Nauvoo Illinois FamilySearch Center/Group Activities

Group Activities
The Nauvoo Family Search Center is pleased and eager to offer the opportunity for individuals, organizations, and other groups to schedule a group visit to our Center. We offer a variety of options that are sure to provide interest to your group - Youth, Adult, Church, Organization, Club, etc. Please review the following guide lines for scheduling a group visit.

Reservation Procedure

 * Determine the date you would like to come by checking our Online Calendar for available dates.
 * Determine the goal for you visit. You may want to check the list of suggested activities below for ideas.
 * Call the Center - 217-453-6347 - to reserve the date.

Group Sizes
We do not have any firm rules on the size of the group. However, we only have 15 computer workstations. and room for approximately 12-15 seats in our classroom area.

Available Times

 * In order to use the Center as efficiently as possible, we suggest the following times:
 * Evening group visits (Wed) will begin at 5:00 PM or 7:00 PM.
 * Daytime reservations (Mon thru Sat) will begin at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM or 3:00 PM.

Preparation

 * Please DO NOT bring food or drink to the Center.
 * Each member of the group needs to bring change for copies and other incidental expenses.
 * FamilySearch Account Registration: Each member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of the group needs to have a Church Login Account BEFORE coming to the Center. For those who do not have a current current FamilySearch account, you can sign up for free at the FamilySearch registration page. Children under 13 years of age will need to have their parent's FamilySearch ID and password as they are ineligible for their own.
 * Personal Family History Information: Except for Indexing visits, please have everyone bring a personal Pedigree Chart with as much family information as possible. Everyone should have at least one ancestor's name to research.
 * Specific Goal or Objective to Accomplish: Each group should have an idea or goal, before they arrive, of what they would like to accomplish during the visit to our Center.
 * Adults accompanying youth groups should prepare to actively participate with their youth.
 * Local temple and family history consultants are an excellent resource to bring with your group and will provide continuity after your visit.

Printing and Additional Options

 * Copies of any documents found during your visit can be printed at the Center for $0.10 each. (B/W 8"x11").
 * Flash Drives are available for $8.50
 * CD-ROMs are available for

Guidelines for a Successful and Rewarding Visit

 * Please DO NOT bring food or drink to the Center.
 * Church Account Registration: Each member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of the group needs to have an Church Login Account BEFORE coming to the Center. Please have them log into https://ldsaccount.lds.org or another church account site to make sure their username and password are working. For members who don't have a current account, have them register for one prior to your visit. They can do this by going to https://ldsaccount.lds.org and clicking on the Register for a Church Account button on the right side of the screen and entering the necessary information, which includes their church membership number and birth date. Their membership number is on their temple recommend or can be provided by their ward clerk.
 * Personal Family History Information: Except for Indexing visits, please have everyone bring a personal Pedigree Chart with as much family information as possible.
 * Specific Goal or Objective to Accomplish: Each group should have an idea or goal, before they arrive, of what they would like to accomplish during the visit to our Center.

Suggested Activities at the Center
While most of the activities below can be done at our Center, we've also tried to give you the forms, websites, etc. needed so you could prepare these activities for your own groups - Youth groups, Family History classes, Relief Society mini classes, etc.

Introduction to the Family History Center

A tour and overview of our Center, including the resources, tools, equipment, computers,&amp; multimedia available for use by our patrons.

Introduction to FamilySearch Family Tree


 * A demonstration of finding an ancestor in FamilySearch, then locating historical documents about that ancestor in FamilySearch to learn more about him.

Introduction to Indexing


 * An overview of the why and how of indexing with hands-on practice.
 * Go to FamilySearch Indexing and take the 2 minute Test Drive (button in upper right).
 * Another good getting started video is FamilySearch Indexing Quick Start (5:49)
 * Youth may also enjoy the Indexing App for their phone or tablet.

Research Quick Start

A focused presentation demonstrating popular research websites to find specific information on your ancestors.

Cemetery Scavenger Hunt


 * Find a Grave is an excellent research site where volunteers post information about their deceased ancestors in cemeteries around the world.
 * You may find birth/death dates, tombstone pictures, links to other family members, photos and even biographical information.

FamilySearch.org


 * View the video - FamilySearch Overview (6:23) (excellent introduction to all facets of FamilySearch)
 * You could then show any one of these short videos, depending on the interest of the group.


 * Each section (Finding Records, Wiki, Indexing, Forums and New FamilySearch) has an overview or getting started video if your group is just beginning or more indepth ones for advanced interests.
 * Then let them practice, hands-on, what they learn.

Ancestry.com


 * Access is free at our Family History Center
 * View video "Search for Historical Records on Ancestry.com" (7:42 min.) stopping periodically to practice the techniques discussed.

Group Visit without a Presentation

This is for those who have been trained or oriented, but want to schedule a time where group members can go directly to the Center and make use of the computers with our staff assistance as needed.

Other Sources for Great Family History Activities

 * Family History Activities for Youth
 * Family History Activities for Children - 3-11
 * Family History Activities for Children - 12-?
 * Photos - An Innovative Way to Introduce Youth to Family History

5 Minute Genealogy videos - 25 great, short videos on YouTube, FamilySearch channel. Build an entire activity around 1 video, then practice what you learn.

FamilySearch Youth and Family History website offers ideas to help youth discover their ancestors and serve others by sharing their talents and experiences.