Los Angeles California FamilySearch Center/Online Classes

Click here for our Monthly Class Schedule

Class Registration  You can register for one of our classes by clicking on the  Open Details  link to the right of any of the classes, then clicking on the registration link for the date and time you wish to attend. Here you will also find a class description and class handouts.   *We recommend joining classes 5-10 minutes before they start to resolve any connection issues.
 * If you are having trouble locating a particular class, press  control + F (command + F for MacOS) and type a keyword for the class that you are looking for. For example, if you were looking for classes about using Ancestry, simply type "ancestry" in the search field and it will take you to that class. Click here to see an animated guide.

Classes will be hosted through Zoom. Please be sure to create an account before your class at the website zoom.us. Your confirmation email from the registered class will include a zoom link to join your class. The day of the registered class click on the zoom link and be ready 5 minutes before your scheduled class. Also, please meet requested prerequisites.

For help with Zoom, select one of the links below. Instructions for Zoom Partication Registration.pdf Zoom Classroom video Zoom Classroom.pdf Zoom for FamilySearch Classes Video Zoom Para FamilySearch.pdf

BEGINNING
 Navigating FamilySearch - Debbie Armstrong

New to FamilySearch? Come and learn how to set up a free FamilySearch account. You will learn how to navigate FamilySearch/Family Tree, how to build your family tree, and how to take advantage of the fun and powerful tools FamilySearch has to offer.

Class Handouts Intro to FamilySearch pdf 2021

Upcoming Dates
 * Saturday, June 18th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
 * Thursday, July 7th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.

 Blue Box Hints - Leslie Hackney

What are those blue boxes? Where can I find them? Can I trust them? Let FamilySearch’s computer system do some of your research for you. It’s painless and only takes a few minutes. This is a 20 minute class for FamilySearch beginners.

Class Handouts

Upcoming Dates
 * Wednesday, June 8th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
 * Wednesday, July6th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.

 Descendancy Charts - Cindy Mills

Learn how to use the FS Descendancy features to systematically locate and/or verify members of your ancestor's families. There will be a specific emphasis on looking for missing family members. We will seek to accomplish this by searching in FS databases and those of other family history websites for vital records and other ancestral documents.

Class Handouts Descendancy Charts ppt 2022

Upcoming Dates
 * Saturday June 11th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
 * Wednesday, July 20th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.

 Memories Phone App - Debbie Armstrong

This class focuses on adding memories using the Memories app. Participants will learn to add photos, add details and learn to add audio to make their photos more interesting.

Class Handouts Memories App Handout pdf 2021

Upcoming Dates

 Using the Family Tree Phone App - Debbie Armstrong

Learn all about how to use the Family Tree app on your phone. FamilySearch has made using the app simple and convenient.

Class Handouts How to use FamilySearch Mobile Apps pdf 2021 Using the FamilySearch Tree Smart Phone Mobile App pdf 2021

Upcoming Dates
 * Thursday, July 14th, 7pm Registration required. Click here to register.

 Adding Memories to FamilySearch - Debbie Armstrong

Learn how to add photos, documents and stories to the Memories section on FamilySearch. Come prepared with a photo ready to upload into FamilySearch.

Class Handouts Memories Handout pdf 2021

Upcoming Dates
 * Tuesday, June 14th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.

INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED
 Using the FamilySearch Catalog - Debbie Armstrong

Learn advanced tips for finding records about your ancestors. Using the search tab, search for FamilySearch Records, Images, and Catalog.

Class Handouts

Upcoming Dates
 * Tuesday, June 28th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
 * Tuesday, Jul 19th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.

 Find Original Records/Save as Sources - Debbie Armstrong

Sometimes an image to an original record is not linked to the indexed information. In this class you will learn how to find original records and add scanned documents as sources. We will fill out the source form with a citation, web address, and important information from the document, and then attach it to that person. We will also learn how to attach records from the Source Box to individual people. Please come prepared with some scanned, digitized documents that you would like to attach to Family Tree.

Class Handouts

Upcoming Dates
 * Wednesday, June 22nd, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
 * Tuesday, July 12th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.

 Source Box - Leslie Hackney

Everything you needed to know about the Source Box and maybe some things that you never knew you needed to know.

Class Handouts

Upcoming Dates
 * Tuesday, July 5th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> Attaching Records Using the Source Linker - Cindy Mills

We will model and practice two ways to locate FS indexed records… finding selected Record Hints (those little blue squares) and exploring Search Records in FamilySearch. A "Steps with Pictures" handout will guide us through the process including how to attach records to our ancestors made easy by the specially designed Source Linker program. Importantly, you will have the opportunity to practice with a consultant attaching records to your ancestors. Due to the hands-on nature of this class, the duration is 1½ hours.

Class Handouts Attaching Family Records to FT using the Source Linker

Upcoming Dates
 * Thursday, June 16th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
 * Thursday, July 7th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> Merging/Unmerging Duplicates - Cindy Mills

In this class we tackle the challenges of Merging and Unmerging Duplicates in a made-up family where we can practice the STEPS without doing harm to our own family in Family Tree. We refer to fictitious SOURCES to help us make merging decisions. Both STEPS and SOURCE handouts are provided ahead of class. Unmerging may be more difficult than merging, so there will be direction and practice in that. Due to the hands-on nature of this class, the duration is 1½ hours.

Class Handouts Merging/Unmerging Intro ppt 2022 Merging & Unmerging Exercise Sources for Merging

Upcoming Dates
 * Thursday, June 30th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
 * Saturday, July 30th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> 3 Ways to Merge - Janis Chandler

You have a duplicate. Three ways on FamilySearch to merge. We will show you how to merge by ID, merging using the source linker and merging by breaking a relationship.

Class Handouts

Upcoming Dates
 * Friday, June 17, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
 * Friday, July 15, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> Fixing Relationships - Belinda Hanks

When you find your family tree a little mixed up, don't be alarmed, it can be fixed. You will have the opportunity to practice the steps that can straighten out your tree as you attend the class on "Fixing Relationships in FamilySearch."

Class Handouts How to Edit and Fix Relationships in FamilySearch

Upcoming Dates
 * Wednesday, July 13th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> Puzzilla - Lara Turner

You think that all the work has been done, but what about cousins, 2nd cousins once removed? Puzzilla can help you find these ancestors.

Class Handouts

Upcoming Dates
 * Friday, July 1st, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> The Research Process/Find New Information - Debbie Armstrong

Learn advanced tips for finding records about your ancestors. Using the search tab, search for FamilySearch Records, Images, and Catalog.

Class Handouts
 * The Research Process/Find New Information PowerPoint Slides

Upcoming Dates
 * Tuesday, June 21st, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
 * Thursday, July 28th, 7pm Registration required. Click here to register.

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> The Research Process/Evaluate - Debbie Armstrong

Learn how to evaluate records for accuracy and reliability, how to gather and organize information found on records, and identify what questions to consider when new or conflicting information is found on a record.

Class Handouts

Upcoming Dates
 * Thursday, June 9th, 7pm Registration required. Click here to register.
 * Wednesday, July 27th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.

<p style="color:#006400;font-size:11pt">BEGINNING
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> Gather Known Information - Debbie Armstrong

In this class you will learn what information to gather about your family, how to fill out a pedigree chart and family group record sheet, and how to organize the genealogical material you have gathered.

Class Handouts

Upcoming Dates

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> Choose a Research Goal - Debbie Armstrong

In this class we will learn how to use special tools in FamilySearch to analyze what we already know about an ancestor and form research questions based on that analysis. Then we will write a research goal and divide that goal into smaller steps that can be recorded in the FamilySearch To-Do List.

Class Handouts

Upcoming Dates

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> FamilySearch Wiki Intro - Leslie Hackney

In 20 minutes you can learn how to filter out what you don't need, so that you can successfully focus on the tools and sources that will help you get started on searching for your ancestors, wherever they came from.

Class Handouts | Wiki Intro handout pdf 2021

Upcoming Dates
 * Thursday, July 21st, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> US Census Records - Marlene Lee

Learn how to explore the Federal Census records to seek out your ancestors. Federal Census Records, from 1790 to 1940, are available online and contain valuable information about members of your family tree. Join us for an hour of instruction and then you can have one on one help to get you started.

Class Handouts US Census Record handout pdf 2021

Upcoming Dates
 * Friday, July 8th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> Vital Records - Debbie Armstrong

Civil records, church records, vital records. Birth, marriage and death records have different names depending on who created or retained them, and frequently contain information about family relationships that is extremely helpful to researchers. This class will discuss where to find these types of records, depending on time period, location and religion.

Class Handouts Vital Records 2022

Upcoming Dates
 * Wednesday, June 15th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.

<p style="color:#006400;font-size:11pt">INTERMEDIATE
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> Research Wiki - Cindy Mills

Explore the Power of the Research Wiki - FamilySearch’s online family history encyclopedia. Learn how Locality pages, Record Type pages and more can help you do your family history research and how the new Guided Research links can take you to key birth, marriage, and death databases to find those precious vital records. You will have an opportunity to work with a consultant to see what is available to help you research your ancestor. Because this class includes hands-on guided research, the duration will be 1½ hours.

Class Handouts Research Wiki Handout pdf FS Research Wiki Exercise 1-28 2021 png

Upcoming Dates
 * Saturday, June 25th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
 * Saturday, July 9th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> Newspapers and Obituaries - Janis Chandler

This class looks at Newspapers.com as a resource for finding information about your ancestor(s). There are over 700 million newspaper pages available at the site. Often there are obituaries that can give information not only about the ancestor but also the entire family which is a great resource when building your family tree.

Class Handouts

Upcoming Dates
 * Friday, July 22nd, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.

<p style="color:#006400;font-size:11pt">ADVANCED
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> DNA Part 1 - Ralph Armstrong

Learn about at/mt/yDNA testing and strategy on which tests to take. Basic DNA vocabulary will be discussed and misconceptions about taking the tests.

Class Handouts

Upcoming Dates
 * Thursday, May 5th, 7pm Registration required. Click here to register.

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> DNA Part 2 - Ralph Armstrong

Review DNA vocabulary and discuss markers used for matches. Learn strategies for using test results in genealogical research. Class Handouts

Upcoming Dates
 * Thursday, May 26th, 7pm Registration required. Click here to register.

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> Immigration and Naturalization

This class will help you find your immigrant ancestor, by not only the ships lists and naturalization records but more.

Class Handouts Immigration Worklist pdf 2021

Upcoming Dates Description: In order to search for your ancestor in the records in Europe, you need to know the town of origin. If you do not know the town of origin, you need to start searching in United States records. This lesson will teach you what U.S. records you can collect to help you find where your ancestor came from before arriving in the United States. Click here to view this pre-recorded presentation. Crossing the Pond, part 2: U.S. Passenger Lists Part 2 will teach you about U.S. Passenger Lists, and what information you can find to help discover where your ancestor came from before arriving in the United States. Click here to view this pre-recorded presentation. Crossing the Pond, part 3: European Sources Part 3 will teach you what European records are available to help you determine where your ancestor came from in Europe. Click here to view this pre-recorded presentation.
 * This is a pre-recorded presentation by Yvonne Sorenson, AG Course title: Immigration - Crossing the Pond, part 1: Collecting Records
 * Handout: Immigration Crossing the Pond pdf

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> Russian/Caucasian Research - Armen Wood

This class will provide useful information and tips to do research for your Russian, Armenian, and Georgian ancestors.

Class Handouts Russian/Caucasian Research ppt 2022

Upcoming Dates
 * Wednesday, June 1st, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> Swedish Research - Leslie Hackney

Sweden's Church records are amazingly detailed, and navigating them is easy on Ancestry.com. Research strategies and helps will also be covered.

Class Handouts

Upcoming Dates
 * Thursday, June 23rd, 7pm Registration required. Click here to register.

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> Italian Research - Lynnette Kelly

This class will show you how to find birth, marriage, and death records in Italy by using the research wiki. You will also learn some tools and strategies in your search for Italian records.

Class Handouts

Upcoming Dates
 * Tuesday, July 12th, 3pm Registration required. Click here to register.

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> Brazilian Research/FamilySearch Catalog - Adriana Gehr and Karol Arimateyah

Learn how to search for original records in the FamilySearch catalog. Records are organized geographically first and then chronologically by date. In order to search the records, a name, date, place, and event is necessary. We will show you how to find records in both indexed and unindexed record books.

Class Handouts

Upcoming Dates
 * Thursday, June 9th, 3pm Registration required. Click here to register.

<p style="color:#006400;font-size:14pt">CLASES DE ESPAÑOL
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> Reseña de FamilySearch - Margarita Salazar

Una introducción a FamilySearch. Pautas para comenzar tu propio Árbol Familiar. Regístrate GRATIS.

Class Handouts Reseña de FamilySearch Handout pdf 2021

Upcoming Dates

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> Búsquedas Eficaces - Margarita Salazar

Estrategias para encontrar y adjuntar registros originales a tus antepasados en FamilySearch. Regístrate GRATIS.

Class Handouts Búsquedas Eficaces Handout pdf 2021

Upcoming Dates

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> La aplicación ‘Recuerdos’ en iPhone/Android - Margarita Salazar

Utilizando la aplicación Memories App para adjuntar fotos y documentos en FamilySearch. Regístrate GRATIS.

Class Handouts

Upcoming Dates
 * Thursday, May 19th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.

<p style="color:#006400;font-size:14pt">ANCESTRY.COM
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> Syncing your FamilySearch and Ancestry Trees - Leslie Hackney

Did you know that there’s a shortcut for transferring information and sources between FamilySearch and Ancestry.com? This tool requires a Church of Jesus Christ Membership Ancestry account (AKA a partnership account.) In 20 minutes you can learn how to save yourself hours of work with a few clicks of the mouse.

Class Handouts

Upcoming Dates

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> Ancestry.com Making it Work for You! 3 Classes - Jackie Ireland

<p style= " font-size:16px"> Ancestry 1: Overview- Jackie Ireland Take advantage of the power that is Ancestry. Prime focus is on understanding the power of public trees in Ancestry. On-line learning opportunities are also explored. Become familiar with the subscription types available to you.

<p style= " font-size:15px">Class Handouts [https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1dFMgCbODmLnTaUkbdu1Tegca8FqXCu17/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=114048306095357014477&rtpof=true&sd=true Ancestry.com Making it Work for You! Part I 2022] <p style= " font-size:15px">Upcoming Dates
 * Thursday, June 9th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.
 * Thursday, July 28th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.

<p style= " font-size:16px"> Ancestry 2 - Effective Searching on Ancestry Jackie Ireland

Be aware of three important things to consider prior to beginning your search. Explore in depth the places we generally begin our search – Tree Hints and their companion Suggested Records and the general All Records search. Learn the value of also beginning a search in the Ancestry Card Catalog.

<p style= " font-size:15px">Class Handouts [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W-f4uHUxPziam9VbVB89Zp1m2WNV7e0v/view?usp=sharing Ancestry.com Making it Work for You! pdf 2021] <p style= " font-size:15px">Upcoming Dates
 * Thursday, June 23rd, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.

<p style= " font-size:16px"> Ancestry 3: Effective Searching-Jackie Ireland 

Increase your familiarity with searching within Ancestry Specific Categories and Special Collections. Become conversant with the variety of options available to you as you decide what data elements to include in your searches.

<p style= " font-size:18px">Class Handouts [https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1UHKlY3QvhklrZkiziOuJ9xmjeNamCdvO/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=109913356409435193825&rtpof=true&sd=true Ancestry.com Making it Work for You! Part III pdf 2022]

<p style= " font-size:18px">Upcoming Dates
 * Thursday, July 14th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.

<p style="color:#006400;font-size:14pt">INDEXING
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> Beginning Indexing - Janis Chandler

It is so exciting to find a hint for that dear ancestor. Indexing is the process of taking information from historical records images and putting it into a digital format. Indexing turns the records into searchable sources, allowing researchers to find and attach them to ancestors in their family tree in FamilySearch, i.e. HINTS! Your help is needed! '''No matter your experience, a refresher course is always helpful and you might just learn new tricks. This class is also helpful for beginners.'''

Class Handouts How do I use FamilySearch Indexing pdf 2021

Other Sources: Indexing Icons

Upcoming Dates
 * Friday, July 29th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> Intermediate Indexing - Janis Chandler

Indexing is the process of taking information from historical records images and putting it into a digital format. Indexing turns the records into searchable sources, allowing researchers to find and attach them to ancestors in their family tree in FamilySearch. Your help is needed.

Class Handouts How do I use FamilySearch Indexing pdf 2021

Other Sources: Indexing Icons

Upcoming Dates

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> Advanced Indexing - Janis Chandler

Indexing helps all people find their ancestors. Indexing is the process of digitizing records and we hope to give you some ideas of how to improve. Come and see how your help is needed!

Class Handouts How do I use FamilySearch Indexing pdf 2021

Other Sources: Indexing Icons

Upcoming Dates

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> Indexing and Handwriting Tips - Janis Chandler

This class will help you find resources to help read handwriting from different eras as well as different countries. This is a helpful introduction for anyone who has needed to read records from another country.

Class Handouts How do I use FamilySearch Indexing pdf 2021

Upcoming Dates
 * Friday, June 24th, 2pm Registration required. Click here to register.

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> 1950 Census Workshop - Randy Hemingway

Come learn about the recently released 1950 US Census Indexing Project sponsored by FamilySearch. Volunteers are helping put the census records online for all to access. Here’s your opportunity to learn how to help with this effort and to connect with family members that were here in 1950!

Class Handouts How do I use FamilySearch Indexing pdf 2021

Upcoming Dates
 * Friday, June 16th, 7pm Registration not required. Click here to join.
 * Thursday, July 21st, 7pm Registration not required. Click here to join.

<p style="color:#006400;font-size:11pt">AFRICAN-AMERICAN RESEARCH
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> African American Research Classes - Jackie Ireland

<p style= " font-size:16px"> African American Research Part I - Jackie Ireland

<p style= " font-size:13px">Inasmuch as African American research post-1870 is the same as United States research, focus is upon the two best websites for US research. Therefore, this class explores African American research on Family Search.org and Ancestry.com, the best free and paid subscription websites respectively for family history research.

<p style= " font-size:15px">Class Handouts African American Research part 1  pdf 2021

<p style= " font-size:15px">Upcoming Dates

<p style= " font-size:16px"> African American Research Part II - Jackie Ireland

<p style= " font-size:13px">African-American-specific family history websites are the focus of this class. Included are well-known sites, such as Afrigeneas, as well as outstanding sites selected annually as a part of the 101 best genealogy websites featured in Family Tree Magazine. Major websites that feature African American collections are also included.

<p style= " font-size:15px">Class Handouts African American Research part 2  pdf 2021

<p style= " font-size:15px">Upcoming Dates

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> African American History Research using Pre and Post 1870 Resources - Dr Edna Briggs

Check here for more updates!

Class Handouts

Upcoming Dates

<p style="color:#006400;font-size:10pt">MEXICAN AND GERMAN RESEARCH WITH JOHN SCHMAL
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> German Geography and History

Many people know that they have German ancestors, but they know and understand very little about German history. This presentation explores Germany’s history over the centuries, utilizing several maps. There will also be a discussion of the factors that led so many Germans to come to America during the Nineteenth Century. In addition, profiles of the primary states will be discussed.

