Just as we promised, the stats from last weekend's Worldwide Indexing Event are in! In just 72 hours, 7,275,546
#records
were indexed! Incredible work! See the images for more stats on the great work done last weekend by thousands of indexers, from all over the world. 🗺️
When searching for an ancestor, don’t fill in every box of a search page. Using less information gives better results. Don’t use exact years of birth in a search; add 2–5 years for variations of age in census records.
What tips do you have for searching for ancestors?
Today marks the 125th anniversary of the Genealogical Society of Utah, or what is now known as FamilySearch! In 1999, the GSU was renamed “FamilySearch” to prepare for the launch of its first website, . So much has happened since then!
FamilySearch has released a new version of the fan chart which can provide an overview of up to 7 generations of your family tree—and helps you see your tree in a whole new way! Learn more here >>
The Family History Library has launched a new webpage which will provide new online patron experiences and up-to-date information on the library’s services and activities.
Read more here:
If the pandemic has you feeling down about your plans this Valentine's Day, you're not alone! This news clipping from the 1920s shows one way to show love from a distance.
News clipping from the Des Moines Tribune-Capital on Dec. 20, 1928.
FamilySearch completes digitization of its 2.4 million rolls of microfilm of the world's historical genealogical records. The images contain over 11.5 billion names from 200+ countries. Read more:
"The secret to life is living with the realization that we owe a great debt to all who came before us." —Jake Shimabukuro,
#RootsTech
2019 Keynote Speaker
Paper indexing began in 1922 and transitioned to an online tool in 2006. Today, we have over 4 billion historical records available to search and that number continues to grow! Check out the timeline below!
Fun fact: In 1894, the Genealogical Society of Utah (now FamilySearch) started its library with a collection of 300 books. FamilySearch now has over 453,000 digital books and 4.84 billion searchable records.
The 102 passengers on the Mayflower included separatists seeking religious freedom, families, and individuals recruited by London merchants, indentured servants, and Mayflower sailors contracted to stay a year in New Plymouth.
“Seventy-seven percent of the data on the FamilySearch site cannot be found with a search engine . . . because it’s just images. . . . Don’t be afraid of those unindexed records.” —Robert Kehrer, Senior Product Manager, FamilySearch
#FamilyHistory
#Records
Today, we are giving thanks to over 200,000 volunteers who help index the records available on FamilySearch. A new FamilySearch update lets you thank these volunteers! Learn how to thank them step-by-step here:
Thank you to all those who participated in
@RootsTechConf
2022! All classes, main stage keynotes, and content from this year and previous years can be accessed by going to .
#chooseconnection
For times when you can’t visit the Family History Library, a new Library Lookup Service will soon provide greater access to records globally.
Click the link below to learn more!
Through all the challenges of COVID-19, Chakell found peace and hope for the future after learning about her great-grandmother Hettie's experience living through the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918. Read the full story here:
In 2014, FamilySearch began sending record hints to its patrons. Since then, MILLIONS of people have been able to discover more about their deceased family members through these record hints.
Thank you to all the wonderful people who have made record hinting possible!
"When our hearts turn to our ancestors, something changes inside us. We feel part of something greater than ourselves."
—
@NelsonRussellM
How has doing
#familyhistory
work helped you feel like you were a part of something bigger?
Do you keep a journal? Many people use journaling to relieve stress, capture treasured memories while they are fresh, record the historic times they are living through, and as a way to make use of some found time.
Discover over 1.4 million newly indexed family history records from all over the world, including one collection of 150K records from a worldwide census of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1836 to 1970.
Click here to search—
Starting June 2, 2019 the famous Family History Library will now be open on Sundays and Monday evenings. Bring the entire family. Enjoy fun interactive discovery experiences together.
In 1896, the Genealogical Society of Utah (now FamilySearch) charged an entrance fee of $2 per day for library access. You can now search over 7.5 billion names for free!
"As we discover the stories of our ancestors, we become more comfortable with and confident in ourselves. We learn to look to the past for stories of strength, resilience, and faith."
What does connecting and belonging mean to you?
#FamilyHistory
When writing your history, forget about formality. Just do your best to allow your voice to shine. The more your written words reflect the way you speak, the better. If you still feel stuck, pretend you’re telling the story out loud to a friend.
FamilySearch expanded its free online archives in the week of May 22, 2023, with over 2.8 million new indexed family history records from Guatemala, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Peru, and the United States.
Go check out the records on the blog:
FamilySearch added 1.7 million newly indexed family history records to its online archives from 37 different countries. The United States, Argentina, Luxembourg, and Colombia each added over 100,000 records.
Discover these newly added records here—
Due to poor storage conditions, heat, humidity, and frequent handling, historical
#records
are deteriorating at a rapid rate in
#Africa
. The
@LDSChurch
is helping photograph and digitize the deteriorating African birth and death records.
#genealogy
Did you know that National Geographic Society has compiled a digital archive of its entire editorial cartography collection? Explore the collection here »»
#genealogy
#oldmaps
#FamilyHistory
We really need
#familyhistory
now more than ever. Knowing, recording, and preserving your family history directly impacts you and your family. Doing family history can help aid us in compassion, resilience, and selflessness. Read more about how here:
January's webinars consist of learning how to use the FamilySearch catalog, submitting names for temple work, ArkivDigital basics, an introduction to United Staes military records, and much more. Find the FHL online webinar schedule here:
You can be part of a notable project by helping find headstones, photographing them, and making them searchable on the FamilySearch website.
Registering and participating will help the FamilySearch Family Tree grow even larger!
More information:
"Everyone matters and everyone can contribute. Each contribution comes together to create one light and we can light the whole world and unite families past, present, future." - Steve Rockwood CEO of
#FamilySearch
#RootsTech
In its present state, Plymouth Rock weighs approximately 10 tons, including both the upper and lower parts. In 1620 it was much larger: estimates range from 40 tons to more than 200 tons.
Do you have any ancestors who were on the Mayflower?
New release! Have you ever wondered how you are related to someone who has contributed to your family tree on FamilySearch? Now you can know! Find out step-by-step how at the link below:
FamilySearch added nearly 3 million new, fully searchable family history records! Records include the Czech Republic, El Salvador, and hundreds of thousands more!
What records are you looking forward to researching? Let us know below👇
Discover more here—
"We know especially in the past year, how much the world needs to be connected... I'm talking about deep, meaningful connections. Connections of understanding, connections of civility, connections of kindness, and connections of love."
Students studying
#FamilyHistory
at
@BYU
have been helping the US military find family members of those who have gone missing in action, some dating back to
#WWII
. Read more about the work they are doing here»
FamilySearch added four million more name-searchable records to United States City and Business Directories, along with other noteworthy locations!
Click the link to start you search today!
"The biggest tip I have is don't just click that, go to the search results, look around, and walk away. . . . Do the search over and over again with different parameters to tease out those difficult-to-find records." —Robert Kehrer, Senior Product Manager, FamilySearch
FamilySearch expanded its free online archives with over 1.5 million new indexed family history records from all over the world. Check out all the records online at !
Here is the link to the newly indexed records—
As of May 30, 2019, FamilySearch's new system-wide update will standardize many dates and locations in the FamilySearch Family Tree.
This update will help by removing data errors and by creating more reliable hints. For more details, see this link »
Did your ancestors serve in the Revolutionary War?
#FamilySearch
has images of the United States Rosters of Revolutionary War Soldier and Sailors, 1775-1783.
#USsoldiers
#Genealogy
In 1998, FamilySearch began digitizing genealogical and historical records. The online FamilySearch catalog now contains over 1.72 billion digital images!
At , you have many ways to experience the excitement of family history! If you're new to FamilySearch, it’s time to start exploring some of the amazing things you can do.
Here are 5 activities worth trying:
The African American Digital Bookshelf is a free FamilySearch service providing virtually accessible books on specific African American ancestors, historical context, and guidance to other resources. Start browsing today!
Touching family heirlooms and learning their history creates a bridge between past and present generations. The following activities have been put together by the FamilySearch team to help your family connect with current and previous generations:
Have you tried Map My Ancestors on the FamilyTree App? Here is where to find it within the app and how to use it to see a visual and interactive representation of the location of your ancestors.
FamilySearch expanded its online archives this week with THOUSANDS of newly indexed family history records from the Czech Republic, Latvia, the United States, and more.
Search through the new records on the latest blog post here:
Before there was
#EllisIsland
there was
#CastleGarden
, and knowing when your
#ancestors
immigrated can make a big difference in where you search for their records. Learn more and start your search today!
Family history work is so much more than looking up the birth and death dates of your family members.
Take a moment to watch the video! It has step-by-step instructions on how to add information to a family member’s profile.
Have you ever found a mispelled name on a FamilySearch record? You can now fix it! Learn how to edit names on indexed records and make it easier for others to find their ancestors here:
See and share FamilySearch's highlights from 2019 in a graphical overview and quick-read summaries. Find out how many free, new records were added in 2019 or how much did the Family Tree grow? How many volunteers made it all happen? Take a look here:
FamilySearch expanded its FREE online archives with over four million newly indexed family history records!
Start diving into these new record releases by clicking the link—
The 24-Hour Genealogy Webinar Marathon is free and runs this Thursday, Mar 12, 3 PM through Friday, Mar 13, 3 PM MDT.
You can register here:
As part of the webinar marathon, Devin Ashby will be teaching The Science of Family History at 1PM MDT.
Have you ever been confused about the difference between second
#cousins
and cousins once removed? It's okay, we have too! Take a look at this article to clear up the confusion!
#familyhistory
Mark your calendars! DNA Day is this weekend, and the Family History Library is offering free webinars about DNA for beginners. Click here to register:
Using cutting-edge AI technology, we can now easily transcribe millions of handwritten documents!
John, one of our product managers here at FamilySearch, shares how this new feature unlocks hidden discoveries in historical records that haven't been searchable till now.
FamilySearch amplified its free online archives this week with over 19 million new indexed family history records!
More historical records were also added to the Find A Grave Index and other collections—click the link below to read more!
“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” —Marcus Garvey
Learn more about why we need
#FamilyHistory
:
#FamilySearch
is expanding to include (to name a few things) a personalized home page; millions of indexed names in historical
#records
; and online experiences similar to attractions currently found in select FamilySearch Family Discovery Centers. 🎉
#new
Exciting news! 🌍 FamilySearch expanded its free online archives with thousands of new family history records from Luxembourg, Argentina, Brazil, the Czech Republic, and Spain.
Explore your heritage here:
FamilySearch has expanded their online records this last week! Go to to search existing records, and check back weekly for what is being added.
Let us know what you found in your record searching this week.
Click here—
Technology is changing the way we view and are able to do family history.
How has being able to search records, record stories, build a family tree, and share information at the click of a button impacted your family history experience?
#thisisfamilyhistory