FamilySearch Offers Full-Text Searching

 

Quoting from FamilyTree Magazine, May-June 2025:  "For many years. optical character recognition (OCR) was limited to converting typed text on a record image into a searchable machine-readable text format. However, FamilySearch's Full-Text Search has been training its AI to do the same with handwritten historical records. 

"This new website feature has the potential to fundamentally change how we do family history. Full-text search, lauded by FamilySearch as a 'new era in search technology' uses AI to make unindexed record images available to search for the first time. This allows genealogists almost instant access to valuable records that once would have taken hours to page through.

"At launch in March 2025, the tool has 1.2 billion images in more than 3000 collections that includes US land, probate, emigration, naturalization, birth, marriage and death records. In the coming years, FamilySearch will roll out the technology to every unindexed record in its collection, prioritizing records that have high genealogical value but are currently inaccessible to researchers."

Having looked for Seaborn Phillips............. well, I digress here. I skipped to check out some of the findings for dear old Seaborn (husband's ggggrandfather) and lost my place and time to finish this post......... that's how good this opportunity affords!!

I do recommend to you "to try it, you'll like it." Click to FamilySearch.org, then Search and then Full Text. You will be glad you did. 

P.S. The FamilyTree Magazine, May/June 2025 issue carried a 4-page tutorial titled "Full Force" to teach us how to fully use this great new resource. Again, this is my favorite genealogy magazine and it is always full of "good timely stuff."

What's NEW at FamilySearch

 

Here is the latest news regarding FamilySearch which I learned during RootsTech 2025 presented by Todd Powell, Tree Product Manger:

• FamilySearch has nearly 24 million monthly visits
• 1.68 billion persons in Family Tree
• 156 million persons added to Family Tree in 2024
• "a person is never deleted for good!"
• "FamilySearch is the largest linked tree as of 2024"
• Nearly 20 million memories attached
• Nearly 3.5 billion sources added (up 1 billion in 1 year)
• Nearly 5.6 billion digital images
• Nearly 700,000 digital books
• Nearly 20 billion searchable names
• Can search in 48 different languages (Arabic the latest)
• Are 6580 FamilySearch centers in the world
• The goal is to correctly/accurately identify each person
• Striving to slow down inaccurate merging

Todd smiled and said, "As each of us improves the documentation for each ancestor or person in our tree, we can increase the odds of folks making goofy changes....that does drive us crazy!"And he explained that they're really concerned about and working on fixing wrong matches and "people changing stuff without documentation."

He ended his lively presentation with this:  "Quit complaining... learn to use the available tools to full advantage!!' 

FamilySearch Center Portal

 

Perhaps you're missing out on a research bet? And if something is free, why not consider using it? Well!

The FamilySearch Center Portal is exactly what those words signify. At any designated FamilySearch Center, any researcher can access FOR FREE, a long list of websites that otherwise would be accessibly by personal subscription only.   Did you catch that: FREE?

Think your research might be helped by looking into one of these:

• 19th Century British Library Newspapers
• Alexander Street Press (indexed information of Civil War history: soldiers, battles, photos and maps)
• American Ancestors (formerly New England Historic Genealogical Society)
• Ancestry (Institution version..... databases but not Trees)
• ArkivDigital (Swedish Church Records0
• British Newspaper Archive
• FamNet (New Zealand records)
• Findmypast (UK ancestry)
• Fold3 (U.S. military records)
• GoldieMay (suite of software power tools for genealogists)
• Irish Ancestors
• MyHeritage (library edition.... no trees)
• Paper Trail (records of the Oregon Trail and other westward migration trails)

All of these wonderful opportunities but don't overlook checking out the nearly 2,000,000,000 names in the FamilySearch trees!! This database is compiled by folks like you and me and while it may contain errors and inconsistencies, it also can provide great clues. 

Click to www.EWGSI.org for a list of the area's FamilySearch Centers. Find one near you and GO!

FamilySearch Mobile App..... Are You Missing Out?

 

Note: The FamilySearch Mobile app is a simplified version of the web version and does require that you are comfortable using and navigating a mobile phone or tablet. 

Have you ever had to fill up some too-long minutes waiting.... at an appointment at Les Schwab, for a prescription to be filled, or for the doctor or for the kids' game to get over?? Here is something to help made that "empty" time productive (and to keep your blood pressure down from waiting). Viola! Try the FamilySearch Mobile App!

The FamilySearch Mobile App consists of three major parts:

1. Family Tree -- is a full featured genealogy app to add, edit and share your family story and use record hints to grow your family tree branches.(You likely have already used this feature.)

2. Memories -- is a way to capture important family events as they happen, to use your phone to preserve photos or documents or to record audio stories from older generations.

3. Get Involved -- is a fun way to help make historical records searchable for free online, to make it possible for people to find their ancestors online, to give back to the community in a simple and easy way and to use your spare time in a meaningful way.  

Here's how to download the FamilySearch Mobile App:

* Open the Apple App Store or Google Play Store or go to www.familysearch.org/mobile-apps.  For Kindles, first download the Google Play app or ta the Play Store for Android.

*Search for FamilySearch

*Once found, download thusly:

    ** Android: tap INSTALL

    ** Apple: tap GET

    ** Kindle: tap GET APP

    ** When the app finished its installation, tap the icon to open it and login using your FamilySearch credentials.

Updates on FamilySearch & Ancestry

About twenty years ago, we were blessed to be able to take a tour to Egypt. Of course it was marvelous........ but this post is not a travelog.

Upon my return, and being a genealogist, I got to wondering about Egyptian genealogy. I went to FamilySearch and found just what I expected: about six resources listed in the catalog and most of recent origin. Out of curiosity, in March 2024, I went again to FamilySearch to check the catalog for what's new in Egyptian genealogy.

And by gosh! There were 87 items listed......... 87 potential sources for those with Egyptian ancestry. Two of the listings appeared to me to be in Arabic. There were 29 suggestions for history; six for genealogy and even one for Jewish history. 

 Proving what? FamilySearch continues to seek out the records of the world's peoples and make that information available to one and all. 

Our perennial other favorite, Ancestry, began in 1983 as a book publishing company. (The first edition of The Source by Arlene Eakle was published in 1983.) Ancestry went online in 1996 and has expanded exponentially ever since. Ancestry launched Ancestry DNA in 2012 and to date, over 25,000,000 DNA kits have been registered. 

Between 1997 and 2023, Ancestry added 41,000,000,000 (yes, billion!) records from 88 countries to their website; this averages out to 2,000,000 million per month. Besides adding new records, Ancestry keeps adding new features, all to help us find our ancestors.

Point of this blog post?  If you've not checked BOTH FamilySearch and Ancestry recently, you should.  If you're sincerely seeking answers, that is. :-)  

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FamilySearch Offers A Pay-It-Forward Project

 I'd bet that most of us use FamilySearch.org to some extent in our research. Do you realize that a great deal of the data that you search for, find and use from that FREE website comes from data entry from volunteers? Folks just like you and me?

Currently, FamilySearch is asking for volunteer help to fix place-names. This surely does look like a fun and an easy and a worthwhile project. Check it out? 

Boxes Of Books: Goodbye To Our Books

Soon, very soon, we bit goodbye to our EWGS Genealogy Collection housed for over 80 years (since 1935 when EWGS was formed) at the downtown Spokane Public Library.

As you may or may not know, SPL is closing for a major remodel that will take two years. When reopened, the downtown SPL will be a Community Resource Center and not a "book library" like we oldsters remember and love. 

Some 85% of the books in all areas will be removed. Imagine that... of 100 books on the shelf, only 15 will be left. That, of course, includes the Genealogy Section. What few of our book SPL wants will be merged into the Northwest Room.

The rest of our genealogy resource library have been distributed to various places. The LARC Center on Whidbey Island took some 500 books. Members will be/have been invited to come pick. And the bulk of the collection will be happily given to the Family History Library in Salt Lake at their invitation. They are sending a truck on Monday, November 4th.

Now you know the rest of the story; rumors are true. Somewhat. 

Needing Access to NY Passenger Lists?

Needing to access the New York City passenger-immigration lists? And you've been told that this tremendously large group of records is still waiting to be digitized/indexed? WELL!  Wait no longer.... at least for some of these records. 

The leader in FREE online resources, FamilySearch.org, has some passenger lists! "A whopping 9.3 millions images and almost 64 million names have been fully transcribed and are now searchable." So penned Joe Grandinetti in the Jun-Jul 2019 issue of Internet GENEALOGY.  These include:

• NY Passenger Lists (Castle Garden) 1820-1891
• NY Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island) 1892-1924
• NY Passener and Crew Lists 1925-1957

And they are all to be accessed at www.familysearch.org. Check it out!

Family Search to End Sending Microfilm to Family Search Centers

Family Search will stop sending microfilms to the Family Search Centers September 1, 2017.
They say they will have all the microfilm digitized by 2020, and they have been working on the most requested films first.

Here is the story from Family History Daily

This Is The Place.......... this LDS chapel is where the first annual FamilySearch Symposium will be held on Saturday, 28 April 2012, 8:30-4:00 (10405 W. Melville Road). There will be green signs like this one at the freeway exit (I-90 Exit 272) and when you see the signs, you're there!  I do hope you've clicked to the website and registered..... and picked the classes you want to attend. And we do want to have enough lunch for everybody; you don't want to miss homemade bread, pulled pork sandwiches and homemade cookies! There will be 16 different presentations for you to choose among and 6 "test drives" of six different websites and a Geek Team who will sit one-on-one with you and help you find something in Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org. And it's all free!!!

To register, click to RememberingGenerations.ISOD.com ............ no "www" and two "Gs." Tell your friends....your neighbors.... anybody! This promises to be a great genealogy learning day!

FamilySearch FORUMS..... have you used this resource??

I've spent this week in the Family History Library and share with you some wonderful new thing I learned about:  http://www.forums.familysearch.org/

You've likely used GenForum or RootsWeb so you know about posting queries (asking questions online) and checking back for answers. The FS Forum (now in Beta stage) will be just that but bigger and better.

First you will have to have a Family Search account (both LDS and non-LDS folks). This is free and will not obligate you or infringe upon your privacy. How can folks reply to your query/posting if your email is not in the system??

Click to the above address and WAY UP IN THE RIGHT CORNER is sign in. Sign in with your FamilySearch account and scroll down to see the many forums currently availble.

Right near the top of the list was the Locality forum. I clicked on that, then selected Washington, and read about a dozen posted queries/questions about research and/or records in Washington. I even answered one!

