Upcoming Training Events
Visit our RootsTech 2023 virtual vendor booth to view many video tutorials about AQ.
Other Learning Resources
Ancestral Quest
Learning Center
There are several tutorials available that will help you learn to use Ancestral Quest. Some of the tutorials can be downloaded; see the details below.
Index
General Program Training
These training materials cover the general features of Ancestral Quest.
Overview - Video Tutorial
This is a general overview of Ancestral Quest, with tips on getting started. (18 min)
Date Updated: 19 Jun 2014
Watch the Overview video tutorial
Watch the Overview video tutorial on YouTube to access Captions
Quick Start Video Tutorial
A collection of 10 short lessons on basic features of Ancestral Quest, including entering individuals and families, printing charts, importing, exporting, scrapbooking, and more. Watch all lessons or just one, by selecting a topic from the menu. (This video is included on all CD copies of AQ.)
This video was created for AQ version 11. The basic features reviewed here still apply to newer versions, such as AQ 16 and AQ 15.
Launch the Quick Start Video Tutorial
Launch the Quick Start Video Tutorial on YouTube to access Captions
Overview - Video Interview at Mesa Family History Expo - 2013
This interview was conducted at the Mesa, Arizona Family History Expo on January 18, 2013 with Gaylon Findlay of Incline Software. It provides a brief overview of Ancestral Quest. (<4 min)
TreeTips™ Video Tutorials - Research Assistance Built into Ancestral Quest
Have you ever wished that your family tree program could just do your research for you? Introducing TreeTips: technology built into Ancestral Quest that will search the world’s major repositories of genealogical records and let you know if there are any records for you to examine. (30 min)
Date Updated: 3 Jan 2021
Ancestral Quest 16 - Features Description
This page explains the new features and enhancements introduced with version 16 of Ancestral Quest.
Ancestral Quest 15 - Features Description
This page explains the new features and enhancements introduced with version 15 of Ancestral Quest.
Ancestral Quest 14 - Video Tutorial
This tutorial explains the features introduced with version 14 of Ancestral Quest.
Watch the Ancestral Quest 14 video tutorial, posted September 2012
Watch a class taught on this same subject at RootsTech on 8 Feb 2014, including questions/answers from class members and some updates, posted 1 Mar 2015
Update Ancestral Quest 14 - Screenshots
This tutorial explains the process of updating version 14 of Ancestral Quest to the latest software build.
Classroom Topics
Following are recorded discussions of various general topics taught in training classes
| Topic | Date of Class | Date Posted | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organization of these Training Videos | 12 Jul 2014 | 22 Jul 2014 | UVTAGG |
| Setting a Password on AQ | 8 Mar 2014 | 11 Jul 2014 | UVTAGG |
| Finding People and Defining Groups (Advanced Filter/Focus and other searching methods) | 12 Apr 2014 | 1 Jul 2014 | UVTAGG |
| Getting Help with AQ | 12 Apr 2014 | 1 Jul 2014 | UVTAGG |
| Printing Descendant Charts/Viewing Descendants | 12 Apr 2014 | 1 Jul 2014 | UVTAGG |
| Analyzing Relationships | 14 Jun 2014 | 23 Jun 2014 | UVTAGG |
| Setting Home Person and Using Bookmarks | 14 Jun 2014 | 23 Jun 2014 | UVTAGG |
| Printing Large Charts | 14 Jun 2014 | 23 Jun 2014 | UVTAGG |
| Source Images | 14 Jun 2014 | 23 Jun 2014 | UVTAGG |
| Updating AQ | 14 Jun 2014 | 23 Jun 2014 | UVTAGG |
| Family Reunion Contacts | 12 Jul 2014 | 22 Jul 2014 | UVTAGG |
| Report and Chart Destinations | 12 Jul 2014 | 22 Jul 2014 | UVTAGG |
| Opening Multiple Databases | 12 Jul 2014 | 22 Jul 2014 | UVTAGG |
| Pot Pourri of Topics, including Backup Strategies, Moving Files between Desktop and Laptop, Change Log | 12 Jul 2014 | 22 Jul 2014 | UVTAGG |
| Publishing a Family Book | 12 Jul 2014 | 22 Jul 2014 | UVTAGG |
| Uploading Pictures to Internet | 12 Jul 2014 | 22 Jul 2014 | UVTAGG |
| What do Dual Dates ie 1701/1702 Mean? | 14 Nov 2015 | 1 Dec 2015 | UVTAGG |
| Backups and Collaboration | 14 Nov 2015 | 1 Dec 2015 | UVTAGG |
Recorded Classes
Whether you attended these classes and wish to review them, or if you were unable to attend but wish you could have been there, you will get useful information about how to get the most out of Ancestral Quest by reviewing these classes.
