Strengthening Families on Both Sides of the Veil

PREPARE YOURSELF SPIRITUALLY: Read Family History: In Wisdom and in Order by Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, June, 1989, 6. Go to www.lds.org to download the article. Read Your Family History: Getting Started by President Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, August, 2003, 12. Also available at www.lds.org. Keep the commandments - See Mosiah 2:22 Cultivate your faith - See James 1:6 Listen to the Holy Ghost - See D&C 8:2

KEEP A PERSONAL HISTORY: Write in your journal. Record time spent with grandparents or other family members. Organize your photos of yourself and family members. Tape an interview with a grandparent or other relative. See Linda Spence s Legacy: A Step-By-Step Guide to Writing Your Personal History (Swallow Press, $14.95).

BOOKS OF REMEMBRANCE: Baby books, School years, Church awards, Birthdays, Vacations, Etc. Scrap books, photo albums, etc. Take family photographs

GATHER FAMILY STORIES AND HISTORIES AND DOCUMENTS: Collect information for family members, grandparents, other ancestors. Use www.familysearch.org as a place to start Collect Testimonies. Find ancestors Patriarchal Blessings. Use Index to Patriarchal Blessings: 1833- 1963. Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1963. (FHL films 392631- 96) Gather News articles, ie. Obituaries, weddings, special events. Find pictures of ancestors homes, antiques, etc. see http://genealogyregister.com or www.deadfred.com. Share family stories about your Ancestors with your children. Make a cookbook of old family recipes in book form, CD-ROM or Web site for your kin who like to cook.

GATHER FAMILY ANTIQUES: Collect and Identify old family treasures. Label them. Gather stories about them, take photos of them. Share photos and stories of them with family members.

Copyright © 2005 Brigham Young University, Women's Conference. All Rights Reserved. ENCOURAGE FAMILY GATHERINGS: Plan a family reunion Include relatives at birthday parties, anniversaries, special events, etc. At family home evening, talk about ancestors and their lives. Start a family newsletter. See Creating Family Newsletters: 123 Ideas for Sharing Memorable Moments With Family and Friends by Elaine Floyd (EFG, $19.99)

RECORD YOUR FAMILIES INFORMATION: Download Personal Ancestral File (PAF) from www.familysearch.org. Use PAF to record your family information and where it came from. Update it regularly. Share your file with other family members. Communicate with family members for information to complete your file, or pictures to add to your information. Update or add your information to the Pedigree Resource File to share with others who may be looking for information.

RESEARCH: Finding information that family has not known before. Start by using the Family History Library Catalog to find records available through the Family History Library. Invite your ward family history consultant to your family home evening. Plan an excursion to your local Family History Center. Learn how to find records on the internet. see www.cyndislist.com for a place to begin.

STRENGTHEN FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS: Go to a family reunion. Play family games. Listen to family stories. Go to family parties. Share family time. Foster good feelings. Help give service. Be an example. Write missionary letters.

MY GOAL: