“I came for books, but I’m leaving with my family history”

Every year, the Frankfurt Book Fair becomes a global celebration of stories. In 2025, among 4,300 exhibitors and more than 230,000 visitors, FamilySearch invited guests to discover their history that lives within their own families.

At the FamilySearch booth, visitors explored interactive experiences that brought family history to life, from building a first family tree to uncovering generations of ancestors. Many arrived curious but left deeply moved.

“I came for books,” one visitor shared, “but I’m leaving with my family, with my story and history.”

FamilySearch is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to helping people discover and preserve their family histories.

Sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, FamilySearch operates one of the world’s largest genealogical databases and offers free access to billions of historical records.

While its roots are in a faith tradition that values family and ancestry, FamilySearch serves a global audience regardless of religious background.

This collaboration reflects a shared belief in the importance of remembering those who came before us, fostering connection across generations and cultures.

This year FamilySearch brought this mission to life through engaging, interactive experiences — including “Compare a Face,” where visitors could see which historical figures they resemble, and “Surname Origins,” which helped guests uncover the geographical and linguistic roots of their family names.

These activities sparked curiosity and connection, making family history both personal and fun for visitors of all ages.

This also led to many conversations reflecting on the value of remembering those who came before us. A guest from Midas.ch expressed it beautifully:

“Names carry power. When an elder dies, it’s as if an entire library is lost.”

“Every family has a story. Yours deserves to be told.”

As the fair ended, thousands left with new ideas and many with something even greater: a renewed desire to record and preserve their own family heritage.

In a world that often feels fast and fragmented, family history offers grounding and inspiration. Knowing our ancestors connects us to something greater than ourselves, a legacy of resilience, love, and identity.

Uncover the stories waiting in your own family tree. Visit https://www.familysearch.org to begin exploring your heritage.