UVTAGG Press Release: Online Meeting Saturday Morning 10 May: KRISTILEE J. MANUEL on FINAGLING SOURCES FROM FAMILYSEARCH BETA, FULL-TEXT COLLECTIONS

UVTAGG Press Release: Online Meeting Saturday Morning 10 May: KRISTILEE J. MANUEL on FINAGLING SOURCES FROM FAMILYSEARCH BETA, FULL-TEXT COLLECTIONS

2025-05-10

Journalists and newsletter editors, please post this where you can. If you need more information, please see our website -- https://uvtagg.org and Press Release Blog https://blog.uvtagg.org/. If you have questions, please contact me. Thanks.

Gerhard

Gerhard Ruf - uvtagginfo@gmail.com

[Short Version]======================.

UVTAGG MEETING, Saturday Morning, 10 May 2025 on Zoom and Facebook

10 am - 11 am MDT: KRISTILEE J. MANUEL on FINAGLING SOURCES FROM FAMILYSEARCH BETA, FULL-TEXT COLLECTIONS

Details on UVTAGG.org and on the UVTAGG blog.

====================================.

[Long version]======================.

UVTAGG MEETING, Saturday Morning, 10 May 2025 on Zoom and Facebook

Details and links to watch are on https://uvtagg.org and on the UVTAGG Facebook page.

10 am - 11 am MDT:  KRISTILEE J. MANUEL on FINAGLING SOURCES FROM FAMILYSEARCH BETA, FULL-TEXT COLLECTIONS

ABOUT THE PRESENTATION:

Doesn't "beta" mean something isn't ready for prime time? Not when considering FamilySearch's beta full-text collections. Make the most of your research time by discovering documents tied to your ancestors that were previously very difficult to find without the help of AI combined with OCR technologies. This presentation will give you the opportunity to make discoveries in these exciting, new collections by sharing strategies, outlining search steps, and providing the inside scoop on how to minimize the "beta" and maximize results.

ABOUT KRISTILEE J. MANUEL:

Kristilee J. Manuel authored the textbook "Introduction to Genealogy: A Modern Family History Methodology." This year she was a presenter at RootsTech and she previously taught at BYU's Women's Conference and served as a FamilySearch Center Director. Kristilee designed genealogical tools and created content for Brigham Young University's Family History Workshops and recently collaborated with the Chinese National Parks Service to develop a family history certification program for teens.

All meetings of the UVTAGG group are open to the public and have the goal of helping people use technology to further their family and personal history. The Group is in its 35th year and previously was called the Utah Valley PAF Users Group. On the blog is a way for anyone to receive the press releases via email. Members of the group ($15/year), besides being able to interact with presenters on ZOOM, receive the monthly email newsletter, TAGGology, and have access to the more than 650 videos of past presentations and classes. TAGGology contains a wealth of information about genealogy, including information for Temple and Family History Consultants. Free sample copies of the Newsletter can be requested by emailing uvtagginfo@gmail.com.

Officers of UVTAGG are Gerhard Ruf, President; Laurie Castillo, 1st VP; 2nd VP (Vacant); Beccy Martin, Secretary; Jerry Castillo, Membership Officer, TAGGology Newsletter Editor (Vacant); Rayanne Melick, Treasurer; Librarian (Vacant); Carol Hill, Social Media Publicist; James Anderson, FamilySearch Coordinator; Chris Stevenson, Brent Nelson, Jerry Castillo, and Dawn Brimhall, Broadcast and Website Specialists. For further information contact President Gerhard Ruf at uvtagginfo@gmail.com (801-602-5048), or 1st VP Laurie Castillo at gengal@comcast.net.

Gerhard Ruf, President

UVTAGG Group

uvtagginfo@gmail.com

UVTAGG Press Release: Online Meeting Saturday Morning 12 Apr 2025: LAURIE WERNER CASTILLO on LOST TOWNS & CITIES: HOW TO RESEARCH PLACES THAT MAY NO LONGER EXIST

UVTAGG Press Release: Online Meeting Saturday Morning 12 Apr 2025:  LAURIE WERNER CASTILLO on LOST TOWNS & CITIES: HOW TO RESEARCH PLACES THAT MAY NO LONGER EXIST

2025-04-8

Journalists and newsletter editors, please post this where you can. If you need more information, please see our website -- https://uvtagg.org and Press Release Blog https://blog.uvtagg.org/. If you have questions, please contact me. Thanks.
Gerhard

Gerhard Ruf - uvtagginfo@gmail.com

[Short Version]======================.

UVTAGG MEETING, Saturday Morning, 12 Apr 2025 on Zoom and Facebook

10 am - 11 am MDT:  LAURIE WERNER CASTILLO on LOST TOWNS & CITIES: HOW TO RESEARCH PLACES THAT MAY NO LONGER EXIST

There will be no second class.

Details on UVTAGG.org and on the UVTAGG blog.

====================================.

[Long version]======================.

UVTAGG MEETING, Saturday Morning, 12 Apr 2025 on Zoom and Facebook

Details and links to watch are on https://uvtagg.org and on the UVTAGG Facebook page.

10 am - 11 am MDT:  LAURIE WERNER CASTILLO on LOST TOWNS & CITIES: HOW TO RESEARCH PLACES THAT MAY NO LONGER EXIST

There will be no second class.

ABOUT THE PRESENTATION:

Locating the towns inhabited by our ancestors can be difficult. Many of them have not survived. Some have had several names over the course of time and may be hiding in plain sight. The presentation will cover best practices for locating and Identifying ancestral towns, in general. There will also be discussion of "lost towns," why they no longer exist and where to find their records.

ABOUT LAURIE WERNER CASTILLO:

Laurie Werner Castillo was born in Santa Monica and raised in West Los Angeles with beagles and land tortoises for pets and playmates. She played on the girls basketball team for two years in high school and also loved participating in tennis, volleyball and basketball. She misses the palm trees in her front yard and the smell of the ocean every day. After a really great educational experience in Los Angeles, she attended BYU, earning an AA in Communications and Fine Arts and a BS in Consumer Economics. She met Jerry Castillo, from San Antonio, Texas, in Utah and they have 2 children and 7 grandchildren. Laurie is currently first vice president of the Utah Valley Technology and Genealogy Group; She is former Vice President, Executive Secretary and Board Member, of the Utah Genealogical Association; She has been a BYU FH Library consultant, tour guide and teacher for 32+ years; She has been a professional researcher and writer 34+ years; She has presented at many conferences including: RootsTech 2016-2020, BYU FH Conference 2014-2019, and BYU Education Week 2016-2017, We Are Cousins Conferences 2-7 (2021-2024); She is a former Red Cross Instructor, Girl Scout Troop Leader, Boy Scout Merit Badge Counselor and Chihuahua breeder. Her research specialties include: Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Canada and Hispanic Research; And New England, Midwest, Southwest, Mountain States and Pacific Frontier regions of the US. Her interests include: history, mystery, geography and genetics. Add those up and you have family history

All meetings of the UVTAGG group are open to the public and have the goal of helping people use technology to further their family and personal history. The Group is in its 35th year and previously was called the Utah Valley PAF Users Group. On the blog is a way for anyone to receive the press releases via email. Members of the group ($15/year), besides being able to interact with presenters on ZOOM, receive the monthly email newsletter, TAGGology, and have access to the more than 650 videos of past presentations and classes. TAGGology contains a wealth of information about genealogy, including information for Temple and Family History Consultants. Free sample copies of the Newsletter can be requested by emailing uvtagginfo@gmail.com.

Officers of UVTAGG are Gerhard Ruf, President; Laurie Castillo, 1st VP; 2nd VP (Vacant); Beccy Martin, Secretary; Jerry Castillo, Membership Officer, TAGGology Newsletter Editor (Vacant); Rayanne Melick, Treasurer; Librarian (Vacant); Carol Hill, Social Media Publicist; James Anderson, FamilySearch Coordinator; Chris Stevenson, Brent Nelson, Jerry Castillo, and Dawn Brimhall, Broadcast and Website Specialists. For further information contact President Gerhard Ruf at uvtagginfo@gmail.com (801-602-5048), or 1st VP Laurie Castillo at gengal@comcast.net.

Gerhard Ruf, President

UVTAGG Group

uvtagginfo@gmail.com

UVTAGG Press Release: Online Meeting Saturday Morning 15 Mar 2025: ROOTSTECH FAMILYSEARCH FORUM - WHAT'S NEW AT FAMILYSEARCH

UVTAGG Press Release: Online Meeting Saturday Morning 15 Mar 2025: ROOTSTECH FAMILYSEARCH FORUM - WHAT'S NEW AT FAMILYSEARCH

2025-03-14

Journalists and newsletter editors, please post this where you can. If you need more information, please see our website -- https://uvtagg.org and Press Release Blog https://blog.uvtagg.org/. If you have questions, please contact me. Thanks.
Gerhard

Gerhard Ruf - uvtagginfo@gmail.com

[Short Version]======================.

UVTAGG MEETING, Saturday Morning, 15 Mar 2025 on Zoom and Facebook

10 am - 11 am MDT:  ROOTSTECH FAMILYSEARCH FORUM on WHAT'S NEW AT FAMILYSEARCH

There will be no second class taught on this date.  In the future all monthly public meetings will be limited to one presentation.

At the end of this meeting the annual election of officers will be initiated.

Details on UVTAGG.org and on the UVTAGG blog.

====================================.

[Long version]======================.

UVTAGG MEETING, Saturday Morning, 15 Mar 2025 on Zoom and Facebook

Details and links to watch are on https://uvtagg.org and on the UVTAGG Facebook page.

10 am - 11 am MDT:  ROOTSTECH FAMILYSEARCH FORUM on WHAT'S NEW AT FAMILYSEARCH

There will be no second class taught on this date.  In the future all public meetings will be limited to one class.

At the end of this meeting the annual election of officers will be initiated.

ABOUT THE PRESENTATION:

This is a rebroadcast of the RootsTech 2025 FamilySearch Global and Technology Forum.  It was the formal opening session. It includes 7 FamilySearch panelists describing innovations accomplished during the prior 12 months, including enhancements of previously announced features, and descriptions of new apps and features.

The panelists are Sarah Hammond, Brett Weeks, Valerie Villalobos, Bryan Austad, Ryan Parker, Michelle Barber, Craig Miller, and Andy Gold.

All meetings of the UVTAGG group are open to the public and have the goal of helping people use technology to further their family and personal history. The Group is in its 35th year and previously was called the Utah Valley PAF Users Group. On the blog is a way for anyone to receive the press releases via email. Members of the group ($15/year), besides being able to interact with presenters on ZOOM, receive the monthly email newsletter, TAGGology, and have access to the more than 650 videos of past presentations and classes. TAGGology contains a wealth of information about genealogy, including information for Temple and Family History Consultants. Free sample copies of the Newsletter can be requested by emailing uvtagginfo@gmail.com.

Officers of UVTAGG are Gerhard Ruf, President; Laurie Castillo, 1st VP; 2nd VP (Vacant); Beccy Martin, Secretary; Jerry Castillo, Membership Officer, TAGGology Newsletter Editor (Vacant); Rayanne Melick, Treasurer; Librarian (Vacant); Carol Hill, Social Media Publicist; James Anderson, FamilySearch Coordinator; Chris Stevenson, Brent Nelson, Jerry Castillo, and Dawn Brimhall, Broadcast and Website Specialists. For further information contact President Gerhard Ruf at uvtagginfo@gmail.com (801-602-5048), or 1st VP Laurie Castillo at gengal@comcast.net.

