You’re invited to our
Family Discovery Day
October 19, 2024
300 Woodgate Road, Okotoks
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Building
9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Family Discovery Day Classes – new or expert, it doesn’t matter, there will be something for you to learn!
A special session will be held for youth ages 12-18 at 11:45am.
Don’t Know Where to Start?
There are classes for everyone, if you are just getting started or if you are looking to get personalized one-on-one help.
Check out the class schedule and descriptions (Coming Soon).
What is the Foothills Family History Day?
The Foothills Family History Day is a local family history event where participants learn to discover, share and celebrate their family connections across generations through technology. At the Foothills Family History Day, there is something for everyone, no matter your experience in family history or your skill level in technology.How do I register?
You can register by clicking the Register button on this page. Registration is to help give us an idea as to the number of attendees, as well as to help send out reminders to those that are registered. Registration is for the event, not for classes as we are unable to reserve individual seatsWill there be an Internet connection at the Foothills Family History Day?
Internet access will be limited to instructors and to those getting one-on-one help in the Discovery Centre. We want to make sure that instructors have access to adequate internet speeds during their classes.Will food be served at the Foothills Family History Day?
Light snacks will be available throughout the event.Are children allowed at the Foothills Family History Day?
The Foothills Family History Day is intended to provide opportunities for the General Public to Learn about Family History and the classes are intended for Youth and Adults. Therefore, we ask that children under 11 not attend.Do I need to bring a laptop or tablet to the event?
It is not required that you bring a laptop or tablet. There will be some computers set up depending on the session that you attend, although it is recommended that you bring your own laptop or tablet with any files that you might need help with at the Discovery Centre.2019 Class Descriptions
Okotoks & Area History Presentation
A presentation on Okotoks early history, people and buildings by Karen Peters, a volunteer with the Okotoks & District Historical Society.
Family Search Basics
Just getting started using Family Search? This session will cover the basics of navigating this powerful website. Learn different ways to view your tree, how to add family members, and how the person page works. We will also cover where to find the big 4 search engines to look for records relating to your ancestors.
Finding Cousins on FamilySearch
If you have a full tree and think you Genealogy is done….Think again, Our family history is not complete until we have found our cousins…If you go back 11 generations that amounts to over a million people. Come see how easy this is to do.
Indexing: What is it and how to do it!
Ever thought of where all those records available in Family Search came from? Indexing provides the searchable records so Family History enthusiasts can find their relatives. Come find out how you can help in this work.
Planning Family History Trips
Have you ever wanted to go on a trip to discover your ancestors or find some elusive piece of missing family history information? Have you already been on a family history trip but are looking for some tips to make your next trip better perhaps this is the class for you. The Walkers will provide you with practical tips and ideas to help you make your family history trip a success. Based on the experiences they have encountered on their own various family history trips they will look at the Research Purposes for these types of trips as well Practical Considerations that should be considered while planning and executing your own Family History Trips.
Ideas for Family Reunion
When you hear the term Family Reunion what comes to your mind. Is it positive, negative or neutral? If you would like to enhance this experience then this is the class for you. The Walkers will discuss the three basic types of reunions and focus on what can be done to make each a success in staging and enjoying as a participant. Their experiences attending reunions in various parts of North America will be the background for sharing their experiences and ideas.
Finding Relatives b/w Census Records
Finding ancestors between the census records; researching death records, searching google, reviewing stories of ancestors and analyzing census records will be the theme.
Unlocking Your DNA Time Capsule
This session will provide a basic introduction to DNA testing. We will discuss how to use your DNA results to expand your family tree. Although Y-DNA and mitochondrial DNA will be mentioned, the focus will be on Autosomal DNA. Whether you are considering ordering a DNA test, or if you are unsure on what to with DNA test results, this session is for you!
RootsTech 2018 Video Presentations
RootsTech is a 4-day event held annually in Salt Lake City, Utah, dedicated to celebrating family and discovering family histories. Be inspired and uplifted as we replay videos of an exciting lineup of wonderful speakers. New videos will begin at the beginning of each session.
Relative Race Video Presentation
In this race unlike any other, four teams take a 10-day journey across the country to discover new relatives and compete for a $50,000 grand prize. Using the contestant’s DNA as a road map, this first-of-its-kind, genealogy-based reality show is all about meeting family, completing challenges, and racing against the clock!
Adding Memories & Photos to FamilySearch
This session will demonstrate how to add photo and audio files to individuals in your Family Search tree. We will also cover who can see the photos you upload, file format requirements, organizing your flash drive, and file naming conventions. Handouts will be provided.
Cursive Writing: What Does That Say?
Recognize English cursive writing through the centuries.
Apps & Fun Things
This session will introduce a few of the current and new apps that are sure to get family members interested in their family history, including games that make family history fun. They can be enjoyed by people of all ages, and can encourage questions and conversations about the people included in the puzzles. After all, the name doesn’t mean much without the stories of the people behind the names. Let the fun begin!
Duplicates & Merging in Family Search
Finding and merging possible duplicate records in Family Search is a complex and tricky process. In this session, we will learn how to identify and resolve duplicate situations. Come learn the strategies and methods that will make the decision process much easier.
The Process of Finding Relatives in FamilySearch
Ancestors Found – Case Studies Showing Effective Use of Search & Find Resources.
Discovery Centre – Personalized Genealogical Assistance
The Discovery Centre will be at the core of all that is happening during the Family Discovery Day! We will have experienced volunteers that will be available to assist you one-on-one with your family history. This session will be open throughout the event, and will be on a first-come first-serve basis. We encourage you to be mindful of your time with a volunteer so that other attendees get a chance to obtain assistance. Laptops and devices are not required, but will be helpful if you bring your own.