Families share an enduring bond that reaches across the generations. FamilySearch can help you trace your ancestors with an expert network across Australia and New Zealand.
Many dedicated genealogists would be familiar with FamilySearch and no doubt have spent many hours searching its website for elusive ancestors. There are millions of records and databases available online, but did you know there are also many FamilySearch Centres located throughout Australia and New Zealand? Each offers an immense variety of resources to patrons, from rare publications to microfilm from the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The FamilySearch network in Australia alone incorporates more than 147 centres and 47 affiliate libraries. This network enables FamilySearch to provide community members with greater access to resources and services that may not have been otherwise achievable.
All centres are staffed by dedicated volunteers who are often experts in local history and researching techniques, providing a valuable resource to those seeking to build their family tree.
Why venture into a family history centre?
There are three very good reasons — genealogical resources, free classes, and research support! Some of the resources on offer at each Centre include free access to:
- The British Newspaper Archive
- Ancestry.com.au
- findmypast
- NewspaperArchive.com
- World Vital Records
- American Civil War records including indexed information on 4 million soldiers and 100,000 pages of diaries and letters
- ArkivDigital Online, the largest private provider of Swedish Church Records
- The Genealogist, offering English parish and census records, directories and more
- Historical publications and donated family histories relevant to each Centre.
Larger Centres offer free classes on both FamilySearch products and specialist topics. These classes may help you hone your research skills about a specific country, website or record type. While FamilySearch tutorials can be accessed from your own home, you can visit a Centre to discuss which of the courses may be of most relevance to you.
What is an affiliate library?
FamilySearch has formed affiliate relationships with many family history groups and libraries. These provide benefits to both parties in the form of increased support, exposure, and resources. Societies and libraries wishing to join the affiliate program can submit an expression of interest by emailing fh-aus[at]familysearch.org.
Ready to get started?
A list of all FamilySearch Centres can be found at www.familysearch.org. Many centres operate on an appointment basis so it’s always wise to phone ahead.