Gerhard Ruf, President, uvtagginfo@gmail.com

UVTAGG Group

uvtagginfo@gmail.com

UVTAGG Press Release: Online Meeting Saturday Morning 8 Feb 2025: ROBERT GIVENS on USING FAMILYSEARCH PARTNER: MY HERITAGE

UVTAGG Press Release: Online Meeting Saturday Morning 8 Feb 2025: ROBERT GIVENS on USING FAMILYSEARCH PARTNER: MY HERITAGE

2025-01-31

Journalists and newsletter editors, please post this where you can. If you need more information, please see our website -- https://uvtagg.org and Press Release Blog https://blog.uvtagg.org/. If you have questions, please contact me. Thanks.

Gerhard Ruf - uvtagginfo@gmail.com

[Short Version]======================.

UVTAGG MEETING, Saturday Morning, 8 Feb 2025 on Zoom and Facebook

10 am - 11 am MST:  ROBERT GIVENS on USING FAMILYSEARCH PARTNER: MY HERITAGE

With sadness we announce the passing of Donald R. Snow, our 2nd Vice President.  
There will be no second class taught on this date.  In the future all monthly public meetings will be limited to one presentation.

Details on UVTAGG.org and on the UVTAGG blog.

====================================.

[Long version]======================.

UVTAGG MEETING, Saturday Morning, 8 Feb 2025 on Zoom and Facebook

Details and links to watch are on https://uvtagg.org and on the UVTAGG Facebook page.

10 am - 11 am MST:  ROBERT GIVENS on USING FAMILYSEARCH PARTNER: MY HERITAGE

With sadness we announce the passing of Donald R. Snow, our 2nd Vice President. There will be no second class taught on this date.  In the future all public meetings will be limited to one class.

ABOUT THE MAIN PRESENTATION:

We will explore one of FamilySearch's partner sites - My Heritage.  It has value for all of us.  We will cover its focus, how to best tap into the records found there, why your DNA should be uploaded there, and finally, the great photo features found there.

ABOUT ROBERT GIVENS:

Robert Givens has received advanced degrees from Fresno State College and California State University, Fresno. His career in education spanned 39 years in that area. He started researching in family history during his high school years and has been even more actively involved since his retirement in 2008. This included 8 years directing the Fresno North Stake Family History Center and currently with his wife is an Area Temple and Family History Adviser for 11 stakes in the Fresno region.
For 15 years as a FamilySearch volunteer he was actively involved supporting various features of FamilySearch, including helping patrons with their problem records, launching and supporting social communities and administering research groups sponsored by FamilySearch in Facebook, and working on its Research Wiki. He is an experienced researcher in New England, Midwest and southern state records, has published 4 genealogy books, and presented on genealogical topics in multiple states. When he is not researching, he loves to garden, read, and watch sports on TV.

All meetings of the UVTAGG group are open to the public and have the goal of helping people use technology to further their family and personal history. The Group is in its 35th year and previously was called the Utah Valley PAF Users Group. On the blog is a way for anyone to receive the press releases via email. Members of the group ($15/year), besides being able to interact with presenters on ZOOM, receive the monthly email newsletter, TAGGology, and have access to the more than 650 videos of past presentations and classes. TAGGology contains a wealth of information about genealogy, including information for Temple and Family History Consultants. Free sample copies of the Newsletter can be requested by emailing uvtagginfo@gmail.com.

Officers of UVTAGG are Gerhard Ruf, President; Laurie Castillo, 1st VP; 2nd VP (Vacant); Beccy Martin, Secretary; Jerry Castillo, Membership Officer, TAGGology Newsletter Editor (Vacant); Rayanne Melick, Treasurer; Librarian (Vacant); Carol Hill, Social Media Publicist; James Anderson, FamilySearch Coordinator; Chris Stevenson, Brent Nelson, Jerry Castillo, and Dawn Brimhall, Broadcast and Website Specialists. For further information contact President Gerhard Ruf at uvtagginfo@gmail.com (801-602-5048), or 1st VP Laurie Castillo at gengal@comcast.net.