THAT is the beauty of the FamilySearch Forums.....anybody with any amount of knowledge can post answers and don't we know that every little bit helps?

Take 30 minutes soon and click around on http://www.forums.familysearch.org/ and see if you don't agree that this might just could become a wonderful new research tool in your genealogy toolbox.

FamilySearch Indexing Update: First Polish Project Now Available

29 December 2010

First Polish Indexing Project Now Available

FamilySearch Indexing now has projects available in 11 languages, with the addition of the first project in Polish. If you would like to help index Polska Ksiegi Metrykaine Diecezja Lublin, 1902–1945, please contact FamilySearch to learn more.

Recently completed projects that will soon be available to search on FamilySearch.org include records from the Czech Republic, Spain, Nicaragua, and the United States.

New Projects in the Past Three Weeks

• België Burgerlijke Stand, 1851–1900 [Deel 3A] (Belgium Civil Registration, 1851–1900 [Part 3A]) (In partnership with Algemeen Rijksarchief en Rijksarchief in de Provincien)
  
• Canada, Ontario 1861 Census Records [Part 2]
• Polska Księgi Metrykalne Diecezja Lublin, 1902–1945 (Poland, Lublin Diocese Church Books, 1902–1945) (In partnership with Lubelskie Towarzystwo Genealogiczne)
  
• U.S., Colorado 1885 State Census (In partnership with Colorado Council of Genealogical Societies)
  
• U.S., Illinois 1930 Federal Census
• U.S., Mississippi 1930 Federal Census
• U.S., New York 1892 State Census [Part 2]
• U.S., Ohio Tax Records, Post 1825 [Part 4] (In partnership with Ohio Genealogical Society)
  
• U.S., Oklahoma Land Allotment Records, 1899–1907 [Part B]
• U.S., Texas 1910 Federal Census [Part B]
• U.S., Texas Birth Records, 1903-1934 [Part D]

(See the chart below for a complete list and current status of all indexing projects.)

Recently Completed Projects

• Česká republika, Litoměřice Matriky, 1552–1905 [část 1] (Czech Republic, Litomerice Parish Registers, 1552–1905 [Part 1])
  
• España, Avila, Madrigal y Garganta Registros Parroquiales, 1530–1935 (Spain, Avila, Madrigal y Garganta Church Registers, 1530–1935)
  
• Nicaragua, Managua Registros Civiles, 1879–1984 [Part 3B] (Nicaragua, Managua Civil Registration, 1879–1984 [Part 3B])
  
• U.S. Index to War of 1812 Pension Application Files, 1812–1905
• U.S., Connecticut WWII Draft Registration Cards, 1942
• U.S., District of Columbia Deaths, 1874–1959
• U.S., Iowa 1930 Federal Census
• U.S., Maine 1930 Federal Census
• U.S., Ohio Tax Records, Post 1825 [Part 3]
• U.S., Texas Birth Records, 1903–1934 [Part C]

(Note: Recently completed projects have been removed from the available online indexing batches and will now go through a final completion check process. They will be published at familysearch.org in the near future.)