Class Handouts

Upcoming Dates

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> Tracing Your German Roots

This presentation will discuss certain research techniques for locating your German ancestors. John will discuss certain tools for LOCATING A PLACE OF ORIGIN (which is essential to even beginning your search). He will also show the attendees how to use some of the German databases available on the web. Handouts will be included.

Class Handouts
 * Tracing Your German Roots July 16 2022

Upcoming Dates
 * Saturday, July 16th, 1pm Registration required. Click here to register.

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> Tracing Your California Roots Through FamilySearch

This presentation discusses how you can do research on your California roots, utilizing the FamilySearch catalog. Many people don’t realize how valuable the catalog is, but sample searches will show people how to utilize the catalog to find the records you are looking for.

Class Handouts
 * Tracing Your California Roots Through FamilySearch pdf 2022
 * California Research Links pdf 2022

Upcoming Dates

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> Indigenous Guanajuato and Michoacán

This presentation will explore the history of the indigenous groups of these two Mexican states. Both Guanajuato and Michoacán were conquered by the Spaniards in the Sixteenth Century, but many Americans are curious about the history of their distant indigenous ancestors, including the Purépecha (Tarascans), Otomies, Guamares and Pames.

Class Handouts Guanajuato and Michoacán Indigenous History April 2022 pdf Indigenous Mexico Presentation June 2022

Upcoming Dates

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> Indigenous Mexico: An Introduction to Mexico’s Remarkable Diversity

John Schmal’s presentation “Indigenous Mexico: An Introduction to Mexico’s Remarkable Diversity” is a PowerPoint Presentation that discusses many aspects of Mexico’s indigenous people from the pre-colonial days to the most recent censuses. This lecture will help the attendees to understand that Mexico’s indigenous peoples thrived in every corner of Mexico. While many of the original native groups have disappeared as “distinguishable cultural entities,” many others still survive today in many parts of the today’s Mexican Republic. And although most Mexicans do not speak indigenous languages, recent census data indicates that many do recognize their indigenous roots, thanks to the “autoadscripción indígena” (indigenous self-identification) policy utilized by the Mexican census since 2000.

Class Handouts Indigenous Mexico Presentation June 4, 2022 pdf

Upcoming Dates
 * Saturday, June 4th, 1pm Registration required. Click here to register.

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> Finding Your Roots in Mexico

If your ancestors came from Mexico, you have a unique opportunity that is not available to many other ethnic groups. Many Mexican church records going back over 300 years are filled with details that are lacking in many other countries. Some Mexican records even go back to the 1500s and 1600s and many of them are available to you in the comfort of your home. Veteran genealogist John Schmal will show attendees how to access the records of their Mexican ancestors online and give them pointers about how to use that information once you have located it.

Class Handouts Finding Your Roots in Mexico June 25, 2022

Upcoming Dates
 * Saturday, June 25th, 1pm in the Los Angeles FamilySearch Library

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> Finding Your Roots in Germany

Class Handouts

Upcoming Dates

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="" data-collapsetext="" style="width:100%; overflow:auto;"> Exploring Jalisco's Indigenous People: Past and Present by John Schmal

This is a lecture to learn about the wonderful diversity of Jalisco’s original inhabitants. Using a PowerPoint presentation, genealogist and historian John Schmal will discuss the languages and the history of the Indigenous peoples who lived in Jalisco during the Sixteenth Century. He will also discuss the Indian revolts of the Nineteenth Century and show Jalisco’s recent census data relating to indigenous languages.

Class Handouts Exploring Jalisco's Indigenous People: Past and Present, Handout 2022 PDF

Upcoming Dates
 * Saturday, July 23rd, 1pm in the Los Angeles FamilySearch Library

<p style="font-size:25px; color: #e65c00;">Online Class Offerings
Oakland FamilySearch Library  Sacramento FamilySearch Library  Orange County FamilySearch Library  St. George FamilySearch Center Ogden FamilySearch Center Layton FamilySearch Center Riverton FamilySearch Library Lehi FamilySearch Classes Classes in the Learning Center BYU Webinars