Learn More About FamilySearch.org

Many newcomers to genealogy have yet to discover the powerful website run by the FamilySearch organization in Salt Lake City, Utah. And many who have been doing genealogy research for years may not realize how this powerhouse website has grown, especially if it's been a while since you looked at it. You probably know the Family History Library (now the FamilySearch library) is the world's largest genealogy library and that for the past few decades they have been digitizing, indexing, and uploading their millions of microfilms to their website.

Learn more about FamilySearch at our Family History Conference!

David Rencher, the chief genealogical officer for FamilySearch, headlines our annual Family History Conference on Saturday, 4 May 2024! David will present three lectures that focus on the FamilySearch library and website:

1. "What's New at FamilySearch and the FamilySearch Library?"
2. "Using the FamilySearch Catalog and the FamilySearch Library Catalog"
3. "Worldwide Record Gathering at FamilySearch"

Join us in person or watch the livestream via Zoom. The lectures will also be recorded and posted on our website for ninety days.

Early registration ends tomorrow, Tuesday, 16 April 2024, so if you are ready to save some money and reserve a place for yourself at this exciting event, all the details are on our Family History Conference page, including a link to our secure online store. 

More about the additional five lectures coming up next week! Remember that attendees, both in-person and virtual, will be able to watch all eight lectures once they are posted online!

Why is the FamilySearch website so important?

• The website is filled with helpful videos and tutorials.
• The genealogy wiki on the website is amazing! Right now there are 102,755 articles posted!
• The library catalog is searchable, and there are links to thousands of digitized microfilms.
• You can register for free virtual consultations.
• The website links to the FamilySearch YouTube channel, which currently hosts almost 800 videos.

You can create a family tree or explore trees that others have posted, but if you do, be careful. Just like with other websites that encourage people to post trees with little or no accurate documentation, it's easy to go down rabbit holes following individuals who may or may not actually be related to you. Concentrate on actual records, tutorials, and digitized images, and you will be sure to stay on solid footing.

Don't hesitate to create a free account. No one will send you spam or track your searches, but because of certain copyright arrangements FamilySearch has committed to, they do need to know that real people and not spammers are accessing the records.