Press Releases

SALT LAKE CITY, July 31 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time, the fully searchable 1880 U.S. Census index is now linked with digital images of the original census documents. An agreement between MyFamily.com, Inc., the largest collection of genealogical records online, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which through FamilySearch(TM) manages the largest repository of genealogical records from around the world, allows researchers to more easily search for their ancestors who were living in the United States in 1880. The 1880 U.S. Census index and images can be accessed at both http://www.ancestry.com and http://www.familysearch.org.

By simply entering an ancestor's name, users can quickly search the 50,475,366 inhabitants of the 38 states and eight territories of the United States, as they existed in 1880. The names of those individuals listed on the population schedules at the time are now linked to the actual online images of the 1880 U.S. Census. The value of viewing the original image is that it will provide additional information on individuals and their households in June 1880.

Prior to the merger of these two technologies, users could search the online census index at FamilySearch.org, or they could browse the digital images available at Ancestry.com. "Integrating the online index with the actual images online allows users to search the census and go right to an image of the original source online for viewing or printing," said Glade I. Nelson, director of the Church's Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

"Bringing these resources together greatly enhances the user experience by making locating ancestors and the detailed information about those individuals more easily accessible -- at the touch of a button," said Andre Brummer, senior vice-president of products for MyFamily.com. "The 1880 U.S. Census has a far-reaching impact on family history research in the U.S., because it opens access to a highly significant source of information for all families in all parts of the U.S. in 1880. Because the 1890 census was destroyed by fire, there is no other federal source like this for 20 years. It makes the 1880 U.S. Census of tremendous value."

Benefits of This Agreement for Genealogical Researchers:

-- The 1880 U.S. Census index can be searched for free at both http://www.ancestry.com and http://www.familysearch.org.
-- The digital images of the original census documents are available at Ancestry.com and can now also be accessed from Familysearch.org.
-- Patrons of The Church's Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, and any of its 4,000-plus family history centers worldwide can view the images at no charge.
-- Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who sign on or register as members through FamilySearch.org can also view the images at no charge. Other users through FamilySearch.org can have access to the images for 30 days for a fee of $9.95.

The integration of the automated census index with the actual images online is the first step in ongoing discussions between MyFamily.com and FamilySearch. The two entities are currently reviewing other possible mutual projects.

About MyFamily.com, Inc.
MyFamily.com, Inc. is among the largest online subscription businesses, with over one million paid subscriptions and more than 10 million people using its Web resources every month. An interactive media company, MyFamily.com connects families with their histories and one another. The company enriches the lives of its customers by providing the tools, content and community that empower them to find the people most important to them and share their unique family stories. The MyFamily network of Internet properties includes MyFamily.com, Ancestry.com, Genealogy.com, and RootsWeb.com. The company also publishes Family Tree Maker, the #1 selling family tree software, Ancestry Magazine, Genealogical Computing magazine, over 50 book titles, and numerous databases on CD-ROM.

About FamilySearch
FamilySearch, which is managed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is a nonprofit, international organization committed to producing high-quality products for the family historian that simplify the process of identifying ancestors and linking them to families. It maintains the world's largest repository of genealogical resources, with vital records from over 110 countries, territories, and possessions, and one of the top Internet sites (http://www.familysearch.org). To promote local family history research, FamilySearch maintains the Family History Library in Salt Lake City and over 4,000 branches of the library (family history centers) in more than 70 countries.