The Secret Code

Genealogists have their own lingo and we tend to ramble on using this "secret code" without blinking an eye or realizing that the person they are talking to might not understand what they are saying. This is the code to some of the things genealogists are using.

AF = Ancestral File

AFN = Ancestral File Number

BEPS = Baptism, Endowment, Sealed to Parents, Sealed to Spouse

BIC = Born in the Covenant

BMD = Birth, Marriage, Death
FAQ = Frequently Asked Questions

FHC = Family History Center
FS = Family Search

FSBeta = Family Search Beta

GEDCOM - Format for easily sharing data

GSU - Genealogical Society of Utah - partnered with FHC on many projects

IGI = International Genealogical Index

MRIN - Computer generated number for marriage
NEW.FS = New Family Search

Ordinance Index = List of temple work already provided up to July 2009.
PAF = Personal Ancestral File

Pedigree Resource File - a program instigated after the Ancestral file was closed.
PERSI = Periodical Source Index
RIN - Computer generated number for individuals
Temple Ready - is now replaced by new.familysearch. It means checking the IGI and new.familysearch for ordinances already done.

TIB = Temple Index Bureau

URL = Uniform Resource Locator = website address

B = birth
M = marriage
D = death
Bu = burial
Chr = Christening [not LDS blessing]


Class taught by Allyson H. Wood, Jan 2009