UVTAGG Press Release: Online Meeting Saturday Morning 11 Oct 2025: MARILYN THOMSEN on AI OPENS COURT RECORDS 2025-10-05
Journalists and newsletter editors, please post this where you can. If you need more information, please see our website -- https://uvtagg.org and Press Release Blog https://blog.uvtagg.org/. If you have questions, please contact me. Thanks.
Gerhard Ruf - uvtagginfo@gmail.com
[Short Version]====================== .
UVTAGG MEETING, Saturday Morning, 11 Oct 2025 on Zoom and Facebook
10 am - 11 am MDT: MARILYN THOMSEN on AI OPENS COURT RECORDS
Details on UVTAGG.org and on the UVTAGG blog.
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[Long version]====================== .
UVTAGG MEETING, Saturday Morning, 13 Sep 2025 on Zoom and Facebook
Details and links to watch are on https://uvtagg.org and on the UVTAGG Facebook page.
10 am - 11 am MDT: MARILYN THOMSEN on AI OPENS COURT RECORDS
ABOUT THE PRESENTATION:
AI has opened court records like never before. The Full-Text Search at FamilySearch locates family in court, probate, will, guardianship, deed and land records. The Summarize feature cuts through legal jargon. This class will talk about how to recognize in what part of the court process these documents are created, how to attach the sources to the Family Tree and use the AI generated transcripts in research logs and research plans.
ABOUT MARILYN THOMSEN:
Marilyn Thomsen served as the editor of TAGGology, the Utah Valley and Technology Group’s newsletter for 10 years. She graduated with a BA from BYU (’05) with a Family History focus in US Southern research. She was a volunteer on the US & Canada floor at the Family Search Library in SLC and worked on other projects. She was the Director at three FamilySearch Centers in Utah. After completing National DAR training, she enjoyed lineage research for new applicants. During her BYU Internship at the National Archive Regional Center in Georgia, she rambled through courthouses and cemeteries of her Southern roots. With her husband, Richard, she visited the homes, parishes and archives of her ancestors in Denmark, Isle of Man and England. Marilyn loves to put flesh on the bones of her ancestors and won BYU’s Family History of the Year Award for histories focusing on her Utah Pioneer ancestors. Her enthusiasm when teaching comes because she really loves helping others find their roots. Her husband, Richard, shares a passion for digging up dead relatives and connecting them to living relatives.
All meetings of the UVTAGG group are open to the public and have the goal of helping people use technology to further their family and personal history. The Group is in its 35th year and was first called the Utah Valley PAF Users Group. On the blog is a way for anyone to receive the press releases via email. The public is invited to watch the presentations on the UVTAGG Facebook page. Members of the group ($15/year), besides being able to interact with presenters on ZOOM, receive the monthly email newsletter, TAGGology, and have access to the more than 650 videos of past presentations and classes. TAGGology contains a wealth of information about genealogy, including information for Temple and Family History Consultants. Request a free sample copy of the Newsletter by emailing to uvtagginfo@gmail.com.
Officers of UVTAGG are Gerhard Ruf, President; Laurie Castillo, 1st VP; 2nd VP (Vacant); Beccy Martin, Secretary; Jerry Castillo, Membership Officer, TAGGology Newsletter Editor (Vacant); Treasurer (Vacant); Carol Hill, Social Media Publicist; Chris Stevenson, Brent Nelson, Jerry Castillo, and Dawn Brimhall, Broadcast and Website Specialists. For further information contact President Gerhard Ruf at uvtagginfo@gmail.com (801- 602-5048), or 1st VP Laurie Castillo at gengal@comcast.net.
Gerhard Ruf, President UVTAGGUVTAGG Press Release: Online Meeting Saturday Morning 13 Sep 2025: LUANA DARBY on THE LIBRARIAN KNOWS WHERE IT'S AT
2025-09-09
Journalists and newsletter editors, please post this where you can. If you need more information, please see our website -- https://uvtagg.org and Press Release Blog https://blog.uvtagg.org/. If you have questions, please contact me. Thanks.
Gerhard Ruf - uvtagginfo@gmail.com
[Short Version]====================== .
UVTAGG MEETING, Saturday Morning, 13 Sep 2025 on Zoom and Facebook
10 am - 11 am MDT: LUANA DARBY on THE LIBRARIAN KNOWS WHERE IT'S AT
Details on UVTAGG.org and on the UVTAGG blog.
============================== ======.
[Long version]====================== .
UVTAGG MEETING, Saturday Morning, 13 Sep 2025 on Zoom and Facebook
Details and links to watch are on https://uvtagg.org and on the UVTAGG Facebook page.
