FamilySearch International, a non-profit organization and website, is owned and operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, was originally known as the Genealogical Society of Utah. It is now known as the FamilySearch Library. FamilySearch. org is a popular genealogical resource sponsored by the LDS Church and is free and available to the public.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides a free service, FamilySearch. org, which offers access to various genealogical websites. FamilySearch is part of the church’s Family History Department (FHD) and is open to the public free of charge. The International Genealogical Index (IGI) has information on 430 million ancestors contributed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The FamilySearch Library of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the largest genealogical libraries in the world, providing free resources to help millions of people discover their heritage and make family connections. The International Genealogical Index is a finding aid, and entries often do not contain all the information in original records. The library’s catalog is available online, and users can search for surnames or places their ancestors lived to see what kind of resources are available.
The name changes are intended to better align local centers with FamilySearch’s expanding global brand. The FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a global network of experts, volunteers, documents, and other resources that help people discover their family history and make connections.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| About FamilySearch | Our work is worldwide and has involved collaborations with more than 10,000 organizations in over 100 countries. | familysearch.org |
| FamilySearch Library | The FamilySearch Library (FSL), formerly the Family History Library, is a genealogical research facility in downtown Salt Lake City. | en.wikipedia.org |
| Family History Library | The FamilySearch Library of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the largest genealogical libraries in the world. | churchofjesuschrist.org |
📹 Your guide to FamilySearch (Maybe the best FREE genealogy resource)
It’s all about FamilySearch. What’s available, what might you be missing…Here I’ll guide you through Family Search and help you …
Where Does FamilySearch Get Their Information?
The FamilySearch website provides a vast array of genealogical records, many of which are indexed to facilitate easy searching. Over 125, 000 volunteers and partners worldwide contribute to this indexing effort, resulting in approximately one million names processed each day. This guide aims to assist users in exploring their ancestry through resources available at the FamilySearch Library, Centers, and over two thousand FamilySearch centers globally.
Users can find family tree information, digitized surname books, and extracted records, as genealogical data is accessible both online and through various repositories like libraries and archives. FamilySearch stands out as a free platform dedicated to helping individuals trace their lineage, boasting more than 2. 5 million microfilmed records from numerous countries, covering vital records and other essential documents. Effective searches can be conducted by individual records, focusing on geographical details, while the FamilySearch Research Wiki offers extensive insights into records by location.
The platform is maintained by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has been curating historical records for decades. Users can also engage with the Family Tree feature to contribute and correct information as they build their family histories across an expansive global network of resources.
What Happened To FamilySearch?
The transition from the old FamilySearch program to a new system and database was meticulously planned, aiming to facilitate a smooth user experience. In March 2022, FamilySearch International identified unauthorized activity affecting personal data of some registered users, but family tree information remained secure. Questions arose about the migration from new. FamilySearch. org to the FamilySearch Family Tree, prompting the organization to address frequently asked concerns.
Notably, changes to the record search feature appeared on the website's homepage, alongside user feedback regarding the missing Classic FamilySearch link, which was unintended. With FamilySearch Centers (FSCs) reopening, the Record Lookup Service is set to be discontinued on July 17, 2023. Users expressed frustrations with the new sign-in process and navigating back to individual pages after browser issues. FamilySearch, a nonprofit aimed at genealogical resources, also faced challenges in providing optimal service due to outdated technology, leading to the closure of the new.
FamilySearch. org site. While a temporary site for Family Tree and Online Temple Ready applications is underway, advances in computer-assisted indexing and full-text search are expected in 2024 to enhance user experience. The Family History Library continues to serve vital resources in Salt Lake City as FamilySearch evolves.
Which Genealogy Site Is Owned By The Mormon Church?
FamilySearch. org, a prominent genealogical platform, is sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and is freely accessible to the public. Launched in May 1999, it offers a wealth of genealogical information, including birth, marriage, and death records, along with biographies, military records, and more. The site serves as a vital resource for individuals seeking to trace their ancestry and strengthen their familial connections across generations.
The LDS Church operates one of the world’s largest family history libraries, with over a billion records, many of which are available online at no cost. FamilySearch. org also aids church members with local family history consultants to assist in their research endeavors. While Ancestry. com has transitioned to private ownership under the Blackstone Group as of 2020, its initial development was separate from the Church. FamilySearch continues to be a critical tool for family history research and preservation.
Which Ancestry Site Is Owned By Mormons?
FamilySearch. org is a widely used genealogical resource, sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), and freely accessible to the public. In contrast, Ancestry. com, acquired by the Blackstone Group for $4. 7 billion in August 2020, operates independently and is not owned by the LDS Church. While FamilySearch provides a comprehensive collection of genealogy records, Ancestry. com offers a paid membership service that allows access to over 33, 000 collections, with many available to LDS Church members.
