Archives.com Adds the U.S. Census to its Website

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Sept. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Archives.com, the web's most affordable and easy-to-use subscription-based family history site, announces the addition of the U.S. Federal Census, the single most valuable collection of U.S. historical records. The U.S. Census collections were made available by FamilySearch International, the world's largest genealogy organization, as part of a joint effort to introduce more records to family historians worldwide. In conjunction with the Census effort, Archives will also embark on a joint project with FamilySearch to digitize tens-of-millions of additional historical records, the majority of which are not currently online. Archives has pledged a minimum of five million dollars to this important project which will positively impact the entire community.

Archives CEO Matthew Monahan notes, "We're extremely excited to bring this comprehensive collection of U.S. Census records and images that have been enhanced by the FamilySearch volunteer community to Archives.com. We're dedicated to bringing users new and compelling content, and that's why we're happy to contribute at least five million dollars to similar ongoing community projects. Archives already provides members with exceptional value for an extremely low price—adding the U.S. Census and other unique collections as part of this initiative with FamilySearch will be a game changer."

Archives has integrated the full set of U.S. Federal Population Census indexes from 1790 to 1930 consisting of over 500 million names along with 3 million images from census years 1850, 1870, and 1900. In the near future, the full set of census images will be accessible.  Leading the effort is former FamilySearch veteran Anne Roach AG®, CG(SM) as Director of Content Development.

Jay L. Verkler, president of FamilySearch, said, "U.S. Census records are the most searched collections for North America. We are pleased when companies like Archives.com join in the collective goal to make more historic records available online quickly and cost effectively. We look forward to working with the entire industry to facilitate these types of contributions." Verkler noted that the daunting challenge to digitize and provide access to the world's genealogical records can only be accomplished with community support and participation from dynamic companies like Archives.com.

While the addition of the entire U.S. Census and the ongoing digitization projects will bring enormous value to Archives members, the company plans to maintain its low annual fee. Already one of the highest trafficked family history websites, the company anticipates massive growth as a result of these enhancements, which clearly makes Archives.com the premier destination for low-cost subscription-based family history research. For regular updates about the census integration and digitization project, visit http://www.archives.com/census.  

About Archives

Archives.com is a leading family history website that makes discovering family history simple and affordable. The company has assembled more than 1.5 billion historical records in a single location, and makes them available at a price that's up to 80 percent less than the leading competitor. Archives also partners with other leading family history websites to provide integrated record collections, discounted memberships, official certificates and other special promotions. Archives.com is free to try for seven days, allowing anyone to explore the benefits of membership without risk or obligation.  Archives.com is owned and operated by Inflection, a fast-growing data commerce company. Find more information at www.Inflection.com.

About FamilySearch

FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch has been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Contact:
Julie Hill
1-650-618-9910
[email protected]

SOURCE Archives.com