Resources
Free family history help in San Clemente
Yes. FamilySearch is a free family history website supported by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and anyone can use it. Members of the Marblehead Ward are happy to help you get started with your family tree. You do not have to be a member to ask.
Start with FamilySearch
FamilySearch offers a free account and a shared Family Tree, along with historical records from around the world. Begin with what you know: your own name, your parents and your grandparents. Add each person you can confirm, then let the site suggest records that may match.
The getting started guide walks you through the first steps in plain language. Take it slowly. Most people find that a single evening of looking leads to a story they had never heard.
Why Latter-day Saints care about this
Latter-day Saints believe families can continue beyond this life, and that ancestors who never had the chance can be included through ordinances performed in temples. That belief is why the Church invests in genealogy. You do not have to share the belief to enjoy the research.
Members who wish to find family names for temple work can follow the Church's guide to finding names with ordinances ready.
Local help in San Clemente
If you would like a person to sit with you, send a note through our requests page and say what you are hoping to find. Someone in the ward who enjoys family history can arrange a time to help. We do not ask for any records about your family, and we never share what you tell us.
Questions before you ask? Use the contact page, or look at the ward calendar for any family history evenings that are announced.
What you might find
People often discover a birthplace they had never heard of, an immigration record or an old photograph that a distant cousin posted. Even a short search can turn up a name and a date that bring a relative to life. If you get stuck, ask for help and take a break. Family history rewards patience, and the records keep growing as more are added.
Questions
Is FamilySearch free?
Yes. Creating an account and using the tree and records is free.
Do I need to be a Latter-day Saint to use it?
No. It is open to everyone.
Can someone in the ward help me in person?
Yes. Ask through the requests page and we will arrange a time.