FamilySearch a Great Success at Argentina Book Fair

The Buenos Aires Argentina International Book Fair, one of the most important literary events in the Spanish-speaking world, witnessed the standout success of FamilySearch’s stand this year. For the second year in a row, during the event’s 48th version, held between April 25 and May 13, FamilySearch attracted over 50,000 visitors interested in genealogy and family history.

Interest and Massive Participation

FamilySearch’s stand was a highlight at the event due to its capacity to attract a wide array of individuals — from curious young men and women interested in their roots, to seasoned genealogical researchers. With its strategic location at one of the fair’s main pavilions, FamilySearch offered attendees the opportunity to discover and explore their family trees, access historical records and receive personalized attention from one of the over 370 volunteers tending to the stand. 

Carlos Cantero, FamilySearch manager for the South America South Area, commented, “The impact that this event has is impressive, not only on the over 50,000 attendees that visited us, where many of them left with tears of joy, having found connections to their family through new data and even historical photographs, but also as a result of the volunteers that donated so many hours of their time as well as their talent to serve others.”

A Journey Through Time

The emblematic attraction “Your Grandparents’ Ship” made a comeback at the fair, taking attendees on a journey through time, allowing them to dress up with clothing that their ancestors would have used upon arrival to the country by boat, being able to then take pictures to relive the experience fully. 

“At this fair, we are presenting the collection of entry records for passengers arriving to Argentina, and which was digitalized in full, having closed an agreement with the National General Archive,” said Pablo Schpilman, FamilySearch’s Engagement Manager for the South America South Area.

Workshops and Conferences

FamilySearch also held a series of workshops and conferences that covered various topics. With the participation of local and international experts, practical advice was offered throughout the conferences on how to utilize FamilySearch’s digital tools and preserve family history for future generations. Furthermore, classes on the importance of getting to know our roots and how to obtain Italian and Spanish citizenship were provided.

Collaborations and Future Projects

During the fair, FamilySearch announced several strategic collaborations with institutions to expand accessibility as well as digitalization of historical records within the region. Said relationships have been established with the promise of opening new possibilities for researchers and will contribute to the knowledge and preservation of the area’s cultural heritage.

A Lasting Impact

The standout success of FamilySearch’s stand at the 2024 Buenos Aires International Book Fair is not only measured based on number of visitors, but also by the lasting impact that the experience had on the community. The media, influencers, government officials, Church and NGO representatives, all attended to get to know FamilySearch more fully, making surprising discoveries for themselves and their own families. 

As more people are inspired by discovering and documenting their family histories, FamilySearch continues to contribute to and strengthen family ties and preserve the cultural legacy for future generations.