These extracted records are a direct result of research done at one of the best genealogical resources in the world.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) (Mormon)
maintains its International Genealogical Index (IGI) for researchers all
over the world. I want to extend my thanks to the LDS Church for making this
information available. All data is historical and does not usually refer to
living persons. Other variations of the GAUER surname exist (GOWER, etc) but I have restricted research to just
the GAUER spelling.
The IGI contains millions of records of genealogical information (births, deaths, marriages, historical info, maps,
etc). The LDS databases are constantly growing and this collection of records
can only be a snapshot as of 1994.
The LDS church now has on-line tool
to allow you to search their very latested IGI plus a multitude of other
databases and they are selling CDROMs with compilations of
some of their database information. For this reason I will not be updating
these databases.
Choose a Geographical area to begin.
If you find an ancestor in the above indexes then here is what to do:
Print out the search results and take them to your nearest LDS Family History Centre (FHC). You will find
these FHC by looking for the LDS church in your local telephone book. Then visit the
FHC and ask the very helpful volunteers for access to their computers with the IGI. This access
is free and will enable you to look up the full details of the record you found in this
index, including probably the LDS film number. This Microfiche or Microfilm number
can be ordered at the FHC for a very nominal fee (approx $5) for 30 days rental. The film will be
sent from the main LDS records centre in Salt Lake City, USA to your local FHC.
You do not have to be a member of the LDS to use this service. Once you get the film you will be able
to see a picture of the actual church book page that contains that record.
If there is one family connection in a church book there are usually many others.
One record I found in the IGI
lead me to a church book which had records of a 100 years of births & deaths of my
direct ancestors! I cannot emphasize enough how valuable this resource is to genealogical
researchers.
