'No barriers for the deaf'
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High marks were given to the Church's Family History Department and its FamilySearch.org by patrons attending a Workshop for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building June 19-23.
Some 140 members of the deaf community from throughout the nation attended the conference, during which experts explained the intricacies of research in American Sign Language without the use of interpreters.
"I appreciate this workshop," said Shirley Chadwick of San Diego, Calif. Often, at workshops with interpreters, she continued, "your eyes get so tired; the speakers have a chart and you are looking at hands, looking at the chart, looking at hands. Here it is straight to us. The communication is one on one."
Patrons at the workshop learned orientation, basic research strategies, how to use Personal Ancestral File, the Church-produced records software, and were introduced to using technology in research. Among the instructors was W. David Samuelson, who taught New England records. Conversation glided visually back and forth during his presentation with patrons asking questions and receiving clarification point by point. Of interest was the enthusiasm of the patrons for family history.
"More and more people are learning about this workshop. It is so nice for deaf people," said Sister Gerry Francine, a former Utahn who returned to the workshop along with dozens of friends because of her interest in family history.
"There are no barriers for the deaf," she said, expressing appreciation for the Church's PAF Insight software and Research Guidance on FamilySearch.org. In the past she has tried to exchange information with family members but it was so tedious to write everything down and send it in letters that interest waned. Now, information is sent easily, and "with this workshop and this Family History Library, I've been able to do so much."
She said Elder Robert Powers and his wife, Sister Virginia Powers, who are deaf and are serving as missionaries to the deaf, have done much to help deaf patrons. They hope that in the near future a family history organization for the deaf will be created in Utah.
E-mail to: jhart@desnews.com