Current FamilySearch Indexing Projects, Record Language, and Percent Completion

Argentina, Balvanera Registros Parroquiales, 1833–1934 [Parte B] (Argentina, Balvanera Church Records, 1833–1934 [Part B])	Spanish	71%
Argentina, Cordoba Registros Parroquiales, 1722–1924 [Parte B] (Argentina, Cordoba Church Records, 1722–1924 [Part B])	Spanish	91%
Argentina, Santa Fe Registros Parroquiales, 1634–1926 [Parte A] (Argentina, Santa Fe Church Records, 1634–1926 [Part A])	Spanish	42%
Brasil Registro Civil, 1852–1914 [Parte 2A] (Brazil Civil Registration, 1852–1914 [Part 2A])	Portuguese	1%
Brasil, Florianópolis Registros da Igreja, 1751–1954 [Parte A] (Brazil, Florianópolis Church Records, 1751–1954 [Part A])	Portuguese	15%
Brasil, Pernambuco, Recife Registro Civil, 1900–1920 (Brazil, Pernambuco, Recife Civil Registration, 1900–1920)	Portuguese	3%
Brasil, Rio de Janeiro Matrimonios, 1900–1910 [Piloto] (Brazil, Rio de Janeiro Marriages, 1900–1910)	Portuguese	54%
Canada Passenger Lists, 1881–1922	English	5%
Canada, Bas-Canada Recensement de 1842 (Canada, Lower Canada 1842 Census)	French	1%
Canada, New Brunswick Deaths, 1815–1938 [Part B]	English	39%
Canada, Ontario 1861 Census Records [Part 2]	English	(New)
Canada, Ontario Marriages, 1869–1927 [Part B]	English	6%
Chile Registros Civiles, 1885–1900 (Chile Civil Registration, 1885–1900)	Spanish	32%
Chile, Concepción Registros Civiles, 1885–1903 [Parte 2B] (Chile, Concepcion Civil Registration, 1885–1903 [Part 2B])	Spanish	41%
Colombia, Bucaramanga Registros Parroquiales, 1649–1959 (Colombia, Bucaramanga Church Records, 1649–1959)	Spanish	13%
Colombia, Marinilla Registros Parroquiales, 1815–1959 (Colombia, Marinilla Parish Records, 1815–1959)	Spanish	70%
Deutschland, Baden, Achern Kirchenbücher, 1810–1869 [Part D] (Germany, Baden, Achern Church Books, 1810–1869 [Part D])	German	26%
El Salvador Registros Civiles, 1835–1910 (El Salvador Civil Registration, 1835–1910)	Spanish	28%
España, Andalucía Registros Civiles, 1837–1870 (Spain, Andalucia Civil Registration, 1837–1870)	Spanish	6%
España, Lugo Registros Parroquiales, 1530–1930 [Parte 1] (Spain, Lugo Parish Registers, 1530–1930 [Part 1])	Spanish	42%
France, Cherbourg Registres Paroissiaux, 1802–1907 (France, Cherbourg Parish Registers, 1802–1907)	French	44%
France, Coutances Registres Paroissiaux, 1802–1907 (France, Coutances Parish Registers, 1802–1907)	French	63%
France, Paris Registres Protestants, 1612–1906 [Partie D] (France, Paris Protestant Registers, 1612–1906 [Part D])	French	88%
France, Saint-Lo Registres Paroissiaux, 1802–1907 (France, Saint-Lo Parish Registers, 1802–1907)	French	61%
Guatemala, Guatemala Registros Civiles, 1800–1900 (Guatemala, Guatemala Civil Registration, 1800–1900)	Spanish	11%
Guatemala, Guatemala Registros Civiles, 1877–1900 (Guatemala, Guatemala Civil Registration, 1877–1900)	Spanish	31%
Ireland Tithe Applotment Books, 1824–1840	English	3%
Italia, Napoli, Castellammare di Stabia Atti di Morte, 1809–1936 [Parte B] (Italy, Napoli, Castellammare Deaths, 1809–1936 [Part B])	Italian	80%
Italy, Trento Baptisms, 1784–1924 [Part 2A]	Italian	47%
Jamaica Civil Births, 1900–1930 [Part C]	English	12%
Mexico, D.F. Bautismos, 1536–1900 [Parte A] (Mexico, D.F. Church Baptisms, 1536–1900 [Part A])	Spanish	3%
Mexico, Oaxaca 1930 Federal Censo (Mexico, Oaxaca 1930 Federal Census)	Spanish	46%
Mexico, Puebla 1930 Federal Censo (Mexico, Puebla 1930 Federal Census)	Spanish	90%
New Zealand Passenger Lists, 1871–1915 [Part 2A]	English	9%
Nicaragua, Masaya Registros Civiles, 1879–1984 (Nicaragua, Masaya Civil Registration, 1879–1984)	Spanish	1%
Norge Tinglysningskort, 1640–1903 (Norway Probate Index Cards, 1640–1903)	Norwegian	3%
Perú, Lima Registros Civiles, 1887–1921 [Parte A] (Peru, Lima Civil Registration, 1887–1921 [Part A])	Spanish	82%
Portugal, Setúbal Registros da Igreja, 1581–1910 (Portugal, Setúbal Church Records, 1581–1910)	Portuguese	25%
República Dominicana Nacimientos Civiles, 1828–1906 (Dominican Republic Civil Births, 1828–1906)	Spanish	1%
Russland, Sankt Petersburg Kirchenbuchduplikat, 1833–1885 (Russia, Saint Petersburg Parish Register Duplicates, 1833–1885)	German	4
South Africa, Cape Province Church Records, 1660–1970	Afrikaans, Dutch, English	67%
Sverige, Södermanland Kyrkoböcker, till 1860 [Del 1] (Sweden, Södermanland Church Records, to 1860 [Part 1])	Swedish	72%
Sverige, Uppsala Kyrkoböcker, till 1860 [Del 1] (Sweden, Uppsala Church Records, to 1860 [Part 1])	Swedish	78%
Sverige, Örebro Kyrkoböcker, till 1860 [Del 1] (Sweden, Örebro Church Records, to 1860 [Part 1])	Swedish	32%
U.K., Essex Parish Registers, 1538–1900 [Part A]	English	15%
U.K., Manchester Parish Registers, 1813–1925 [Part B]	English	38%
U.K., Warwickshire Parish Registers, 1538–1900 [Part 2 Adv]	English, Old English	34%
Uruguay Registros Civiles (Nacimientos), 1879–1930 (Uruguay Civil Registration (Births), 1879–1930)	Spanish	8%
U.S. Naval Enlistment Registers, 1855–1891	English	30%
U.S., Alabama County Marriages, 1809–1950 [Part A]	English	63%
U.S., Arkansas County Marriages, 1837–1957 [IX]	English	79%
U.S., Arkansas WWII Draft Registration, 1942	English	42%
U.S., California County Marriages, 1850–1952 [Part B]	English	88%
U.S., District of Columbia County Marriages, 1811–1950 [Part A]	English	57%
U.S., Illinois 1930 Federal Census	English	(New)
U.S., Illinois County Marriages, 1810–1934 [Part A]	English	74%
U.S., Indiana, Bartholomew County Marriages, 1811–1959	English	75%
U.S., Iowa County Births, 1880–1935 [Part A]	English	17%
U.S., Iowa County Marriages, 1838–1992 [Part A]	English	53%
U.S., Minnesota County Marriages, 1860–1949 [Part A]	English	63%
U.S., Mississippi 1930 Federal Census	English	(New)
U.S., New Jersey County Marriages, 1682–1956 [Part I]	English	26%
U.S., New Jersey WWII Draft Registration Cards, 1942	English	54%
U.S., New York 1892 State Census [Part 2]	English	(New)
U.S., New York Marriage Licenses, 1908–1938 [Part A]	English	41%
U.S., New York Marriages, 1908–1935 [Part A]	English	36%
U.S., North Carolina County Marriages, 1762–1959 [Part B]	English	26%
U.S., North Carolina Freedmen Letters, 1862–1870	English	16%
U.S., Oklahoma Allotment Records, 1899–1907	English	93%
U.S., Oklahoma County Marriages, 1891–1959 [Part B]	English	50%
U.S., Oklahoma Land Allotment Records, 1899–1907 [Part B]	English	(New)
U.S., Puerto Rico 1910 Censo Federal (U.S., Puerto Rico 1910 Federal Census)	Spanish	16%
U.S., Puerto Rico Nacimientos Civiles, 1836–1930 [Parte B] (U.S., Puerto Rico Civil Births, 1836–1930 [Part B])	Spanish	6%
U.S., Tennessee County Marriages, 1790–1950 [Part B]	English	29%
U.S., Tennessee County Marriages, 1790–1950 [Part C]	English	52%
U.S., Texas 1910 Federal Census [Part B]	English	(New)
U.S., Texas Birth Records, 1903-1934 [Part D]	English	(New)
U.S., Texas County Marriages, 1837–1977 [Part B]	English	33%
U.S., Wisconsin 1930 Federal Census	English	58%
Venezuela Nacimientos Civiles, 1873–1909 (Venezuela Civil Births, 1873–1909)	Spanish	2%
Venezuela, Mérida Registros Parroquiales, 1654–1992 [Parte 2] (Venezuela, Merida Parish Registers, 1654–1992 [Part 2])	Spanish	29%
Österreich, Wiener Meldezettel, 1890–1925 (Austria, Vienna Population Cards, 1890–1925)	German	35%
Россия, Самара Метрические книги церкви, 1869–1917 (часть 1) (Russia, Samara Church Books, 1869–1917 [Part 1])	Russian	83%
Украина, Киев Метрические книги русской православной церкви, 1843–1845 [Часть B] (Ukraine, Kiev Orthodox Consistory Church Books, 1843–1845 [Part B])	Russian	22%

Current FamilySearch Partner Projects, Record Language, and Percent Completion

België Burgerlijke Stand, 1851–1900 [Deel 3A]  (Belgium Civil Registration, 1851–1900 [Part 3A])	Dutch, Flemish	(New)
Belgique Registres Civile, 1851–1900 [Partie A] (Belgium Civil Registration, 1851–1900 [Part A])	French	66%
Brasil, Minas Gerais Church Records, 1706-1952	Portuguese	1%
Canada, Ontario, Toronto Trust Cemeteries, 1826–1935	English	19%
Deutschland, Westfalen, Minden Volkszählung, 1880–1900 (Germany, Westphalia, Minden City Censuses, 1880–1900)	German	12%
España, Avila, Barroman Registros Parroquiales, 1550–1930 (Spain, Avila, Barroman Parish Registers, 1550–1930)	Spanish	14%
España, Malaga Registros Civiles, 1846–1870 (Spain, Malaga Civil Registration, 1846–1870)	Spanish	54%
France, Quimper et Leon, St. Louis Registres Paroissiaux, 1722–1909 (France, Quimper et Leon, St. Louis Church Registers, 1722–1909)	French	85%
Norway 1875 Census [Part B]	Norwegian	68%
Philippines, Lingayen, Dagupan Registros Parroquiales, 1615–1982 (Philippines, Lingayen, Dagupan Church Registers, 1615–1982)	Spanish	77%
Polska Księgi Metrykalne Diecezja Lublin, 1902–1945 (Poland, Lublin Diocese Church Books, 1902–1945)	Polish	(New)
U.K., Norfolk Parish Registers, 1538–1900	English	52%
U.S., Colorado 1885 State Census	English	(New)
U.S., Ohio Tax Records, Post 1825 [Part 4]	English	(New)
U.S., Utah, Salt Lake County Birth Registers, 1890–1908	English	67%
U.S., Utah, Salt Lake County Death Registers, 1848–1940	English	33%

FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch has been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. FamilySearch is a nonprofit organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

FamilySearch Wraps Up Genealogical Gifts for the Holiday Season

FamilySearch Wraps Up Genealogical Gifts for the Holiday Season

Nearly 4 million images added from 7 countries
Nearly four million new digital images are now available on Beta.FamilySearch.org. These collections include the first images from South Africa, as well as records from Brazil, Canada, Germany, Guatemala, the Netherlands, and the United States. About 1.7 million of these records are indexed.
See the chart below for the complete list of newly added or updated collections.

