Footnote.com has long been one of my favorite websites. I’ve had a personal subscription for years, and plan to keep it for a long time. The site is reasonably priced, and the data is etrememely valuable for any genealogist with American roots. The decision has now been made to change their name to Fold3. I kinda’ like it. The emphasis of the website will be on United States Military records. This makes sense, as the site is already the premier place to look for U.S. Military data online – and it will set the site apart somewhat from Ancestry.com, it’s parent company.
The following news release was received from Heather Erickson at Ancestry.com:
New Brand will Honor and Remember those who have Served
LINDON, UTAH — (August 18, 2011) – Footnote.com, a premier destination for discovering family history records, today announced it will now focus primarily on offering the finest and most comprehensive collection of U.S. Military records available on the internet. The site gathers the most valuable U.S. military records, photos and stories to help family historians and others discover and share the memories of those who served.
As part of this new focus, the name of the site will change from Footnote to Fold3. The Fold3 name is derived from the third fold in a traditional military flag folding ceremony which “is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.”
Fold3 is the web’s premier collection and destination for original U.S. military records, helping people find and share more than 74 million images of historical documents and photos. These records include valuable collections from the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Civil War, World Wars I and II and America’s more recent engagements in Vietnam and elsewhere. Specializing in digitization of paper, microfilm and microfiche collections, Fold3 brings many never-before-seen historic documents to the web through patented processes and unique partnerships with The National Archives and other institutions. This combination of innovative technology and access to strategic partners provides subscribers with an easy way to search original documents and discover stories about the people, places and events in the conflicts that shaped America and the world.
“We have already begun expanding Fold3’s robust military collection to include new pension application files and draft cards,” said Brian Hansen, General Manager of Fold3. “It’s truly gratifying to help researchers easily discover at home what they previously could find only by traveling to an archive.”
Fold3’s significant collections illuminate history that was once hidden. For example, Fold3’s World War II photos, Missing Air Crew Reports and JAG case files include detailed information about the ordeal of Louis Zamperini, subject of the New York Times Best Seller, Unbroken. Similar stories about millions of service men and women lie undiscovered within the records available on Fold3.
Fold3 will continue to operate as a subsidiary of Ancestry.com, the world’s largest online family history resource, which acquired Fold3 as part of its purchase of iArchives in 2010. In addition to connecting more closely to its military collection, the rebranding helps distinguish Fold3’s value as a highly complementary brand to Ancestry.com. Many family historians and genealogists may use Ancestry.com to find an ancestor who served in the military and then use Fold3 to discover the details of their service.
To begin searching for your family’s military history, go to www.fold3.com.
About Fold3
Fold3 offers the web’s premier collection of original military records, gathering the best U.S. military records, photos and stories to help customers discover and share the stories of those who served. With more than 74 million historical record images already online and more being added every day, Fold3.com brings the details of America’s military service to life.
I am proud to say that Genealogyblog.com has an affiliate relationship with Fold3.com.
