‘I have never tried to find my ancestors,

How can the new FamilySearch help me?’

The New FamilySearch (nFS)

The Research Process

1. Identify what you know. 2. Decide what you want to learn. 3. Select a record to search. 4. Find and search the record. 5. Use the information.

This time start with a letter Let’s start with something you have in

your possession. The document has information The record causes you to ask questions Analyze the letter

You Possess a Letter

1. Identify what you know. Letter written in Payson, Utah Dated January 1959 Letter to Mrs. Young Widow of Ezra Bain Lewellen since 1933 Ezra son of James Harrison and Sarah

Louisa Keeth Ezra’s mother sister of Mrs. Young’s

deceased husband Signed Mrs. Lillian Lewellen Hancock

2. Decide what you want to learn.

Who was Mrs. Young? Who was Mrs. Young’s husband? When did he die? Who was his mother? Who was Lillian Lewellen Hancock? Does the information found in the letter match

what you see on nFS?

“Pedigree Analysis” What do I already know? What does this suggest?

3. Select records to search. Search Lillian Lewellen Hancock on nFS

Refine search if necessary

Analyze the available recordsWhat matches?

Were your expectations met?

3. Select records to search. Select Lillian Eva Lewellen’s record to

see more on her mother A B Click on her mother to view her record

3. Select records to search. View her spouses

View her spouses

4. Obtain and search the records.

Check the box of record from possible duplicates to compare

Compare the 2 columns of the 2 records Click on any underlined name Compare all relationships of each

underlined name Check the contributors – do you know any? What sources are attached to the records?

5. Use the information. Decide if the same, combine Is this the correct person? Anything you add to nFS is instantly

viewable by anyone registered.

Identify What You Know

Letter written in Payson, Utah Dated January 1959 Letter to Mrs. Young Widow of Ezra Bain Lewellen since 1933 Ezra son of James Harrison and Sarah

Louisa Keeth Ezra’s mother sister of Mrs. Young’s

deceased husband Signed Mrs. Lillian Lewellen Hancock

What Do You Want To Learn? Who was Mrs. Young? Who was Mrs. Young’s husband? When did he die? Who was his mother? Who was Lillian Lewellen Hancock? Is the information about these people on

nFS correct?

Select Record(s) to Search

Obtain and Search the Record Show Lillian Pedigree to parent of Sarah to show

descendants Analyze nFS data with information from

letter

Family Tree Descendants