User:GreenwoodKL/FamilySearch International

FamilySearch International, historically known as the Genealogical Society of Utah (GSU), was established in 1894 and is the corporate name for the Family History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), from which it receives its entire funding. An incorporated, nonprofit educational organization, it is operated by thousands of volunteers.

The department's research facility, the Family History Library, which has developed the most extensive genealogical record-gathering program in the world, was established to assist in tracing family lineages for special religious ceremonies that Mormons believe seal family units together for eternity. According to Mormons, this fulfills a Biblical prophecy stating that the prophet Elijah would return to "turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers."

Operations
The central office of the GSU is the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, where hundreds of GSU volunteers help inquiring researchers.

The Society also maintains archives and digital images of records obtained from around the world. It began microfilming records in 1938, eventually microfilming sources of family history from over 100 nations. In 1998, the GSU began digital imaging of records.

The GSU and Family History Library are responsible for the FamilySearch Internet website, which facilitates online family history and genealogy research at no charge.

History
In 1975, the GSU became the Genealogical Department of the LDS Church, which later became the Family History Department. At that time, its head officer was renamed President from Executive Director, starting during Theodore M. Burton's term. However, the title "President of the Genealogical Society of Utah" and other GSU titles were still used and bestowed upon department officers.

In 2000, the LDS Church consolidated its Family History and Historical departments into the Family and Church History Department, and Richard E. Turley, Jr. became managing director of the new department and president of the GSU. This broke with tradition, since the President of the GSU was no longer the department's executive director or a General Authority of the LDS Church.

Selected Publications

 * The Church Genealogical Archive
 * Lessons in genealogy (1912)
 * Handbook for Genealogy and Temple Work (1924, 1949)
 * Church Service on Genealogical Committees: Course for Senior and Junior Classes for 1935 (1935)
 * Methods of Tracing Pedigrees (1936)
 * A Book of Remembrance : A Lesson Book for First Year Junior Genealogical Classes (1936)
 * Teaching One Another: Study Course for Senior Genealogical Classes, 1939-40 (1938)
 * A Guide for Genealogical Research (1951)
 * Ten Basic Steps in Genealogy (1963)
 * Genealogical Observer (1964-1972)
 * World Conference on Records and Genealogical Seminar (11 vols. 1969)
 * Records Protection in an Uncertain World (1975)
 * Preserving the Past for the Future (1976)
 * From You to Your Ancestors (1978)
 * Microphotographers manual (1978)
 * Preservando la historia genealógica
 * World Conference on Records: Preserving Our Heritage (12-15 August 1980) (13 vols. no publishing date)
 * Branch Genealogical Libraries Memorandum (later Family History Centers Memorandum) (December 1981 - )
 * Branch Genealogical Library Operational Manual (January 1983)
 * A Guide to Micrographics (1984)
 * Preserving the past (1986)
 * Come unto Christ through Temple Ordinances and Covenants (1987)
 * Submitting Names for Temple Ordinances (1987/1988)
 * Providing Temple Ordinances for Our Ancestors (1987/1988)
 * News of the Family History Library (August 1989 - ?)
 * Temple and Family History Leadership Handbook (1992/1993)
 * A Members Guide to Temple and Family History Work: Ordinances and Covenants (1993)