The TempleReady Process

The TempleReady Process

(Revised 12/14/02 Hank LuBean)

Instructions for using TempleReady with data from Personal Ancestral File or with GEDCOM files from any genealogy program.

While there are several ways to prepare names to clear for ordinance work in TempleReady, I suggest the following approach. This process will save you and others time by avoiding duplicate temple work and unnecessary steps.

Step 1. Gather and verify information:

· Enter family information into PAF 5 (or your favorite program) correctly. PAF is free via Internet download or you could borrow the CD from the FHC and install on your home computer. Check: Home records - Living relatives - Ancestral File - International Genealogical Index (IGI) - Social Security Death Index - Pedigree Resource File, ETC.

Step 2. Organize, make additions and corrections:

· Creating a GEDCOM file from Ancestral File or Downloading GEDCOM files from the many databases on the Internet then using the same GEDCOM file as input to Temple Ready is not acceptable! Import the GEDCOM file first into PAF (or your favorite program), correct problems - there will be problems, then submit selected names to Temple Ready AFTER doing the update process.

· Strive for accurate records. Clean up your file by using your program’s “Check/Repair” or “Possible Problems” capabilities (for PAF they are found under File). Also check for possible duplications and other problems.

Step 3. Update your records using Temple Ready BEFORE you submit any names:

· The TempleReady Program is used in the verify stage of this update step.

A. At home, create a Backup file of your PAF 3, 4 or 5 files. Put the file on a floppy disk. Alternatively, create a GEDCOM file of your database if you use non-PAF program or the PAF program, OR simply copy your PAF database to a floppy disk if it will fit. Remember to do a Check/Fix of your records first.

B. Bring your PAF Backup, PAF database, or GEDCOM file to the Family History Center. Go to any one of the computers and open (execute or run) the PAF 5 Program (or a later version if available).

· If using the PAF Backup: Restore your Backup files to the hard disk by selecting File - Restore on the main menu. Make a note of your file name.

· If using a GEDCOM file: in PAF, create a new file using File - New on the Main Menu. Name your new PAF Database using a name you can remember. Import your GEDCOM file into the New File using the File - Import command on the Main Menu.

· If you are using a copy of your PAF database, just copy it from your floppy to the hard disk in the My Documents or Temp directory. Run the PAF 5 program and open your database using the File - Open main menu command to make sure that you copied it properly and put it in the proper directory.

C. Exit the PAF 5 Program, answer NO if asked to backup your file. Don’t enter TempleReady from within PAF, that option is used for submissions and we are not ready at this point to submit.

D. Open the TempleReady program. The TempleReady title screen will appear.

E. Select the button “UPDATE MY RECORDS”. Answer “OK” when asked to “Please Insert the data disk…”. Select “Cancel” when the dialog “A:\ is not accessible…” comes up. After a few moments the “Select a File” screen will appear. Find your PAF family data (database) file. You may have to click on Browse. When your file is visible Highlight it (click on it once) and select or click on the OPEN button (or just double click on your database file to open).

F. The “Select Families and Individuals” screen will appear. Make sure a check mark appears in the box titled "Show only records with some ordinances not recorded". Mark the Select box by each family. (Or if you wish to select your whole file, go to Edit on the Main Menu and click on “Select All”)

· If you have a lot of names to update (more than a few thousand), you should use PAF to break-up your file into groups of GEDCOM files, then use this procedure to send each GEDCOM file to Temple Ready to be updated. Then, create TempleReady update files (“OUP” files) and take these “OUP” files home and use your PAF program to update your main PAF databases with the “UOP” files using the “Add TempleReady Update” option under the “File” menu in PAF (version 5.2 or higher). You may want to seek help for this process, at least the first time through.

G. Click on the Tab: NEXT - SEARCH FOR ORDINANCE DATES.

H. If the computer finds a possible match for an individual, it will show both your record and the ordinance record. Decide if the individuals are the same, click the “Yes” or “No” box to move on. Don’t select the “Always let the Computer decide” - You won’t know what the computer decided.

I. When the computer can find no more possible matches, the Update Records Summary screen will appear, showing how many records were checked and how many were updated. You should print a copy of this update list if your file isn’t too large. Click on Done. Click on Exit.

J. Enter the PAF 5 program. Review a few of the updates that have been made to your PAF file, just for your own comfort that updates were made.

· For PAF users, backup up the file to your floppy disk using the File - Backup command on the Main Menu. Make sure you select the 3 ½ Floppy (A:) when the “Backup to… “ dialog box comes up. (If you use your original backup disk it will override the previous backup.) Note that this update process only changes ordinance dates and temples.

