BRATTLEBORO — Brooks Memorial Library has expanded its access to the world's largest free genealogical database - FamilySearch.org.
According to a news release, FamilySearch - a nonprofit family history organization that is operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - has been a global leader in record preservation and access since 1938. Its growing database has more than 2 billion records.
In December, Brooks became an affiliate library, which gives access to millions of genealogical images, including locked records not available to users of the service who search the database from home.
Such records may be accessed only with a library public access computer or by using the library's public Wi-Fi signal.
In addition, users must establish a free account with FamilySearch, which also allows use of other site features, such as building family trees and uploading photos, documents, and other media.
FamilySearch is replacing its microfilm services with digital images. The company hopes to have all its microfilm digitized and available online by the end of 2020.