| One of the largest and most popular sources for | | | | death records that can assist with family history |
| those researching their ancestry is the Mormon | | | | research by providing much sought after dates. |
| Church genealogy records. The Mormons, or | | | | While the Family History Library is open to the |
| Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints | | | | public there are a number of ways to access the |
| (often abbreviated as LDS), have created an | | | | records in lieu of a trip to Salt Lake City! The |
| invaluable resource for those why may be on the | | | | most commonly used and easiest method is to |
| quest for historical records. The Mormon Family | | | | search via the internet. It is important to note |
| History Library, housing thousands of documents | | | | that while major efforts are underway to digitize |
| and other records, is located in Salt Lake City, | | | | the records, not all of the records are yet |
| Utah; thankfully for those who are searching, the | | | | available for online searching. The information |
| records are searchable from afar, via several | | | | contained within their database is simply data; |
| different methods. | | | | there are very few scanned copies of actual |
| Access to the records that have been made | | | | documents. So do bear in mind that there may be |
| available through the Family History Library is not | | | | a few errors of the human nature. |
| limited to members of the Church itself. The | | | | An interesting offering by the Mormon Church is |
| records that consist of a complied collection of | | | | the Family Registry; this registry will help to |
| millions of microfilms, microfiche, books and | | | | connect you with other researchers who may be |
| handwritten records from across the globe are | | | | doing their own research on another branch of |
| available, at no cost, to any person who wishes | | | | the same tree that you are investigating. A good |
| to access them. The records contain data from | | | | portion of the research that you are seeking may |
| not only North America but also from Europe, and | | | | have already been located by another researcher. |
| even as far away as China; the extensive | | | | Making contact with other researchers is a great |
| collection of US records includes all of the US | | | | way to not only add to your knowledge but it is |
| Census records from 1790-1920, as well as | | | | also a great way to share your own research. |
| county and state records that can offers a rare | | | | Making direct contact with the Mormon library is, |
| source of family history. In the late '60's, the | | | | in itself, a good way to get started with your |
| Church created the International Genealogical | | | | research into Mormon Church genealogy records. |
| Index; a comprehensive listing of birth and | | | | While the church staff cannot do your research |
| marriage records of deceased individuals. An | | | | for you, their helpful hints and tips will go a long |
| enormous amount of effort has gone into the | | | | way towards pointing you in the right direction to |
| creation and maintenance of this index; including | | | | ensure that you get the most out of your |
| extensive travel and research, by volunteers, into | | | | searching. Their knowledge of the expansive |
| the millions of names that are researchable. The | | | | archives will help to ensure that you are looking in |
| Index also houses military and social security | | | | the right place! |