Genealogy enthusiasts and visitors flocked to the 4-day Family History Exhibit sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at CB Mall in Urdaneta, Pangasinan on March 19-22, 2014.
The exhibit showcased the importance of doing genealogy work and featured the genealogy of Jesus Christ. The interactive exhibit saw visitors going through the panels and being registered at FamilySearch.org, one of the most popular genealogical resources in the world.
The site is free and available to the public. Since launching in May 1999, more than 150 million people have visited FamilySearch.org to learn more about their family heritage.
Visitors to FamilySearch.org can search over a billion digital images and indexes of records from all over the world. These online records include government and church records for births, marriages, and deaths; censuses; probate records, land records, draft cards; and so forth. Millions of new records are published on a weekly basis.
Aptly themed “Ang Aking Pamilya: Noon, Ngayon, at Magpakailanman” (My Family: Yesterday, Today and Forever), many visitors were able to search online for names and details of their great-grandparents.
The opening ceremony was graced by Urdaneta City Mayor Amadeo Gregorio E. Perez, Ms. Amy Perez from the office of Governor Amado Espino, 5th District Board Member Clemente Nino Arboleda, City Councilors Antonino P. Perez, Peter Jason I. Agsalud, Jesus Basco, ABC President Michael Ryan Perez, CB Mall Vice-President for Operations Eric Estrada and representatives from GMA 7.
Other exhibit panels included the family trees of Jose Rizal and Fidel V. Ramos. Elementary and High School students from Urdaneta lent color to the displays by showcasing artworks relating to Family History.
During the exhibit, many visitors were impressed with Ms. Schareen Credenda T. Reyes, 14 years old, for having accomplished her pedigree chart up to the fifth generation. Genealogy is beginning to be a favorite hobby among young people.
Maverick M. Maramba, 23 years old, also displayed his family tree which goes back all the way to the 10th generation.
Mayor Perez said, “I am privileged the exhibit was done in the city of Urdaneta which brings to our consciousness the importance of doing our family genealogy.”
FamilySearch’s commitment to helping people connect with their ancestors is rooted in the Mormon belief that families are meant to be central to our lives and that family relationships are intended to continue beyond this life. Because interest in family history is not limited by culture, ethnicity, or religious faith, FamilySearch’s resources are available to everyone who wants to discover more about their family and their heritage, from church records in Europe to oral histories in Africa and other records around the world.
