When we move from our ward, we should ask for a copy of the individual ordinance summary from the ward clerk or the membership clerk. We should then give the individual ordinance summary to the new bishop or ward clerk so that the correct membership records can be requested. Have the membership record numbers makes it much easier for everyone. This has been a good reminder for me. Our ward here in southeastern Michigan has a lot of changes right now with the recession and the trouble in the automobile industry. I think this is a good idea to tell people who are moving -- be sure to take an individual ordinance summary with you for every member of the family. This individual ordinance summary is invaluable in so many ways. It contains membership record numbers for all members of the family. For instance, my husband's contains not only the information for him but the names, birth dates, and record numbers for his parents. It also contants my name & birth date, as well as the date we were sealed in the Washington D.C. temple. For our children, it includes their names, birth dates, and confirmation dates -- plus their record numbers. By the way, when I am using our online ward directory, I often notice mistakes -- ie. babies who have not been added to the family or marriages that have not been recorded. When I see such information is missing, I often take the opportunity to say a gentle word to a clerk or the family. Family history consultants can encourage ward members to check their membership records as that is the first step for our family history pursuits. It is easier to correct the information before someone moves out of the ward than from the new ward. When our family moved back to Michigan from Germany nearly 10 years ago, my family file cards ended up in the sea shipment and not with our air shipment. I wanted to do the endowment for my mother at the Detroit Temple. (Her baptism and confirmation were done in Frankfurt.) The temple recorder used my membership number from the individual ordinance summary to find information on me and my parents (both non-members).  My mother's information was there because of a diligent ward clerk who created my original membership record. The temple recorder was then able to use other databases and check on my family file submission. I was then able to do the initiatory and endowment for my mother. I give this example as a way to show the importance of the individual ordinance summary and the record numbers contained on it. We just never know when it will be handy for us to have this information. I sure enjoy this email list. You teach me new ways of doing things -- for which I am grateful. Your testimonies and examples show through your emails and brighten many days. Thanks for all you do!! Mary Scott Northville Ward Westland Michigan Stake Detroit Michigan Temple