Understanding the Mormon Church's Role in Genealogy
When people ask, "What Ancestry company do the Mormons own?", they are often trying to understand the significant involvement of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often referred to as the Mormon Church) in the field of genealogy and family history research.
It's important to clarify that **The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not directly own or operate "Ancestry.com"**. Ancestry.com is a for-profit company that is a leading provider of online genealogical resources. While they are a separate entity, the Church's deep commitment to family history has led to a unique and extensive relationship with genealogical services, including a significant investment in and development of their own world-class genealogical resources.
The Church's Extensive Genealogical Resources
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a long-standing and profound commitment to family history. This stems from their religious beliefs, which include the doctrine of eternal families. They believe that families can be together not only in this life but also in the afterlife, and this necessitates understanding one's lineage and being able to perform sacred ordinances on behalf of deceased ancestors.
To facilitate this, the Church has invested heavily in creating and maintaining one of the largest genealogical databases in the world. Their primary resource center for this is:
- FamilySearch.org
FamilySearch.org is a free, non-profit service provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is not a commercial enterprise like Ancestry.com, and its mission is to help everyone connect with their ancestors. It offers:
- Vast Collections of Records: Billions of names and billions of historical records are available, including census records, vital records (birth, marriage, death), military records, immigration records, and more, from countries all over the world.
- Genealogical Tools: Users can build their family trees, collaborate with other researchers, and access research tools and wikis.
- Ordinance Information: For members of the Church, FamilySearch also facilitates the process of temple ordinances, which are central to their beliefs.
The Church actively collects, preserves, and digitizes historical records from around the globe. They have hundreds of Family History Centers located in their meetinghouses worldwide, where volunteers assist individuals with their family history research, often using resources available through FamilySearch.
The Distinction Between FamilySearch and Ancestry.com
While both FamilySearch and Ancestry.com are powerful genealogical resources, their operational models and objectives differ:
- FamilySearch: A non-profit service of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, focused on providing free access to genealogical records and tools for everyone, with a religious underpinning for its work.
- Ancestry.com: A for-profit company that offers subscription-based access to its vast collection of records, DNA testing services, and other genealogical products.
It is common for genealogists and family historians to use both FamilySearch and Ancestry.com in their research. They often complement each other, as each platform may have unique record sets or search functionalities.
Why the Church's Involvement in Genealogy is So Extensive
The deep involvement of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in genealogy is a direct reflection of their core religious beliefs. A fundamental tenet of their faith is the concept of eternal families. They believe that family relationships can continue beyond death and that essential ordinances, such as marriages and baptisms for the deceased, can be performed in their temples.
To perform these ordinances, individuals need to know their ancestors. This spiritual imperative drives the Church's commitment to:
- Preserving Records: They are committed to preserving historical records that document family lineages for future generations.
- Facilitating Research: They strive to make genealogical research as accessible as possible to everyone, regardless of their religious affiliation.
- Educating and Assisting: They provide resources and assistance to help people discover their family history.
Therefore, while the Mormons do not "own" Ancestry.com, their dedication to family history has led to the creation and maintenance of FamilySearch.org, a global leader in free genealogical resources, which significantly contributes to the broader landscape of family history research.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How does the Mormon Church's genealogical work differ from commercial companies like Ancestry.com?
The primary difference lies in their mission and operational model. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints operates FamilySearch.org as a non-profit service dedicated to providing free access to genealogical records and tools for everyone worldwide. Commercial companies like Ancestry.com are for-profit businesses that typically require subscriptions for access to their extensive databases and services.
Why is genealogy so important to the Mormon Church?
Genealogy is intrinsically linked to the Church's religious beliefs, particularly the doctrine of eternal families. They believe that family relationships can extend beyond this life and that ordinances performed in their temples can unite families for eternity. To facilitate this, they believe it's crucial to identify and connect with deceased ancestors.
Does the Mormon Church share its genealogical data with Ancestry.com or vice versa?
While both entities are major players in the genealogical space and often have overlapping records, they operate independently. There isn't a direct ownership or data-sharing agreement where one "owns" the other or their databases. However, researchers often cross-reference information found on both platforms.
Is FamilySearch.org only for members of the Mormon Church?
No, FamilySearch.org is a free service open to everyone, regardless of their religious background or beliefs. The Church's mission is to help all people discover their ancestors and connect with their family history.
