Yes, believe it or not, The Family History Guide has been online for five great years! It was late July in 2015 when we officially launched the website, just before its debut at the BYU Family History Conference in Provo, Utah. For nostalgia’s sake, here is what the original home page looked like in 2015:

As I have related before, the first concept sketches for the website were done on scratch paper in December 2014. When I attended RootsTech in February 2015, I left with the resolve that next year I would be there to show the new website to the world.

I was so idealistic at that time that I thought it would be popular all over the world someday. It turned out I was right! But it definitely took a team effort to get there, including key contributions from these people and more:

• Bob Ives, co-founder of The Family History Guide Association, who got the non-profit organization and Board of Directors off the ground and continues to run the logistics, including RootsTech and other events.
• Paul and Sue Maxwell, and Diane Loosle, who were instrumental in the early meetings to establish a partnership with FamilySearch.
• Bonnie Mattson, our first evangelist and Social Media Coordinator.
• Barbara Hogeland, who pioneered training with The Family History Guide at the Missionary Training Zone.
• Scott and Angelle Anderson, our PR and Marketing Directors, who brought activities and the Come, Follow Me Companion on board.
• Melanie Bosselman, our first Director of Training.
• James and Ann Tanner, key leaders of our Board of Directors

Today we are blessed to have a great Management Team for The Family History Guide Association, with the additions of Kim Powell (financial management), Lyn & Lyle Ellis (accountants), Miles Meyer (Education Director),  Debbie Brady (Social Media and Come, Follow Me Companion), and Lynne Hammond (administrative assistant).

Looking Ahead

This is where it gets particularly interesting, especially with the current pandemic conditions. We continue to update the website as well as post tips on social media each week. We will continue to reach out to trainers and consultants as well, to assist in using The Family History Guide in remote training.

Live events are still an unknown quantity for us at this time. For example, RootsTech is looking at providing a virtual, online experience next year. However it plays out, we hold fast to our mission statement:

” … To greatly increase the number of people actively involved in family history worldwide,
and to make everyone’s family history journey easier, more efficient, and more enjoyable.”

Thanks for your wonderful support in our journey; we couldn’t do it without you!