Ok. Long time, no post. The flu hit our house and hit it hard. Everyone in my house has been sick and I am just starting to get over it. I mentioned that it may actually be a violent allergic reaction to Oklahoma, but my doctor didn't think so.
I think I've mentioned before that I am a Family History Consultant at church. Today I got to open the center all by myself (after a minor debacle with a bad key) and got keys to all the locks inside. I then dutifully worked my 3 hour shift with my fellow volunteer. Theis also means I can go whenever I like, and I can take others with me to help them with their research. I felt so fancy. (Really, it doesn't take much to make me happy.)
I worked the entire 3 hours on MY OWN Family history though. Kind of sad. I'm there to help others work on THEIR family histories. When I'm sitting in a room filled with computers with access to tons of premium websites, shelves full of books, and drawers full of microfilm, all free to use, I wonder why people don't come.
Do me a favor, and keep me feeling fancy. If you have a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in your area, call them. Ask them where their Family History Library is located and the hours. Then GO! Use it. (If you are a member of the church, you have no excuse. Commence feeling guilty now.) I promise the Family History workers aren't there to try to convert you. My fellow volunteer is not a member of the church and has worked there for 15 years. She will back me up on this. We are there to help you and we will devote ourselves to it. If we can't find it, we can get in contact with the huge Family History Library in Salt Lake City to get help for you. There are sad, underutilized and easily amused Family History Consultants all over the country waiting pathetically for you to show up and put a little sunshine in their day. Now Scoot!
Family History Consultants are wonderful!!! I agree with you, they are under-utilized, but they are never, ever sad or pathetic (to use your words)! I have found them to be great folks, and as you point out, have never, ever felt that I was on the receiving end of a forced conversion! I admit to under-utilizing consultant services myself, but do appreciate you and the entire LDS. Such a fantastic service to genealogists everywhere! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteOk, Jenny, you caught me., We aren't always sad and pathetic, but when we are underutilized, we get a bit weepy and eat more doughnuts than we probably should. Or maybe that's just me. Let me get my tissues... Sniffle.... :)
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