Session 5 What’s New on LDS (Mormon) Websites?
By Jack and Sylvia Sonneborn
User Account: A user of the LDS genealogical websites needs to establish a Family Search Account or LDS
Account in order to obtain the best results while searching the sites. Many of the websites hosted by The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS/Mormons) requires a sign-in procedure. It is suggested you obtain a
single username and password for ALL sites.
This site will be helpful if you encounter problems with the sign-in procedures:
https://contact.familysearch.org/account.htm
Church Members only need to use this site: https://ldsaccount.lds.org/sign- in/go/membershipInfo.jsf
Some of the widely used LDS genealogy websites:
I. Original (Classic) version: familysearch.org has now been replaced by a revised edition. On the classic site,
you used to be able to see these databases individually: [They have now been included in the overall search and
are also available at Trees, upper right –hand corner (Learn more about AF and PRF). Click on hyperlink.]
Ancestral File, a database of user-contributed data before March 2000, after which contributions are found in the
Pedigree Resource File
Indexes for the 1880 U.S.,1881 British Isles, and 1881 Canadian censuses.
The International Genealogical Index (IGI), a database of user-contributed data and extractions of original
records
Pedigree Resource File, an index to user-contributed family trees uploaded to the FamilySearch site since May
1999
Vital Records Index, records of Denmark, Finland, Mexico, Norway, and Sweden
You can still access the SSDI on familysearch.org: U.S. Social Security Death Index, a database of
information on the deaths of over 70 million individuals. On the bottom left-hand side, click on United States, and
type U.S. Social Security Death Index in the Search Box. It will also be included in the Search sites with others.
NEW! Revised: familysearch.org As volunteers index the family history records housed in the Granite Vault in
Utah, they are posted on this site. The site contains millions of free census records as well as other BMD records.
It is a wonderful addition to computer research with some original scans. Type an ancestor’s name into the
template and click on Search.
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II. FamilySearch.org - This is the main site for FamilySearch. As information is being indexed, it is being made
available to the public on FamilySearch.
These are some things you can do on familysearch.org:
Search Records for names and dates from various documents.

Search Trees for information people have shared about their families.

Search Catalog to see what microfilms or microfiche may be ordered and sent to a local family history center.
This also lists items such as books that are only available at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City.
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A Parent Search may be done to fin children. Click on Parents. Fill in the surname and given name of the father
and at least the first name of the mother. Click Search to find the children.
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Individual databases may be accessed through the links to the left of the world map. These databases are updated
regularly from the information being created through FamilySearch indexing. Check back often as information is
continually being added as it becomes available.
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The FamilySearch Centers link allows patrons to search for a family history center near them.
II. Additional significant sites:
new.familysearch.org is an extraordinary website that is open only to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints at this time, but it is to be open to the public within the next year. It contains millions of records.
Note: This site is still evolving. New FamilySearch will be added to this site in the future as well as other sites
that are now stand-alone.
III. FamilySearch Wiki
A location-based community website where individuals may contribute information that they know about. It is
searchable by location. Contribute something you know about in your local area.
wiki.familysearch.org; the Research Wiki is a free collection of family history articles provided by family
history enthusiasts from around the world. The wiki makes it easy for people to share research information and
useful tips. Check a locality to find research sources. Anyone may contribute through a FamilySearch or LDS
Account.
IV. FamilySearch Forums
A way to communicate with other people who are interested in family history research. It is divided into different
sections of interest. Questions may be posted and answers may be given in order to help one another. Help each
other by participating in the many forums available.
There is a separate section for Family History Center Support, which is divided into four subsections: Family
History Center Operations, Technical Support, Policies and Procedures, and New Family History Center Staff.
forums.familysearch.org; the Forums site is a genealogy message board. If a patron has a genealogy problem or
question, he can post it on this website, which is frequented by many skilled genealogists from around the world
as well as support missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ. Within a short period of time, a patron generally
will find an expert answer to the query that he posed.
V. FamilySearch Indexing
The website where the family history community looks at digital images and types the information shown, which
is then added to the information that is searchable at FamilySearch.org.
indexing.familysearch.org - FamilySearch volunteers have indexed over 160 million records from
the
Granite Vault in SLC, Utah, so far in Dec. 2010, and more are on the way! Completed
collections are available
include records from Canada, Germany, England, Russia, and the United
States
II. Additional Favorites:
Family History Library Favorites This is a favorite site used by the missionaries who work in the Family
History Center, Salt Lake City, Utah http://www.fhlfavorites.info/ . It shows sources for a location you are
searching.
VI. The Family Hart site A website for Adams, Lancaster, and York County. Most of the ancestors are of
Pennsylvania Dutch extraction. Some were "Gay Dutch," i.e. Luthers and Reformed. Some were "Plain Dutch,"
i.e. Amish, Mennonite and Brethren. http://midatlantic.rootsweb.ancestry.com/familyhart/ , hosted by our friends
Don & Jeanine Hartman. They have 665,291 Individuals; 234,192 families compiled on this website.
VII. Affiliated websites to use with the newFamilySearch for future use
http://www.familysearch.org/eng/affiliates/index.html
VIII. Free websites at local Family History Centers: These are subscription sites, but they are available for free
to all patrons at local FH Centers housed in Mormon churches. The 19th Century British Library Newspapers
digital archive, Access Newspaper Archives, Alexander Street Press – American Civil War, Ancestry.com,
ArkivDigital Online (Swedish Church records), Find My Past, Fold 3 (formerly Footnote), The Genealogist,
Godfrey memorial Library, Heritage Quest Online, Historic Map Works Library Edition, Origins.net, Paper Trail,
and World Vital Records.
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