FamilySearch.org is one of the most popular genealogical resources in the world. The site is sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is free and available to the public. Since launching in May 1999, more than 150 million people have visited FamilySearch.org to learn more about their family heritage.
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Online Records
Visitors to FamilySearch.org can search over two billion digital images and indexes of records from all over the world. These records include government and church records for births, marriages, and deaths; censuses; probate records, land records, draft cards; and so forth. Millions of new records are published on a weekly basis.
Many of the records on the FamilySearch website are indexed, making them easier to search. The indexes are created by volunteers. Currently, there over 125,000 active indexers around the world who complete about one million names a day. Anyone can help with this effort, regardless of their age, religion, or technical background; all that is needed is a computer and an Internet connection. The free online application is available in seven languages.
Research Help
FamilySearch.org features several resources to help people learn how to discover their family history. For example, the FamilySearch Wiki is an interactive online encyclopedia for family history research. This site contains research helps, guides, and advice from FamilySearch experts, but is also a place where anyone can share what they know about genealogy. Visitors to the site can search by geographic area or topic to get tips and helpful information on climbing their own family trees.
Through FamilySearch Forums, individuals can ask research questions online and FamilySearch staff or anyone from the genealogical community helps answer them.
Free online classes available on the FamilySearch website can be taken anytime from the comfort of home.
The length and format of the classes vary by subject, but usually include video of the presenter, a PowerPoint presentation, and class handouts. Many of these classes are taught by experts at the renowned Family History Library in Salt Lake City, but FamilySearch has also partnered with individual genealogists and facilities like the Midwest Genealogy Center in Independence, Missouri.
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