Family Search Game

LegacyUser

Sarah Corinne Steimle said: In order to get the youth more involved in their family history, it would be AMAZING if users got points for time spent on family search, records attached, records indexed, memories added, etc. Users could even level up with the more points they get! I would understand if some would not prefer this, so perhaps it could be created as a separate page or app. I'm 17 and think this would be awesome and motivating.

LegacyUser

Alex Sellers said: They do have "points" for indexing and they let you keep track of how many zones you've created. However, this might induce a terrible habit of horrible research that many patrons are already experiencing (IE not sourcing, making duplicates, etc). This isn't a bad idea, but like you said, this may be better for a 3rd party site. There would need to be in place a way to make sure that those who are doing this know what in the world they are doing.

Like Tom Huber said in another feedback post:
"LDS members are horrid researchers, compared to non-LDS users of the LDS facilities. The members tend to grab hold of aspects and claim ownership, so we get the "someone is messing with my tree" and "I want to restrict access to my tree" requests."
https://getsatisfaction.com/familysea...

Of course, not everyone is a bad apple. But with the way some patrons on the forum are feeling with mass GEDCOM uploads and undocumented research, there would need to be some sort of way to make sure that nothing bad would come of this.

LegacyUser

Amy Archibald said: Perhaps you should try playing some of these games first:
https://fhtl.byu.edu/#/

I have tried Geneopardy recently. If you know all the answers to the questions about your family ... that would be a good place to start.

Also, you could set your own goals for how much time you spend in family search, how many records you attach or index, or how many memories you add.

For me, I am working on many projects right now. One of them is documenting all the descendants of one of my 3rd great grandfathers within FamilySearch with as many sources as possible; adding in those individuals who are missing. I have spent months on this and still have possibly a few years to go.

Each person is doing their own thing in genealogy/family history. Their goals are all going to be different.

Gamifying the FamilySearch Family Tree is not going to be a very popular idea with the majority of users.

We are attempting to create a record that is worthy of all acceptation. It isn't a game.

LegacyUser

S. said: if you use the 3rd part legacy family tree software the have bingo inputed into it. their is many ways people can make their own game. all I can say is good luck.

LegacyUser

Hannah Morgan Ackroyd said: This is a good idea Sarah. FamilySearch has got some fun online activities to encourage youth involvment in geneolgy.