Project	Digital Images	Indexed Records	Comments
Brazil, Catholic Church Records	100,110	0	New images added to existing collection
Canada, Quebec Catholic Parish Registers, 1621-1900	85	79,936	New records linked to images; most images already published
Germany, Hessen, Darmstadt City Records, 1627-1939	55,528	0	New images
Guatemala, Civil Registration, 1877-1934	0	22,448	New records added to existing collection
Netherlands, Civil Registration, 1792-1952	1,505,610	0	Images added to existing collection
Netherlands, Zuid-Holland Province Civil Registration	6,349	0	New images
South Africa, Orange Free State, estate files, 1951-1973	79,466	15,879	New records linked to images; multiple images per record
U.S., Maryland, Register of Wills Books, 1792-1983	62,763	0	New images
U.S., Minnesota Territorial Census, 1857	342	156,888	New records linked to images; most images already published
U.S., North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979	39,836	45,204	New records linked to images; partial collection, with more images to come
U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942	2,040,944	1,371,394	New records linked to images; includes the states of Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin

FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch has been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. FamilySearch is a nonprofit organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

A Lot to Be Thankful For: 15 Million New Indexed Genealogical Records

18 November 2010

A Lot to Be Thankful For: 15 Million New Indexed Genealogical Records

Digital images and indexes include 34 collections from 13 countries

The collection of indexes and images available on FamilySearch’s beta website continues to grow by leaps and bounds, with the addition of 34 collections of genealogical records. These records include 15 million indexed records and 2.5 million images. The bounty of information covers 13 different countries around the world: Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Honduras, Guatemala, Brazil, France, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Jamaica, Canada, and the United States. Search these records now at Beta.FamilySearch.org.

See the chart below for the complete list of newly added or updated collections.

Project	Digital Images	Indexed Records	Comments
Belgium Marriages, 1563-1890	0	58,674	Index only.
Belgium, Antwerp Police Immigration Index, 1840-1930	5,417	343,930	New records and images. This is an index of immigration dossiers compiled by the Antwerp police force between 1840 and 1930. Presently, the immigration dossiers are only available on microfilm, so this publication allows us to reference these dossiers.
Brazil, Church Records, 1814-1930	93,787	0	New images for Ribeirao Preto, Bauru, Rio Preto, Santo Andre, Novo Hamburgo, Passo Fundo
Canada, Ontario Births, 1869-1912	54,121	164,139	New images and records
Chile, Concepcion, Civil Registration, 1885-1903	19,389	70,450	New images and records
Colombia, Diocese of Cúcuta Parish Registers, 1762-1996	465,172	0	New images added to existing collection
France Births and Baptisms, 1546-1896	0	6,779,071	Index only
Germany, Bremen Passenger Departure Lists, 1904-1914	44,465	44,315	New images and records
Guatemala, Guatemala City, Sagrario Parish Baptisms, 1898-1920	7,748	0	New images added to existing collection
Honduras, Tegucigalpa – Baptisms, 1895-1931	3,790	26,521	New images and records
Jamaica, Church of England Parish Register Transcripts, 1664-1880	37,199	0	New images added to existing collection
Jamaica, Civil Births 1878-1899	247,593	260,500	New images and records
Mexico Census, 1930	2,302	1,165,649	New images and records added to existing collection (Michoacan, Nuevo Leon, Zacatecas)
Spain, Avila–Catholic Church Records, 1500-1930	26,298	0	New images added to existing collection
Spain, Catastro de Ensenada, 1749-1756	375,988	0	New images added to existing collection
U.S., Arizona, Service Records of Confederate Soldiers of the Civil War, 1861-1863	0	1,173	Index only. Data courtesy of Footnote.com
U.S., Arkansas County Marriages, 1837-1957	0	94,181	New records added to existing collection
U.S., Georgia –Death Records, 1928-1930	123,416	0	New images added to existing collection
U.S., Index to Naturalizations of World War I Soldiers, 1918	0	18,324	Index only. Data courtesy of Footnote.com
U.S., Louisiana, Eastern District Naturalization Petitions, 1838-1861	0	1,450	Index only. Data courtesy of Footnote.com
U.S., Maryland, Naturalization Indexes, 1797-1951	0	85,222	Index only. Data courtesy of Footnote.com
U.S., Maryland, Naturalization Petitions, 1906-1931	0	45,165	Index only. Data courtesy of Footnote.com
U.S., Massachusetts Naturalization Index, 1906-1966	0	388,086	Index only. Data courtesy of Footnote.com
U.S., Minnesota, State Census, 1865	3,396	246,591	New images and records
U.S., Mormon Battalion Pension Applications, 1846-1923	0	26,830	Index only. Data courtesy of Footnote.com
U.S., New York State Census, 1905	0	3,601,920	New records for the following counties:  Albany, Bronx, Broome, Columbia, Essex, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, New York, Onondaga, Oswego, Seneca, Warren and Yates. This release completes this collection.
U.S., New York, Eastern District Naturalization Petitions, 1865-1957	0	675,035	Index only. Data courtesy of Footnote.com
U.S., New York, Western District, Naturalization Index, 1907-1966	0	89,554	Index only. Data courtesy of Footnote.com
U.S., Oklahoma, Applications for Enrollment of the Commission to the Five Civilized Tribes, 1898-1914	0	882,272	Index only. Data courtesy of Footnote.com
U.S., Rhode Island, State Census, 1885	10,844	321,999	New images and records
U.S., Rhode Island, State Census, 1905	954,549	474,152	New images and records. This census was taken on a two-sided form where only one person appears on each form.
U.S., South Dakota State Census, 1945	0	546,305	New records added to existing collection
U.S., Tennessee County Marriages, 1790-1950	0	14,098	New records added to existing collection
U.S., Utah, Territorial Case Files of the U.S., District Courts, 1870-1896	0	39,040	Data courtesy of Footnote.com

 
FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch has been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. FamilySearch is a nonprofit organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

FamilySearch Indexers Pass the 160 Million Record Mark for 2010

22 November 2010

FamilySearch Indexers Pass the 160 Million Record Mark for 2010

FamilySearch volunteers have been busy–we have indexed 160 million records so far this year and more are on the way! New projects now available include records from Canada, England, Russia, and the United States. Completed collections that will soon be available on beta.familysearch.org include records from Canada, Germany, England, Russia, and the United States.

