Participating in temple ordinance work is one of the most rewarding experiences in the gospel, but finding new names can sometimes feel frustrating. Have you ever stared at your family tree, wondering where to look next? Many members hit a brick wall and assume that all of their genealogy is completely finished.
The embedded document below is a brilliant, practical guide designed to solve this exact problem. It reviews and ranks eight different methods and third-party tools for accessing existing names and discovering new ones. By using these step-by-step strategies, your temple ordinance work will become much more productive and exciting.
The Best Ways to Access Existing Names
Before you go searching for undiscovered ancestors, it is highly recommended to check for existing names. The easiest method for temple ordinance work is using the “Ordinances Ready” feature directly within FamilySearch. This brilliant tool automatically searches your personal reservation list and ten generations of your family tree.
If it cannot find names in your direct line, it will provide names shared with the temple by relatives, ward members, or stake members. It always prioritizes finding individuals to whom you are directly related first. You can also manually check your Temple tab to view your personal reservations and family groups.
Top-Rated Tools for Finding New Names
When you are ready to find completely new individuals, the document ranks two specific methods a 9 out of 10. The first is the “Family Ordinance Opportunities” campaign page on FamilySearch. This tool is best used on a desktop computer, allowing you to scan your fan chart from left to right like a sprinkler.
The second highly rated tool for temple ordinance work is Virtual Pedigree, created by BYU. You simply sign in with your FamilySearch account and drag the screen to load multiple generations. The right sidebar will automatically populate with green dots, indicating ancestors who have potential ordinances available to reserve.
Using the Clever Sprinkler Approach
Another excellent method rated a 4 out of 10 is the “descendancy view” strategy within FamilySearch. The author affectionately calls this the “sprinkler approach” to finding names. You start by selecting an ancestor from the 1500s or 1600s and setting them as the root person of your tree.
From there, you change your view to “descendancy” and toggle the temple ordinances to “on.” You can then scroll through their descendants looking for green temple icons, skipping over the yellow or blue ones. While it takes a little clicking to expand the lines, it is a fantastic way to find cousins who need temple ordinance work.
Understanding Lower-Rated Programs
The document also saves you valuable time by reviewing tools that are no longer effective. For example, a website called Eternal Reminder lets you enter an ancestor’s ID so it can email you on their 110th birthday. While intriguing, it only receives a 1 out of 10 because identifying and entering each relative manually is quite cumbersome.
Other legacy tools have unfortunately become obsolete for temple ordinance work. Hope Chest used to be incredibly robust, but the current free version frequently runs into searching errors. Additionally, Findaname has been completely discontinued, and the Takeaname App appears to have been superseded by the modern Ordinances Ready feature.
Getting Started Today
With so many incredible tools available, there is no reason to ever go to the temple without a family name again. Start with the highest-rated tools like Virtual Pedigree and watch your reservation list quickly grow. The Lord has provided these amazing technological marvels to help us gather Israel on the other side of the veil.
Please take a few minutes to review the detailed, step-by-step instructions in the embedded document below. You will be an absolute expert at finding new names in no time!