· For Non-PAF users, use the File - Export command on the Main Menu to create a GEDCOM file with your updated records in it. When the Export Dialog comes up, under the “Export to” Section, select “Other GEDCOM 5.5”. In the “Select Individuals” Section, select “All”. Push the “Export” button at the bottom and fill in the “Prepared by” Info if it is asked for, then select the name of the ged file you will be saving on your floppy. Make sure you select the 3 ½ Floppy (A:) for the “Save In:” location

K. Take your floppy disk home and Restore the updated file to replace your
PAF database. If using a TempleReady “OUP” file for updating, use the “Add TempleReady Update” option on the File menu to update your existing PAF database. For non-PAF users, use the updated GEDCOM file to import into a New Database file created with your genealogy program.

Step 4. GET the List for Step 5. Make a list of the individuals in your database that were not updated using the TempleReady update process in Step 3 above. This is an IMPORTANT step. There are several ways to do this. You can print out a Family Group record for each family that appears to need temple work done on any individual member. Use these records as a scratch pad for Step 5 below. Advanced PAF users can prepare a report of missing individual ordinances using Advanced Focus Filter on the “Search” Menu of PAF. One could simply scan through individuals in their database and make a handwritten list of those needing temple work.

· Currently, the IGI Database used to Update Records in the TempleReady for Windows program are not as up-to-date as the IGI Internet at FamilySearch.org. The IGI Internet is now updated on a weekly basis. We therefore must check the individuals who are still missing ordinance dates with the most current data available. That data is on the IGI Internet. That is what Step 5 below is for.

Step 5. Manually Search the IGI on FamilySearch.org for Duplicates:

· FamilySearch Internet has the most updated records of the International Genealogical Index (IGI). Members of LDS Church can view temple ordinance dates for completed temple work in the IGI. Members will be required to log in using their LDS Member Record Number and their LDS Confirmation Date. Please ask your ward clerk to print out a new "Individual Ordinance Summary" report (MIS 3.5.2) for you to see in order to obtain your Member Record Number and your Confirmation Date. IF you have not logged onto Family Search Internet before, or do not remember your username and password:

A. Open your Internet browser. In the address field, type: http://www.familysearch.org/ and press Enter.

B. Click the “Sign On” Link near the top right of the screen.

C. Click “I Need to Register” on the left side of the screen. Follow the instructions to register. If you don’t have an Email Address, go to Yahoo, MSN, or any of the free Email services on the Web and create an Email account to use. An Email address is unique (for Church and IGI access purposes), you can’t share it with others. When you have an Email address, continue at this point. Write down your username and password.

D. After registering, click on the “Sign On” Link. Enter your username and password. You must also check the box “I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints”. You should now be Signed On. You can now select the “Search” tab and look for temple ordinance dates.

E. Remember that temple ordinance dates are only available when a person is found during an IGI search. Ancestral file and the Social Security Death Index do not include Temple ordinance information.

F. To find out whether a name has had temple work done, the IGI needs to be checked as noted above. To do this:

1. Type in the name of each individual from your lists or family group records. Be aware of variant spellings. If you find that the Ordinance Index misspells your ancestor's name or lists incorrect dates or places, do not resubmit your ancestor's name for temple work. The ordinances are still valid.

2. When you find ordinances that have been completed for your family, record the dates on your list so you can update your database.

3. Type in the ordinance dates, that were found on FamilySearch Internet, into your PAF or other genealogy database.

Step 6. Submit Family Names for Temple Ordinances:

· TempleReady (for Windows) must be used to supply names to the Temple. There is no other way. TempleReady can use a PAF database file directly or it can use a GEDCOM file as input. Non-PAF users will need to use this GEDCOM process. PAF users have the option to use PAF directly or use a GEDCOM for TempleReady input. It is assumed that you have already performed an update on your database (see Step 3 above)

B. Bring your PAF Backup, PAF database, or GEDCOM file to the Family History Center. Go to any one of the computers and open (execute or run) the PAF 5 Program (or a later version if available).

· If using the PAF Backup: Restore your Backup files to the hard disk by selecting File - Restore on the main menu. Make a note of your file name.

C. In PAF 5, Click Tools - TempleReady. When TempleReady opens, to the left will be all the names from your database in a family grouping. TempleReady has also reviewed any ordinance information in your file and placed a picture of a temple under those ordinances that are needed for each person. Now you must select only those names you would like to send to the temple. Follow these steps:

1. Click a “Blue” tab. If you want to quickly select all the names for a family, click the Family tab. If you want to select names one at a time, click the Individuals tab.

2. Find the names. Use the scroll bar and locate the names you want to send to the temple. When it is shown, click Next (20 or 50) records to see more records. If you have a lot of names, you can quickly search through them by using the Find Person or Find Family buttons near the “Blue” tabs.

