FamilySearch Collections Climb to 2 Billion Records

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This is one of those things that I heard about a while ago but could not really write about until the official announcement. How does this compare to the other large online record websites? Nobody really knows. The main reason, as I have written about quite a few times in the past, is that every one of the websites count their records differently. The meaning of the word "record," "individuals," "collections" and so forth change so the actual size of the numbers depends on the definition. This said, having 2 billion of anything is a huge number. In this case, an individual record on the FamilySearch.org website is probably a single digital image which can have dozens or even hundreds of names.

This news release explains another observation that I wrote about some time ago. Here is a quote.

The digital image only collections can be viewed at FamilySearch in three points of access:

• The catalog includes a description of all microfilms and digital images in FamilySearch images. New images from field operations or digitized microfilms are added daily.
• Historical records include collections that have searchable name databases or some waypoints to help in browsing unindexed images.
• Books include digital copies of local histories and published genealogies from the FamilySearch Family History Library in Salt Lake City and other affiliate libraries. This includes many books that were previously preserved on microfilm.

Remember, if you want to see all of the records, you need to find them in the Catalog.

Here is the complete text of the News Release.

Salt Lake City, Utah (23 April 2018), In your quest to discover your family history it might be time to take another look at FamilySearch’s online offerings. The genealogy giant’s free online databases of digitized historical documents have now surpassed 2 billion images of genealogy records with millions more being added weekly from countries around the world. Nonprofit FamilySearch, a global leader in historical genealogy records preservation and access, announced the milestone today.

Last September FamilySearch transitioned from its microfilm circulation services to a new digital model that makes its massive genealogical records collections more broadly and readily accessible online (See UPDATE: FamilySearch Digital Records Access Replacing Microfilm). Today’s announcement reinforces its continuing commitment to grow online genealogy resources. FamilySearch currently adds over 300 million new images a year online from its microfilm to digital and field operations efforts.

The free genealogy records include censuses, birth, marriage, death, court, immigration and other document types that are invaluable for individuals to make personal family history discoveries and connections. A host of online volunteers (See FamilySearch Indexing), partners, and emerging technologies help to eventually create searchable name indexes to the images, but in the meantime, images (digital photos) can be browsed and saved. 

The digital image only collections can be viewed at FamilySearch in three points of access:

• The catalog includes a description of all microfilms and digital images in FamilySearch images. New images from field operations or digitized microfilms are added daily.
• Historical records include collections that have searchable name databases or some waypoints to help in browsing unindexed images.
• Books include digital copies of local histories and published genealogies from the FamilySearch Family History Library in Salt Lake City and other affiliate libraries. This includes many books that were previously preserved on microfilm.

FamilySearch traces its preservation work to 1938 when its forerunner, the Genealogical Society of Utah, began microfilming historical genealogy documents. Eighty years later, the preservation science has changed from microfilming to digital preservation which creates convenient access to anyone with an internet connection. Today, FamilySearch has over 300 mobile digitization teams with specialized cameras, filming genealogy documents on location from archives worldwide. It also partners with libraries and societies to digitize their historical books and other relevant publications. 

FamilySearch has billions more indexed records that are searchable by name online, and robust, free collaborative Family Tree and Memories features and mobile apps. To explore its records and images and these services, simply create a free account and start searching. 

See also FamilySearch’s Strategy to Help Preserve the World's Archives