New Projects in the Past Two Weeks

·         Canada, New Brunswick—Deaths, 1815–1938 [Part B]

·         U.K., Bristol—Parish Registers, 1837–1900 [Part H]

·         U.K., Manchester—Parish Registers, 1813–1925 [Part B]

·         U.S., Arkansas—1930 Federal Census

·         U.S., Connecticut—1930 Federal Census

·         U.S., Rhode Island—1930 Federal Census

·         U.S., West Virginia—WWII Draft Registration, 1942

·         Украина, Киев—Метрические книги русской православной церкви, 1843–1845 [Часть B]

(See the chart below for a complete list and current status of all indexing projects.)

Recently Completed Projects

(Note: Recently completed projects have been removed from the available online indexing batches and will now go through a final completion check process. They will be published at beta.familysearch.org in the near future.)

·         Canada, Ontario—Deaths, 1933–1937

·         Deutschland, Baden, Achern—Kirchenbücher, 1810–1869 [Part C]

·         Deutschland, Mecklenburg—Volkszählung, 1890 [Div 93–156]

·         U.K., Bristol—Parish Registers, 1837–1900 [Part G]

·         U.S., District of Columbia—1930 Federal Census

·         U.S., Indiana—WWII Draft Registration Cards, 1942

·         U.S., Kentucky—1930 Federal Census

·         U.S., Vermont—Vital Records, 1760–1954 [Part A]

·         U.S., West Virginia—1930 Federal Census

·         Украина, Киев—Метрические книги русской православной церкви, 1843–1845 [Часть А]

