Using the FamilySearch Resources

WVC Library Home Page > Research by Subject Menu > Genealogy > Outstanding U.S. Resources > Using FamilySearch Resources

 

If you haven't used FamilySearch much it is easy to miss important components or to find data and not really know what you are looking at.  Here is an overview of their online resources with some guidance about where data comes from, how its gathered, what you can expect from that piece of FamilySearch.

You can use the general search on the opening page but I recommend you do your searching by database or collection.  From the main home page you will see the following tabs you may choose:
Search Records - Index Records - Share - Research Helps - Library.  Below is an outline with some comments about where these send you and what you find.

 

SEARCH RECORDS TAB
 

ADVANCED SEARCH    
Ancestral File the Ancestral File was Salt Lake's first Gedcom database where people could upload their research from their genealogy programs and submit it to a giant database.  It is was the mother of later databases like WorldConnect or Ancestry's World Tree EXCEPT that because it was first it did not have some of their features - this means it has no notes or sources. It is great for clues but remember if you find a 12 generation pedigree on the AF you need to go out and find documentation to see if it holds up. The information is only as good if the researcher who submitted was correct.
Census There are three census here:
1880 U.S. Census
1881 Canadian Census
1881 British Census		 Does not include images however it has some very nice features 
IGI-International
Genealogical Index		 the IGI is an index database that primarily indexes 3 things:
births from primary (original) records
marriages from primary records
groupsheets that were submitted
  to Salt Lake after the temple work
  was done.
Because the IGI is both an index to source material and an index to previous research you want to look to see the SOURCE of the index entry. You can tell by reading the message at the bottom of the record OR if there is a film link follow that to see the film that this entry came from		 The IGI has two greatest strengths:

It has thousands and thousands of marriages.  When you don't have a marriage ALWAYS check the IGI

If your ancestors are from outside the U.S. the IGI is INTERNATIONAL and has millions of records from all over the world.  You must choose the REGION (British Isles, North America, Continental Europe etc.) and then the COUNTRY.  It is particularly strong in European parish records and will lead you to a film where those records reside.
Pedigree Resource File The Ancestral File was replaced by the Pedigree Resource File. It contains both individuals and individuals linked to families/pedigrees. It is sent in by researchers from all over the world - over half of submitters are not LDS so anyone can submit their information here.  similar to the Ancestral File or any gedcom database - its advantage over the Ancestral File is that most of it is newer and you can still contact the submitter.
Social Security
Death Index		 Index to all persons in the U.S. who are deceased who registered with social security.  There are several places online where you can search the SSDI and some have better search screens.  If you don't have Ancestry you might try the "Searching the Social Security Death Index in One Step" page which gives more flexibilty This is a great place to look for birth and death dates and places for family members who lived in the 20th century onward.
Vital Records Index the Vital Records index is an index to parish records from Mexico and Scandinavia.  
Search Family History
Web Sites		 Database of Website links that you can search by subject  
Historical Books Historical Books are not listed on the page at the Advanced Search but it is on the Search Records Tab and really easy to miss!  It is a digitized book project that is being done by cooperative work by several libraries. It's primary focus is on family histories. If you put in your surname any book they have scanned devoted to that family or any book that has a strong section with that surname will come up.


 FAMILYSEARCH RECORD SEARCH PILOT

 

RECORD SEARCH PILOT is the new part of FamilySearch that has actual records and databases. Millions of volunteers are indexing the huge microfilm collection at Salt Lake and this is where it will be.  At the bottom of the search form you will see a link that lets you "Browse our record collections."  This will let you see what has been finished and what is in progress.

 


 FAMILYSEARCH INDEX RECORDS TAB

This is where you go to volunteer for to help the index records.  You apply for a password and download the software and you can do as much or as little as you want to do. The software brings in a page of records and has forms to type in key elements of that record (ie a marriage - you type in the bride, groom, county, state, date etc. that are on the page).  It will later show up in FamilySearch Pilot (below)


SHARE MY GENEALOGY TAB

Both members and non-members upload gedcoms for the Pedigree Resource File etc.  This is where you can submit information


RESEARCH HELPS TAB

These are research guides & articles in the pull down on all genealogy topics with a particular emphasis on using records from Salt Lake. 

The NEW FamilySearch Wiki is a huge learning community for research help and if you have not explored it you are missing out on a terrific tool that is updated daily.   Eventually they will have research advice for all counties and nations and most any kind of subject imaginable.

If you are working in a state you might start by simply searching for the main MARYLAND page etc. which will then give you links to all kinds of good information.


Library Tab

Family History Library overview of the library in Salt Lake
Family History Centers lets you find Family History Libraries anywhere - remember that many times you can write to a family history library and they may have good local records at hand. Volunteers will look up that cemetery record for you in much the same manner as a genealogy society or local library
Education Includes a schedule of genealogy classes held at Salt Lake but also has opportunities for free online classes - for instance online videos on research in England, Ireland, Italy, reading handwriting and many U.S. topics.  Cool stuff!
Family History Library Card Catalog Too often we don't look here but it should be one of the FIRST places we look to see what exists on film or in print for a locality, surname etc. If the item has been filmed you may have it sent to the local family history library for $5.95 shipping and handling and it will stay there for about 6 weeks.  Even if you do not plan to use the local FHL the catalog is an excellent resource to help you discover what exists for look-ups, purchase etc.


 

FamilySearch Labs This is the site that lets you play in programs Salt Lake is working on or see possible changes to existing programs. At the moment it includes new Forums,  Community Trees, the Standard Finder (you put in a place and it tells you the county it is in and if it has ever been called something else etc. OR you put in a surname and it shows you possible spelling variants - they have also recently added a given name search that helps with variants and nicknames.)