FamilySearch Helps Connect Communities and Families in Birmingham
Inspiring people everywhere to connect with their family across generations is a hallmark of FamilySearch and genealogical societies around the world.
With the encouragement of Sharon Hintze, FamilySearch specialist in London, Midland Ancestors invited volunteer missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to give a presentation to their staff about FamilySearch. Midland Ancestors is a three-county genealogical organisation in Birmingham.
Phil Lamb, chairman of Midland Ancestors, wanted staff to be knowledgeable about the different features of FamilySearch so they could better help their patrons.
Elder Dan Hull and Sister Martha Hull volunteered their time teaching two-hour classes on Saturdays in February and completed an additional six hours of instruction in March. The classes were so well-received that several requests were made to present to the subchapters of Midland Ancestors. The Hulls recently gave a presentation on FamilySearch in Wolverhampton.
Caroline, a FamilySearch class participant, thought she had seen everything available regarding her grandparents, seven generations back.
She said, “Thank you for all the great training you gave us in February and March. I have had my own personal triumph using FamilySearch. Because I could sit in our centre and browse at leisure, thanks to FamilySearch, I was able to find more about my grandparents, seven generations back from me.”
Phil Lamb expressed his gratitude for the classes. He said, “Our library volunteers will now be so much more confident when they have visitors to our facility in Birmingham. We will now be able to all make better use of the website which adds so much to what we offer in our family history centre.”
Nancy, of the Wolverhampton class, said, “Many thanks to you for the very informative session tonight on the FamilySearch database. Following this [presentation], I now feel more confident in using the site.”
The Church provides FamilySearch free of charge to everyone, regardless of tradition, culture, or religious affiliation. FamilySearch resources help millions of people around the world discover their heritage and connect with family members.