In the News
'Around the World in a Day: Let Your Fingers Do the Searching'
More than 400 amateur to professional genealogists from nine states descended on Delaware's lone LDS stake center on Aug. 1 for a family history event, "Around the World in a Day: Let Your Fingers Do the Searching." The event, presented by the Wilmington Delaware Stake, was free and open to the public.
"We are thrilled with the tremendous response we received," said event cochairman, Andrea Osinchak of the Christiana Ward. "Genealogy is a very popular activity, and we're pleased that we could bring in top-notch keynote speakers for the community to enjoy."
The event was a first for the First State's only stake, which also takes in parts of Maryland and Pennsylvania. Many stake members assisted as volunteers for the event, setting up, serving as hosts and hostesses, providing items for exhibits, shuttling attendees to and from overflow parking, handling extensive computer equipment, making international foods, and decorating cultural rooms.
Service projects, which will allow others to access information about their ancestors online, were also part of the day. An exhibit from the University of Salisbury in Maryland gave attendees the opportunity to scan newspaper obituaries that will eventually be posted online.
Attendees were also invited to participate in FamilySearch's online indexing project, transcribing records that will become part of FamilySearch.org. Some 350 records had been transcribed and submitted by the close of the conference, and many attendees signed up to continue indexing at home.
In addition to several classes offered at "A Family History Event," attendees explored more than 25 interactive exhibits and cultural rooms, featuring online genealogical resources and research tools for various areas of the world. They enjoyed sampling international foods in each cultural room, and were often greeted by exhibitors wearing clothing representative of the region.
"The theme of the event was 'Around the World in a Day: Let Your Fingers Do the Searching,'" said Sister Osinchak. "As our attendees 'traveled' through each decorated cultural room, they had a feeling of having circled the globe in a day, as they learned about the vast resources that can be accessed online, at your own computer, in your own home. Even our handouts are 'virtual.' Rather than having paper handouts at the conference, information and resources from each exhibit will be posted online in mid-August, at www.afamilyhistoryevent.org, so that our attendees, and genealogical enthusiasts everywhere, can use them."
Over 400 Attend "A Family History Event" in Newark
Hundreds of amateur to professional genealogists, from nine states, descended on Delaware last Saturday to attend "A Family History Event" presented by the Wilmington Delaware Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) at their meetinghouse in Newark.
The event was free and open to the public.
"We are thrilled with the tremendous response we received," said event co-chair, Andrea Osinchak, "Genealogy is a very popular activity, and we're pleased that we could bring in top-notch keynote speakers for the community to enjoy. Daniel Lynch gave us research tips from his award-winning book, 'Google Your Family Tree.' Paul Smart and Paul Nauta represented FamilySearch.org, one of the most heavily used genealogy sites on the Internet."
Earlier this year, Osinchak, a professional genealogist, presented Ruth Ann Minner, then-Governor of Delaware, with a family history which she had compiled at the request of local Mormon leaders.
Just a few weeks ago, Church president Thomas S. Monson visited President Barack Obama at the White House and presented him with five large, leather-bound volumes that detail his family history going back multiple generations, covering hundreds of years.
"Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are encouraged to research their family histories and to keep a record of their own lives," according to Flora McConkie, director of public affairs for the Church in Delaware. "We believe that families are central to our lives and that those relationships are eternal. All family members—those living, those past, and those future—share an enduring bond that reaches across the generations."
W. Wynn John presides over the Wilmington Delaware Stake, a geographic area, similar to a diocese, which includes 15 congregations scattered throughout Delaware and parts of Maryland, and almost 5,000 members. Many of those members assisted as volunteers for Saturday's event, the first of its kind in Delaware.
"For over 100 years," said John, "the Church has gathered and preserved genealogical records wherever we can find them. The work is often done by volunteers, and is made available, free of charge, to those who are interested in researching their families. We have 4,500 Family History Centers in 70 countries, three of which are in Delaware, as well as the FamilySearch.org website. Interest in family history is not limited by culture, ethnicity, or religion, and we welcome all who wish to discover more about their family and their heritage to use our resources."
Service projects, which will allow others to access information about their ancestors online, were also part of the day. An exhibit from Maryland's University of Salisbury gave attendees the opportunity to scan newspaper obituaries which will eventually be posted online.
Attendees were also invited to participate in FamilySearch's online indexing project, transcribing records that will soon be available, without charge, at FamilySearch.org. Some 350 records were transcribed and submitted during "A Family History Event."
In addition to several classes offered at "A Family History Event," attendees explored over 25 interactive exhibits and cultural rooms, featuring online genealogical resources and research tools for various areas of the world. They enjoyed sampling international foods in each cultural room, and were often greeted by exhibitors wearing clothing representative of the region.
