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FamilySearch International
PredecessorThe Genealogical Society of Utah
FoundedSalt Lake City, Utah, US
(November 13, 1894 (1894-11-13))
FounderFranklin D. Richards
James H. Anderson
A. Milton Musser
TypeNonprofit organization[1]
PurposeFamily history, Genealogy, Kinship and descent
Location
Area served
Worldwide
ServicesRecord digitization and preservation

Digital record access Genealogical collaboration tools

Genealogical training
President and CEO
Steve Rockwood[2]
Parent organization
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Websitefamilysearch.org

FamilySearch is a genealogy organization operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). It was previously known as the Genealogical Society of Utah (or "GSU") and is the largest genealogy organization in the world.[3]

FamilySearch maintains a collection of records, resources, and services designed to help people learn more about their family history. Facilitating the performance of LDS ordinances for deceased relatives is another major aim of the website. FamilySearch gathers, preserves, and shares genealogical records worldwide. It offers free access to its resources and service online at FamilySearch.org, one of the most heavily used genealogy sites on the Internet.[4] In addition, FamilySearch offers personal assistance at more than 5,100 family history centers in 140 countries, including the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.[5]

Use of the historical record search and contributing to the Family Tree require a free registered account. The Family Tree section allows users to collaborate on a single, shared, worldwide family tree. It contains over a billion names. The Genealogical Society of Utah (GSU), established in 1894, does business as FamilySearch International, which is the genealogical arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[6]

FamilySearch is the consumer brand for a variety of products and services, including the FamilySearch.org website, the world-famous Family History Library in Salt Lake City, and 4,600 local family history centers on the world. All of these resources were created to help people find their ancestors and are available free of charge to the public.

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that tracing family lineage is essential for special religious ceremonies that seal family units together for eternity. According to church doctrine, this fulfills a Biblical prophecy stating that the prophet Elijah would return to "turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers."[7]

History

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Genealogical Society of Utah

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Useful sources:

  • Allen, James B (1 Jan 1995). Hearts Turned to the Fathers: A History of the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1894-1994. Provo, Utah: BYU Studies, Brigham Young University. ISBN 0842523278.
  • Summerhays, R. B. (October 1927), "The Genealogical Society of Utah", Improvement Era, 30 (12): 1104–1106

The society published the Utah Genealogical and Historical Magazine from 1910 to 1940.[8]


In 1975, the GSU became the Genealogical Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which later became the Family History Department. At that time, its head officer was renamed President from Executive Director, starting during Theodore M. Burton's term.[9] However, the title "President of the Genealogical Society of Utah" and other GSU titles were still used and bestowed upon department officers.

In 2000, the Church consolidated its Family History and Historical departments into the Family and Church History Department, and Richard E. Turley, Jr. became managing director of the new department and president of the GSU. This broke with tradition,[citation needed] since the President of the GSU was no longer the department's executive director or a general authority of the Church. Later this decision was reversed and the Family History Department was separated from the Church History Department, becoming its own department.[10] Presidents of The Genealogical Society of Utah

Name Term Notes
Franklin D. Richards 1894–99 [9]
Anthon H. Lund 1900–21 [9]
Charles W. Penrose 1921–25 [9]
Anthony W. Ivins 1925–34 [9]
Joseph Fielding Smith 1934–61 [9]
Junius Jackson 1961–62 [9]
N. Eldon Tanner 1963 [9]
Howard W. Hunter 1964–72 [9]
Theodore M. Burton 1972–78 [9]
J. Thomas Fyans 1978 [9]
Royden G. Derrick 1979–84 [9]
Richard G. Scott 1984–88 [9]
J. Richard Clarke 1988–93 [9]
Monte J. Brough 1993–2000? [9]
Richard E. Turley, Jr. 2000?–08 [11]

FamilySearch

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In 1998 the GSU began digital imaging of records and in about August 1998 the decision was made by LDS Church leaders to build a genealogical website. In May 1999 the website first opened to the public as FamilySearch.[12]The beta version, released April 1, almost immediately went off-line, overloaded because of high popularity.[13] Only a few days after the official launch, the website had received an estimated 100 million hits. To handle the load, site visitors were only given access to the site for 15 minutes at a time.[14] In November 1999, 240 million names were added, bringing the total number of entries to 640 million.[15]

In 2009, the LDS church launched a collaborative tree known as "New FamilySearch." It was the precursor to the current "FamilySearch Family Tree," and was only available to church members.[16] The system was an attempt to combine multiple genealogical submissions to FamilySearch's databases into one single tree, but it did not allow users to edit information that they had not submitted. It also was difficult to add sources to individuals in the tree or determine what was the correct information among multiple submissions. By April 2011, plans were in place to redesign the database into a more collaborative platform.[17]