| Date of Class | Date Posted | Presenter | Venue | Class Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Feb 2014 | 5 Mar 2015 | Gaylon Findlay | RootsTech 2014 | Syncing AQ/PAF Data with Family Tree (Basics) |
| 6 Feb 2014 | 3 Mar 2015 | Gaylon Findlay | RootsTech 2014 | Using Ancestral Quest as a Research Tool |
| 7 Feb 2014 | 6 Mar 2015 | Gaylon Findlay | RootsTech 2014 | Syncing AQ/PAF Data with Family Tree (Advanced) |
| 7 Feb 2014 | 2 Mar 2015 | Gaylon Findlay | RootsTech 2014 | Questions and Answers (Bring your questions or learn from those of others) |
| 8 Feb 2014 | 2 Mar 2015 | Gaylon Findlay | RootsTech 2014 | New Features in Ancestral Quest 14 |
| 8 Feb 2014 | 2 Mar 2015 | Gaylon Findlay | RootsTech 2014 | Finding, Reserving and Tracking LDS Ordinances |
| 8 Mar 2014 | 11 Jul 2014 | Gaylon Findlay | UVTAGG (Utah Valley Technology and Genealogy Group) |
General Questions |
| 12 Apr 2014 | 1 Jul 2014 | Gaylon Findlay | UVTAGG (Utah Valley Technology and Genealogy Group) |
Finding People / Defining Groups (Includes indepth presentation of Advanced Filter/Focus) |
| 14 Jun 2014 | 23 Jun 2014 | Gaylon Findlay | UVTAGG (Utah Valley Technology and Genealogy Group) |
Analyzing Relationships / General Questions |
| 12 Jul 2014 | 22 Jul 2014 | Gaylon Findlay | UVTAGG (Utah Valley Technology and Genealogy Group) |
Family reunion contacts, publishing a Family Book, and uploading photos to the Internet |
| 14 Nov 2015 | 1 Dec 2015 | Gaylon Findlay | UVTAGG (Utah Valley Technology and Genealogy Group) |
Standardized Place Names (FamilySearch) |
Training on Features Dealing with FamilySearch.Org
These training items will help you learn about the tools in Ancestral Quest that allow you to access and work with the Family Tree of FamilySearch.org.
NOTE: Ancestral Quest now works directly with the Family Tree rather than with New.FamilySearch, but some of the video presentations below have not yet been updated. The new screens of AQ have only very minor differences from what you will see in the tutorials, so the tutorials still teach the concepts. Whenever the tutorial mentions "New.FamilySearch", simply think, "Family Tree," and you'll be fine. We will update these tutorials in the near future.
Overview - Video
Quick video overview of the features in Ancestral Quest which allow an AQ or PAF user to synchronize their data with the Family Tree of FamilySearch.
Overview - Screen Shots
Quick overview of the features in Ancestral Quest which allow an AQ or PAF user to synchronize their data with the Family Tree of FamilySearch (web page, showing sample screens).
Date Updated: 28 Mar 2014
Syncing AQ/PAF Data with Family Tree (Basics) - Video
This is a recording of a class taught at RootsTech 2014, covering the basics of matching (linking) and exchanging data (syncing) between your personal family tree and FamilySearch Family Tree.
