Newsgroups: soc.roots
Date:         Thu, 7 Jan 1993 21:26:00 EST
Reply-To:     "EMIS2::REEDL" <REEDL%EMIS2.decnet@GW1.HANSCOM.AF.MIL>
From:         "EMIS2::REEDL" <REEDL%EMIS2.decnet@GW1.HANSCOM.AF.MIL>
Subject:      FHC Computer Docs
Comments: To: ROOTS-L <ROOTS-L@VM1.NODAK.EDU>

                          E L E C T R O N I C   M A I L
                     (DDN Host Address:  GW1.HANSCOM.AF.MIL)

                                        Date:      07-Jan-1993 21:26
                                        From:      LtC Lawrence A. Reed
                                        Username:  REEDL
                                        Dept:      ESC/TNU-2
                                        Tel No:    (617) 377-9578

TO:  _WINS%                               ( _DDN[ROOTS-L@VM1.NODAK.EDU] )


Subject: FHC Computer Docs

LONG POSTING FOLLOWS - FAMILY SEARCH (r) DOCUMENTATION

In response to several queries on the list about documentation for Family
Search (r) on CD-ROMs at Family History Centers (FHC):

Family Search (r) is a collection of computer files and programs which
include:

Ancestral File - genealogies organized in family groups and pedigrees donated
by researchers/family groups/individuals.

International Genealogical Index - information collected/donated to the LDS
church, verified (mostly) and compiled by locality.

Family History Library Catalog - holdings of the Utah Genealogical Society in
Salt Lake City, many of which are available can be ordered on microfilm at
your local FHC.

Other Files - currently the Social Security Death Index and Military Index of
deaths in Korea and Vietnam 1950 to 1975.

DOCUMENTATION - The Family Search software is well documented in a series of
pamphlets (one per collection listed above).  They should be located in a tan
binder labelled "Family Search" that comes with the CD-ROMs.  The first
pamphlet in the binder is the Family Search Administrative Guide for FHC use.
Because of this, I suspect that the FHC volunteers may not realize that the
remaining booklets are for patron use in utilizing Family Search.  The
following DOCs came with the CD-ROMS:

- "Family History Library Catalog - Getting Started", third edition June
1992, 24 pages

- "International Genealogical Index - Getting Started", second edition April
1990, 20 pages

- "Ancestral File - Getting Started", third edition April 1992, 41 pages

- "Social Security Death Index - Getting Started", first edition November
1990, 13 pages

- "Military Index - Getting Started", first edition June 1991, 1 page

These are the most current that I know of.

These pamphlets walk you thru using the software in tutorial fashion.  They
are pretty inclusive.  For example page 11 of the IGI pamphlet is "Finding
Source Information" wherein you learn how to find where the IGI info came
from (within limits) and are cross-referenced to "Finding an IGI Source (IGI
series no. 2), "Parish and Vital Records List (IGI series no. 3)", and
"Parish and Vital Records Computer Printout (IGI series no. 4)", all of which
should also be available at the FHC <if they aren't, ask them to get them
from SLC!!!>

While the DOCs are primarily tutorial, they will certainly take you a long
way towards using Family Search (r) efficiently.  If your FHC doesn't have
them handy, ask them to look for the papers and/or  binder that came with the
CD-ROMs, or the Binder labelled "Family Search".  The materials also contain
Family Search (r) error codes, so the local techie may have squirrelled them
away, not realizing the DOCs are needed by everyone.

If your FHC still can't find them, ask them to call the Family Search help
desk 800 number and get some sent out.  If they don't have the 800 number,
e-mail me directly, and I will give it to you for them (or they can call me).
I will NOT post the number to the list.

Hope this clears up the Family Search (r) documentation question.

Good searching,

larry reed

reedL@gw1.hanscom.af.mil
home (617) 274-8414 <machine answers when I don't - unless my teenage son
answers in which case please ask him to write down CAREFULLY your name and
number and I will return your call>
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU