How2Day: Free LDS Genealogy Resources

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offers several free genealogical resources which are found online and in communities throughout the world. The church also offers free software that is commonly used to organize genealogical research and records. In addition to this free software program, the LDS church has a companion software program for a low cost that provides more genealogical aids.

Many LDS church members are interested in genealogy because of the church's performance of saving ordinances, including baptism by proxy, which are performed on behalf of deceased individuals in LDS temples. However, anyone may use the genealogical resources offered by the LDS church to do family history research.

As of 2010, there are more than 4,500 LDS church Family History Centers, or FHCs, located throughout the world. Each FHC is free to use, operates during different hours, and welcomes all visitors regardless of religious affiliation. Every center is a branch of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, and most are located inside LDS church meetinghouses. Operated by local LDS church members, FHCs are designed to help visitors identify ancestors. They also help LDS members submit located ancestors' names to have LDS temple ordinances performed on their behalf.

While FHC staff members will not do research on behalf of visitors, they do offer training and other assistance, including referral services and ordering microfilm and microfiche from the FHL in Salt Lake City. Most FHCs are Internet connected, but visitors are only allowed to access the church's Family Search website or other genealogy-related websites.

The LDS church operates a website, FamilySearch.org, that offers several free resources to assist in genealogical research. Resources include maps from different historical periods, historical reference guides about different countries and each state in the U.S., and word lists to help you research records written in foreign languages. The website also provides information on how to conduct research using U.S. military records and how to trace immigrant origins. Instruction on how to conduct genealogical research using a computer is also offered, as is a list of where to write for vital statistics and records (see References).

Personal Ancestral File (PAF) is another of the free genealogical resources offered by the LDS church. PAF helps you organize family history records and will produce pedigree charts, family histories and family group sheets. A companion software program, called PAF Companion, is also available, but for a small price. PAF Companion will print ancestor and descendant charts in color, as well as perform all the tasks that PAF does. Both software programs are available for download from the church's Family Search website. In addition, the church offers the 1881 British census instruction booklet for free, but charges a fee for the CD that accompanies the booklet. Various forms including family group sheets and instructions on how to fill one out are also available for free from the Family Search website.

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