Date Updated: 5 Mar 2015
Syncing AQ/PAF Data with Family Tree (Advanced) - Video
This is a recording of a class taught at RootsTech 2014, covering more advanced topics of matching (linking) and exchanging data (syncing) between your personal family tree and FamilySearch Family Tree.
Date Updated: 6 Mar 2015
Link and Sync Individuals - Video
A short lesson on linking and synchronizing individuals in an AQ or PAF file with the Family Tree of FamilySearch.
Finding Duplicates in FamilySearch Family Tree - Video
How to Quickly and Easily Find Duplicates in FamilySearch Family Tree Using Ancestral Quest.
Upload Data to Family Tree - Video
How to upload AQ, PAF or GEDCOM data to Family Tree without using GEDCOM, using Ancestral Quest.
Advanced Handling of FamilySearch Sources - Video
While importing sources from FamilySearch, learn to convert them to standard AQ sources. If you have downloaded sources from FamilySearch, and would like to convert them to standard AQ sources, this video will teach you how to do this.
Memories Manager - Video
Memories Manager allows you to view, upload and download stories, photos and documents between your personal file and FamilySearch Memories.
Finding Names for Temple Submission - Video
Date Uploaded: 5 Mar 2014
Lesson on importing both ancestral family lines and descendant ancestral lines, with technique for finding names for temple submissions
Classroom Topics
Following are recorded discussions of various topics related to AQ's interface with FamilySearch Family Tree taught in training classes
| Topic | Date of Class | Date Posted | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tips on Speeding up Imports from Family Tree | 8 Mar 2014 | 11 Jul 2014 | UVTAGG |
| Syncing Notes between your Personal file (.aq or .paf) and Family Tree | 8 Mar 2014 | 11 Jul 2014 | UVTAGG |
| Syncing Sources between your Personal file (.aq or .paf) and Family Tree | 8 Mar 2014 | 11 Jul 2014 | UVTAGG |
| Importing Family Lines from Family Tree | 12 Apr 2014 | 1 Jul 2014 | UVTAGG |
| Handling Changing PIDs of FamilySearch | 12 Apr 2014 | 1 Jul 2014 | UVTAGG |
| Automatically Link All Records with FamilySearch Family Tree | 14 Jun 2014 | 23 Jun 2014 | UVTAGG |
| Selecting Standardized Places for FSFT | 14 Nov 2015 | 1 Dec 2015 | UVTAGG |
Training on LDS Temple Ordinance Reservation and Tracking System (ORTS)
These training materials deal with AQ's ability to reserve and track ordinances for the temple.
Full Training - Video
This video tutorial will give you a complete look at the screens and procedures for reserving and tracking LDS ordinances from either a PAF or AQ file.
ORTS Overview - PDF
This document shows you most of the screens and procedures for reserving and tracking LDS ordinances.
Date Updated: 4 June 2014
ORTS Overview - Video
An overview of reserving and managing LDS temple ordinances with Ancestral Quest, whether you use the native Ancestral Quest database or the alternate PAF 5 database.
Classroom Topics
Following are recorded discussions of LDS Ordinance topics taught in training classes
| Topic | Date of Class | Date Posted | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finding, Reserving and Tracking LDS Ordinances | 8 Feb 2014 | 2 Mar 2015 | RootsTech |
| Tips on Using ORTS - Ordinance Reservation and Tracking System | 12 Apr 2014 | 1 Jul 2014 | UVTAGG |
| Handling LDS Ordinances | 14 Jun 2014 | 23 Jun 2014 | UVTAGG |
| Answering Questions before Reserving LDS Ordinances | 12 Jul 2014 | 22 Jul 2014 | UVTAGG |
| How to Get a List of Ancestors Who Turned 110 Years During Last Year? | 14 Nov 2015 | 1 Dec 2015 | UVTAGG |
| Pot Pourri of Topics, mostly dealing with ORTS | 14 Nov 2015 | 1 Dec 2015 | UVTAGG |
