What Is The International Genealogical Index (I.G.I.)?

This index was set up by the Church of the Latter Day Saints (the Mormons).  Their belief is that to be reunited with their ancestors in the next life all past members of the family must be sought out and baptised into their church.  

The I.G.I. is probably the biggest in the world with over 1 billion individual names in the databases.  These are mainly for christenings and marriages with deaths and burials not being in great numbers.  Mainly pre 1837 but dating back in some cases quite a few centuries.  These records can be accessed freely on the internet, are also available on CD- ROM's and at many of their church sites where they generally have a research room.

As with all indexes there are errors and therefore not all information should be taken as correct.  However for anyone searching for ancestors or indeed trying to build a Family Tree it is a useful research tool.