3. Select names. Click the blank boxes next to the names you want to send to the temple. To automatically select all the names in a family, click in the box next to the father's or head of household's name.

4. Click Next. After you have selected all the names you want to send to the temple, click the Next button at the bottom of the screen. You will move on to the next step. To see only those records that have enough information. You may not have enough information in your file for some of the names. If you want to see only those names that have enough information to send to the temple, click the box entitled Show only records ready to submit for ordinances. If you don't want an ordinance performed. For example: TempleReady suggests that all four ordinances be performed for a person, but you only want to have the baptism performed. Select the name anyway. At a later step in TempleReady, you can choose not to have the other ordinances performed.

5. Check each person. Scroll through the list to look at each person's information.

6. Indicate the ordinances you want performed. Click the check boxes to add or remove check marks. (A check mark indicates that you want the ordinance performed and the record has the necessary information to perform the ordinances.)

7. Correct Information. The column "Ready to save in Submission?" identifies information that needs to be corrected.

· A green circle indicates that some or all of the ordinances can be performed.

· A red circle or red text indicates that you need to either correct or add more information. To correct or add more information, click on the red text or an underlined name.

· NOTE: These changes will be updated in your PAF file. If you used a GEDCOM file for input to TempleReady as described in the steps above, a temporary PAF database file was created. The changes you make here will be updated in the temporary PAF file you are using for this submission. To retain those changes for use in your database at home, you will need to Export to a GEDCOM file from within the temporary PAF being used.

8. Option. Save your place and continue at another time. Correcting information may take a long time. You can click the “Save My Place & Exit” button at the bottom of the screen to stop working or to search the Ordinance Index. Your work will be saved and you can return to TempleReady at another time and resume where you left off.

9. Continue on and Click Next at the bottom of the screen to go to the next step. TempleReady will check the records you selected for duplicate ordinances. A Submission Summary will pop up when the check is completed, saying "All names have been checked for duplicate ordinances. The ordinances below are ready to take to the temple." The numbers given indicate the number of names which have been cleared for each ordinance. Click OK.

10. Type the contact information for the submitter. Some basic information about the person submitting records is useful in case he or she needs to be contacted.

11. Answer the question. To help coordinate family history research, submitter information is sometimes included with genealogy databases. Indicate whether or not you would like your contact information published.

12. Continue. To save your submitter information and move to the next screen, click Next.14. Look at the report. Read through the submission report to verify that the information is accurate. Make sure the submission summary lists the correct number of ordinances to be performed. Confirm that the information is correct for the male, female, and ordinance of sealing to spouse.

13. Print a copy of the report. If you would like a copy of this report, click Print at the bottom of the screen.

14. Continue. After printing the report: To save your submission, click Next.

15. Place the disk in floppy A:\ This will be the disk that you take to the temple. Labels are available at the family history center.

16. Make a backup copy. This will serve as a backup copy in case the submission disk becomes damaged.

17. Click done! You are finished with TempleReady.

D. Now you are ready to submit your diskette to the temple and perform the ordinances! Write your name and address on the disk label and take it to the temple.

· Make sure you receive your family name cards. The temple will print these cards from your disk.

· Take your family name cards to any temple to perform the ordinances. Schedule your visit. Endowments may be performed anytime a major temple is open. Initiatory and Sealing work may need to be arranged after getting to the temple. Be prepared to wait a bit. The smaller temples require appointments for all ordinances. For baptisms, you will need to call the temple to schedule times.

· Temple ordinances are usually completed in the following sequence:

· Baptism and Confirmation

· Ordination to the Melchizedek Priesthood (for men)

· Initiatory

· Endowment

· Sealing

NOTES:

1. Corrections. At this time there are no plans to allow correction of the data in the IGI. The "Member's Guide to Temple and Family History Work" states on page 14: "If you find an ancestor listed in the International Genealogical Index with his or her name spelled differently or with a different event date or place given, the ordinances for that person are valid. You do not need to submit the person's name for temple ordinances again. To share the corrected information, submit your work to Ancestral File." [Now Pedigree Resource File]

2. Data errors. As you encounter problems with the records searched in the International Genealogical Index (IGI), you should keep the points listed below about the IGI in mind. The IGI displays records which originated from many different sources, including:

a) Current patron submissions

b) Records of Deceased Members

c) Extraction records

d) Temple records recorded manually before 1970, then extracted for inclusion in a computerized database

3. The Family History Department has endeavored to store and display all the records in the IGI as they received them. That is the only way they can guarantee the integrity of the data. If a patron submits names for temple work and includes incorrect event data, the ordinances are recorded with the information as it was submitted.

