Ancestry

Today, Ancestry announced it has published and made freely available on its site, the first comprehensive list of over 125,000 persons of Japanese descent who were unjustly imprisoned between December 1942 and January 1948. Originally published and memorialized by the Irei Project, this list of names is part of Ancestry's philanthropic commitment to preserving culturally significant history that is at risk of being forgotten. In an exclusive interview with the The Associated Press, director of the Irei Project, Duncan Williams Williams notes “Being able to research and contextualize a person who has a longer view of family history and community history, and ultimately, American history, that’s what it’s about — this collaboration.” https://lnkd.in/gxxAAMGW #WeAreAncestry #AncestryforAll

Meet our Employees who are Making History - Lisa Pearl, J.D., Ph.D., Head of US Content & Philanthropic Initiatives. What I do at Ancestry: I’m a historian in the content acquisition team, responsible for finding and acquiring historical records that would help our customers trace their ancestors. These include, vital records, ship manifests, censuses, military records and other categories. We partner with the archives, libraries and other organizations around the world that hold these materials. Last year, our team acquired over 1.3 billion records. What I love about my job: I love visiting archives and “walking the stacks" with the archivists. These are the back rooms where the historical documents are stored. It’s always exciting to discover new genealogical collections that would have otherwise remained forgotten on a shelf. What makes Ancestry special: Being surrounded by colleagues who are passionate about genealogy and get excited with me about interesting historical records. Curious about Ancestry? Learn more about us here: https://lnkd.in/gu4y-46n  

We are proud to partner with Global Action Plan to empower our workforce and the next generation of history makers with the knowledge and resources to create a more sustainable future. In celebration of #EarthDay, colleagues participated in a session hosted by Global Action Plan’s Nicky O'Malley and Ancestry’s Director of Corporate Responsibility Jillian McCoy on ways we can all reduce single-use plastics in our everyday lives, followed by community clean-ups in our local neighborhoods. Last month, Global Action Plan invited our VP of Operations, Jim Taylor, to speak to its Youth Panel about ways we are reducing plastic in Ancestry’s DNA kit lifecycle, including our new DNA kit packaging made of recycled materials. Learn more about our recent sustainability initiatives in our Impact Report. https://lnkd.in/gPe9nMKK

Last week our CEO, Deborah Liu, joined Karen Finerman on her podcast, How She Does It, to discuss the lessons she learned on her road to CEO, her advice on building relationships and making connections, and her vision of bringing family history from a me to a we activity. "It’s really about taking a company that’s done amazing things for 40 years, and making it so that people are collaborating with each other and building together.” Listen here to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gDtFgXaz

Today Ancestry published our third annual Impact Report, underscoring our commitment to corporate responsibility across our diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, privacy and data stewardship policies, #sustainability efforts, and community impact programs. https://lnkd.in/gPe9nMKK In 2023, we made great strides across our impact areas including launching a new AncestryDNA kit made of recycled materials, reducing carbon emissions by 21%, embarking on our second HistoryMakers National College Tour and Scholarship program, adding 910 new DNA communities to support more diverse customers globally, and providing more than 10.5M+ students access to Ancestry records through #AncestryClassroom at no cost. “We are proud of our progress, yet we realize there is still more to do. That’s why Ancestry is steadfast in our commitment to achieve and exceed the goals outlined in our impact report.”  - Deborah Liu, President & CEO #WeAreAncestry

Ancestry is honored to be named to the Women Tech Council's 2024 Shatter List, recognizing our company among the top organizations that are helping advance women in tech and creating inclusive cultures. Ancestry is proud to not just champion women in tech within our organization, including programming like our Ancestry Women in Tech (AWIT) #employeeresourcegroup, but also through external sponsorships and partnerships with leading organizations including Women’s Tech Council, Grace Hopper, and Catalyst. Congratulations to all the companies that made the list that are creating progress towards breaking the glass ceiling for women in tech.

Meet our Employees who are Making History - Crista Cowan, Corporate Genealogist at Ancestry What I do at Ancestry: I’ve had a few jobs at Ancestry over the last 20 years. My first three roles were all in our Content Team - first as manager over European Content Acquisition, then Indexing, and finally the World Archives Project. For the past thirteen years I have been the Ancestry Corporate Genealogist, which means that I am primarily responsible for both internal and external family history education. What I love about my job: My favorite thing about my job is our customers. The new customers who are curious and tentative and hungry to learn more about themselves and their families. The experienced genealogists who are passionate about preserving and sharing their family stories and humble enough to realize that there is always something new to learn. From the new to the experienced, and every step in between, all of our customers have helped create this really vibrant community of people who understand the importance of connection to the past and to our families today. What makes Ancestry special: The service we provide connects people in meaningful ways to themselves, their past, and their living family. That connection has the power to inspire, heal, and empower. Family stories, discovered and shared, can create and enhance family bonds, instill and nurture resilience among children and grandchildren, and provide a greater sense of belonging and identity. Curious about Ancestry? Learn more about us here: https://lnkd.in/gu4y-46n  #WeAreAncestry #WeAreTheCurious  

In recognition of #womenshistorymonth, Ancestry brought together a panel of female leaders in London to discuss the inclusion of women throughout history. An inspiring event that underpinned the value of discovering and preserving the legacy of our female family members and their contribution to history. #WeAreAncestry #Wearethecurious