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Carole Mikita ReportingAll week volunteers at the Family History Library and the Joseph Smith Memorial Building will conduct genealogy workshops for people with hearing disabilities.
These workshops are open to everyone. Instructors are fluent in American Sign Language and are telling participants how to get around the Family History Library and teaching a number of classes. For example, how to examine deaf school records, basic research strategies, photographing in cemeteries, town records, understanding land records.
Organizers say these workshops were first offered in 2000 and because of interest, now they happen every two years.
Dulane Woodhouse/ Deaf Genealogical Workshop, Chairperson: "I've wanted to have this opportunity to break down these barriers for people. That's why we set up this workshop, to cut down on the frustrations that deaf people have found because genealogy's a very important part of life."
Now, if you cannot make it this week or you have a family member coming into town this summer who would be interested in this program for the hearing impaired, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has three full-time and 9 to 10 part-time missionaries who specialize in genealogy for the deaf.
If you'd like more information on the workshops or other events that are part of this weeklong workshop, like tours and an opportunity to see the new Joseph Smith movie, check the link above.