10 am - 11 am MDT: LUANA DARBY on THE LIBRARIAN KNOWS WHERE IT'S AT - USING STATE ARCHIVES AND LOCAL LIBRARIES RESOURCES ONLINE
ABOUT THE PRESENTATION:
With many state archives and local libraries posting one-of-a-kind information that many times has never been seen outside of that institution, the wealth of information available to genealogists is incredible. From actual records to photographs these digital collections will enrich your genealogical experience and may offer that breakthrough you are looking for! Learn how to find and access these gems.
ABOUT LUANA DARBY:
Genealogy and the recording of family history has always been a passion for Luana. She began organizing photos, documents, and information on her grandmother’s family in 1977 and has researched for others since 1985, working as a professional genealogist since 1995. She specializes in Palatine German, US and Canadian, and western European research She frequently travels to Europe for genealogical research on site in archives located in Germany, Poland and France. Luana has a bachelor’s degree in Family History from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree in Library and Information Science from San Jose State University. In addition to her education at BYU and SJSU, Luana is an Accredited Genealogist®.
She is a frequent lecturer at local and national conferences and institutes, including the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, the British Institute, RootsTech and through Legacy Family Tree Webinars. Luana is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the National Genealogical Society. She has served as past president and director of the Utah Genealogical Association and director at the Association of Professional Genealogists. She currently serves as the Utah State Society DAR 2nd Vice Regent and has served as a past State Registrar, and as a commissioner on the ICAPGen accreditation board. Luana worked on the research team of Relative Race, BYU TV’s reality competition show, seasons 3 and 4. She loves her ancestors and the chance to solve genealogical mysteries.
All meetings of the UVTAGG group are open to the public and have the goal of helping people use technology to further their family and personal history. The Group is in its 35th year and was first called the Utah Valley PAF Users Group. On the blog is a way for anyone to receive the press releases via email. The public is invited to watch the presentations on the UVTAGG Facebook page. Members of the group ($15/year), besides being able to interact with presenters on ZOOM, receive the monthly email newsletter, TAGGology, and have access to the more than 650 videos of past presentations and classes. TAGGology contains a wealth of information about genealogy, including information for Temple and Family History Consultants. Request a free sample copy of the Newsletter by emailing to uvtagginfo@gmail.com.
Officers of UVTAGG are Gerhard Ruf, President; Laurie Castillo, 1st VP; 2nd VP (Vacant); Beccy Martin, Secretary; Jerry Castillo, Membership Officer, TAGGology Newsletter Editor (Vacant); Treasurer (Vacant); Librarian (Vacant); Carol Hill, Social Media Publicist; Chris Stevenson, Brent Nelson, Jerry Castillo, and Dawn Brimhall, Broadcast and Website Specialists. For further information contact President Gerhard Ruf at uvtagginfo@gmail.com (801- 602-5048), or 1st VP Laurie Castillo at gengal@comcast.net.
Gerhard Ruf, President UVTAGG Press Release: Online Meeting Saturday Morning 9 Aug 2025: CAROL HILL on WHAT HAPPENED TO FAMILYSEARCH INDEXING?
2025-07-29
Journalists and newsletter editors, please post this where you can. If you need more information, please see our website -- https://uvtagg.org and Press Release Blog https://blog.uvtagg.org/. If you have questions, please contact me. Thanks.
Gerhard Ruf - uvtagginfo@gmail.com
[Short Version]====================== .
UVTAGG MEETING, Saturday Morning, 9 Aug 2025 on Zoom and Facebook
10 am - 11 am MDT: CAROL HILL on WHAT HAPPENED TO FAMILYSEARCH INDEXING?
Details on UVTAGG.org and on the UVTAGG blog.
============================== ======.
[Long version]====================== .
UVTAGG MEETING, Saturday Morning, 9 Aug 2025 on Zoom and Facebook
Details and links to watch are on https://uvtagg.org and on the UVTAGG Facebook page.
10 am - 11 am MDT: CAROL HILL on WHAT HAPPENED TO FAMILYSEARCH INDEXING?
ABOUT THE PRESENTATION:
FamilySearch indexing, in its traditional form, concluded on April 21, 2025. This marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new approach driven by technological advancements. Carol will show how FamilySearch needs volunteers to "Get Involved" checking AI generated information. Instead of typing out records from scratch, you review and edit indexed information to help ensure accuracy and make the names of ancestors easier to find. You can use the computer as well as your mobile device! It's also so much easier than indexing!
