In search of our roots: family history in the digital age

Cristian Mannino — FamilySearch Experience Manager for Europe — will deliver a public lecture in English at West Campus Lugano on Monday, 20 April. Starting at 6:00 pm in Room 355 as part of the Master in International Tourism, the encounter will delve into the world of genealogical research in the digital era.

Throughout the world, millions of people – particularly the descendants of emigrants – are seeking to reconstruct their family histories and trace their origins. This journey often begins with family memories and testimonies, but quickly develops through the vast array of online resources, often leading to travel to ancestral homelands.

FamilySearch International plays a pivotal role in this process. As the world's leading non-profit organisation dedicated to genealogy and family history, and supported by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it has spent over 130 years collecting, preserving, and sharing historical records from across the globe. It offers free access via digital platforms and a network of over 6,500 FamilySearch Centres in 129 countries. Its global family tree includes nearly 1.9 billion people and is supported by billions of searchable records, digital images, and digitised books.

In his presentation at USI, Mannino will illustrate how digital technologies are transforming the way people explore their family roots. He will also discuss how genealogy can become a cultural and travel experience, connecting memory and identity with specific regions and territories.

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Cristian Mannino is the FamilySearch Experience Manager for Europe, where his remit covers Italy, Switzerland, the Benelux countries, Hungary, and Romania. He leads initiatives to enhance the user experience across digital platforms and mobile apps, as well as in-person services at FamilySearch Centres and affiliated libraries.