New Historical Records on FamilySearch: Week of February 4, 2019

FamilySearch added millions of new free historical records this week from France and England. Additional records were added from Australia, Russia, New York, Wales, and the BillionGraves Index.

Search these free new records and images by clicking on the collection links below, or go to FamilySearch to search over 8 billion free names and record images.

Country	Collection	Indexed Records	Digital Images	Comments
Australia	Australia, South Australia, Will and Probate Records	45,061	0	New indexed records collection
England	England, Hampshire Parish Registers, 1538-1980	2,071,150	0	New indexed records collection
France	France, Haut-Rhin, Civil Registration, 1792-1919	1,870,795	0	New indexed records collection
France	France, Vienne, Civil Registration, 1792-1913	2,191,179	0	New indexed records collection
Other	BillionGraves Index	121,880	121,880	Added indexed records and images to an existing collection
Russia	Russia, Samara Church Books 1748-1934	2,191	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	New York, Church and Civil Deaths, 1824-1962	40,923	0	New indexed records collection
Wales	Wales, Marriage Bonds, 1650-1900	26,747	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection

About FamilySearch

FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, 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 5,000 family history centers in 129 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Elder and Sister Bednar Speaking at Family Discovery Day 2019!

Elder and Sister Bednar to Speak at Family Discovery Day RootsTech is pleased to announce Elder and Sister Bednar as featured speakers at the popular Family Discovery Day, happening Saturday, March 2, 2019 at 9:30 A.M. MST. Family Discovery Day is a free one-day event for families and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Learn More In addition to hearing from Elder and Sister Bednar, you will: Experience the interactive expo hall, where families and friends can create a visual family tree, recreate family history photographs, and more. Attend a selection of classes designed to teach you how to find family names, prepare them for temple blessings, and teach others how to do the same. Enjoy fun, interactive activities for families and children of all ages geared to help you discover and celebrate family traditions. Invite your family, friends, ward, and stake to RootsTech Family Discovery Day 2019  As someone planning to attend Family Discovery Day 2019, we invite you to extend the invitation to your family, friends, ward, and stake to join you at an event that promises to inspire all who attend to discover, connect, and share family stories. Watch Live Online  For those unable to attend the live event, Elder and Sister Bednar’s remarks will be streamed live on the LDS.org homepage. You can join the live stream on Saturday, March 2, 2019 beginning at 9:30 A.M. MST.

FamilySearch Awarded Silver Anvil Honors for Historic Freedmen’s Bureau Project

You might say that 25,000 volunteers were silent recipients of a 2018 Silver Anvil Award for Integrated Communications when it was presented to FamilySearch International in New York City. The prestigious honor, which was bestowed by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), was given because of the supportive collaboration that led to the success of the Freedmen’s Bureau Project. 

Nearly 1.8 million African-American historical documents were indexed by the volunteers, resulting in searchable online records for those hoping to find long-lost ancestors.

The Freedmen’s Bureau Project was announced by FamilySearch International on June 19, 2015 in conjunction with Juneteenth and the 150^thanniversary of Emancipation Day. Through an unprecedented collaboration with the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS), the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), and the California African American Museum (CAAM) a grassroots effort was launched that unlocked invaluable, 150 year-old African-American records in the Freedmen’s Bureau. Previously, the microfilmed records of the original Freedmen’s Bureau records were only available to view at The National Archives and Records Administration or in a field office.

The online crowdsourcing initiative to transcribe historical documents was completed in 366 days—on June 20, 2016—with the help of civic, educational, and religious groups. At least 120 indexing events were held across the nation and in parts of Canada.

Congress established the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands in 1865. It assisted formerly enslaved individuals and thousands of impoverished Southern whites by providing food, clothing, medical care, legal representation and many other services. Offices were established in 15 southern and border states and the District of Columbia. Though the Bureau only operated until 1872, it provided handwritten records, including letters, labor contracts, lists of food rations issued, indentures of apprenticeship, marriage and hospital registers, and census lists.

The free FamilySearch online database allows researchers to locate individual names and access digital copies of original handwritten records. For many people, this will be a key to finding their own family history and a chance to build their own family trees.

