Tasmanian Community Gathers Excitement for Family History

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While recently browsing at a Farmer's Market in Deloraine,Tasmania, many individuals discovered a keen interest in finding their family roots.

Senior missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints set up a booth to let people know about family history.

One couple from the USA, Mike and Jennifer Cottle had a class about Family History while training for this volunteer experience. "We could feel the Spirit and felt we would use this on our mission."

“Sometimes people are just interested in talking with us Americans with our American accents,” laughs Sister Cottle, but people here are very interested in family history, (also known as FamilySearch).

Susan Jack and Evelyn Butler, local Church Service Missionaries assigned as FamilySearch specialists, also work at the booth. With the Cottles, they make a good team in talking to people about family history.

Sister Jack’s knowledge of Australian families and her own family draw people to them.

One of the pictures Sister Jack brings is of her husband’s great grandfather, Arthur Cox, of Tasmania. The photo is of him and the regiment he trained for World War I, “The Light Horsemen.” That photo is the cause for many questions.

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This past week, Sister Cottle had a 45-minute conversation with an older gentleman about his ancestors. “We are hoping to help him record some of his memories on Family Search,” she says.

Sister Jack adds, “Many we spoke to were surprised that FamilySearch is a free site and were keen to hear more.”

Another young man came by and was very interested. The Cottles helped him set up a Family Search account.

“Some accepted an invitation to come to a family history class being held at the Family History Centre at the Deloraine chapel,” says Sister Jack. “There is always a special feeling of joy when sharing these things with others.”

“Here in Deloraine, so many have a love of their ancestors and have done a lot of work to get to know them,” says Sister Cottle. “It gives us a way to connect with the community and they get to know us better. We know they will feel the spirit as they reach out and connect with their ancestors.”