
• Research the history of the name- yes, pull up google and type in the last name your looking for and add "name" or "history of _" to it. Ex: "Parker name"

Changing the spelling of a last name is very helpful for the following reasons- 

• The ancestor could have changed the spelling (who knows why?)
• If they immigrated, the immigration officer may have spelled it differently accidentally. 

                           

A Last Resort

• Ancestry.com has nothing.
• FamilySearch has nothing.
• The people at the Family History Library have no idea. 
• Using Google is overwhelming

Do you give up looking for this ancestor?

No sir! If you find yourself stuck in the details, it's time to back up and look at the big picture. Some questions to ask-

• What was happening politically in this country?
• Birth and Death- are both events in the same country? If not, why?
• Do they show up in documentation in other members of the family?

Hopefully this will help challenge and change your thinking.

Example- 

• Your ancestor was born in Ireland and dies in U.S.
• You believe they must've immigrated around 1850 because, they don't show up in other documentation of their family who died in Ireland.
• Looking at the big picture- In 1850 Ireland was in the potato famine, on of the largest in history.
• You might ask- What was the "last straw" to make them leave?