Unit history tool

[aaronarthurdavis]

I have about three drafts going with multiple authors. I did consider it in Beta form and gave the authors until the end of April before posting a final draft. Last year I went the comprehensive route for the history of our local unit. I have also distinguished the difference between history specialist and historian. History Specialist is more home centered and church Supported system administration of the local History( beginning with the family) then the previous until historian. Most history should be under memories or life sketches in family Search.

[BrianEdwards]

With this new online way, do we get the form signed, then upload it as a document with the story?

As you may already know, the "Permission to Use Photographs" form states that the form is completed by the owner of the photographs, and given to the person compiling the history. There is no additional instruction on the form, of how the form should be retained after it is provided to the person compiling the history.

I'd also note that the "Annual History Consent Form" which is also available via the Unit History page, is specific to non-members. I'm not aware of any specific consent form for members that somebody else took pictures of, but I'm also not a expert on these things. This consent form likewise doesn't have instructions about how/where to retain said form.

The only formal documentation about uploading photos seems to be in the FAQ: Are there conditions to uploading a photograph", which then points to the Local Unit History Content Submission Agreement (Updated 2023-09-25)

[cmanley51]

I have just been called as Branch History Specialist and am reviewing all the info. What I do not find is how the Branch members can access the stories once they are written. Can someone please help? Thanks

[BrianEdwards]

All members should be able to access their unit history via the same general link that leaders use to create and manage stories:
Unit History
General members will of course only see the published stories, and not any of the leader tools. Members can always find this link via the "9 dots icon" (at upper right of home page), and searching for Unit History.

[cmanley51]

How can we add the Branch Presidency and Branch Mission Leader names to the author and approver lists? Currently the list shows those positions as "Unassigned"

[BrianEdwards]

How can we add the Branch Presidency and Branch Mission Leader names to the author and approver lists? Currently the list shows those positions as "Unassigned"

Could you share this same question on the following post? Since there's already a separate thread for this, that's probably better than having it get "lost" in the middle of all the other things discussed in this thread.
Unit History invitations for Branch-specific callings
I'm glad to know we're not the only ones experiencing this. My original thought was that this would be a general issue that many/most/all Branches would see, but until now nobody else had posted about seeing this.

I've shared this with our Stake History Specialist, asking if she could send this up her pipeline -- since she is getting a lot of push to have local leaders use the new tool, I'm hoping they might be responsive to getting this resolved.

I'll post an additional response on that other thread.

[zaneclark]

This is a list of those who are supposed to be able to create stories.... I am an assistant clerk, and all I see are Home and Help.


Bishopric (including the ward clerk and executive secretaries)
Assistant clerks
Ward history specialist
Elders quorum presidency (including secretary)
Relief Society presidency (including secretary)
Aaronic Priesthood quorum advisers
Young Women presidency (including secretary)
Sunday School presidency (including secretary)
Primary presidency (including secretary)
Ward mission leader
Ward temple and family history leader

[BrianEdwards]

I wasn't sure if the "Assistant clerks" that the Help FAQ describes, also included the "Assistant Clerk - Finance" and "Assistant Clerk -Membership". Are you one of those, or are you the "Assistant Clerk"? (I've always loved the messiness around these calling names )

The wording to me does indicate that all assistant clerks are included, otherwise it would seem logical to just say "Assistant Clerk" (I believe there can only be one assistant clerk). But then again, I'm not sure why a financial or membership clerk would be authoring a story. And if you're an "Assistant Clerk", then there does seem to be something else going on.

[ctcoombs@hotmail.com]

I am having a similar issue. I am a Branch clerk and when i try to invite someone to share a story and go to recipient it has a list for Ward Bishoprics instead of Branch presidency. I can send an invite to other Branch officers, but not to the Branch Presidency. I have noted this in the feedback part of the tool, but have received no response. Any ideas or suggestions?

[BrianEdwards]

I am having a similar issue. I am a Branch clerk and when i try to invite someone to share a story and go to recipient it has a list for Ward Bishoprics instead of Branch presidency. I can send an invite to other Branch officers, but not to the Branch Presidency. I have noted this in the feedback part of the tool, but have received no response. Any ideas or suggestions?

I see you also posted this in the other thread. I'll answer there, to try and avoid duplicating discussion on this specific aspect, in both places.