| Q. |
What is FamilySearch? |
| A. |
FamilySearch, historically known as the Genealogical Society of Utah, is dedicated to the discovery and preservation of a record of the family of mankind, introducing individuals to their ancestors through the widespread access of records, and collaborating with others who share this vision..
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| Q. |
What does FamilySearch do? |
| A. |
- Assistance with capturing, preserving, protecting and providing access to data
- Publication of records on the internet under records custodian’s name
- Driving patron traffic to records custodians’ website through FamilySearch.org, thus increasing site viability
- Leading in the creation of national and international standards for data creation, publication, exchange and synchronization
- Significantly lower costs associated with acquiring, preserving or providing access to data
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| Q. |
Which records does FamilySearch preserve? |
| A. |
FamilySearch preserves historical
records that can be used to uniquely identify deceased individuals and link
them together in families. The collections of FamilySearch include
documents such as civil registration records; church records; and
probate, census, land, tax, and military records. The collection
also contains compiled sources such as family histories, clan and
lineage genealogies, oral pedigrees, and local histories. See Preservation
Services for more information.
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| Q. |
Why does FamilySearch gather records? |
| A. |
FamilySearch gathers records
for genealogical purposes, providing family history resources to
those who are searching their ancestry. See Preservation
Programs for more information.
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| Q. |
How is FamilySearch funded? |
| A. |
FamilySearch is entirely
funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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| Q. |
How can I contact the
representative for my country? |
| A. |
Select your country from the
list provided on the Worldwide
Activities page. The contact information for the
representative is listed along with other country information.
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| Q. |
Where can I see copies of
the records in FamilySearch’s collection? |
| A. |
As permitted by law and
contractual obligations, you can access the information and
records in FamilySearch’s collection at an increasing number of
places throughout the world including the Family History Library
in Salt Lake City, Utah, an extensive network of family history
centers worldwide, other genealogical and educational
institutions, and through the Internet. You can find the Family
History Center nearest to you by using the search engine on the Family History Centers web page.
See Record Access
program for more information.
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| Q. |
Where can I learn about what
has been microfilmed in my area? |
| A. |
Collection statistics and
brief histories of FamilySearch’s activities are available for
many countries, states, and provinces, select your country from the list provided on the
Worldwide Activities page.
To view the microfilms in your area, select Bibliographic descriptions of FamilySearch’s holdings
in the
Family History Library Catalog.
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| Q. |
Where can I find out which records
FamilySearch is currently, or will soon be, acquiring? |
| A. |
FamilySearch does not
provide information on current or future projects. The
first public notice of FamilySearch's newly acquired records
appears in the Family History Library Catalog.
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| Q. |
What is the Granite Mountain
Records Vault? |
| A. |
The Granite Mountain Records
Vault is a storage facility constructed to safeguard the master
copies of the records acquired by the FamilySearch. It was excavated from a mountainside near downtown Salt Lake
City, Utah. See Preservation Services.
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| Q. |
What is GEDCOM? |
| A. |
GEDCOM (Genealogical
Data Communications) is a file
format specification that allows different genealogical software
programs to share data with each other. The Family and Church
History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints developed GEDCOM to provide a flexible, uniform format for
exchanging computerized genealogical data. This standard is
supported by FamilySearch™ Internet, by the family history
products that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
produces, as well as by the vendors of most of the major
genealogical software products.
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| Q. |
Why are Mormons (members of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) interested in
family history? |
| A. |
The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints emphasizes the importance of the family and
the value of learning about their heritage. In addition, the
Church teaches that family bonds, the most sacred of all human relationships,
can last eternally. Church members believe that through religious
rites performed in holy temples, husbands and wives, parents and
children can receive the promise that they can be united
forever-even after death. They believe that temple blessings are
available to those that have died as well as those who are now
living. Thus, members of the Church feel strongly motivated to
seek information about their deceased ancestors and participate in
temple rites in their behalf. They believe that those who are dead
retain their identity and free will and therefore can either
accept or reject the rites performed for them.
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| Q. |
What is the Family History
Library? |
| A. |
The Family History Library,
located in Salt Lake City, Utah, is the main repository of all the
information the Genealogical Society of Utah has collected. It
contains more than 2.4 million rolls of microfilm. See About the Family History Library
for more information.
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| Q. |
What are family history
centers? |
| A. |
Family history centers are
branches of the Family History Library. Many people are not able
to travel to Salt Lake City, Utah, to use the Family History
Library. Local family history centers make the Family History
Library's microform and electronic data collection accessible to
those interested in researching their ancestry. See Family History Centers
for more information.
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| Q. |
Does FamilySearch do
genealogical research for families or individuals? |
| A. |
No. FamilySearch provides
research materials that families and individuals may use to trace
their own family history.
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| Q. |
Who uses the libraries of
the FamilySearch? |
| A. |
The libraries are open to
all researchers; most patrons are not members of The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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FamilySearch / GSU, 50 East North Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150 USA
Telephone: 1.801.538.2978 Fax: 1.801.240.1448
© 2008 by FamilySearch / Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
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