ABOUT CAROL HILL:
Carol Hill received her Family History degree from BYU with an emphasis on Southern States Research. She is currently serving a 16 hour/week FamilySearch Support mission taking phone calls and answering emails. Besides her loving husband, 6 children, and 31 grandchildren, her favorite pastime is to help others with their family history. She has a Youtube channel where she shares short videos about how to do simple tasks on FamilySearch and other sites. https://www.youtube.com/@familyhistoryhelpbycarolhill
She also posts these videos on her website: http://www.freegenealogyhelp.net/
All meetings of the UVTAGG group are open to the public and have the goal of helping people use technology to further their family and personal history. The Group is in its 35th year and was first called the Utah Valley PAF Users Group. On the blog is a way for anyone to receive the press releases via email. Members of the group ($15/year), besides being able to interact with presenters on ZOOM, receive the monthly email newsletter, TAGGology, and have access to the more than 650 videos of past presentations and classes. TAGGology contains a wealth of information about genealogy, including information for Temple and Family History Consultants. Request a free sample copy of the Newsletter by emailing to uvtagginfo@gmail.com.
Officers of UVTAGG are Gerhard Ruf, President; Laurie Castillo, 1st VP; 2nd VP (Vacant); Beccy Martin, Secretary; Jerry Castillo, Membership Officer, TAGGology Newsletter Editor (Vacant); Rayanne Melick, Treasurer; Librarian (Vacant); Carol Hill, Social Media Publicist; Chris Stevenson, Brent Nelson, Jerry Castillo, and Dawn Brimhall, Broadcast and Website Specialists. For further information contact President Gerhard Ruf at uvtagginfo@gmail.com (801- 602-5048), or 1st VP Laurie Castillo at gengal@comcast.net.
Gerhard Ruf, President UVTAGG Press Release: Online Meeting Saturday Morning 12 Jul 2025: KATHRYN GRANT on DEMYSTIFYING AI IN FAMILY HISTORY
2025-07-09
Journalists and newsletter editors, please post this where you can. If you need more information, please see our website -- https://uvtagg.org and Press Release Blog https://blog.uvtagg.org/. If you have questions, please contact me. Thanks.
Gerhard Ruf - uvtagginfo@gmail.com
[Short Version]====================== .
UVTAGG MEETING, Saturday Morning, 12 Jul 2025 on Zoom and Facebook
10 am - 11 am MDT: KATHRYN GRANT on DEMYSTIFYING AI IN FAMILY HISTORY
Details on UVTAGG.org and on the UVTAGG blog.
============================== ======.
[Long version]====================== .
UVTAGG MEETING, Saturday Morning, 14 Jun 2025 on Zoom and Facebook
Details and links to watch are on https://uvtagg.org and on the UVTAGG Facebook page.
10 am - 11 am MDT: KATHRYN GRANT on DEMYSTIFYING AI IN FAMILY HISTORY
ABOUT THE PRESENTATION:
Kathryn Grant shares ways to use AI tools in family history, along with common-sense precautions to take.
ABOUT KATHRYNN GRANT:
After years on the sidelines, Kathryn began doing family history. Somewhat to her surprise, she discovered that she loved it! Her specialty is helping new family historians find success and maybe even avoid some of the mistakes she's made. Kathryn teaches Sunday classes at the BYU Family History Library and presents at other family history events. Her column on family history ran in the Nauvoo Times for about a year and is still available online. In addition, she's a regular contributor to the FamilySearch blog. Kathryn works as a technical writer and instructional designer with a focus on usability and process improvement. Her current work assignment includes developing training used on mobile devices. Besides family history, she loves uplifting music, thought-provoking books, and fresh raspberries.
All meetings of the UVTAGG group are open to the public and have the goal of helping people use technology to further their family and personal history. The Group is in its 35th year and was first called the Utah Valley PAF Users Group. On the blog is a way for anyone to receive the press releases via email. Members of the group ($15/year), besides being able to interact with presenters on ZOOM, receive the monthly email newsletter, TAGGology, and have access to the more than 650 videos of past presentations and classes. TAGGology contains a wealth of information about genealogy, including information for Temple and Family History Consultants. Request a free sample copy of the Newsletter by emailing to uvtagginfo@gmail.com.
Officers of UVTAGG are Gerhard Ruf, President; Laurie Castillo, 1st VP; 2nd VP (Vacant); Beccy Martin, Secretary; Jerry Castillo, Membership Officer, TAGGology Newsletter Editor (Vacant); Rayanne Melick, Treasurer; Librarian (Vacant); Carol Hill, Social Media Publicist; Chris Stevenson, Brent Nelson, Jerry Castillo, and Dawn Brimhall, Broadcast and Website Specialists. For further information contact President Gerhard Ruf at uvtagginfo@gmail.com (801- 602-5048), or 1st VP Laurie Castillo at gengal@comcast.net.
