Research Communities on Skype

We are excited to announce the creation of several online research communities powered by FamilySearch, and would like to take this opportunity to invite you to join! These communities are being created to help you and others researching in the same area to:


 * collaborate on your research,
 * ask questions of each other, and
 * share knowledge you have gained as you've done your own research in that area.

Scroll down for instructions to join. There are groups in the following areas:

North America
Illinois, United States Hemet, California, United States Missouri, United States

New Jersey, United States New York, United States North Carolina, United States Ohio, United States

Pennsylvania, United States South Carolina, United States Tennessee, United States Texas, United States

Utah, United States

Vermont, United States Virginia, United States West Virginia, United States

Mexico City, Mexico

(scroll down for directions to join)

Europe
Denmark England Finland Ireland Sweden

(scroll down for directions to join)

To join a Skype group:

 * Download the Skype program at Skype.com and register for an account.
 * Add the following as a contact - gmajande57 - and let her know which group you'd like to be added to. She will add you into that Skype community group. (see instructions for adding contacts)
 * Join in the discussions! It's that easy. (see instructions for sending a message)
 * Learn more about Skype in the Skype User's Guide.


 * Not interested in joining Skype? Try our Facebook Communities instead.

Questions?

 * I would like to see a community started for ____________, could you create one?
 * Since this is a pilot program, only a few limited localities are being created now. If you would like to have a group created for a location you are researching:


 * Go to the Discussion page and click to edit the page. (You must be signed in to edit.)
 * Add a note about which groups you'd like to see next.
 * Include whether or not you'd like to be considered for an administrator for the group. An admin is required to create a new group.
 * After your request, add . That will sign your username to the request and allow us to notify you when a community is created for that area.


 * If you would like to ask questions or help those researching in other areas of the world right now, you can visit the FamilySearch Forums where there are discussions going on in any are of the world you are currently researching in.


 * What is Skype?


 * Skype is a leading chat program that allows interaction and communication between individuals or groups. You can learn more or download the software at Skype.com.


 * What's the benefit of joining Skype vs. Facebook groups?


 * Both will be places where you can go to collaborate with other researchers. You may prefer one or the other simply because you already use one tool or the other. Other benefits to each are:


 * Facebook is a leading social media website. You can join a group on Facebook and just visit the website when you wish. Or, if you'd like to be more involved, you can even sign up to receive a text message when something is posted to the page.
 * Skype is a chat program that allows for more detailed communications and interaction between individuals or groups of users. It allows groups to participate together in group discussions. It also allows for sending documents that others can review to help with evaluating records and, if desired, live video discussions or screen sharing.


 * Additional questions?
 * Ask on the Discussion page. Click Edit this page and add your question.
 * Be sure to add after your question to sign your name to it so that someone can contact you if need be.