FamilySearch.com is a vast treasure trove of genealogical sources from North America and around the world containing over 20 billion records with 2.5 billion new records added annually. And, amazingly, it’s FREE! New and experienced users of FamilySearch can be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information, and where it can be found on the site. Furthermore, FamilySearch is continually adding records, links to collaborating websites, and other search features so all users can benefit from new tricks to find their ancestors.
Fortunately, this guide teaches everyone how to find records and other resources they need to be successful on this extraordinary website. The chapters are organized topically, with a focus on finding people in historical records, the FamilySearch catalog, images, full-text search, the FamilySearch Research Wiki, the FamilySearch TREE, and more. Author Dana Palmer devotes an entire chapter to the helpful search tips and tricks she has devised over her decades of experience using FamilySearch. Her methods can be adapted to other genealogy websites as well. The guide contains step-by-step instructions for applying Ms. Palmer’s methodology to find your own family, especially elusive ancestors. Readers will also learn how to preserve family photos and heirloom documents using FamilySearch’s TREE and MEMORIES features.
Just a few of the indispensable record collections found here are U.S. Federal and state census records,
vital records, church records–especially international ones–and the amazing foreign language word lists
and handwriting tools. Whether you are new to genealogy, someone who has come to a dead end, or an experienced genealogy professional, this guide is the best book to help you be successful finding your family!
Dana Ann Palmer, Certified Genealogist (CG®), and Certified Genealogical Lecturer (CGL®) has taught genealogy classes since 1996, and courses at Sinclair Community College for more than a decade. She has lectured at RootsTech, the National Genealogical Society (NGS) Conference, Legacy Family Tree webinars, the International German Genealogy Partnership (IGGP) conference, Palatines to America seminars, and other state and regional conferences and programs. As a professional genealogist, she helps clients with research projects, especially for Ohio, lineage society applications, and publishing family books. She is also part of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants Silver Books team.