FamilySearch operates a library and more than 4, 600 family history centers in 126 countries, notably the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, providing valuable resources for ancestry research. Since its launch in 1999, FamilySearch has attracted over 150 million visitors, showcasing the Church’s commitment to family history, deeply rooted in its early history and beliefs. The LDS Church's dedication to connecting families across generations has led to significant efforts in record gathering and accessibility worldwide. Unlike Ancestry, FamilySearch remains a nonprofit service, making genealogy research affordable and open to anyone interested in tracing their ancestry.
What Genealogy Site Do Mormons Use?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offers FamilySearch free of charge to all individuals, regardless of their background or beliefs. Initially designed for Church members, FamilySearch serves millions globally, assisting in uncovering heritage and connecting families. It provides access to various genealogical records, including birth, marriage, and death records, biographies, cemeteries, censuses, immigration details, land records, military documentation, newspapers, and obituaries.
FamilySearch. org is a prominent resource for family history research, featuring the world's largest collection of freely accessible genealogical records, surpassing 8 billion searchable names. It organizes over 1. 3 million record sources by geographic and record type. Church members can access multiple genealogy websites, including Ancestry. com, MyHeritage. com, and findmypast. com, at no cost. The International Genealogical Index (IGI) compiles primary records collected by Mormon missionaries and is freely available to members.
FamilySearch is supported by the Church and aims to strengthen family connections across generations. The Church has invested in genealogical record collection since 1894, promoting both individual research and community engagement in family history efforts. FamilySearch continues to expand and remains a significant tool for anyone interested in genealogy, regardless of their affiliation with the Church.
Where Is FamilySearch Located?
FamilySearch, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a nonprofit organization operated by the LDS Church, offering extensive genealogical resources. The "FamilySearch Tree" app is free and available for download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Users can locate FamilySearch Centers, which provide personalized help, technology, and resources for family history research, utilizing the Center Locator Map Tool to find locations near them.
The FamilySearch Library, the largest genealogical record collection worldwide, is also in Salt Lake City. It offers access to millions of records and expert guidance for exploring one’s family tree. With approximately 4, 500 FamilySearch Centers around the globe, each center can assist users in finding genealogy records by searching via various filters or locations. Group reservations and tailored resources are provided to enhance family history discoveries at these centers.
Is FamilySearch A Good Genealogy Website?
FamilySearch is a significant free genealogy resource, well-known among family historians, with a comprehensive website and connections to the Family History Library and the RootsTech conference. Established in 1894 as the Genealogical Society of Utah, it operates under the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The platform aids users in tracing their lineage and exploring their family history through its extensive record collections and user-friendly search capabilities. While FamilySearch does not provide DNA testing, it allows for collaboration on family trees. Access to certain collections may require visiting Family History Centers or affiliate libraries.
With billions of records, FamilySearch excels in global genealogy, curating information from various locations, focusing on historically valuable records. Users can build family trees and preserve memories through FamilySearch's dedicated apps. However, it's essential to approach the platform's user-generated trees with caution, as they may lack reliable sourcing. FamilySearch is particularly beneficial for those starting their genealogy journey or seeking cost-effective resources.
Its high-quality genealogical records often match those found on paid sites, making it a great alternative. Nonetheless, users should recognize the platform's limitations and be willing to acknowledge potential inaccuracies in their research. Overall, FamilySearch remains a top recommendation for genealogy enthusiasts.
Who Are The Owners Of FamilySearch?
Stephen T. Rockwood serves as the president and CEO of FamilySearch International, a global nonprofit organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The organization, known for its extensive genealogical records, was acquired by The Blackstone Group on December 4, 2020, in a deal valued at $4. 7 billion. FamilySearch, which operates under the LDS Church's Family History Department (FHD), was originally founded in 1894 as the Genealogical Society of Utah.
Recently, Lynn Turner was appointed as the new director of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, with plans to enhance technology usage to improve genealogical research. The FamilySearch platform offers a variety of resources to trace ancestry, including birth, death, and marriage records. Users can search through a vast catalog by location, surname, or other keywords. While some people mistakenly believe that Ancestry is owned by Mormons, FamilySearch is specifically affiliated with the LDS Church and provides free access to its vast genealogical resources. In contrast, Ancestry. com operates as a for-profit entity owned by Ancestry Holdings, which is distinct from FamilySearch, underscoring the differences between these genealogy services.
Does FamilySearch Have A Library?
FamilySearch operates the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, which was established in 1985 as a successor to prior libraries of the Genealogical Society of Utah. The library is publicly accessible and houses an extensive collection of international genealogical materials, including microfilm, books, and digital resources. Patrons can utilize quick links at the library to access various genealogical websites. The FamilySearch Library is part of a global network of experts, volunteers, and resources that assist in family research.
It offers millions of records to help individuals uncover their ancestry. Assistance is available on Saturdays and most holidays, although staffing may be limited; regular hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a. m. to 5:00 p. m. The Main Floor features diverse Discovery Experiences for patrons to enhance their family research. Local affiliate libraries also provide access to exclusive FamilySearch digital collections. The library is operated by FamilySearch, a nonprofit organization owned by the Church, and is free for public use.
Personalized help and advanced technology are available for those interested in exploring their family history. The FamilySearch Digital Library contains over 500, 000 genealogy books, maps, and resources.
Is FamilySearch A Mormon Website?
FamilySearch, a genealogical website managed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly known as the Mormon Church), offers an extensive collection of records, books, photos, and family trees, all free of charge. It helps users explore their family history through billions of ancestor profiles and historical documents available on FamilySearch. org, with additional resources accessible via the FamilySearch Tree and FamilySearch Memories mobile apps.
Operated as a nonprofit, FamilySearch boasts over 8 billion records and serves as the world's largest genealogical organization, providing services through the Family History Library and more than 4, 600 local family history centers across 127 countries. The church has collected family history records since 1894 and doesn't require membership for access to its resources. FamilySearch's user-friendly platform allows individuals to start their genealogy research with ancestors like grandparents or great-grandparents.
The organization promotes personalized experiences and provides educational resources to assist in family history work. With its roots in Utah, FamilySearch remains independent from the church itself while being one of the most utilized genealogical resources globally, welcoming all users, regardless of their background.
📹 FamilySearch Family History Library reopens in SLC
FamilySearch Family History Library reopens in SLC.
Thanks. That was very useful for me. I started on family search about 2 weeks ago thinking it would be fun to trace my relatives but didn’t expect to go back that far. On my dad’s side, the family tree goes back generations. I was excited this afternoon when I started to see some of the Kings of England appear, and very excited when I saw William the Conqueror. I don’t know how unusual this is. I’m not even sure if I will be able to go back along that line again because it is very convoluted and I’m quite new to ancestory research. You have a new subscriber, and I will check out your other helpful articles.
I finally got on board with FS and, yes, it is amazing the records that I could find on this site. I then go back to Ancestry and plug in the data or the weblink if necessary. I still can get flustered and frustrated at times but have figured out (the hard way) to clean up my messes. Still unsure if I’m really attaching sources, though.
My uncle did a lot of family history when I was growing up. Now that he is long gone and I am bedridden, I have a lot of spare time and got curious about my family history, too. I discovered Family Search about three years ago. I remember being 12 years old and my uncle telling me that one ancestor came over on the Mayflower. I looked, and there he is….William Bradford! I’ve discovered a lot since then. Very happy with FS.
I have been VERY FRUSTRATED with Family Search. The windows do not seem intuituve to me. I’ve been on Ancestry for awhile and I’m totally comfortable there, but I’m mad at them…anyway, I’m here to learn how to use this resource. I loved your article and you are a natural on camera. You are an excellent speaker–not one um, like, literally, or obsessed in the whole article. Two Thumbs Up!
‘Grnrslogies’ is where they archived the Ancestral File and later the Pedigree Resource File, and you can put your research on it and unlike the Family Tree it is a place to put your research as of that moment. There are also things like community reconstructions of some places, The Guild of One-Name Studies data, and as noted some of this may be old but it will tell you where it all began anyway.
I like FamilySearch but have had less ease of use because I have to hunt and hunt for some files I used to have easy index search results for. The site has changed and some things have been removed or are a lot harder to find. There used to be a box with countries and subjects for the various countries that was quick and easy to access. The main search box is clunkier now. My opinion. I have used FamilySearch for a long time now. I have worked on my genealogy since 1996 and online since about 1999.
Thanks! This is really helpful as I discovered Family Search last week after using Ancestry for a couple of months. I was really excited when I saw the ancestry of one branch of my coal mining Indiana ancestors could be traced back to Rollo the Viking who founded Normandy. But then I saw a whole other branch of Indiana coal mining ancestors who could be traced back to the 8th century! Now I’m suspicious… It seems like people add a lot of ancestors to Family Search without sources. If it’s a collaborative tree, how does one separate the chaff from the wheat?
Our family (living people of course) are just getting started on FS. I don’t understand some basic concepts. 1. Should parents NOT add their living children/grandchildren/sons-in law? Only oneself, correct? 2. My son-in-law added himself. Is there anyway he can add himself as a spouse to my daughter so he can see our family tree, or is that not allowed? (He can’t find her and she can’t find him. ) 3. If my daughter wants to add herself after I added her, can she find herself, or should I delete her? Then if she adds her own record, can she become my child if I’m still alive? Hope this makes sense.
I’ve been doing genealogy research off and on for 30 years. But I am now learning what new tools are available on Ancestory and Family Search. Your articles have been of great help. Would you please consider doing a presentation more in depth on how to use Family Tree Maker 2019? I saw the article where you mention it is one of your favorites. There are no good articles now on youtube that go into depth on how to use the program. I am particularly interested in printing family group sheets with sources. And since this record will live only on my computer, I’d really like some instruction on sources. Love your articles! Penny
You had a slight error. You made Hazel her own mother! Great tips. I am using FS more, since my memberships ran out on Ancestry & MyHeritage. I like the sources section, how it is listed chronologically, and I’ve figured out how to add/edit/correct dates & info on those sources. I also like that you can see right away if a record needs to be reviewed/attached to anyone else.
Great upload, thank you! I am new to FamilySearch, being more familiar with MyHeritage and Ancestry. (I can go back to the 1500’s to the website Islands on my maternal side.) But when searching city directories from 1900-1920 to try and locate just when my paternal grandmother appears in the city (no documented ship manifest with date, for example… just the her guestimated dates on every USA documents so far, one saying they arrived in 1917… not true.)… is there a way to search ‘boarding houses’ in a specific section of the city, or similar categories on a census, even? I know when they got married. September 1914. Documented two sources. But nothing documented on her prior to that anywhere. (Like she got off the train… walked down the street… met someone from ‘the old country’ and got married within a week or so. LOL… Indeed that could’ve happened…but my father said my grandmother worked at a cigar company in town before marriage, and at another place before that… so where IS she in the records?!) What ‘search’ function/ tool/ or card catalog is that under?
Fantastic article. Thank you for sharing the wonderful resource of FamilySearch. I’m actually LDS so I’ve been using this resource for many years. Since my account is an LDS account I have additional tabs for church ancestry work. Have you ever gone to Roots Tech? I have not gone in person but hope to one year. I live in Florida so Utah is a trek.
I use Family Search for searching records,have yet to delve into the wiki. As for the family trees. I put in info on one part of my family. Someone came along and changed the info. I have the sources and facts about the family. I could not change and add correct info. Contacted Family Search for help and they sent an email that was about the size of a disortation instead of simple answer so I quit using it. Anestry only so far.
I’ve been hesitant to use Family Search as it’s free, usually that means that you are the product not the customer… I’ve heard the reason they are so into family history is that they like to baptise their ancestors so they can all be in their heaven together. That’s fine but would they want to convert my ancestors? Haha might sound like a weird concern but I’m not so sure my highly religious ancestors would be too impressed 😅. So I guess my question is do they just want to baptise their own ancestors or every person?
I just got serious about genealogy. I’ve been doing it off and on for some time. I just purchased your Timelines spreadsheet and I’m looking forward to using it. Would it be too intrusive of me to ask if you are LDS? I just looked at your website and your were listed under the LDS section. I’m just curious. Anyway, I’ve really enjoyed your articles.
I’m going to head over to Family Search Research Wiki out of curiosity. Do you think it’s possible to find information there about laborers who worked in the coalmines of Pennsylvania, early 1900s? A grandfather of mine worked in a mine at a very young age, but I don’t know which town. Thanks so much, Aimee, for this informative article !
Hello ma’am Aimee, Im trying to use the family search to search for an ancestor. Im a Japanese descendants and we’ve been trying to find our great grandpas birth place from japan,his lastname is Mori, the thing is we dont know his japanese first name, we only know the name that was given to him by his adoptive parent in the Philippines, his story is that he went to the Philippines as a child together with the Japanese soldier to retrieve their weapons in Illocos Sur but he got left behind by the ship and got adopted and raised by a Filipino couple, he never had a chance to go back to japan, he died here in the Philippines. And that is all we know bout him, nothing else, is it possible to trace his origin with just these information
Great article! I have a question that’s a little off topic, but I don’t know where else to ask. Just in the past few days I have had trouble viewing images on FS. All I get is a blank page with with grayed-out boxes that say Source Box and Attach to Family Tree. Is anyone else having this problem? I had no problem viewing things at the beginning of the week. Thanks!
One of my issues is spelling. I know that the spelling of my surname has changed over the centuries but I keep finding the same person with various spellings. So, which is the correct one? Also, there is way too much wrong information. I proved that by looking up people like my own grandparents and seeing how many wrong entries there are.
Hello I had a relative work really hard on my moms family tree so tracing her lineage back to 1700 1600 but her father was born and had two siblings but adopted so dead end and my fathers mom and dad it goes back some but missing links so how to I research to get a full tree and no one’s cooperative at all … weird I can’t even get a picture from my relatives lol my kids father also a problem his biological dad a mystery granny had an affair and my auntie gave her only kid up for adoption I hope to find her my tree is a big mystery where to begin it’s scarey