What are the system requirements to run Pedigree Resource File?
Do I need to buy additional software to run Pedigree Resource File?
Pedigree Resource File is a collection of family trees submitted
by people wishing to share their genealogy. With PRF, you can search
through a steadily growing database of
names to find
your family tree. However, PRF cannot be used to enter your own
family history information. A genealogy database software program,
designed for entering and preserving your data, is required.
There are many examples of family tree software available in retail
stores and online, including but not exclusive to: Personal Ancestral
File (PAF), Legacy Family Tree, Ancestry Family Tree, Family Tree
Maker, Ancestral Quest and Heritage Family Tree Deluxe.
Personal Ancestral File is a trademark of Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Ancestry Family Tree is a trademark of MyFamily.com, Inc.
Family Tree Maker is a registered trademark of Genealogy.com, LLC
Ancestral Quest is a trademark of Incline Software, LC.
All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
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How do I search for my ancestors?
To begin searching for your ancestors, enter at least a surname in the search field titled
"Last Name". You can also include first name, and names of parents as part of your search criteria.
Or, you can go to the Advanced Search page and include other information such as spouse, date, place
and submission number. Once you've entered your search criteria, click the Search button to display
the results.
Tip: Women are usually recorded in Pedigree Resource File under their maiden name.
When searching for female ancestors, try searching using maiden names.
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How are search results displayed?
When individuals who match your search criteria are found in Pedigree Resource File,
results are displayed on a separate results page. This page can include up to 200 names.
If there are more results than can be displayed on one page, the
next link at the bottom
of the list will become active. After you've clicked
next, you can always return to the
previous page by clicking the
prev link, located at the bottom of the list beside
next.
To view more detailed information about an individual in your results list, click on the person's name.
The Individual Record will be displayed in a new page, and can include life events, spouse, parents,
submitter information and submission number. You will also find the PRF CD number on which the
individual is recorded, along with their PIN (Person Identification Number) for that CD.
Why do I see duplicate listings of the
same ancestor?
Finding duplicate records of the same ancestor is very common
in PRF. Usually this means that branches of your family tree
have been submitted by more than one individual who happens
to share your ancestry. These family trees may contain multiple
generations of ancestors all lineage-linked to your family tree,
including missing lines that you may still be researching. Finding
duplicate records is a wonderful opportunity to collaborate
with other family historians--see the Individual Record page
to contact the submitters of each family tree and collaborate
in your genealogy research.
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How do I narrow my search?
To make your search more specific, use the Advanced Search. You will be able to narrow your
search by entering information like spouse, date, place and submission number.
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How do I search for children of the same parents?
To search for children of the same parents enter the father's first and last name as
well as the mother's first name (mother's last name is optional). A list of all children
for these parents will be displayed.
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What is a submission number and how is it useful?
Each family tree published in Pedigree Resource File is assigned a submission number.
All ancestors and descendants of a family tree share the same submission number.
This means that you can search by submission number and view all of the people in that family tree.
To quickly find a submission number, find an ancestor and go to that person's individual record.
Scroll down to Submission Search section and you'll find the submission number to the right.
If you click on that number, it will take you back to the Advanced Search and automatically
insert the submission number. Click on search and you'll see all the individuals from that
family tree listed.
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Why can't I find myself?
Information about living persons is not available in the on-line search.
Names of living persons may be included in the PRF CDs along with lineage information;
however, to protect the privacy of living individuals, information such as life events
will not be available.
Why can’t I find my ancestors?
The Pedigree Resource File collection of family trees does
not contain all genealogy records that exist today. There is
no such collection currently available anywhere. If you are
unable to find your ancestors at
FindYourFamilyTree.com,
please try again because the collection continues to grow by
approximately 1000 family trees each month as people submit
their genealogy to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints for publication in PRF.
Does PRF include genealogy records
from the UK and Europe?
Yes, PRF contains ancestral records from all around the
world. Since many submitters trace their family heritage to
the United Kingdom and Europe, there are a large number of
British, Scottish, Irish, German and Italian genealogy records.
Since a large majority of submitters are from the United States,
PRF CDs also contain millions of American genealogy records.
What is a pedigree?
Pedigree means any of the following: a family tree;
a list or line of ancestors; lineage or a line of descent.
Hence Pedigree Resource File is a collection of pedigrees
or family trees.
What is genealogy?
Genealogy is the study or investigation of lines of
descent or the study of pedigrees. Genealogy is commonly
misspelled as geneology, genology, and genelogy.
How do I begin my genealogy research?
The best place to start is at home. Ask family members
about relatives and look at family records such as journals,
a family Bible, letters, birth announcements, obituaries
and other records. Fill in a pedigree chart, either
on paper or with the assistance of a genealogy software
program. There are many programs available online to
help you draw a family tree. Select some ancestors whom
you want to research and find your ancestors free of
charge at
FindYourFamilyTree.com. Once you
have found an ancestor, order the PRF CD from The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to view and print
the entire family tree and merge those family history
records into your own genealogy software program.
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Other Genealogy Sites
These
genealogy websites
may assist you with your family history research.
We’ve listed a variety of websites including
those representing genealogy software products
and services, genealogy directories, as well as
other online sources of family history records.
This list of genealogy websites will continue
to grow so visit often.
Why should I submit my family tree to be published in PRF?
Share your ancestral records with fellow genealogists worldwide and help others build their family
trees by
submitting your family tree for publication in Pedigree Resource File.
When you submit your genealogy records to The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, your family tree will be preserved
for years to come at the Church's Granite Mountain Records Vault
southeast of Salt Lake City, Utah, USA- the largest genealogical
record repository in the world. Talk about a backup copy!
Submitting your genealogy records is a great way to publish your family history to share at reunions
and other family events. But don't wait until you have finished your family tree, because a family tree
is never complete. Submit your records now and once you have researched more ancestors, simply submit
again.
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