FamilySearch is one of the largest, and most popular, genealogy websites. Many people use it because it doesn’t charge a membership or subscription fee. One of the best things about it is that it is able to frequently update the resources that it can offer to genealogists. Here is some of what’s new at FamilySearch this week.
FamilySearch has been working on a project called the Massachusetts Wiki Project. They recently added a major content update to the Plymouth County, Massachusetts page. There have also been twenty-seven Plymouth County town pages added. Genealogists can find vital records, a history of the town or county, historical events, boundary changes, and information about churches, cemeteries, newspapers, local libraries and historical societies that existed there.
Recently, FamilySearch had a live webinar that was presented by Robert Kehrer. Their original attempt to post it for people to view through FamilySearch didn’t work out, due to some technical difficulties with the audio. They have now re-recorded it, and made it available. It is the first in a series of upcoming webinars.
FamilySearch held a Family History Workshop for the Deaf. It had about 120 people with hearing disabilities in attendance. The workshop was held from June 20 to June 24, 2012, and was said to be a great success. They hold a family history workshop for the deaf every other year.
There is now a FamilySearch Google + page. They recently held a Google hangout there. They have created a blog post that explains how to attend upcoming FamilySearch Google + hangouts. Those that missed the event can check it out at the FamilySearch YouTube page.
On June 28, 2012, FamilySearch did an update of their 1940 US Census Index Report. They have added 5 more states to the list of states that have been completed and are ready for genealogists to search through them. Those states are: California, Iowa, Missouri, New Mexico, and Washington. They have now completed a total of 29 states.
A total of 105,522,592 names have been indexed and arbitrated. The 1940 United States Census is now 75% indexed and arbitrated. A total of 143,086 indexers have helped with this project.
What will all those volunteers do after the 1940 Census is all indexed and completed? FamilySearch has another indexing project planned. Next, they will start to index the US Immigration and Naturalization Records. They are also asking for volunteers that speak Italian to help them with their partnership with the National Archives of Italy.
Image by Lio-photo on Flickr