This was a late morning start at the library and I got to talk for a short time with my Sweetheart. Then off to the Library where the morning seemed to go very well. I was helping a couple who had not intended to come to the Library on their trip out West, but decided to come on in. They had not brought any of their records--and they knew that they did not know exactly where the person they were looking for was from. They had already searched Family Search and Ancestry, and were familiar with their local Family Search Center. They had looked all the places they could think of for that elusive place to no avail.
There may well have been additional things that a more experienced missionary would have done for them, but as I was the one at the consultant desk, I shared what I could. One site I had been shown briefly did come to my mind--forebears. This site shows the prevalence of a surname--and where people with that surname are located. Turned out there are 118 persons known world-wide with that surname, and they knew all but one of them! They had not yet checked with all of their known cousins as to what was known among all of them, so that was a task to suggest to them.
The Beginning German Research course in the Learning Center was the next suggestion. They had not yet set up their free [forever!!] Family Search accounts, so that was another suggestion, since by entering their Family Tree data, since it is a collaborative effort, others might possibly be looking for, or already might have found, the place in question.
One of the young elders helped our study group to access Ancestry when I could not get a sign in screen to pop up. We have more than a page of items that we learned about during the study group session, including refining our searches in Ancestry, in Google Maps, and in figuring out how to access non-modern maps.
I successfully transcribed a few German dates and confirmed a few names--then I taught someone how to use a new administration tool. After lunch I was assigned to a Beginning Chinese Research class--it was interesting, but a little overwhelming. The instructor is developing a handout--I requested a digital copy, as I might lose a hard copy. My flash drive is part of my missionary equipment--along with my security badge it resides on my blue lanyard which identifies me as a missionary who can help with research.
After class and prayer meeting I was again assigned to the German/Slavic consultant desk. The guests I assisted needed more help than I was capable of providing. It was a blessing that two consultants were available.
My daughter is on her way back to Missouri shortly. I was very glad to have time to visit with her, and I am glad she got to visit the Arizona crew also.
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