The Family History Center is an interesting place. They have people who are knowledgeable genealogists and have great experience in doing family history. The center offers computers to research on with access to computer programs that otherwise require a paid membership to use. They have many other resources to assist with genealogy searches. There are microfiche and microfilm readers with access to 2.4 million micro films and 1 million microfiche of records from around the world. Any specific film or fiche can be ordered from the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. The center in Escondido has a library of books to assist research, but also any book can be ordered and sent on loan from Salt Lake City. One new resource that has just been added is a scanner. This seems like no big deal, but the scanner can scan a stack of 8x10s very quickly. This is a great way to archive and digitize family photos. This is a great place with friendly people and seemingly endless resources.
I have had some frustrations with technology over the last couple of weeks of learning. I want to learn the best ways to find and identify valid information. I am hoping to find out how to transfer information from one format to another and how not to loose information (like I did week 1). So I find an expert. Here is what I learned. I am doing the right things and there is no easy, magic wand. Mostly, this is tedious, hard work. This is not exactly what I wanted to hear. I learned some tools and skills that will help in my research. I can manipulate around the programs that I am using a little better. The only way to keep your work safe it is buy and maintain a separate file apart from the internet trees adding one person at a time.
This work is done one individual at a time, which seems appropriate in retrospect. I don't make friends easily. I have to invest myself, time, effort and maybe a little comfort to make a friend. In order to truly find family, it will take just as much effort. At least now I know that I am on the right track and it is worth the effort.
Next week: a little change in direction. I want to gather and facilitate family history in this generation. My parents have 11 children, 10 of which are married, 47 grandchildren, and I think 12 great-grand children. The fact that I don't know exactly how many great-grand-kids bothers me. I want to put together a google survey to gather individual information about these generations, so that my children can know their family. This may lead to some fun at the first-time ever full family reunion this summer. Any thoughts on questions I should include?