>Hi All, This came in on another list so thought I would send it on. It >is via somebody connected to the church and had attended a meeting, so >this should clear up a few points and save you constantly trying to get >the site at the moment. Please pass this information on to other researchers. Of the three major files available for search at the Family History >Centers, ANCESTRAL FILE, the INTERNATIONAL GENALOGICAL INDEX, and the >FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY CATALOG. > >Only the FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY CATALOG will be available online. It >will be the most current version, more current than any library now has >in it's possession. Basically the FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY CATALOG is a >complete listing of every record in the possession of the Mormon >libraries located anywhere in the world. You can search these records >several ways. Locality, surname, film/fiche number/and author. By >finding out what is available you can then decide whether you might like >to order the kinformation. Not everything is available for order. Many >living people do not allow their books to be microfilmed. However, a >library in your area may have the book listed. You can find that out >through the catalogue. > >The ANCESTRAL FILE is basically no different than the disks sold by >Family Tree Maker containing ancestor charts. The info on these charts >can be submitted by anyone whither or not they are a member of the >church. > >The INTERNATIONAL GENEALOGICAL INDEX information can only be submitted >by members. It consists of Individual data that lists birthdates, place >of birth and parents. There is a marriage index that gives date and >place of marriage. And lastly a parent index which lists all >children in a particular family. The info is obviously only as good as >the person who submitted it to the file. We tell people to use the data >as a starting point only and NOT to take it as the absolute proof. When >anything is submitted to ancestral file, you can automatically find out >who submitted it by hitting a source key. The persons name and address >will be shown. The same is not true for the IGI. You need to order the >microfilm in order to find out who the submitter was. The church is >currently working very hard at extracting as much information as >possible from original records. It is an ongoing process that is checked >and double checked for accuracy. As the data becomes available it is >distributed to the libraries, once again at no charge to patrons. >Neither of these files are going to be released online, at least not at >this time. > >Just when will it go online?? Good question. We were told "sometime in >March." So it could be online as early as tomorrow, but maybe not. >Don't be discouraged if it is not there tomorrow, just check back >again. It is going to be online for about a month to see how it works. >I have no idea what the plans are for future release. Anyway, you now >have the facts straight from the top as I was told them at >our meeting. The address will be Familysearch.org