This month the Relief Society and Elders Quorum presidencies on our ward, issued a challenge for each member to share a memory on Family Search, Family Tree. You have probably read articles on this blog, detailing ways save and share memories. The availability of scanners for patron use at the Granite Family History Center, to scan and save digital copies of documents and photos have made this much easier.

I wasn’t quite sure what kind of memory to share, so knowing that The Family History Guide has excellent resources for learning how to share memories I went to this website. On the homepage I clicked on “Family Search” then chose #2. “Memories”. Here I read through a list of choices of sharing memories. I had never written a “life sketch” and wanted to see what that was, so I selected # 9. “write a life sketch”. When I did this I was directed to a video done for BYU Family History Library webinar series, By Kathryn Grant, called: Simple Tips for Writing Life Sketches in Family Tree. On this link, I learned what a life sketch is, why it is helpful, and some easy tips for writing a life sketch for myself or for relatives found on Family Search -Family Tree. Reasons for writing a “life sketch” were presented in the video, and included:

• A life sketch is extremely visible – It’s the first thing found on the person page of an individual on FamilySearch
• A life sketch can help prevent bad merges and incorrect changes
• A life sketch contains key facts about the person and is a second witness to sources listed
• A life sketch helps you get to know the person better

After walking you through the reasons for writing a life sketch and showing you how to do one, Kathryn Grant encourages those who listen to the webinar (YouTube video) to stop the recording and to write a life sketch for a family member. I did this and was able to complete a life sketch for a family member who didn’t have one on their person page. I was pleasantly surprised with how simple it was. As I looked through my family tree I realized that there were only a handful of relatives that actually had a life sketch, so now I have plenty of opportunities to put this newly acquired skill in to practice. It felt gratifying that after a 37 minute lesson I was able write a life sketch for one of my beloved family members and to share it on their person page on Family Search.

As we participate in temple and family history work, we are not alone, the Spirit can guide us as we seek to serve our ancestors. One of the blessings of writing life sketches for our family members is that they become more real to us, and we form real connections to them as we learn more about their lives. If we are unsure where to begin, there are wonderful resources that can help us in this great journey. –Elaine Hardman, communications- GFHC