Mormon Genealogy Database

Computer Genealogy

If you are researching your family tree, you should look at a Mormon genealogy database as a possible source of information. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS), also known as the Mormons, has extensive family history information in a variety of databases. These are all available for free on the Internet.

Family Search

The main website for Mormon genealogy databases is Family Search. This is a large site with a great deal information for the advanced genealogist and the beginner alike. There are how-to guides, a library catalog for the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, and the Family History Archives, a database of historical books.

The research databases are the most helpful to genealogists. On the Family Search site, you can look for matches in three large family trees:

  • Ancestral File, a collection of pedigree charts and family trees submitted by volunteers
  • International Genealogical Index, a collection of records of millions of individuals. These records were submitted by LDS members.
  • Pedigree Resource File, a collection of family trees and charts submitted by individuals.

There are other sources on the Family Search site as well. You may search the 1880 U.S. Census, the 1881 British Isles Census and the 1881 Canadian Census. The Social Security Death Index, a listing of deceased individuals who registered with the U.S. Social Security Administration, is also available. The Vital Records Index has listings of deceased individuals in Mexico and Scandinavia.

Family Search Record Search

One of the most exciting projects of the LDS is the Record Search. A collection of databases for around the world, Record Search is constantly adding new collections to the list. The collections include:

  • Censuses for countries, states and U.S.
  • Marriages
  • Baptisms and births
  • Deaths
  • Military records
  • City and county records

The site is still under development and some databases are not complete. The site is very clear about which collections are finished and which are not. If you are interested in an incomplete one, you may want to check back later.

A unique feature of the Record Search is that many digital images of the records are available. You can view the actual image of your ancestor's death certificate or see his name on a census list. It's a good idea to view the image, as there may be some transcription errors. The image may also have more information than appears in the index listing.

Tips for Searching a Mormon Genealogy Database

  • Always look for a woman under her maiden and married names, especially in the volunteer submissions. While genealogists try to always use the maiden name for a woman, if that is unavailable they may list her under her married name.
  • Use a variety of search techniques. If you are not finding the listing you want, try searching by surname, date and location, omitting the first name.
  • The more information you enter into the fields, the more specific the results will be. Add parents names, dates and locations of birth and death to yield focus the results.
  • Image files can be saved to your computer. This is handy if you need to refer to the document again.