In 2011, the FamilySearch website received a major redesign. The previous site had allowed users to only search one database at a time, but the new version allowed sitewide searches of multiple databases. It also included the addition of more databases as well as some digitized and indexed microfilms.[18]

On 16 November 2012, FamilySearch announced that the new Family Tree database was now available to all users of New FamilySearch, and that the New FamilySearch database would eventually be phased out.[19] On 5 March 2013, FamilySearch announced that Family Tree was now available to everyone, whether or not they were members of the LDS Church.[20][21] On 16 April 2013 FamilySearch completely revamped the site design generally, with new features and a changed color scheme. Some of the new features include an interactive fan chart and some printing capabilities, as well as the ability to add photos to Family Tree.[22]

In February 2014, FamilySearch announced partnerships with Ancestry.com, findmypast and MyHeritage, which includes sharing massive amounts of their databases with those companies, and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints receiving free subscriptions with these companies. They also have a standing relationship with BillionGraves, in which the photographed and indexed images of graves are both searchable on FamilySearch and are linked to individuals in the family tree.[23][24]

At the end of 2015 FamilyTree had 1.1 billion persons added by 2.47 million of contributors.[25]

In August 2017, FamilySearch discontinued distribution of physical microfilm to its family history centers due to large-scale availability of digital images of those films and planned digitization of remaining films.[26]

In May 2018, FamilySearch added and digitized their 2 billionth record.[27]

Organization

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  • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
  • A portion of tithing funds used to support family history program: [4]
  • Steve Rockwood, managing director for the Family History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and president and CEO of FamilySearch International[28], 2015-present[29]
  • Some structure described here
  • Employees
  • Missionaries
  • Local Volunteers

Activities

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Record digitization

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Software development

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  • FamilySearch Solutions Program [7]

Opportunity Is About To Knock So Get Ready To Open Your Door Forbes

RootsTech

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Main article: RootsTech

Website

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Historical Records

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The main service of FamilySearch is to offer access to digital images and indexes of genealogical records. These images can be searched along with a number of databases. While access to the records is always free, some records have restricted access, and can only be viewed at a Family History Center, an Affiliate Library or by LDS members.[30][31] FamilySearch.org also contains the catalog of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. The library holds genealogical records for over 110 countries, territories, and possessions, including over 2.4 million rolls of microfilmed genealogical records; 742,000 microfiche; 310,000 books, serials, and other formats; and 4,500 periodicals.[32]

FamilySearch Family Tree

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FamilySearch FamilyTree (FSFT) is a "one world tree" which is a unified database that aims to contain an entry for every person recorded in genealogical records. All FamilySearch users are able to add persons, link them to existing persons or merge duplicates. Sources can be attached and. It is possible to record multiple assertions of a fact, allowing people to "agree to disagree."

There are also several features specific to the membership of the LDS Church, facilitating temple ordinance work. In keeping with an agreement with Jewish groups and to prevent abuse, performing LDS ordinances for Holocaust victims or celebrities results in account suspension until the researcher proves a legitimate family connection to the subject of their search.[33]

FamilySearch plans to allow users to input same-sex marriages or other unions in the future.[34]

On November 1, 2012, a more active rollout of Family Tree began with a note placed on the New FamilySearch landing page, suggesting 'Try Family Tree.' This note was within a button that would take the user to the sign-in page. An early report sent to a mailing list within a couple hours of this change's happening[citation needed] also indicated that some functions in new FamilySearch, particularly that which allowed users to combine matching entries of ancestors ('duplicates'), had been turned off. This event signaled that a wider user base would begin using Family Tree.

On 5 March 2013, FamilySearch announced that Family Tree was now available to everyone, whether or not they were members of the LDS Church. This was announced via a blog post on the FamilySearch website;[35] the 'Family Tree' tab shows whether or not the user is logged in. Clicking on the tab takes user to the login/create account screen; once logged in, the user can create a tree and find ancestors already on the tree. New FamilySearch is still available to members of the LDS Church, although those members have been strongly urged to begin using Family Tree in its place and features have been progressively disabled at the (older) New FamilySearch as the evolving system ceases to be compatible with it.

On 16 April 2013 FamilySearch completely revamped the site design generally, including new features on Family Tree. Some of the new features include an interactive fan chart and some printing capabilities. An improved color scheme for both the Family Tree and the rest of the site was also adopted, as some had complained that the colors of the previous site appeared 'washed out.'

At the end of 2015 FamilyTree had 1.1 billion persons added by 2.47 million of contributors.[36]

Initially, a system called 'New FamilySearch' was released for members of the LDS Church. Originally designed to combine user submitted family trees where each submitter keeps control over his submission, it was redesigned into a collaborative platform after April 2011.[37] According to an emailed newsletter sent to LDS Family History Consultants on 11 September 2012,[citation needed] this was expected to be retired in early 2013. By then it was to have been replaced by a newer system called FamilySearch Family Tree.

Indexing projects

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Main article: FamilySearch Indexing

Searchable indexes of the records on FamilySearch are created by volunteers of the FamilySearch Indexing program. To ensure greater accuracy, each batch of records is indexed by an indexer and is then checked by a more experienced indexer. Indexing volunteers need not be members of the LDS Church. FamilySearch is currently working with genealogical societies all around the world to index local projects.

At the end of 2010, 548 million vital records had been transcribed and made publicly available through the FamilySearch website.[38] In April 2013, FamilySearch Indexing completed their goal to offer 1 billion indexed records online.[39]

Education

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FamilySearch offers free lessons on FamilySearch.org to help people learn how to find their ancestors. The topics range from basic research to training on specific record types and are designed for both beginners and experienced researchers. Most of the classes come from research consultants in the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, but FamilySearch is also collaborating with partners such as the Mid-Continent Public Library in Independence, Missouri, to record and post classes.

In 2007, it was decided to start a Family History Research Wiki to help FamilySearch users and others researching genealogy and family history to find and share information on data sources and research tips. The first version of the wiki was built on the Plone wiki software product, but it was soon discovered that MediaWiki software was much more suitable, so in January 2008 it was moved to the MediaWiki platform. In the intervening years it was rolled out in other languages, and as of July 2014 it was available in 11 languages.[40] The other language wikis are found via links at the bottom of the wiki homepage. The wiki in English had over 79,500 articles and over 150,000 registered users as of July 2014.[41]

Community

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In 2009 a forums site, which grew to include a variety of subject and topic categories, was started. Some of the extra features included social groups where people could discuss a particular surname or other topic related to genealogy. Help topics were also featured with discussions related to New FamilySearch (new.familysearch.org), FamilySearch Indexing, and some other products and site features. The forums were never linked from the homepage, but were accessible at forums.familysearch.org. Effective 31 December 2012 the forums were closed, although they remain available in read-only form.[42]

Many FamilySearch users have created communities and Facebook groups in an effort to answering members’ genealogy research questions, aid in translation of documents, and other resources. These research communities cover the majority of the world's countries, allowing members constant help with genealogical research.[43]

Mobile apps

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FamilySearch has two mobile apps: FamilySearch Tree and FamilySearch Memories. They are both supported in iOS and Android and are available in 10 different languages. The FamilySearch Tree app provides most of the features available on the FamilySearch website when exploring the Family Tree. The FamilySearch Memories app accesses the features in the "Memories" section of the Family Tree, and allows users to record audio and upload photos directly into the FamilySearch Family Tree from the mobile app.[44][45]

Facilities

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Family History Library

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Main article: Family History Library

Granite Mountain Records Vault

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Main article: Granite Mountain (Utah)

Family History Centers

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Main article: Family History Center (LDS Church)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "About FamilySearch". FamilySearch. Retrieved 2 Aug 2019.
  2. ^ [1]
  3. ^ Noyce, David (3 August 2017). "Mormon genealogy library unveils a fun new way to discover your roots". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  4. ^ Alexa traffic report 21 Mar 2009 (excluding #1 Ancestry.com)
  5. ^ Source: FamilySearch.org https://www.familysearch.org/locations/
  6. ^ Lloyd, R. Scott (November 8, 1997), "Typists marshaled in peaceful army", Church News, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret News, retrieved 2008-11-20
  7. ^ Allen, James B.; Embry, Jessie L.; Mehr, Kahlile B. (1995), Hearts Turned to the Fathers: A History of the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1894-1994, Provo, Utah: BYU Studies, Brigham Young University
  8. ^ Meyerink, Kory Leland (1998). Printed Sources: A Guide to Published Genealogical Records. Salt Lake City, Utah: Ancestry, Inc. p. 710. ISBN 9780916489700.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o (Allen, Embry & Mehr 1995, p. 267)
  10. ^ T, Justin. "Breaking News: Changes in Family and Church History Department Organization". Archived from the original on 2015-10-06.
  11. ^ "Biography - Richard E. Turley Jr.", LDS Newsroom, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, March 12, 2008, retrieved 2008-11-20
  12. ^ "Sowing Seeds for Family Trees". Wired. Reuters. 24 May 1999. Retrieved 3 Aug 2019.
  13. ^ Davis, Erik (1 July 1999). "Databases of the Dead". Wired. Retrieved 3 Aug 2019. The article refers to the "Family History Department" of the LDS church as the entity behind the creation of the original FamilySearch website.
  14. ^ Toone, Trent (28 Mar 2017). "How technology revolutionized family history work in recent decades". Deseret News. Retrieved 4 Aug 2019.
  15. ^ Inc, Ancestry (2000). "640 Million Names Added to Familysearch Site". Ancestry Magazine (January–February 2000): 9. {{cite journal}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  16. ^ "Updated FamilySearch.org to Bring New Features Under One Roof". Church News. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 16 July 2010. Retrieved 5 Aug 2019. New.familysearch.org, which replaced TempleReady last year and includes the Family Tree feature, will be integrated into the updated site.
  17. ^ "The Case for moving to "Our Tree" : A FamilySearch White Paper" (PDF). FamilySearch International. April 2011.
  18. ^ Crume, Rick (9 Jun 2011). "Inside the New FamilySearch.org". Family Tree Magazine. Retrieved 5 Aug 2019.
  19. ^ Green, David (16 Nov 2012). "Family Tree Now Available To new.familysearch.org Users". FamilySearch Blog. Retrieved 5 Aug 2019.
  20. ^ Wright, Matt (12 Apr 2013). "Family Tree is Available to All Users". FamilySearch Blog.
  21. ^ Lloyd, R. Scott (11 Mar 2013). "FamilyTree: New FamilySearch Service Promotes Collaboration". Church News. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved 5 Aug 2019.
  22. ^ "FamilySearch launches redesigned website". KSL News. 18 Apr 2013. Retrieved 5 Aug 2019.
  23. ^ Brimhall, Dennis (26 Feb 2014). "FamilySearch Partnerships: Some Questions and Answers". FamilySearch Blog. Retrieved 3 Aug 2019.
  24. ^ "MyHeritage Partners With FamilySearch To Add Billions Of Historical Records To Its Genealogy Database". Tech Crunch. 15 Oct 2013. Retrieved 5 Aug 2019.
  25. ^ Sagers, Diane (29 December 2015). "2015 Year in Review: FamilySearch Grows as World's Foremost Family History Resource". FamilySearch Blog.
  26. ^ FamilySearch (30 May 2017). "Microfilm Distribution to Be Discontinued on August 31, 2017". FamilySearch Blog. Retrieved 3 Aug 2019. Improving search results and indexing additional records is on-going work, as is improving international resources for those living in countries outside of the United States.
  27. ^ "FamilySearch Adds 2 Billionth Image of Genealogy Records". FamilySearch News Releases. 23 Apr 2013. Retrieved 3 Aug 2019.
  28. ^ [2]
  29. ^ [3]
  30. ^ "What are the image restrictions in Historical Records?". FamilySearch.
  31. ^ "Restricted Records on FamilySearch.org".
  32. ^ "About the Family History Library". FamilySearch.org. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
  33. ^ Jensen, Derek P. (March 7, 2012), "Mormon church blocks whistle-blower's access to baptism data", The Salt Lake Tribune, archived from the original on October 21, 2013
  34. ^ "Recording data on same-sex relationships". FamilySearch. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  35. ^ "Family Tree is Available to All Users". FamilySearch Blog.
  36. ^ "2015 Year in Review: FamilySearch Grows as World's Foremost Family History Resource". FamilySearch. 29 December 2015.
  37. ^ The Case for moving to “Our Tree” : A FamilySearch White Paper. April 2011
  38. ^ https://blog.familysearch.org/node/1088[permanent dead link‍]
  39. ^ "Thanks A Billion". FamilySearch Blog.
  40. ^ "FamilySearch Wiki:Non-English versions of the wiki - Learn - FamilySearch.org". familysearch.org.
  41. ^ "Special:Statistics - Learn - FamilySearch.org". familysearch.org.
  42. ^ "Help Center — FamilySearch.org". familysearch.org. Archived from the original on 2013-02-10. Retrieved 2013-01-11.
  43. ^ "Genealogy Research Communities". familysearch.org.
  44. ^ "Using the New FamilySearch Mobile Apps for iOS and Android!". FamilySearch. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  45. ^ "Family Tree Mobile – FamilySearch". familysearch.org.
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