Organizational structures

      The websites of LDSAFA member organizations provide examples of different types of organizational structures practiced and supported by LDS ancestral family organizations.  Please view their websites HERE.

How to Start and Sustain LDS Ancestral Family Organizations (2024)

Family Organizations in the Digital Age (2018 RootsTech presentatoin)

LDS Ancestral Family Organizations: Past, Present and Future (2017 BYU presentation)

Development and Perpetuation of Ancestral Family Organizations

     Ancestral Family Organizations (AFOs) often experience one or more of the following activities related to their development and perpetuation.  These activities are experienced consecutively or concurrently and their order is often changed or repeated as deemed necessary: 1) Organizing--which includes organizational incorporation, by-laws, and officers; 2) Gathering--which includes advertising for, contacting and maintaining family members; 3) Researching--which includes genealogical and historical research; 4) Celebrating--which includes family meetings and reunions; 5) Memorializing--which includes erecting or supporting historical memorials or monuments; and 6) Preserving--which includes placing genealogical and historical information in libraries or repositories or on online websites for purposes of preservation or perpetual reference.          

Objectives and Activities of LDS Ancestral Family Organizations

     Most LDS Ancestral Family Organizations (AFOs) have primary objectives which they attempt to accomplish through specific activities. These organizations are usually involved in multiple activities and have dedicated officers, multiple volunteers and sufficient assets to accomplish their goals.

     For example, one LDS ancestral family organization has stated: "We currently conduct research on the genealogies and histories of our families and their ancestors and descendants--which we periodically upload into FamilySearch Tree.  We also hold physical and virtual family reunions, sponsor DNA genealogy projects, produce genealogical and historical publications and videos, identify military memorials, erect historical monuments, preserve family documents, and encourage young people to get involved in family history work."

Email inquiries about LDSAFA to:

officer.ldsafa@gmail.com