4. Ancestors Not Found. The first question to consider is: Am I searching in the right region? The IGI records are divided into regions of the world. The records are placed in the regions where life events took place, not where temple work was completed. For example, if your grandfather was born in Germany, married in England, then died in Utah, his record could be found in any of those regions--in Germany, in the British Isles, and in North America. If your grandfather was born, married, and died in Germany, but his temple work was done in Utah, his records would only be found by searching in Germany. If you do not look in the right region, you may not find the record of your ancestor. If you do not know the region, you may want to search in All Resources, and not IGI. In All Resources you do not have to choose a region. The second question to consider is: Am I using the right spelling of the name? By checking the Use Exact Spelling box, you can now use middle names. That is helpful. But you need to consider if you are using the right first name. Some people used their middle name as their first name. That is how they were known. You must consider if you are using the correct first name when doing the search. If you are not using the right spelling or the right name, you may not find the record of your ancestor.

5. No temple ordinance dates. In order to see temple ordinance dates, you must sign on as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with your Membership Record Number and your Confirmation Date (see Step 3 above). The person for whom you are looking must be deceased and have temple work completed. At times, the person you are searching for may have a separate record for each ordinance. You may not have searched correctly to find each ordinance date. If you do not find the temple work listed in the IGI, do not re-submit the name for temple work if you know that the work has previously been completed. You should make it a matter of prayerful consideration. You may also want to contact the Family History Help Desk or IGI Operations to ask for help in verifying that the temple work has been completed if you know the work has been done but you cannot find the temple work listed in the IGI.

6. Ordinance Dates for Living Members. The IGI does not include ordinance dates for living members of the Church. Names of living members are listed as Unavailable in the IGI.

7. Duplication of records. There are four major reasons why there are multiple copies of the same records in the IGI. There were multiple copies of books of records which were extracted into a computer database. For example, Temple books were often copied once or twice for preservation. Each copy of the temple book was then extracted into a database that eventually was included in the IGI, and the duplicated records were not merged. Each ordinance for the same individual, with the same name, dates, and places may have been recorded in a different book. For example, baptisms were recorded in one temple book, endowments in another, sealings to parents in another, and sealings to spouse in yet another book. The same name and birth date may appear in each book. When these records were extracted from each book to place them in a computer database, the records were not merged. They appear as duplicate records in the IGI. During the 1970 to 1990 time period, a major effort was made to enter records from the past into a computer database. During this period, if records were submitted when the temple work had been completed prior to 1970, the records were just added to the 1970 to 1990 computer database. Later, when the pre-1970 records were extracted to the computer database, these records were duplicated. This duplication continued into the IGI. Additional duplication of records may be frequently caused by patron choice and patron error. When patrons submits names for temple work through the TempleReady computer program, the program may indicate that the temple work has already been done. Patrons have a choice to re-submit the names for temple work even though the work may be duplicated. This will create duplicate records. Patrons may also create duplicate records unintentionally through various errors. They may create more than one GEDCOM file that has the same names, they may put the same name in their record manager database several times, or they may have different spellings of names or different dates for the same person. All of these choices and errors may result in duplicate records for the same individual in the IGI.

8. Sorting of names. When doing different kinds of searches in the IGI, the list of names may be sorted differently on the search results screen. For example, when doing an IGI search with only the name and region, the records are filtered to avoid duplicates--each record is only listed once. The records are sorted first chronologically by the date of the event, and then alphabetically by name. If you do an IGI search and select Use Exact Spelling, and perhaps enter an event year or place, the list of records are sorted first chronologically by event year and then alphabetically by name, but there may also be included duplicate records. For example, if there is a birth and death associated with a record, the record may be listed once for the birth and again for the death, in chronological order.

9. World Misc. In the IGI, World Misc. (short for World Miscellaneous) is listed as a region. World Misc. is sometimes put into event records, such as the birth or death place. This is done when the event place is blank or cannot be determined, such as if it were misspelled. It only means that the computer does not know where the event took place. World Misc. was not included in the original submission of data. You would normally not want to select World Misc as a region when doing a search of the IGI.

10. Clearing names for temple work. You can continue to clear names for temple work at your Family History Center with the computer program TempleReady for Windows. You cannot clear names for temple work on the FamilySearch Internet (FSI) Web site. It is necessary that you search for your deceased ancestors in the IGI on the FamilySearch Internet Web site before you submit their names for temple work in order to see if the temple ordinance dates are listed. If the ordinance work is not listed in the IGI, then you can prepare the names on a computer disk to be run through the TempleReady program at your Family History Center. Searching the names first in the IGI will help avoid the additional duplication of names and temple ordinances in the IGI.