Helper Access question

System

This discussion was created from comments split from: How to sign in as a helper.

RichardWMooney

I do not have this 'Help Others' link. Do you have to be a member of LDS to use this function? If so, and you are not a member, then why is 'The Helper Access' section even included in the 'Settings/Permission' page?

This 'Helper Access' implies that it is possible to have others have access to your tree and to help with building it and adding missing information.

Julia Szent-Györgyi

@RichardWMooney, non-LDS like us can be the person being helped, if we allow it in our settings, but we cannot be the helper.

genthusiast

@RichardWMooney Yes, currently being a Helper is limited to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As Julia says - being a helped person is unlimited. You can grant access to a Helper if you need help.

If you cannot view the following Help Center document - I will post what it describes a Helper can and cannot do for others:

https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/what-does-a-helper-do

Article Id: 1648

April 26, 2023

When you help someone else with the Planner or the helper feature, you can use most of the FamilySearch website as if you were that person.

What you can do

• Preview the person's information in Family Tree in order to prepare a personalized lesson plan.
• View information about living people in the person's tree.
• See, add, and correct information in Family Tree.
• Upload, tag, link, and manage memories.
• Open a memory, and see any comments others added.

[Removed reference to managing temple family names]

What you cannot do

• Access the account holder's personal information in Settings.
• Use the FamilySearch messaging service on behalf of the person. The messages you send show as from you.
• Access the family groups to which the person being helped belongs. In order to maintain privacy within the group, helpers cannot do either of the following:
  • Send messages to a group on behalf of the person being helped.

[Removed reference to managing temple family names] Members who need help with the above should contact the administrator of the family group instead. Family groups are a great place for families to work as a united team, which includes helping each other learn and use FamilySearch and resolve issues. Knowledgeable family group administrators can perform an important role in their families by helping with this help and training.

• Sign in to help a deceased member.
• Add comments to memories.

RichardWMooney

Thanks for the great explanation. What I suggest then is to modify the description on the permissions page to include more details. It appears that others are also uncertain what it means.

It may already be noted somewhere, but how do I ask for help if needed? Also, typically, what type of help can I request.

Incidentally, I have been using Family Search (I believe version 4) since the 1980's. Great resource. Perhaps someone might look into allowing family collaboration on a single tree.

genthusiast

@RichardWMooney

It may already be noted somewhere, but how do I ask for help if needed? Also, typically, what type of help can I request.

Great question. I went exploring a bit in the help icon (circle with question mark - upper right-hand when you login to FamilySearch.org). Under Help and Learning you will find various consultant options - but the One-on-one help area seems to be the place:

https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/one-on-one

i would recommend requesting help for discrete/separate questions or issues - not 'Can you please help me find all my ancestors?'

You can also get to the 'schedule a research consultation ' link here in Community (quick links).