“Family History Product Update,” Ensign, Feb. 2000, 79–80
Family History Product Update
FamilySearch™ Internet Genealogy Service
Recently 240 million new names were added to the Church’s FamilySearch Internet Genealogy Service located at www.familysearch.org. Users of FamilySearch can now access more than 640 million total entries. The new addition represents data gathered mainly from Europe, Scandinavia, and Mexico.
Other improvements have recently been made to the Web site. Searching capabilities for specific events, dates, and places have been improved. More information and links are available to help identify sources for entries found on the International Genealogical Index.
In addition, FamilySearch users can now download GEDCOM files from Ancestral File or the International Genealogical Index to add to their individual family history database. (GEDCOM is a genealogy file format recognized by most computers.) This new capability allows a user to download information from FamilySearch directly to a computer drive or floppy disk, whereas previously a user could only print the information.
Personal Ancestral File 4.0
Personal Ancestral File 4.0 is a software program that allows individuals to organize their family history information and identify names to take to the temple. Since PAF 4.0 was made available last summer for free on the Internet, more than 300,000 people have downloaded it from the Church’s FamilySearch site. The program is also available on compact disc for $5.00 (U.S., item no. 77062000) from Church distribution outlets.
Late in 1999 a Spanish version of Personal Ancestral File was released, and the program will soon be available in French, German, and Portuguese. All language versions will be available for free download from FamilySearch Internet and on compact disc for $5.00 (U.S.).
Pedigree Resource File
Pedigree Resource File is a new lineage-linked database on compact disc. It contains family history records submitted by individuals through FamilySearch at the rate of about 1.2 million names per month.
On Pedigree Resource File discs, family information is organized in family groups and pedigrees similar to the Ancestral File format. However, Pedigree Resource File displays each submitter’s information exactly as it was submitted, not combined with information from other submitters. Notes and sources can also be included.
Each Pedigree Resource File disc contains over one million names. A new compact disc is published whenever enough information has been submitted to fill the disc. With the publication of every five discs, a master index for those discs is packaged with that set. Discs may be purchased individually or as sets. Eventually a master index for all Pedigree Resource File discs will be maintained on FamilySearch Internet.
Pedigree Resource File is available for $5.00 (U.S.) per compact disc or $15.00 (U.S.) per five-disc set and index through local Church distribution outlets. It can also be ordered through FamilySearch Internet.
The Church’s FamilySearch Web site offers access to more than 640 million names and new flexibility in downloading information.
Family history names and software are available on several new CDs.