Welcome to the LDS Genealogy Resource Page!

The LDS Family History Library is a rich source of information for both the expert and the beginner, with volunteers who are willing to assist you.

Note: The LDS database is now available on-line! Visit FamilySearch Internet Genealogy Service to access the official genealogy page of the LDS church. The information there is authoritatative, while the information in this page is not official and may be somewhat outdated. You can still visit a local LDS genealogy library located within one of the local church buildings for genealogy information as well.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints now has an official LDS web page with information on family history and all aspects of the church.

Deseret's Best LDS Web Sites maintians an extensive list of Family History Centers all over the US!

Resources available at the LDS Family History Centers

FamilySearch

• Ancestral File
• International Genealogical Index (IGI)
• Family History Library Catalog
• Other files
• FamilySearch Update!
• Ancestral File Update!

Census Records

This is just a brief summary of the resources available at the Family History Centers. You can lookup the particular vital records and information available for your state at the Family History Libraries (See NOTE).

NOTE: The first two letters of each text file refer to the state. For example,

tx-0844b.txt

refers to the information available on Texas genealogy.

Note: This page is not an official page of the LDS Church. It is just my own gathering of information according to my best knowledge.

Any suggestions or comments? Feel free to e-mail me at marcusgrande@yahoo.com

Last updated April 24, 2000

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FamilySearch

FamilySearch is a program that can help you to locate your ancestors. Using FamilySearch, you can quickly search through the names of millions of people; dates and places of birth, marriage, and death; names of parents, spouses, and children.

This information is compiled from a variety of sources and is organized into the files and indexes shown above (all on CD-ROM).

Ancestral File

A collection of millions of names from throughout the world that are organized into family groups and pedigrees. Ancestral file also contains the names and addresses of those who contributed to the file so that you can coordinate further research with them.

Information in this file can be copied to a floppy disk and used with a number of genealogical computer programs, saving hours of retyping.

International Genealogical Index

The IGI is an index of ordinances that have been completed for deceased persons in the LDS Temples. This index contains dates and places of birth, christening, or marriage; and names of parents, spouses, or children.

Family History Library Catalog

This catalog describes the records, books, and microfilms in the Family History Library's collection. It is available on CD-ROM and on microfiche. The catalog will guide you to family histories, birth, marriage, and death records; church registers; and many other records that may contain information about your ancestors.

The church maintains vital records from all over the world. The vault of these records is kept in Salt Lake City (yes, the vault really is inside a bit mountain) and can be ordered from the local Family History Library. If you find your name of interest, you can send for a copy of the microfilm and search it for the vital record of interest.

Note: The CD-ROMs are updated about every 2 years. In the meantime, each family history library receives the most recent updates on microfiche. If you can't find your info in FamilySearch, try looking at the microfiched index. A local volunteer can help you in your search.

Other

FamilySearch contains a number of other files that can help you identify you ancestors. For example, it contains the United States Social Security Death Index. Most of these tools also provide the name of the person who donated the information, allowing you to coordinate your research with others.

Census Records

The LDS church has one of the most extensive collections of census records in the world, as well. You can search the index at the family history library (a volunteer can help you with the details) and locate relatives on various census records. You can then order the census you want from the archives in Salt Lake City.

You can use the Soundex Index to help you locate your ancestors in the Census Records.

New FamilySearch Update!

In mid-February, the LDS Church announced version 2.23 of FamilySearch. The new version includes the following new features:

• Scottish Old Parochial Registers: This CD-ROM database includes 10 million names in birth and marriage indexes. Available until now only on fiche, this database was added to FamilySearch in this edition.
• SSA Death Index: Updated to show information on persons who died by the end of 1994.
• Also, some nine other databases are in preparation, including a 40 million name plus 'extraction resource file', the 1880/81 censuses (complete) for the United States, the UK, Australia and Canada, the Rotunda Hospital Birth Records from Dublin, Ireland, a Spanish marriage collection, etc. and the Ellis Island Arrivals list which will be quite comprehensive but cover only around 40 years but not include other arrivals in the NYC area that didn't go through Ellis Island. More databases are being contemplated.

Elder Boyd K. Packer of the LDS Quorum of the Twelve stated in a letter sent to all local LDS Church leaders says there will be an update of the IGI at least annually, in other words, expect an update of the IGI every year.

New Ancestral File Update!

Ancestral File now reflects changes and additions up to January 2, 1997!