Well, It’s that time of year again when the world comes together to celebrate our Olympians as they compete to leave their mark in the history books. We watch in awe as they break world records and do so in the name of their families and countries.
How cool would it be to participate in an Olympic event? How fun would it be to have your name remembered overtime? Well, we might not all be talented enough to compete in the Olympic arena, but there are other ways we can be champions this month and it doesn’t even require that much effort!
From July 15-17, FamilySearch International will sponsor the third annual “Worldwide Indexing Event,” bringing 72,000 people from around the globe together online during a 72-hour event to save the world’s records by making them searchable to the public.
So what is indexing? For many years, volunteers from around the world have visited their local courthouses and scanned billions of historical document images to FamilySearch databases. These documents include census records, marriage licenses, birth and death certificates, military and property records, and other important records archived by local, state, and national governments.
Indexing is when you take those scanned images and transcribe using the FamilySearch software, making family record easily available online.
The software is so easy to download. You can find it here at https://familysearch.org/indexing/get-started-indexer. Follow the instructions and learn how to download your first batch of scanned images and start indexing!
You have a great opportunity to help people discover their family roots and maybe even connect the missing pieces of your own family tree. Within minutes, you can save the world’s historic records and reunite family members who might have been lost in dusty court archives. Each and every one of us has a rich history that needs to be protected and preserved.
By now, you know how to index, where to get the software, and how BIG of a difference you can make. We set aside 72-hours for you to join thousands of others and save the worlds historic family records. We need your help! Join the movement!
Volunteers have made over one billion historic records searchable online since FamilySearch introduced online indexing in 2006. The demand for indexed records continues to grow as millions of historical records worldwide are added every year.
Remember, every successful online family history search depends on records indexed by volunteers. Without you, this would not be possible.
To join your 72,000 teammates in saving the World’s records, visit https://familysearch.org/worldsrecords.
FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. It is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,921 family history centers in 129 countries.
