FamilySearch Travels North to the Fair

The impact of FamilySearch, a genealogy service provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, stretches across the globe. Both large and small project successes contribute to its strong record. One example of reaching out to communities in small and successful ways was the inclusion of a FamilySearch booth at the recent New Liskeard Agricultural Society’s 116th Fall Fair.

Temiskaming Shores, Ontario, is an agricultural city of approximately 10,000 in northern Ontario. The city’s annual fall fair provided all the traditional fair offerings and gave ample opportunities for families to enjoy time together. Nearly 1,500 children were released early from school on the Friday of the fair to then parade into the main gates and spend the afternoon with their families.

Interest in family history is growing throughout the world, and it was no different at this event. The FamilySearch booth staff were busy for all three days of the fair, addressing broad interest in personal family history. More than 300 people stopped by the FamilySearch booth, and enough people signed up to schedule nine new classes.

FamilySearch representative Bonnie Walker enjoyed meeting people from the community and felt a great connection to them as she talked with them about family history. One visitor told her, “I have been going to do [family history]. It’s a good time to start!”

FamilySearch is the largest genealogy organization in the world. A non-profit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, FamilySearch helps Canadians use 49 million searchable records, resources and services to learn more about their family history.

FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. There are currently 190 family history centres in Canada. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online or at Latter-day Saint meetinghouses throughout Canada.