Current FamilySearch Indexing Projects, Record Language, and Percent Completion

Argentina, Balvanera—Registros Parroquiales, 1833–1934 [Parte B]	Spanish	49%
Argentina, Cordoba—Registros Parroquiales, 1722–1924 [Parte B]	Spanish	89%
Argentina, Santa Fe—Registros Parroquiales, 1634–1926 [Parte A]	Spanish	33%
Brasil—Registro Civil, 1852–1914 [Parte 2A]	Portuguese	1%
Brasil, Florianópolis—Registros da Igreja, 1751–1954 [Parte A]	Portuguese	12%
Brasil, Pernambuco, Recife—Registro Civil, 1900–1920	Portuguese	3%
Brasil, Rio de Janeiro—Matrimonios, 1900–1910 [Piloto]	Portuguese	51%
Canada—Passenger Lists, 1881–1922	English	5%
Canada, New Brunswick—Deaths, 1815–1938 [Part B]	English	(New)
Canada, Ontario—Marriages, 1869–1927 [Part A]	English	91%
Česká republika, Litoměřice—Matriky, 1552-1905 [část 1] (Tschechien, Litomerice—Kirchenbücher [Teil 1])	German	89%
Chile—Registros Civiles, 1885–1900	Spanish	26%
Chile, Concepción—Registros Civiles, 1885–1903 [Parte 2B]	Spanish	33%
Colombia, Bucaramanga—Registros Parroquiales, 1649–1959	Spanish	12%
Colombia, Marinilla—Registros Parroquiales, 1815–1959	Spanish	60%
Deutschland, Baden, Achern—Kirchenbücher, 1810–1869 [Part D]	German	3%
El Salvador—Registros Civiles, 1835–1910	Spanish	22%
España, Andalucía—Registros Civiles, 1837–1870	Spanish	2%
España, Lugo—Registros Parroquiales, 1530–1930 [Parte 1]	Spanish	41%
France, Cherbourg—Registres Paroissiaux, 1802–1907	French	43%
France, Coutances—Registres Paroissiaux 1802–1907	French	45%
France, Paris—Registres Protestants, 1612–1906 [Partie D]	French	80%
France, Saint-Lo—Registres Paroissiaux, 1802–1907	French	58%
Guatemala, Guatemala—Registros Civiles, 1800–1900	Spanish	9%
Guatemala, Guatemala—Registros Civiles, 1877–1900	Spanish	21%
Italia, Napoli, Castellammare di Stabia—Atti di Morte, 1809–1936 [Parte B]	Italian	68%
Italy, Trento—Baptisms, 1784–1924 [Part 2A]	Italian	40%
Mexico, D.F.—Bautismos, 1536–1900 [Parte A]	Spanish	1%
Mexico, Puebla—1930 Federal Censo	Spanish	70%
New Zealand—Passenger Lists, 1871–1915 [Part 2A]	English	7%
Nicaragua, Managua—Registros Civiles, 1879–1984 [Part 3B]	Spanish	74%
Norge —Tinglysningskort, 1640–1903	Norwegian	2%
Perú, Lima—Registros Civiles, 1887–1921 [Parte A]	Spanish	72%
Portugal, Setúbal—Registros da Igreja, 1581–1910	Portuguese	23%
República Dominicana—Nacimientos Civiles, 1828–1906	Spanish	1%
Russland, Sankt Petersburg—Kirchenbuchduplikat, 1833–1885	German	35%
South Africa, Cape Province—Church Records, 1660–1970	Afrikaans, Dutch, English	63%
Sverige, Södermanland—Kyrkoböcker, till 1860 [Del 1]	Swedish	64%
Sverige, Uppsala—Kyrkoböcker, till 1860 [Del 1]	Swedish	71%
Sverige, Örebro—Kyrkoböcker, till 1860 [Del 1]	Swedish	29%
U.K., Bristol—Parish Registers, 1837–1900 [Part H]	English	(New)
U.K., Essex—Parish Registers, 1538–1900 [Part A]	English	13%
U.K., Manchester—Parish Registers, 1813–1925 [Part B]	English	(New)
U.K., Warwickshire—Parish Registers, 1538–1900 [Part 2 Adv]	English/ Old English	24%
Uruguay—Registros Civiles (Nacimientos), 1879–1930	Spanish	4%
U.S., Alabama—County Marriages, 1809–1950 [Part A]	English	55%
U.S., Arkansas—1930 Federal Census	English	(New)
U.S., Arkansas—County Marriages, 1837–1957 [IX]	English	45%
U.S., Arkansas—WWII Draft Registration, 1942	English	37%
U.S., California—County Marriages, 1850–1952 [Part B]	English	31%
U.S., Connecticut—1930 Federal Census	English	(New)
U.S., District of Columbia—County Marriages, 1811–1950 [Part A]	English	23%
U.S., District of Columbia—Deaths, 1874–1959	English	74%
U.S., Illinois—County Marriages, 1810–1934 [Part A]	English	57%
U.S., Indiana, Bartholomew—County Marriages, 1811–1959	English	26%
U.S., Iowa—County Births, 1880–1935 [Part A]	English	9%
U.S., Iowa—County Marriages, 1838–1992 [Part A]	English	38%
U.S., Louisiana—1930 Federal Census	English	92%
U.S., Minnesota—County Marriages, 1860–1949 [Part A]	English	25%
U.S., New Jersey—County Marriages, 1682–1956 [Part 1]	English	24%
U.S., New York—Marriage Licenses, 1908–1938 [Part A]	English	33%
U.S., New York—Marriages, 1908–1935 [Part A]	English	31%
U.S., North Carolina—County Marriages, 1762–1959 [Part B]	English	15%
U.S., North Carolina—Freedmen Letters, 1862–1870	English	9%
U.S., Oklahoma—Allotment Records, 1899–1907	English	61%
U.S., Oklahoma—County Marriages, 1891–1959 [Part B]	English	17%
U.S., Puerto Rico—1910 Censo Federal	Spanish	7%
U.S., Puerto Rico—1920 Censo Federal	Spanish	94%
U.S., Puerto Rico—Nacimientos Civiles, 1836–1930 [Parte B]	Spanish	3%
U.S., Rhode Island—1930 Federal Census	English	(New)
U.S., Tennessee—County Marriages, 1790–1950 [Part B]	English	29%
U.S., Tennessee—County Marriages, 1790–1950 [Part C]	English	36%
U.S., Texas—County Marriages, 1837–1977 [Part B]	English	12%
U.S., West Virginia—WWII Draft Registration, 1942	English	(New)
Venezuela—Nacimientos Civiles, 1873–1909	Spanish	1%
Venezuela, Mérida—Registros Parroquiales, 1654–1992 [Parte 2]	Spanish	22%
Österreich, Wiener Meldezettel, 1890–1925	German	32%
Россия, Самара—Метрические книги церкви, 1869–1917 (часть 1)	Russian	53%
Украина, Киев—Метрические книги русской православной церкви, 1843–1845 [Часть B]	Russian	(New)

Current FamilySearch Partner Projects, Record Language, and Percent Completion

België—Burgerlijke Stand, 1851–1900 [Deel D]	Dutch	84%
Belgique—Registres Civile, 1851–1900 [Partie A]	French	58%
Brasil, Minas Gerais—Church Records, 1706-1952	Portuguese	1%
Canada, Ontario, Toronto—Trust Cemeteries, 1826–1935	English	18%
Deutschland, Westfalen, Minden—Volkszählung, 1880–1900	German	11%
España, Avila, Barroman—Registros Parroquiales, 1550–1930	Spanish	10%
España, Avila, Madrigal y Garganta—Registros Parroquiales, 1530–1935	Spanish	89%
España, Malaga—Registros Civiles, 1846–1870	Spanish	54%
France, Quimper et Leon, St. Louis—Registres Paroissiaux, 1722–1909	French	72%
Norway—1875 Census [Part B]	Norwegian	57%
Philippines, Lingayen, Dagupan—Registros Parroquiales, 1615–1982	Spanish	72%
U.K., Norfolk—Parish Registers, 1538–1900	English	17%
U.S., Ohio—Tax Records, Post 1825 [Part 3]	English	80%
U.S., Utah, Salt Lake County—Birth Registers, 1890–1908	English	67%
U.S., Utah, Salt Lake County—Death Registers, 1848–1940	English	32%

FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch has been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. FamilySearch is a nonprofit organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.