Utah, FamilySearch, Early Church Information File - FamilySearch Historical Records

United States Utah

What is in the Collection?
This collection contains images of index cards in alphabetical order for some early members of the LDS Church. The names on the cards come primarily from sources created about 1830 going to the mid-1900s. Sources include LDS church records, journals, biographies, cemetery records, immigration records and published books.

For a list of records by surnames currently published in this collection, select the Browse link from the collection landing page.

Sample Image
For additional in-depth information about the contents and use of this collection see the wiki article Early Church Information File (ECIF)

For tips about searching on-line collections see the on-line article FamilySearch Search Tips and Tricks.

What Can this Collection Tell Me?
The index cards can provide the following information:
 * Name of your ancestor
 * Dates for certain events
 * Residences
 * Possible known associates
 * Additional sources to search
 * Call numbers to additional sources

How Do I Search the Collection?
To begin your search it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor.
 * The place where your ancestor lived.
 * The names of family members or associates.

View images in this collection by visiting the Browse Page: To search the collection you will need to follow this series of links: ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒Select the appropriate "First and Last Name" which takes you to the images.

Look at each image comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination. Keep in mind:


 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
 * You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.
 * Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life.

What Do I Do Next?
When you have located your ancestor’s in the Early Church Information File, carefully evaluate each piece of information about them. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors.

I Found Who I was Looking for, What Now?

 * Use the birth date along with the place of birth to find the family in census records.
 * Use the residence and names of the parents to locate church and land records.

I Can't Find who I'm Looking for, What Now?

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names.
 * Search the indexes of additional records.
 * Try alternative search methods such as only filling in the surname search box (or the given name search box) on the landing page leaving the other box empty and then click on search. This should return a list of everyone with that particular name. You could then browse the list for individuals that may be your ancestor.

Known Issues with This Collection
For a full list of all known issues associated with this collection see the attached article. If you encounter additional problems, please email them to [mailto:support@familysearch.org support@familysearch.org]. Please include the full path to the link and a description of the problem in your e-mail. Your assistance will help ensure that future reworks will be considered.

Citing this Collection
Citing your sources makes it easy for others to find and evaluate the records you used. When you copy information from a record, list where you found that information. Here you can find citations already created for the entire collection and for each individual record or image.

Collection Citation: Image Citation: