Family Search

Family Search is a non-profit website run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The website is available to anyone from any religious background or culture because the Church feels it is important that anyone who is interested is able to learn about their family history.

The website is a tremendous resource because on it the Church provides records it has been gathering over the last 100 years. Doing family history work is so important to members of the Church because its doctrine teaches that life does not end with death. Our spirits go to a spirit world where we will continue learning while we wait for the Resurrection and Final Judgment. Family units can also continue after death when members make and keep special covenants that are made in the [[Mormon temple|temple. People that have passed away can also make these covenants and be bound with their families for eternity, but those who are still on the earth must do the temple work for them, as proxy. In order to do this work members must be able to identify their ancestors. Once the work is done for a specific person that person can then choose if they would like to accept it or not. Members of the Church feel it is necessary that all who have passed away at least have the option to choose.

To use LDS Family Search, visit www.familysearch.org. You can then register with the website which is free. When registering it will ask you for Church membership information, but this is optional and can be left blank. The website will then provide you with your own place to share records with people and turn records into the Church that you have found through other sources so that other people searching for their family history will have access to them.

If you are just starting family research reading the information titled “How do I get started?” on the right hand side of the screen will give you some tips on what you will need to research your family history. If you are stuck and cannot find anything another option is to locate a Family History Center in your area. This source is located on the home page of Family Search in a light green box in the middle of the screen. Like the website, the services offered at Family History Centers are free. There are volunteers there that can help you locate things you might not find otherwise or explain how to get started.

See also Family History and Family History Library