New FamilySearch

If you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, now or in the near future you will have access to a new Church website dedicated to helping members learn about and add information to their family history. To access this site, the Temple district you live in must have converted to the new FamilySearch program. Then, with your church membership number and confirmation date (available from your Ward Clerk or one of your Priesthood Leaders), you can register at http://new.familysearch.org and begin exploring the information that is already available about your family history. You can also contribute information you have and prepare names of your ancestors so you can perform Temple ordinances for them. With this new program, you can do all of these things from your own home or anywhere else that you have internet access. One of my goals with this site is to encourage you to register, help you learn how to use the new FamilySearch program and benefit from your contributions to this site. Please share what you learn and ask questions if you need help. In the near future I plan to post a list of Temple Districts that have the new program and update that list as it grows. I know that the San Antonio and Houston Temple Districts have this new program. Click on the New FamilySearch link to register or login to the website. It is a great resource. I promise that you will be amazed, when you first login, at the many great features and tools available to you. Please share with others on this website when you register and share your experiences. It will motivate others to register. Many blessings await you as you explore your family history.

I am Wendish. My ancestors migrated from eastern Europe where the Czech Republic is now into eastern Germany (known then as Saxony or Prussia) beginning around 500 AD. In the early 1800's, the Wends began to feel increasing pressure to adopt the German language and religion. At this point, they began migrating to the United States. Several families settled in Central Texas. In 1854, a group of about 500 Wends migrated to Texas and settled in the area south of Giddings. Additional small groups of Wends continued the migration. Some of my ancestors came over in 1854 and others in 1880. I was not aware that I was Wendish until I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1972 and became interested in my family history. As I began asking about my ancestors at family reunions, the truth came out - I wasn't German as I had thought, but actually Wendish. It was a startling revelation that fueled my interest in learning more about my ancestors. In future posts, I will share more of my family history. I have included several links to information about the Wends and will add more links over time. Please be patient with me as I learn about blogs and refine this blog. I hope you will be moved to contribute to this blog and share your experiences and knowledge.