News Release

FamilySearch Hosts Worldwide Indexing Event

“This is a wonderful opportunity to serve people worldwide who visit FamilySearch.org to find their ancestors,” said Jim Ericson, product manager at FamilySearch, which is sponsoring its annual Worldwide Indexing Event. The public is invited to join the online event July 15–17, 2016.


Indexing is the process of entering information from historical documents into an online database, making it easily searchable. People around the world can register to index or search billions of free records already indexed for their ancestors at FamilySearch.org.

The goal for this year’s event is to have at least 72,000 volunteers index as many records as possible in a 72-hour period. Anyone with a computer and internet access can index historical records that will enable millions of people to quickly make personal family history discoveries online.

FamilySearch is especially interested in the participation of those who can read non-English languages, since there is a huge opportunity to make more records available in many languages.

“Indexing is a fun and engaging way to provide meaningful service that will inspire and help millions of people to make fun family connections,” explained Ericson. “Ultimately, every historical record indexed opens the door for a joyful, ancestral discovery for others that can strengthen family bonds around the world.”

Participants are encouraged to sign up and download the software before the worldwide event begins. To follow the progress, visit the FamilySearch website or Facebook event page. Those on social media are encouraged to use the hashtag #TheWorldsRecords.

FamilySearch, the largest genealogy organization in the world, is sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Thousands of volunteers have helped provide access to more than 1 billion records in the past decade. 

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