HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invited the community to come and learn about genealogy and how to track down their family history.
Members from the FamilySearch Center say getting started is super easy, and one way you can begin is by downloading the FamilySearch Tree app.
“Start by making a free FamilySearch account. You put in what you know, it doesn’t even have to be complete information, you put in what you know,” said Heidi Thompson, director of the FamilySearch Center.
“When you get to the level of deceased relatives, the FamilySearch will search for them to see if they’re already in the system.”
Linda Jackson, a family history consultant, says you can also get started by asking questions to any relatives you have around you.
“Love your people, and want to find out more,” she said. “Talk to your parents if your parents are living, or living aunts and uncles, cousins, and all kinds of people. Write letters, visit places that they lived to get interested.”
Louvirdia Clark is a member of the church, and she says that she did not know anything about her family history, and she didn’t have the desire to.
However, with the help of the FamilySearch Center, she was able to track down generations of family members that she never knew about, and now she is thankful.
“I’m grateful for this program at our church,” she said. “This class has helped me to know about all four of my generations. I’ve learned who my grandparents was, my great-great grandparents, and it has been a joy.”
The FamilySearch Center says if anyone needs assistance in getting started, the center is open throughout the week, and appointments are available.
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