My husband, Jim, and I have spent an incredible week in Utah. This is my first time back to Utah since I joined the Family History Guide staff as the Social Media Coordinator. Last Saturday I went to the Springville Family History Center’s Springville Family History Fair. It was a full day of wonderful speakers.

First I listened to Robert Kehrer, Senior Project Manager for FamilySearch.  He is so knowledgeable about all things concerning FamilySearch.  He spoke about what is already there and what is coming in the future and it was fascinating. Hearing his talks the first two hours was a real bonus.

My primary purpose in attending that conference was to hear from James Tanner, the Chairman of the Board for The Family History Guide.  He and his wife Ann, also a Family History Guide Board Member, were there and he gave a wonderful introduction to many who were learning about The Family History Guide for the first time.  I absolutely love to see people’s first reactions to this ‘good news’ website.  The first reaction is astonishment and excitement as the presentation unfolds. The last comment is usually, “Why didn’t I know about this before?”  If you love the Family History Guide as we do, please share it with others.

One thing James said is that if he had had The Family History Guide years ago it would have taken 15 years off the time it took him to learn the information he needed to be effective as a genealogist and family historian.  That was impressive for sure!

The second thing we came to Utah for was to attend our weekly management meeting that I usually attend via conference calling. It was a sheer delight to be here with this wonderful and talented group of people.  This one hour alone was worth the 12 hour drive to get here.

Today I have been in The Family History Library in Salt Lake City all day attending another Family History Fair for the Salt Lake Stake.  Today I met one of the best teachers around and talk with her at length. Kathryn Grant, from the BYU Family History Library Webinar series gave a presentation on Zoning For Indexing that was very powerful.

Then the best thing of all, was watching Bob Taylor, CEO of The Family History Guide talk about the introduction to The Family History Guide and the Training with The Family History Guide.  There is something so exhilarating about watching the creator of something so good, talk passionately about his work.  His enthusiasm and his humility are both contagious and inspiring. He is such a great leader in that way, he just goes forward each day, along with Bob Ives, as they work hard to accomplish this seemingly impossible task of bringing this amazing tool to the whole world.  They are so determined and focused I have no doubt this is going to continue  happening to grow in a very big way.

There is nothing better out there to accomplish what The Family History Guide is doing!  It is helping all of us to be more involved in this great work.  It is helping us to do our research more effectively, more efficiently, and with more enjoyment.

To the trainers and consultants he said one of the most profound things about helping others.   “Focus on teaching independent learning.  You do not need to be the Library; you need to be the librarian.”

You don’t have to know everything you just need to point the way to finding the answers people seek.  With the Family History Guide you can eventually set people free from thinking that you are their personal genealogist.  What they used to learn at someone’s elbow over and over again, can now be taught with training in using The Family History Guide.  When they learn to be more independent they can really soar to greater successes.  We are always willing to help, but we should not do everything for them.  Once they have built a firm foundation for how to do this work, they will begin to have their own success. They will be so much happier.  So will you, because then you can go on to the next person who needs to be guided.  Check out The Family History Guide and see for yourself!