African American family history conference comes to Salt Lake City

SALT LAKE CITY — The 28th Annual Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS) Conference is in Salt Lake City from October 26-29. This marks the first time the conference has been held in the West. In conjunction with the conference, FamilySearch has introduced its free African American Resources page, located on FamilySearch.org. The new page consolidates access to the many rich African American resources and related services found on FamilySearch.org. Individuals with African American roots will find the resources helpful to their genealogical pursuits.

FamilySearch.org provides useful tools and resources for anyone researching African American ancestry. "Before the new African American Resources page, it was challenging to find the helpful tools and information you needed, unless you knew exactly what you were looking for and where to find it," said Paul Nauta, Manager of Public Affairs for FamilySearch. "The new page puts the tools that African American family history researchers need right at their fingertips in one convenient place."

Some of the resources include:

• Links to relevant records and searchable databases
• Helpful guides and forms to view online or print for use
• Online indexing projects, where individuals can register to volunteer or to see what databases are forthcoming
• Downloadable presentations and classes from industry leaders and professional African American researchers
• Free genealogy management software
• Directions to receive free personal assistance through a family history center near you

The new page will be dynamic. Those with African American ancestry should bookmark the site. Links to new resources and tools will be added as they become available online.

Click here to view the new African American Resources page.