Go to FamilySearch.Org
(4/2/99)
For the first time ever, one of the best sources of genealogical information is now accessible through the Internet.
The LDS Church is testing a new genealogical web site and anyone can log on.
But you'd better have patience.
News Specialist Stacey Butler explains.
The genealogy library downtown here is world renowned.
But imagine if you could find almost as much information on your home computer?
Now you can. The new web site is up and running. But as I found out, timing is everything.
When Annettte Nelson hit the new genealogical web site yesterday she says she was thrilled to find her family history on the internet. But today it was a different story.
"I can pull up to the main page here, but when I try to put a search in, it doesn't do a search right now, " she says.
The word is out. News of the L.D.S. genealogical web site has spread quickly. So quickly that if you try to find your family's history, you'll probably see something like this.
Andy Golsmith: "When I click on here, it shows the server is busy."
But church officials expected some problems. The web site is still in its beta testing phase. In other words--the bugs have yet to be ironed out.
"We've got to be able to find out what kind of response there is out there, what the bugs are-- and that's all part of the test," church officials say.
The web site has been talked about for years, and now anyone can log on anytime--well, almost.
"Right here it says the search is unavailable due to maintenance."
Creating a genealogical web site doesn't come without it's share of problems. This e- mail sent by a frustrated user sums it up--
"still slow but trying."
Nevertheless, gone are the days of dragging your family to the library. With a little patience, you can research your family roots at home.
"You can just go in the evening and click on it and get the access you need and spend ten minutes or two hours on it."
This web site is just a test.
It will be up for a few weeks.
Church officials expect to have a permanent web site on line as early as this summer.
