FamilySearch. Org

FamilySearch.org - is the LDS church site for on line access to LDS databases It is really 6 huge online searchable data bases with each contains over 200 million names. They are as follows:
· Ancestral File – AF is a pedigree linked database that was started from the original 5 generation Project. Pedigree linking means the data is kept in the form of Family group sheets and pedigree charts. 5 generations at a time can be downloaded for importing into PAF or other genealogy programs and the information comes in as complete family group sheets.
· 1880 United Stated Census – The 1880 US Census contains information from the US government. The information was gathered and recorded by locations and lists information about households. The Standard vital information was collected along with Education, Occupation and the ancestry of parents. Since the information was recorded as it was gathered the information was in a certain order it is also easy to determine any neighbors or the identities of others in the neighborhood. Since Families still tended to congregate in areas, finding one family in a town or neighborhood will also point to homes of parents or married children. There is a link to view the actual page and these can be attached to your PAF files as source materials.
· 1881 British Isles Census – Gives household information for England, Scotland, Wales, and some parts or Ireland.
· 1881 Canadian Census – Gives household information for all Canadian Providences. Some close border areas have changed possession from the US and Canada since 1880.
· International Genealogical Index – IGI is the LDS Temple Index. Searching this file requires patience and care. It is divided into regions and information on a single person can be scatted between files. Much of the information in this file is of questionable accuracy since they were from submitted names that could have been submitted by patrons that might of submitted incomplete or poorly researched information. The information here is vital in one respect that it is here one will check to see if Temple work has been performed, in other respects it should never be used as a primary source for family history information. To see temple information you must provide your LDS church membership number and your confirmation date. You will be asked to choose a Logon and a password. (be prepared when you register and make sure you keep track of your password)
· The Pedigree Resource File – is a searchable database of family records that have been submitted by researchers. In 1980 Ancestral File was Started and the goal way to make one large pedigree chart by linking and combining information. By 1990 it was apparent that it had become an unmanageable task. One person would submit information, another would submit the same information will different details, it ensuing debate over which to include and which to not include became unmanageable, so information to be included to Ancestral file was stopped. The Pedigree Resource File was it’s replacement. These are Submitted files that are kept intact once they are submitted. If a person is included in more than one file this index will find both and allow the user to determine it’s value and completeness. The index is on line. The actual files are on CD’s (100 CD’s). If you want the detailed information it will require either the purchase of the CD or a trip the FHC where they can be downloaded.
· US Social Security Death Index – This index contains information about any person that collected death benefits and has since died. It gives the name of the person, where the original application was made, the dates of application & death and where the last benefits were sent.
· Vital Record Index – Indexes Civil and Church records from Mexico and Scandinavia. These would include Birth, Christening, Death and marriage records.
· Web Sites – If you have a family web site you can submit it for inclusion here. It is designed to find web resources that have information for family names.
· Research Guidance – is a link to research information. If you find your research takes you to Germany for example. There would be a guide here that would tell you what records were available and from where. How contact the archive, much it would cost, about how long it can be expected to take. There is also maps, a listing of historical events, and even a list of translated words to look for if the documents are not available in English.
· Family History Library Catalog – Is the “card catalogue” for the Family History Library. It can be searched by title, locality, author, subject, and key word. If you have a call number you can also check availability and request Photocopies. Most of the library content is also able to be used at any stake family history center for a nominal charge.