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    19 August 2015 | POSTED BY Barry Preator

    Genealogists Gather to Celebrate New Zealand National Family History Month

    Genealogical experts from across New Zealand met today in Auckland to learn about the latest developments in family history research. Mike Higgins, Pacific Area Manager of FamilySearch, presented information to members of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists about recent developments in digitizing, indexing, and preserving ancestral records for public use.

    The event was one of several activities around the country during National Family History Month.

    “Historical paper records are subject to deterioration and loss,” Mr Higgins says. “The latest digital software programs eliminate former problems associated with such written documentation. They also provide individuals and organizations with a dependable means of accessing and preserving valuable family records.”

    “As I travel around New Zealand, I have the privilege to meet experts with decades of experience and wisdom, as well as many beginners just starting out in family history. It’s an exciting, growing activity and we welcome anyone with an interest to come to their nearest family history centre or branch of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists.

    “Or you can just log on to FamilySearch.org or any of the other excellent websites.”

    Mr Higgins says digital genealogical records provide “an invaluable source of information to link individuals and families together, joining the past with the present.”

    According to Wikipedia, “FamilySearch is a genealogy organization operated by the Genealogical Society of Utah ("GSU"), the genealogical arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch maintains a collection of records, resources, and services designed to help people learn more about their family history. FamilySearch gathers, preserves, and shares genealogical records worldwide. It offers free access to its resources and service online at FamilySearch.org, one of the most heavily used genealogy sites on the Internet. In addition, FamilySearch offers personal assistance at more than 4,500 family history centres in 70 countries, including the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.”

    Watch a video about FamilySearch.

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