FamilySearch is inviting Americans to learn about their heritage

SALT LAKE CITY — As the country celebrates its 250th birthday, FamilySearch has invited Americans to learn more about their family history and their ancestors who helped build the nation, as well as to record their own story for generations to come.

FamilySearch has put together a variety of special experiences for America 250 to help people learn more about their ancestors. There is also an America 250 challenge that invites people to add to their family's record.

"This is a great opportunity to align with America 250's focus on heritage and to really celebrate the stories that have created the American story and an opportunity to unite us as a nation," said Anne Metcalf, senior marketing manager at FamilySearch.

She continued, "We really wanted to focus on helping people first discover their family stories and to preserve and share those stories with others."

FamilySearch has partnered with the official America 250 organization to help get more people involved in learning about their own heritage.

Metcalf emphasized that everyone has contributed to the American story whether their family has been in the U.S. for generations or if they are new to the country.

"We don't want to just emphasize the Declaration of Independence or, you know, are you related to a signer? Because everyone, you know, even if you are not related to a signer, your history here, your family and your story here has contributed to the overall story," she added.

FamilySearch has also participated in a number of events across the country with JustServe and America 250 to help people get involved and learn more about their family history.

What is the America 250 challenge?

The challenge is very simple, and it's an easy way for people to add what they know about their family.

As part of the challenge, people are being asked to add:

• Two family names
• Five life event dates (birth, marriage, death)
• Ten memories, photos or stories

"Every contribution helps preserve the stories of the people and moments that shaped our nation," per the FamilySearch website.

FamilySearch senior marketing communications manager Paul Nauta said they hope people will take the stories they know about their ancestors and share and record them.

"We want to invite people to begin to add what they know about their family and their family tree because that is collectively part of America's history for those that have roots here," Nauta said.

People are also being asked to share their own stories to be preserved for future generations.

How FamilySearch can help you discover more about your family for America 250

FamilySearch has a number of different experiences that they have added and updated for America's 250th birthday.

They have updated their famous relatives experience — which shows people how they're related to various notable individuals — to include all signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Metcalf also shared that they have added a "learning about your early U.S. ancestor" experience, which helps people learn who their first ancestor was who came to the U.S. People can also learn about the context of that person coming to the U.S. and what may have prompted their move.

Another discovery experience focuses on highlighting the military history in people's families.

People can also learn about ancestors they have connected to key periods and events in American history. FamilySearch will help provide insights into the occupations of patrons' ancestors to help them see their family's place in American history in a more personal way.

People are able to access experiences online, and they can also visit FamilySearch centers and affiliate libraries for more free resources and hands-on support.

FamilySearch has been releasing America 250 content piece by piece since the beginning of the year and it will continue to release more throughout the rest of 2026.

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