FamilySearch.org is a familiar genealogical internet site that many of us have used at one time or another. It freely features the 1880 census, Ancestral files, International Genealogical Index, Pedigree Resource File, Social Security Death Index and the Vital Records Index. The Family History Library Catalog shows us what is available to order at our local Family History Centers. There are many resources available for Resource Guidance for the US states and most countries out side the US. Personal Ancestral File (PAF) is free to download to help organize your genealogy using the computer.

Familysearch has another website that many are just now hearing about. It is FREELY providing many databases on this site and has regular updates. This site can be reached at Search.labs.Familysearch. The blog that gives you the updates and upcoming news is FamilySearch Blog.

Some databases this site features are the 1850, 1880 and 1900 census, Freedman Records, Civil War Pensions, some state census records (Ex 1860 Illinois), some court and legal records, Vital Records (Ex France, Coutances Catholic Diocese 1802-1907) and Ellis Island Records. This is just a small example of what this site has to offer. This website is great for those researchers on a budget; who are not able to subscribe to sites such as Ancestry.com.

“FamilySearch Labs showcases new family history technologies that aren't ready for prime time. Your feedback will help us refine new ideas and bring them to market sooner. Have fun playing with these innovations and send your feedback directly to our development teams” is another new tool being tested.” You can get more information on this at Familysearchlabs.

Some of the new innovations you can test are:

Record Search: Record Search is a quick and easy way to search millions of historical records for clues about your ancestors. Enter what you know about an ancestor, click search, and see matching records - all online. We're adding millions of new records so be sure to check back often.

Family Tree: The FamilySearch Family Tree allows you to navigate from yourself, to your ancestors, and beyond. Users of the Family Tree collectively and collaboratively organize information into its appropriate node on this shared tree. Ultimately, each node will be a folder containing or linking to all known information for an individual.

Standard Finder: You can search for a standardized name, date or place based on your input. The Standard Finder will present the standards that will be used in future releases of new FamilySearch.

Research Wiki: forms a community of research experts and interested genealogists that share up to date information on how to research sources for information about your ancestors. The larger the community the more useful the data is, so come and be a part.

Familysearch Indexing: Extract family history information from digital images of historical documents to create indexes that assist everyone in finding their ancestors.

So, check out Search.Labs.Familysearch and all the other sites that FamilySearch provides and take advantage of their FREE resources!