“We want to help individuals overcome the brick wall of research,” said Thom Reed, Deputy Chief Genealogical Officer for FamilySearch International. “The indexing of these records allows many African-Americans to create a link to their Civil War-era ancestors for the first time. This effort brings to life the names of those who came before so we can honor their great legacy. The most rewarding part of the project has been seeing the benefits to the families.”

The PRSA Silver Anvil Awards, considered the “Oscar” of the communication industry, began in 1945. Each year, the organization has recognized the best public relations campaigns and the highest standards of performance in small businesses, Fortune 500 companies, not-for-profits, and major government agencies. The Silver Anvil Award is considered the most prestigious and iconic award in Communications.

RELATED:

• African American Freedmen’s Bureau Records
• FamilySearch Gives Historic Freedmen’s Bureau Database to National Museum of African American History and Culture

About FamilySearch

FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, 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 5,000 family history centers in 129 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Emmy Award-Winning Actress Patricia Heaton to Keynote RootsTech 2019

RootsTech is delighted to announce that actress Patricia Heaton will keynote at the conference on Thursday, February 28, 2019, in Salt Lake City. Heaton is best known for her role as Deborah Barone on the hit sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond (1996–2005) and more recently as Frankie Heck on The Middle (2009–2018).

Although Heaton has played many roles throughout her career, she is celebrated for her relatable and funny representation of what being a typical American wife and mother looks and feels like. If anyone knows personally and understands the crazy and sometimes complicated ins and outs of family life, it’s Heaton. As a wife for nearly 3 decades and a mother of 4 grown sons in real life, Heaton has had plenty of personal experience fueling her success in her iconic motherly roles.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Patricia to RootsTech,” said Jen Allen, event director. “Not only is she a celebrated actress who has personified the iconic American mother on television, but she’s also a wife and mother of 4 boys who understands and cherishes the role of family. Her message of faith, family, and supporting one another will resonate with the RootsTech audience.”

Heaton was born and raised in Bay Village, Ohio. She was the fourth of 5 children and spent much of her youth dreaming of musical theater. As a child she and her friends would memorize songs from popular musicals and act out the plays together at nearby parks. She has always had a lovely singing voice and as a child enjoyed being the center of attention.

Raised in a devout Catholic family, Heaton grew up saying grace, saying prayers and attending weekly Mass. Her father, Chuck Heaton, was a bit of a local celebrity, a respected sports writer that covered the Browns and other Cleveland teams for over 50 years. Heaton’s mother, also named Patricia, died unexpectedly at the age of 46 from a brain aneurysm when Heaton was just 12 years old. The loss was devastating, but in time Heaton found that participating in theater and singing ebbed the pain. She believes that although the loss of her mother was extremely difficult, it instilled in her an independence that has served her well in life and in her career.

Heaton attended Ohio State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in theater. Shortly thereafter she moved to New York to pursue her dream of becoming an actress. After 9 challenging years filled with acting classes, a number of small roles, and multiple odd jobs, she was ready for a fresh start and moved across the country to Los Angeles.

In Los Angeles she landed prominent acting roles, married David Hunt, and raised their family. She now believes that motherhood, and all the responsibility that came with it, only made her a better actress.

Heaton is also an author of two books. Her most recent, a recipe book, is Patricia Heaton’s Food for Family and Friends: 100 Favorite Recipes for a Busy, Happy Life, and her humorous collection of essays about life and family, published in 2003, is Motherhood and Hollywood: How to Get a Job Like Mine.

Heaton’s is a remarkable story of perseverance and ultimate success. With 18 successful sitcom seasons playing a wife and mother and many more seasons as an actual one, she has much to share about family and values. Join us at RootsTech 2019 to hear from one of the most recognized and beloved actresses in television. Learn more, or register at RootsTech.

About RootsTech

RootsTech, hosted by FamilySearch, is a global conference celebrating families across generations, where people of all ages are inspired to discover and share their memories and connections. This annual event has become the largest of its kind in the world, attracting tens of thousands of participants worldwide.