Some people eat, sleep and chew gum, I do genealogy and write...

Saturday, August 28, 2021

Understanding Beta.FamilySearch.org

 

Hmm. Beta.FamilySearch.org is an exact copy of the regular FamilySearch.org website. So why is there a copy of the entire website online for free? The copy is a sandbox or a place where you can practice, learn, make changes and demonstrate adding information without doing permanent damage to the "real" FamilySearch.org website. You sign into the Beta website in exactly the same way you do for the real website. 

The only danger is that you might forget you are signed into the Beta version and spend some time adding and correcting the information and then lose everything you have done. Also, the website is only periodically (once a year) updated from the real FamilySearch website so the information is almost immediately outdated. You can see the differences between the two websites by putting them side-by-side. 

The real website is on the right and the Beta website is on the left. You can click on the image to see an enlarged version. 

Sometimes, you can find experimental, new features that might be added to the real website incorporated for testing purposes. 

If you are unsure about how a feature on the FamilySearch.org website works, you can "play around with the feature on the Beta website without worrying about whether or not you are going to ruin the website. You can also use the website to teach without worrying about the persistence of the changes you make. 

It is just a good idea to know that the website exists and can be used for almost everything except preserving the information you add to individuals. 

Be careful to remember you are working on the Beta website and don't inadvertently add information or make changes you want to keep.  


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