This is my "go-to" generic powerpoint when giving a presentation on FamilySearch.org. I modify and change it as needed for the specific audience.

1. FamilySearch:
Vision to Reality
National Archives Genealogy Fair
April 20 & 21, 2011
Presenter:
Carol Kostakos Petranek

2. What is FamilySearch?
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3. FamilySearch’s Mission
Enable a global community that
connects and preserves the family
of mankind
• To discover and preserve records
of genealogical significance.
• To introduce individuals to their
ancestors through the widespread
access of records.
• To collaborate with others who
share this vision.

4. Why Do We Do This?
• The family is an essential
part of our core values.
• Connecting with our
ancestors provides
perspective,
understanding and
strength.

5. Where we have been…

6. November 13, 1894
The beginning of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah
300 books in a second story room.

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9. Where we are going…

10. The Largest Genealogical Library in the World
2.4 million rolls of microfilmed records, plus books, maps and other resources from all over the world
Open to the public at no charge

11. FamilySearch.org: World’s Largest FREE Website
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12. 15 Billion Hits
1 Million Users
1998 digitization began 1 Billion Names
website created 1999

13. What Does FamilySearch Offer You?
 Digital Records Worldwide  Free Online Classes (150+)
 Family Trees  Blogs
 FHL Catalog  Facebook pages
– 2.5 M rolls microfilm; fiche  Twitter
– histories of families  Indexing
– county and local histories
 Wiki
– how-to books on genealogy
– genealogy magazines
 Online Research Guides
– periodicals  FamilySearch Forums
– gazetteers  Collaboration Tools
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14. Preservation
 Important for future
generations
 100 years experience
 Partner with archives,
libraries, national
repositories
 Leading edge digital
preservation

15. Granite Mountain Records Vault
• Permanent repository of 2.4 million rolls of microfilm
and other digital media
• 20 miles southeast of SLC in Little Cottonwood Canyon
• Storage chambers are under 700 feet of stone

16. Inside the Vault
• storage facility for microfilm & digital media
• 700 feet underground
• 6 chambers, temp + humidity ideal for storage
• can withstand nuclear blast

17. Let’s Take A Tour Inside
the Granite Mountain Vault
video
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18. Changing Research Techniques
 Traditional  Technological
– Paper forms – Genealogy software
– Microfilm & fiche – Digitized original records
– Writing query letters – Email, smartphones, iPads
– Research trips – Online searches
– Mailing charts & info – Upload tree to website
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19. Technology: Find Us Online!
 Websites
 Twitter
 Facebook
 Blogs
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20. FamilySearch.org
The largest free genealogy website in the world
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21. Let’s Take A Tour…
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22. Digital Image of Original Record
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25. www.familysearch.org
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26. FamilySearch Wiki
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27. The FamilySearch Research Wiki is where you can:
Learn How to Research
• Find out what historical records are available in
localities around the world and how to access
them
• Learn research strategies to help you know
how to research your family
Share Your Knowledge
• Share your knowledge about the best ways to
do family history research
• Store great research tips you learn about but may
not be ready to use yet
• Collaborate with others to create a comprehensive
tool for research guidance
wiki.familysearch.org
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28. A Sample Wiki Page
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30. Free Online Research Courses at FamilySearch.org
familysearch.org/learn
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31. Over 150 Online Classes – Free!
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35. 4,700 Family History Centers Worldwide
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36. Available at Family History Centers
Subscription websites free for patron use:
– Ancestry.com (institution) – The Genealogist
– Footnote.com – Historic Map Works
– World Vital Records – 19th Century British Library
– Godfrey Memorial Library Newspaper Digital Archive
– Genlines.com World Vital Records
– FindMyPast.uk – Alexander Street Press
(Civil War)
– Family History Link
– Heritage Quest
PLUS: Family History Library Favorites (over 13,000 links)
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37. Indexing: A Way to Give Back
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38. If you need help… online assistance 24/7
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39. Blogs: FamilySearch
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40. Facebook: FamilySearch.org
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41. Facebook: FamilySearch Wiki
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42. Facebook: FamilySearch Indexing
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43. Facebook: FamilySearch
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44. Twitter: @fs.news
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45. Twitter: @RecordsWiki
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46. Twitter: #familysearch
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47. Twitter: @FSConnect
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48. http://familytech.familysearch.org
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49. Global Access
 FamilySearch.org
– 1 Million Registered
Users
– 50,000 Users daily
 4,700 FamilySearch
Centers Worldwide
 Blogs, Facebook,
Twitter, Websites

50. Find us online at www.familysearch.org
and at your
Local Family History Center