Provide Helper Function for All Users

LegacyUser

Larry Nerge said: Please expand the Helper function so that a non-church member may use this functionality. My daughter and I have both been assigned Helper numbers; however, because neither of us are church members, she is unable to designate me as her Helper, thus preventing me providing her valuable review help. I've been a consultant at a local family history center for the past three years. This limitation is very aggravating and disappointing. I see that there have been similar suggestions in the past. Is this something that is being considered for change?

LegacyUser

Christina Sachs Wagner said: I have a reminder for myself to ask for this very same thing. Our long time community volunteer in the FHC is unable to use this feature and cannot easily share the information he has with his family, either. He is frustrated with this limitation, as well.

LegacyUser

Brett said: Larry

Firstly, "Welcome" to this "FamilySearch" ("GetStaisfaction") 'Feedback' Forum.

Secondly, "Official 'FamilySearch' Representatives", do monitor; and, sometimes, participate in, this Forum.

Thirdly, I am just another User/Patron, just like yourself (and, happen to be a Member of the Church).

Many Users/Patrons who regularly participate in this Forum who have a great deal of knowledge and experience with "FamilySearch", like to assist/help other Users/Patrons like yourself.

Finally, you are not alone.

Here is a SIMILAR post, in this Forum, about the "Help Others" 'Button' (ie. 'Function'), that was raised, in fact by a "FamilySearch" (Employee), just about 2 Years ago now (February 2018):

Non-members are complaining that why they are unable to use the wonderful function button of "help others"
https://getsatisfaction.com/familysea...

As I indicated in that post way back then; and, I quote (myself):
-----
There are many very experienced Users / Patrons of "Family Tree" who are not Members of the Church that have more knowledge of the "System" than most Members.
-----

I also broached the subject in that post that that non-member Users/Patrons DO NOT get access to the, then, "Consultant Planner", now, "Helper Resources", which is the thrust of your post here.

Unfortunately, as things do, that post got a bit 'muddied' and 'side-tracked' about another matter with regard to Non-Member Staff of "Family History Centres (not to mention, other matters).

Hopefully, this post of your will resurrect the matter of non-member Users/Patrons and access to the "Help Others" 'Button' (ie. 'Function'); and, a ignite discussion about the 'pros and cons' about non-member User/Patron access to "Helper Resources".

Brett

.

Richard Greenland

Opening the helper function to persons who don't have a member account could allow them to view historical records, when helping those with a member account, that only members are allowed to see, thus putting the Church in jeopardy of not honoring contracts made with some historical record owners. One solution is to allow non-members to use a helper function that would be restricted to helping only those who also don't have a member account.

Brett .