Sign In Changes
On the Sign In page remove the “Sign in with Church Account” link. Because your login and password for the church website (www.churchofjesuschrist.org) and Family Search are one and the same, this additional option is not necessary.
I find it causes a little hesitation, on the part of non-members, to use a religious website to create a family tree. It may even be a reason why members may reluctantly share the site with non-members; it may appear too churchy.
Comments
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Christine
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Question: Is this what you are referencing?
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IF, that is the case; THEN, 'NO', there is no need to "Remove" that.
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Having, helped; and worked with, MANY, MANY, Users/Patrons, who an not Members of the Church, that is the least of the problem/issue.
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It is more, the fact that, 'FamilySearch', was created by; and, is maintained by, the Church, that is the problem/issue.
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Once you 'allay' the public's concerns/fears about that, the greatest problem/issue is helping them use and understand 'FamilySearch'.
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I am a Convert; but, have worked, as a "Family History" Consultant in the Church; and, at many "Family History Centres", of the Church, for over x40 Years.
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That particular "Sign In" page/screen, is very useful, for helping NEW Members of the Church, getting into 'FamilySearch' for the FIRST time; and, in many cases, who were NOT even aware that they had a 'Church' Account.
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By the time, a User/Patron, who is not a Member of the Church, gets to use that page/screen, they ALREADY have a 'FamilySearch' Account.
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Most, would, either, not even 'see'; or, just ignore that, "Sign in with Church Account" (link/button).
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I have has a few 'Questions' about it from Users/Patrons who are NOT Members of the Church; but, only in passing; and, certainly, not as if they were concerned/worried, just curious.
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But, most of those who asked such, I had already given them a reasonable 'start up' on most things, including the differences between User/Patrons, who are Member of the Church; and, those that are NOT Members of the Church.
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'It all boils down to' am matter of "Education".
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Like it or not ...
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'FamilySearch', was 'created'; and, is 'maintained', by the Church; principally, for the use of Members of the 'Church'; but, that use has been extended to include non-members of the 'Church'.
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'FamilySearch' is used by (many) Members of the Church on a regular basis; but, 'FamilySearch' is also currently used by (many) who are non-members of the Church.
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'FamilySearch' is reasonably inclusive; but, still needs to have definite functionality relating to the Church.
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It may seem too "Churchy"; but, after 'all said and done', 'FamilySearch', is still a Website of the Church.
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You cannot look at life, through rose coloured glasses ...
It is what it is ...
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Just my thoughts.
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Brett
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Most genealogists are aware of the fact that Latter Day Saints ("Mormons") have an interest in genealogy. Many of those are aware, or soon become aware, that FamilySearch is the organisation and website that is sponsored by their church.
I think this fact needs to be well advertised, so that people are aware of this. I would also suggest that the purpose of the FSFT needs to be better explained to users. Many people have strong religious objections to LDS ordinances for the dead, and while they respect the sincere beliefs of Latter Day Saints who participate in these rituals, they do not want to participate or facilitate it in any way. Many people participate in the FSFT and enter information and photos about their relatives, only to later find out about the FSFT is used for ordinances. Some people are very upset by this and feel duped, and the current rules of the FSFT do not allow them to delete profiles they have created.
A fact that should be noted is that according to a FamilySearch staff member on the old "GetSatisfaction" forum, about 2/3 of FS users are not Latter Day Saints. The LDS Church in New Zealand once noted in a submission to our Legislature (I believe under oath), that 80% of FHC users here are non-LDS. And I've seen multiple official reports from the LDS Church in the United Kingdom from recent years quoting figure showing a clear majority of FHC users there are non-LDS.
I finish by noting my immense gratitude for the work of the Genealogical Society of Utah, now FamilySearch, over the last 125+ years. Both Latter Day Saints and non-LDS should be equally grateful for the easier access to genealogical records that they have made possible.
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I think it was Ron Tanner who said there will be a separation between church account and family search account. Right now, I use my church account info in the normal family search username and password. I know they are the same account because I recently changed my password on churchofjesuschrist.org and I had to use that new password on familysearch.org.
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