December 2008 Ensign
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are helping recruit index vol- FamilySearch Indexing: Anyone Can Help unteers in many countries to become a part of the global with Family History Anytime, Anywhere effort. By Eric Eames, Church Magazines “Now that records for more countries are available, s they pore over digi- program is because the soft- a batch, I upload it, and it’s more members are enthusias- A tized census records ware is designed to fit a busy done. I think this is great for tic about participating,” said and church ledgers, lifestyle. Previously known as a lot of people who would Francisco Javier Gómez, Church members participat- extraction, indexing was once not find the time with the FamilySearch support man- ing in FamilySearch indexing a time-consuming process old extraction model.” ager for the South America are reminded that with every of shuffling through paper Indexing creates data files North Area. “They feel that click of the mouse a person copies, taking weeks to do from digitized records, which this is one more proof that comes closer to being found a single batch. allows the information to the Church is really engaged and closer to receiving tem- With the help of digitiza- become searchable through in helping the whole world to ple ordinances. tion and the Internet, each a free electronic database on get to know their ancestors.” The vision of volunteer- batch of names now takes FamilySearch.org. There is no based FamilySearch indexing some 30 minutes to com- minimum or maximum limit Indexing Strengthens projects is spreading world- plete. Volunteers are given to how many names an indi- Testimonies, Unity wide from Latin America to a week to complete a batch, vidual can do. Every name In 2007, students in the Asia and from the old to the and they can save their work indexed makes a difference Logan Utah University Fifth young. Members with access at any time and start again in helping people locate their Stake not only met their goal to the Internet are taking later where they left off. ancestors. of indexing 100,000 names, advantage of FamilySearch’s “What I really like about FamilySearch has a variety but exceeded it by 3,000. user-friendly Web site and indexing is that you can do it of indexing projects available They surpassed that total taking time to index between on your time, one batch at a in Dutch, English, French, after the first two months classes, during work breaks, time,” said Patricia Mollemans German, Italian, and Spanish. in 2008 while on the way or in place of watching of Germany. “It is not over- Indexing projects in Czech to shattering their new goal television. whelming; it can be done and Russian are forthcoming. of 200,000 names. For some people like in half an hour or so. I do Area FamilySearch managers But results can’t always Austin Corry, a university be quantified. Blessings have student in the United States come to many in the form and a member of the Logan of strengthened testimonies University 15th Ward, Logan because of their efforts with Utah University Fifth Stake, the program. Elaine Mander, indexing has became a fun, a FamilySearch representative relaxing experience. in West Midlands, United “I found time to index 15 Kingdom, said indexing has minutes here, an hour there,” brought her closer to heaven said Brother Corry, who has more than any other form of indexed more than 17,000 service. names in his spare time. “It The effort put forth in really isn’t an inconvenience, the Logan stake has unified but a great opportunity to wards. Individually, students bring the Spirit into your have turned their eyes to everyday life.” the temple, gaining a greater appreciation for its signifi- Global Indexing cance by committing them- Fits a Busy Life selves to maintain their One of the reasons WELDEN ANDERSEN BY PHOTOGRAPH covenants and live temple FamilySearch users world- Now anyone with a computer and an Internet connection can standards. wide love the indexing help with family history. “The Spirit is present,” 74 said Kay Baker, stake high councilor over the indexing New Temple work. “As young people get on the computer and start Presidents entering names and doing family history work, they Now Serving find it fun and exhilarating.” PHOTOGRAPH BY WELDEN ANDERSEN BY PHOTOGRAPH Activity has also increased y assignment from the among less-active members BFirst Presidency, 39 as bishops have given them new temple presidents assignments to do indexing. are now serving with their “[Through indexing] they spouses. The presidents of can serve and feel like they the Panama City Panama, are contributing, and it has Rexburg Idaho, and Twin Falls helped some of them come Idaho Temples began serving back into activity and to cor- earlier in 2008 after the tem- rect what was wrong in their ples were dedicated. The lives,” said Bruce M. Cook, president of the Draper Utah recently released president