By Laurence Furr
A mere $49 will buy you 56 CDs from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
But rather than containing music, these CDs carry more than 5 million names, making up the Church''s new release of the 1880 U.S. Census on CD-ROM that experts are calling 'monumental.'
Alex Baugh, BYU assistant professor of church history and doctrine, calls the automated census an 'invaluable research tool.'
'It''s quite remarkable to consider that now millions of Americans will be able to find their ancestors who lived over 120 years ago,' Baugh said.
Users of the new genealogical service will be able to find their ancestor''s relationship to the head of the household, age, gender, race, marital status, occupation, and the birth date and birthplace of their parents and children, Baugh said.
'This new automated census has a far-reaching impact on family history research in the U.S.,' said David E. Rencher, director of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City.
'Because the 1890 census was destroyed by fire, there is no other federal source like this for 20 years. It makes the 1880 U.S. Census of tremendous value.'
Baugh said he is amazed by The Church of Jesus Christ''s ongoing effort to provide access to genealogical files.
'The Church is becoming clearly recognized as the premiere provider of the most important documents for those interested in genealogical research.'
The 1880 U.S. Census benefits not only the Church, but all Americans researching family history, Baugh said.
'The records have always been there, but now they are organized in a way that makes the information much easier to find.'
Baugh cautioned that genealogical researches should continue to be responsible in double-checking all of their information.
Diane Parkinson, director of the Utah Valley Regional Family History Center, located on the second floor of the Harold B. Lee Library, said the center received its copy of the 1880 U.S. Census Monday, June 4, and plans to have it installed and ready to use this week.
The new database is the largest census to be automated to date, and is the culmination of 17 years and 11.5 million hours of work.
The new product (all 56 CDs) can be used free of charge at most of The Church of Jesus Christ''s 3500 family history centers, or it can be purchased for on the Internet at www.familysearch.org or through The Church of Jesus Christ distribution centers worldwide (1-800-537-5971, item 50168).
The price includes shipping and handling.