Gerhard Ruf, President UVTAGG Press Release: Online Meeting Saturday Morning 14 Jun 2025: LAURIE WERNER CASTILLO on LOST TOWNS & CITIES: HOW TO RESEARCH PLACES THAT MAY NO LONGER EXIST
2025-06-03
Journalists and newsletter editors, please post this where you can. If you need more information, please see our website -- https://uvtagg.org and Press Release Blog https://blog.uvtagg.org/. If you have questions, please contact me. Thanks.
Gerhard Ruf - uvtagginfo@gmail.com
[Short Version]====================== .
UVTAGG MEETING, Saturday Morning, 14 Jun 2025 on Zoom and Facebook
10 am - 11 am MDT: LAURIE WERNER CASTILLO on LOST TOWNS & CITIES: HOW TO RESEARCH PLACES THAT MAY NO LONGER EXIST
Details on UVTAGG.org and on the UVTAGG blog.
============================== ======.
[Long version]====================== .
UVTAGG MEETING, Saturday Morning, 14 Jun 2025 on Zoom and Facebook
Details and links to watch are on https://uvtagg.org and on the UVTAGG Facebook page.
10 am - 11 am MDT: LAURIE WERNER CASTILLO on LOST TOWNS & CITIES: HOW TO RESEARCH PLACES THAT MAY NO LONGER EXIST
ABOUT THE PRESENTATION:
Locating the towns inhabited by our ancestors can be difficult. Many of them have not survived. Some have had several names over the course of time and may be hiding in plain sight. The presentation will cover best practices for locating and Identifying ancestral towns, in general. There will also be discussion of "lost towns," why they no longer exist and where to find their records.
ABOUT LAURIE WERNER CASTILLO:
Laurie Werner Castillo was born in Santa Monica and raised in West Los Angeles with beagles and land tortoises for pets and playmates. She played on the girls basketball team for two years in high school and also loved participating in tennis, volleyball and basketball. She misses the palm trees in her front yard and the smell of the ocean every day. After a really great educational experience in Los Angeles, she attended BYU, earning an AA in Communications and Fine Arts and a BS in Consumer Economics. She met Jerry Castillo, from San Antonio, Texas, in Utah and they have 2 children and 7 grandchildren. Laurie is currently first vice president of the Utah Valley Technology and Genealogy Group; She is former Vice President, Executive Secretary and Board Member, of the Utah Genealogical Association; She has been a BYU FH Library consultant, tour guide and teacher for 32+ years; She has been a professional researcher and writer 34+ years; She has presented at many conferences including: RootsTech 2016-2020, BYU FH Conference 2014-2019, and BYU Education Week 2016-2017, We Are Cousins Conferences 2-7 (2021-2024); She is a former Red Cross Instructor, Girl Scout Troop Leader, Boy Scout Merit Badge Counselor and Chihuahua breeder. Her research specialties include: Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Canada and Hispanic Research; And New England, Midwest, Southwest, Mountain States and Pacific Frontier regions of the US. Her interests include: history, mystery, geography and genetics. Add those up and you have family history.
All meetings of the UVTAGG group are open to the public and have the goal of helping people use technology to further their family and personal history. The Group is in its 35th year and previously was called the Utah Valley PAF Users Group. On the blog is a way for anyone to receive the press releases via email. Members of the group ($15/year), besides being able to interact with presenters on ZOOM, receive the monthly email newsletter, TAGGology, and have access to the more than 650 videos of past presentations and classes. TAGGology contains a wealth of information about genealogy, including information for Temple and Family History Consultants. Request a free sample copy of the Newsletter by emailing to uvtagginfo@gmail.com.
Officers of UVTAGG are Gerhard Ruf, President; Laurie Castillo, 1st VP; 2nd VP (Vacant); Beccy Martin, Secretary; Jerry Castillo, Membership Officer, TAGGology Newsletter Editor (Vacant); Rayanne Melick, Treasurer; Librarian (Vacant); Carol Hill, Social Media Publicist; James Anderson, FamilySearch Coordinator; Chris Stevenson, Brent Nelson, Jerry Castillo, and Dawn Brimhall, Broadcast and Website Specialists. For further information contact President Gerhard Ruf at uvtagginfo@gmail.com (801- 602-5048), or 1st VP Laurie Castillo at gengal@comcast.net.
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