Temple will begin serving af- of the student stake. ter the temple is dedicated on March 20, 2009. Students Redefining Stereotypes Members around the world are spending a little time each Temple New President While family history week to help prepare indexes. work is generally regarded Adelaide Australia Philip F. Howes as the domain of older mem- on their own family roots important for all members Apia Samoa John P. Hanks bers, the students contradict and to do temple work. In to become involved with Asunción Paraguay David K Udall that stereotype. Some ward 2007 students in the stake indexing and family history Baton Rouge Louisiana Max P. Brough socials and family home researched and cleared work,” Sister Olsen said. “If Bern Switzerland Raimondo Castellani evenings in the stake have some 2,500 family names we always leave the responsi- Billings Montana Ronald M. Morrison turned into indexing “extrava- for temple ordinances. bility up to someone else, it Bismarck North Dakota ganzas.” Between completing “I think that it is really will never get done.” ■ John R. Reese index batches, students snack Bogotá Colombia Jorge J. Escobar on treats, socialize, or play a New Technology Sparks Youth Interest Boise Idaho Wenden W. Waite game of volleyball. Some of Columbia South Carolina these socials have lasted into in Family History Brent H. Koyle the wee hours of the morn- amilySearch public “As opportunities to do Curitiba Brazil Jason G. Sousa ing, with students signed up Faffairs manager family history or volunteer Draper Utah Donald L. Staheli to come in at various times of Paul Nauta said the online grow, youth seem Freiberg Germany Frank H. Apel the night. One ward started Church-owned family his- naturally primed to get Guayaquil Ecuador Jorge A. Rojas an indexing marathon at tory service is thrilled to involved,” Brother Nauta Idaho Falls Idaho Larry G. Stoddard 6:00 p.m. and ended at see the increasing volume said. Jordan River Utah 8:00 a.m. the next day. of teenagers and college Anyone interested in F. Wayne Chamberlain “It was fun to see mem- students who are motivated family history work can Kona Hawaii Opurainonarii Mo’o bers of the bishopric and to do indexing work or become an indexer by Logan Utah W. Rolfe Kerr high council stay up through search for their own ances- going to the Web site, Los Angeles California the night with students to tors. He also hopes contin- FamilySearchIndexing.org, Grant R Brimhall [help us] reach our goals,” ued enhancements to the clicking on the Volunteer Louisville Kentucky Dale R. Hettinger Belinda Olsen, a member FamilySearch Web site will link, and following the Lubbock Texas E. Dale Cluff of the stake, said. attract more technology- step-by-step download Madrid Spain Garry K. Moore The indexing has moti- minded youth. instructions. ■ Mount Timpanogos Utah vated some to begin working L. Edward Brown ENSIGN DECEMBER 2008 75 Church Aids Victims of Hurricanes any people were Maffected by the 2008 hurricane season. Power outages, flooding, and other physical damages to homes left many without The Guayaquil Ecuador Temple is 1 of 39 temples with new temple presidents. shelter. During Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in August Newport Beach California Salt Lake Sheldon F. Child The Hague Netherlands and September, more D. Thomas Borgquist San Antonio Texas Marion D. Woods Jacob J. Van Ry than 20 Church buildings Oakland California Richard A. Hunter San Diego California Bruce L. Olsen Toronto Ontario Stephen M. Hadley throughout the Caribbean Ogden Utah Robert R. Steuer Snowflake Arizona Lewis Tenney Twin Falls Idaho Donald R. Gerratt and the United States Panama City Panama Ronald D. Jamison Suva Fiji LaRon P. Woolley Vernal Utah Mac W. Holmes were used as shelters. Rexburg Idaho Val R. Christensen Sydney Australia W. John Bailey Washington D.C. Earl C. Tingey ■ Approximately 35 member homes were destroyed, and more than 250 were Church Helps DR Congo seriously damaged. In an effort to help storm- Reduce Preventable Deaths stricken areas, the Church ith help from Church family that has not lost at primary vaccinations such as responded quickly, sending WHumanitarian least one child, and some measles, polio, tetanus, and much-needed help and sup- Services, vaccination have lost many.” tuberculosis. plies. Priesthood leaders campaigns are spreading from But the real tragedy is that “[The Church’s] gift worked with other organiza- the main cities to the most re- a simple, inexpensive vaccine will help us educate families tions to distribute supplies. mote villages in Africa to pre- could have saved many lives. and make them healthier,” vent contagious diseases. In 2007 Church humanitarian said Dr. Charlotte Ngokaba, Hurricane Gustav With one out of five chil- volunteers helped publicize National Director of Vacci- Hurricane Gustav, the sec- dren dying there each year the country’s measles vaccina- nations in the DR Congo.