Gerhard Ruf, President, uvtagginfo@gmail.com 

UVTAGG Press Release: Online Meeting Saturday Morning 11 Jan 2025: JAMES TANNER on GETTING OUT OF THE RUT OF YOUR GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH

 UVTAGG Press Release: Online Meeting Saturday Morning 11 Jan 2025: JAMES TANNER on GETTING OUT OF THE RUT OF YOUR GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH

2025-01-09

Journalists and newsletter editors, please post this where you can. If you need more information, please see our website -- https://uvtagg.org and Press Release Blog https://blog.uvtagg.org/. If you have questions, please contact me. Thanks.

Gerhard Ruf - gruf@byu.net 

[Short Version]======================.

UVTAGG MEETING, Saturday Morning, 11 Jan 2025 on Zoom and Facebook

10 am - 11 am MST: JAMES TANNER on GETTING OUT OF THE RUT OF YOUR GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH

With sadness we announce the passing of Donald R. Snow, our 2nd Vice President.  

There will be no second class taught on this date.  In the future all monthly public meetings will be limited to one presentation.

Details on UVTAGG.org and on the UVTAGG blog.

====================================.

[Long version]======================.

UVTAGG MEETING, Saturday Morning, 11 Jan 2025 on Zoom and Facebook

Details and links to watch are on https://uvtagg.org and on the UVTAGG Facebook page.

10 am - 11 am MST: JAMES TANNER on GETTING OUT OF THE RUT OF YOUR GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH

With sadness we announce the passing of Donald R. Snow, our 2nd Vice President. His obituary is at   https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/deseretnews/name/donald-snow-obituary?id=57072140

 There will be no second class taught on this date.  In the future all public meetings will be limited to one class.

ABOUT THE PRESENTATION:

Doing the same searches and genealogical work over and over again is like driving a car in a deep rut in the road. It seems like you can't break out of the habit. This class takes you through the process of moving on to a more productive genealogy life with ways to expand your knowledge and focus. Take some time think through how you are approaching your genealogical challenges

ABOUT JAMES TANNER:

James has over 40 years of experience in genealogical research and is an avid blogger of the Genealogy’s Star blog. He has served as a family history volunteer for over 18 years and has presented at expos and conferences around the US, Canada, and Europe. He is a member of the board of directors of the Family History Guide Association and is currently serving at the BYU Family History Library. James is an attorney, a professional photographer, and has 7 children, 34 grandchildren and 2 greatgrandchildren.

All meetings of the UVTAGG group are open to the public and have the goal of helping people use technology to further their family and personal history. The Group is in its 35th year and previously was called the Utah Valley PAF Users Group. On the blog is a way for anyone to receive the press releases via email. Members of the group ($15/year), besides being able to interact with presenters on ZOOM, receive the monthly email newsletter, TAGGology, and have access to the more than 650 videos of past presentations and classes. TAGGology contains a wealth of information about genealogy, including information for Temple and Family History Consultants. Free sample copies of the Newsletter can be requested by emailing uvtagginfo@gmail.com.

Officers of UVTAGG are Gerhard Ruf, President; Laurie Castillo, 1st VP; 2nd VP (Vacant); Beccy Martin, Secretary; Jerry Castillo, Membership Officer, Marilyn Thomsen, TAGGology Newsletter Editor; Rayanne Melick, Treasurer; Librarian (Vacant); Carol Hill, Social Media Publicist; James Anderson, FamilySearch Coordinator; Chris Stevenson, Brent Nelson, Jerry Castillo, and Dawn Brimhall, Broadcast and Website Specialists. For further information contact President Gerhard Ruf at uvtagginfo@gmail.com (801-602-5048), or 1st VP Laurie Castillo at gengal@comcast.net.

Gerhard Ruf, President, gruf@byu.net