"The theme of the event was 'Around the World in a Day: Let Your Fingers Do the Searching,'" said Osinchak, "As our attendees 'traveled' through each decorated cultural room, they had a feeling of having circled the globe in a day, as they learned about the vast resources that can be accessed online, at your own computer, in your own home. Even our handouts are 'virtual.' Rather than having paper handouts at the conference, information and resources from each exhibit will be posted online in mid-August, at wwww.afamilyhistoryevent.org, so that our attendees, and genealogical enthusiasts everywhere, can use them."
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invites the community to visit one of their Family History Centers in Delaware; please call for hours of operation:
Families flock to Newark to find their roots in Mormon genealogy event
Hundreds of amateur and professional genealogists from nine states, descended on Delaware last Saturday to attend "A Family History Event" presented by the Wilmington Delaware Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at their meetinghouse in Newark.
Event organizers were thrilled with the turnout at the first of its kind event in Delaware.
About 400 people came to see interactive exhibits and cultural rooms featuring online genealogical resources and research tools, enjoy a world of regional food and dress, and hear experts like Daniel Lynch dole out advice on searching for family roots.
Lynch gave research tips from his award-winning book, “Google Your Family Tree,” said event co-chairwoman Andrea Osinchak. Paul Smart and Paul Nauta represented FamilySearch.org, one of the most heavily used genealogy sites on the Internet.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are encouraged to research their genealogy and to keep a record of their own lives, said Flora McConkie, director of public affairs for the Delaware church.
"We believe that families are central to our lives and that those relationships are eternal,” she said.
They enjoy sharing the gift with others.
A few weeks ago, church President Thomas S. Monson visited President Obama at the White House and presented him with five large, leather-bound volumes that detail his family history going back hundreds of years. Earlier this year, Osinchak, a professional genealogist, presented then-governor Ruth Ann Minner with a family history which she had compiled at the request of local Mormon leaders.
Attendees were also invited to participate in FamilySearch's online indexing project, transcribing records that will soon be available, without charge, at FamilySearch.org. Some 350 records were transcribed and submitted during the event.
W. Wynn John presides over the Wilmington Delaware Stake, a geographic area, similar to a diocese, which includes 15 congregations scattered throughout Delaware and parts of Maryland. The state has 5,000 members. Many of those members served as volunteers for the event.
Family History Presented to President Barack Obama by Church President Thomas S. Monson
Hundreds of amateur and professional genealogists from nine states, descended on Delaware last Saturday to attend "A Family History Event" presented by the Wilmington Delaware Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at their meetinghouse in Newark.
Event organizers were thrilled with the turnout at the first of its kind event in Delaware.
About 400 people came to see interactive exhibits and cultural rooms featuring online genealogical resources and research tools, enjoy a world of regional food and dress, and hear experts like Daniel Lynch dole out advice on searching for family roots.
Lynch gave research tips from his award-winning book, “Google Your Family Tree,” said event co-chairwoman Andrea Osinchak. Paul Smart and Paul Nauta represented FamilySearch.org, one of the most heavily used genealogy sites on the Internet.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are encouraged to research their genealogy and to keep a record of their own lives, said Flora McConkie, director of public affairs for the Delaware church.
"We believe that families are central to our lives and that those relationships are eternal,” she said.
They enjoy sharing the gift with others.
A few weeks ago, church President Thomas S. Monson visited President Obama at the White House and presented him with five large, leather-bound volumes that detail his family history going back hundreds of years. Earlier this year, Osinchak, a professional genealogist, presented then-governor Ruth Ann Minner with a family history which she had compiled at the request of local Mormon leaders.
Attendees were also invited to participate in FamilySearch's online indexing project, transcribing records that will soon be available, without charge, at FamilySearch.org. Some 350 records were transcribed and submitted during the event.
W. Wynn John presides over the Wilmington Delaware Stake, a geographic area, similar to a diocese, which includes 15 congregations scattered throughout Delaware and parts of Maryland. The state has 5,000 members. Many of those members served as volunteers for the event.
President Monson said: “President Obama’s heritage is rich with examples of leadership, sacrifice and service. We were very pleased to research his family history and are honored to present it to him today.”
Elder Oaks, who oversees the Church’s family history program, said, “The Church has great resources and experience in genealogy work, and we are proud to have researched such a unique and impressive family history.”
“I thank President Monson and Elder Oaks for sharing our religion’s tradition of genealogical research with the president and his family,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. “I am also glad that President Obama and Elder Oaks had an opportunity to discuss their shared passion of the law. Recognizing the president and first lady's deep regard for family, I am honored that our church can have any part in documenting their family history.”
The Church has also presented personal histories to other U.S. presidents, including Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.