May 24, 1999

Calling it an historic step, LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley officially launched the Family Search website this morning.

Religion Specialist Carole Mikita was there and has this report.

Referring to 'Time' magazine's cover story, President Hinckley noted that family history is enjoying a resurgence, and that this website is an oppportunity to help not just church members but all people find their roots.

By cutting the website ribbon, LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley officially opened the 'FamilySearch Internet Genealogy Service.'

As of this morning, the world's largest collection of genealogy data is now accesssible from home computers for the first time.

It took more than 100 years, as many as 1-million volunteers and cooperation from other churches and governments to compile this information.

President Hinckley said, "The church-owned Family History Library, in which we sit, houses the largest collection of genealogial records in the world... some 2-billion names of deceased men, women and children. Your ancestors and mine can be accessed here."

The announcement was made simultaneously in Salt Lake and Washington, D.C.

Elder Russell M. Nelson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said, "There's a great spirit of cooperation among people who are looking for their ancestors, regardless of their ethnic or religious identity."

The LDS Church is initially placing 400-million names of deceased people on the internet, with the promise of more to come.

President James E. Faust, Second Counselor in the LDS First Presidency, said, "It's awful hard for somebody who's back in the horse and buggy days like me to comprehend what has happened. I believe it's just the beginning."