How Are We Related? Exploring Connections to Restoration History
One of the most enjoyable parts of last year’s conference was discovering how many of us are related. I was delighted to find that two fellow attendees were my fourth cousins! This year, we’re expanding our experience and inviting everyone to explore not only how we are connected to one another, but also how we are connected to many of the important figures of the Restoration movement.
To participate, first create a free FamilySearch account and begin building your family tree. The FamilySearch World Tree is simply the shared family tree created by millions of users. For most people, connecting to the World Tree is easy. Last year, the majority of participants connected almost immediately by adding information about their nearest deceased ancestors and linking to family lines that had already been researched by others.
Once your tree is connected, visit RelativeFinder.org and sign in using your FamilySearch account. There is no separate Relative Finder account to create.
After signing in, join the John Whitmer Historical Association group using the password, Independence.
As soon as you join the group, Relative Finder will show your family connections to many significant figures from Restoration history, including John Whitmer, Sidney Rigdon, Joseph Smith III, Emma Hale Smith, Eliza R. Snow, and many others. You will also be able to discover how you are related to fellow members of the group who have joined.
One of the highlights of last year’s conference was seeing how attendees were related to one another. This year, we will once again explore those connections while also discovering links to important men and women from Restoration history.
Unlike the “Relatives Around Me” feature in FamilySearch, which only works when people are using the app at the same time, this group remains available year-round. Whether you are attending the conference or participating from afar, you can enjoy discovering these fascinating family connections.
I will have a table at this year’s conference to help anyone who would like assistance creating a FamilySearch account, connecting their tree, or joining the John Whitmer Historical Association group. I will also be creating posters highlighting some of the most interesting family connections we discover among conference attendees and Restoration figures. Who knows what surprising relationships we may uncover?
To join:
- Create a free FamilySearch account.
- Add information about yourself, your parents, grandparents, and deceased ancestors.
- Connect your family lines to the shared FamilySearch World Tree.
- Visit RelativeFinder.org and sign in using your FamilySearch account.
- Find the John Whitmer Historical Association group.
- Enter the password: Independence.
- Start discovering your connections!
If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to contact me before the conference, and I will be happy to help. You can also visit me at the conference booth for assistance.
I have already added many important individuals from our shared Restoration history to the group. If there is a historical figure you would like included, please send me an email with their name, birth date and place, and death date and place. If they played a meaningful role in our shared history, I would be happy to add them.
We had a wonderful time exploring our family connections last year, and I look forward to discovering even more relationships this year. You may be surprised to learn just how connected we all are!
For questions, help getting connected, or suggestions for additional historical figures, please contact:
Deanna Warden
deannared@mac.com
