With growing advertisement of websites like Ancestry.com, Myheritage.com and many others, people have found it easy — or easier, rather — to find ancestors and fill in blanks on their family tree.

One of these sites, for full membership and access, could cost upwards of about $500 per year. However, a local church has provided Beaufort County and surrounding communities a way to access these sites and more.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Washington has foot the bill for the public to visit its Family History Center and search for ancestors, family members, etc. at no charge whatsoever. The center has been open for about two years, but searching was limited up until about two or three weeks ago. By paying for subscriptions and licenses, the church recently consolidated the use of several different genealogical sites for those interested in tracing their family history.

For two days each week, the public is invited to visit the church’s Family History Center and through the uses of ancestry.com, myheritage.com, findmypast.com, familysearch.org and familytree.org, individuals can search for the answers to any genealogical questions they may have.

Four volunteer consultants and a director, who aid its visitors in navigating the genealogical sites, run the center, which is located in the church.

This invaluable tool allows those, who may not be able to afford payment on the aforementioned sites, a way to trace their ancestry and discover who their people were and how they may have lived, depending on the degree of research.

It is truly a gift to have access to something that enables the discovery of one’s family’s past, as well as an organization that has facilitated the opportunity for that discovery.