New FamilySearch
Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 12:22 pm
After reviewing the User’s Guide for the new FamilySearch, I see some wonderful benefits of the system besides the obvious one of having all the information in one common place that is accessible to everyone.
In the past, individuals needing help in getting ordinances completed had to coordinate efforts and get the Family Name Cards to those willing to help. Now family members ward members and friends can select a name from FamilySearch, process an ordinance request, take it to the temple, have the card printed, and then do the ordinance.
One troubling issue still exists. If a person “reserves” an ordinance(s) and fails to complete that ordinance due to death, loss of interest, or some other reason, no other relative can complete the ordinance(s). The User’s Guide suggests:
“Reserve ordinances only if you feel reasonably sure that you can get them done.
It is recommended that you reserve only enough ordinances for a few trips to the
temple.” , A User’s Guide to the New FamilySearch
The User’s Guide also states:
“There is no limit on the amount of time that ordinances can be on your reserved
list, but try to get them done in a timely manner.”, A User’s Guide to the New FamilySearch
With that suggestion it would have been nice to have ordinance “reservations” expire after one year. This would free the ordinance for others to do. If the person still wants to reserve the ordinance(s), then the person would have the option to “renew” the ordinance(s) reservation. It would ensure that the ordinance(s) could be completed by relatives in a timely manner in the event that the original “reserver” was unable to complete the ordinance(s).
At our local temple, submissions are checked for possible duplications (we are not on the new FamilySearch). Often we have patrons wanting to do ordinances for their relatives only to find that the ordinance(s) have been “cleared” by another person. I have seen many cases where it has been several years since the submission date or since partial work has been done.
In the past, individuals needing help in getting ordinances completed had to coordinate efforts and get the Family Name Cards to those willing to help. Now family members ward members and friends can select a name from FamilySearch, process an ordinance request, take it to the temple, have the card printed, and then do the ordinance.
One troubling issue still exists. If a person “reserves” an ordinance(s) and fails to complete that ordinance due to death, loss of interest, or some other reason, no other relative can complete the ordinance(s). The User’s Guide suggests:
“Reserve ordinances only if you feel reasonably sure that you can get them done.
It is recommended that you reserve only enough ordinances for a few trips to the
temple.” , A User’s Guide to the New FamilySearch
The User’s Guide also states:
“There is no limit on the amount of time that ordinances can be on your reserved
list, but try to get them done in a timely manner.”, A User’s Guide to the New FamilySearch
With that suggestion it would have been nice to have ordinance “reservations” expire after one year. This would free the ordinance for others to do. If the person still wants to reserve the ordinance(s), then the person would have the option to “renew” the ordinance(s) reservation. It would ensure that the ordinance(s) could be completed by relatives in a timely manner in the event that the original “reserver” was unable to complete the ordinance(s).
At our local temple, submissions are checked for possible duplications (we are not on the new FamilySearch). Often we have patrons wanting to do ordinances for their relatives only to find that the ordinance(s) have been “cleared” by another person. I have seen many cases where it has been several years since the submission date or since partial work has been done.