If you're interested in ancestry, head to Mission Viejo Library

If you want to be part of the popular ancestry search trend, don't look further than the local library. The Genealogy Research Center at the Mission Viejo Library is now a FamilySearch Affiliate, with access to more genealogy resources to help you make exciting family discoveries. The Genealogy Research Center is run by the South Orange County California Genealogical Society, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

The Genealogical Society is only the 10th organization in California to become a FamilySearch affiliate, and the first south of Los Angeles County. The designation means library patrons have greater and more convenient access to the wealth of genealogical resources available through FamilySearch. The popular web service has more than 6 billion searchable names and 2 billion images of historical genealogical records — and you get the helpful assistance of genealogy society docents.

A world leader in family history, FamilySearch adds more than 300 million free genealogical records and images online yearly from across the world. It has amassed billions of birth, marriage, death, census, land and court records from more than 130 countries to help you discover and make family connections.

“Interest in our ancestral roots continues to grow with the popularity of DNA tests, reality TV shows and the growing access to online genealogy records," said Genesis Hansen, Mission Viejo's director of library and cultural services. Having the Genealogy Research Center at Mission Viejo Library as the newest FamilySearch Affiliate will enable patrons to make many fun, personal discoveries and family connections.”

For more information and hours, visit www.soccgs.org.