You may have heard whisperings about a new FamilySearch Web site underway, and wondered what it's like and when you’ll get a crack at using it. Today we got some information to share.

FamilySearch Labs is testing a variety of tools FamilySearch hopes to include on its Web site. The challenge, spokesperson Paul Nauta told us, is that each tool requires different architecture. FamilySearch’s main site (at www.familysearch.org) hasn’t changed yet because its architecture must be updated to accommodate all the cool new features in the works. Eventually, the tools will be built into that site.

But you already can use some of these features on the domains where they’re being tested:

• Record Search is a tool for searching the first digitized records—including censuses, church records, Civil War pensions and more—coming from FamilySearch’s many partnerships with repositories and digitization companies. It has a microfilm reader-like viewer (minus the elbow-busting crank) that lets you zoom in on an image, nimbly move around, and switch from black on white to white on black.

• Family Tree (previously called Pedigree Viewer), which lets users build an online, collaborative family tree, is available in demo version to the public. It’s being rolled out gradually to Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints locations, after which it’ll go public.

• The Family Tree Research Wiki is where experts post how-to advice about genealogical resources around the world.

• FamilySearch Indexing is the site volunteers around the world are using to create indexes to digitized records. It’ll tell you how you can volunteer, too.  

Those are the main tools, but there are a couple of others you can try at FamilySearch Labs.

There are the big National Genealogical Society conference announcements, then there are the news tidbits you pick up around the exhibit hall. Here are some of those:

Look for Genetree, the genetic genealogy-meets-social-networking Web site, to add Y-DNA testing to its mitochondrial DNA testing services in the not-too-distant future.

Arphax Publishing has put out the first three books (each covering one county) of its Texas Land Survey Maps series (another book will come out each week). You may find them extra helpful because Texas, a state-land state, didn’t follow the same survey methods you’re used to seeing in public-land states.

The new FamPros.com is kind of like eBay for genealogical research services: If you need someone to go to a courthouse or get a birth certificate for you, post a request. If you can provide the service, submit a bid. A rating system lets researchers rank how you did.

The New England Historic Genealogical Society has launched NewYorkAncestors.org, a portal to the organization’s Empire State resources. Spokesperson Tom Champoux says the group wants people to know resources cover more than just New England.

The Oregon-California Trails Association created Paper Trail (I love a good pun), a database of names and other information from thousands of 19^th-century trail-related documents.

Irish researchers can find a helpful Irish Roots Cafe podcast at IrishRoots.com.

Last night, the not-quite-finished MidContinent Public Library’s Midwest Genealogy Center (which tried very hard to be open in time for the conference) hosted a recption to give National Genealogical Society conference attendees a chance to preview the new facility.

At 52,000 square feet, it’s more than four times the size of the current Genealogy and Local History Branch. That library was already a tremendous resource—in our July 2008 issue, we designate it one of the nine genealogy libraries to visit before you die—but the spacious new digs will make it’s materials and staff even more accessible and useful.

Tuesday, editor Allison Stacy and I took a look at the current genealogy branch (it’s truly bursting at the seams) and got our own hard-hat tour of the in-progress Midwest Genealogy Center. We’re putting together a video for you, but in the meantime, here are some pictures from last night’s reception.

A light-filled atrium is the first thing Midwest Genealogy Center patrons will see.

Here you can see the curved circulation desk and future public lounge (lower level). The upper level will be mostly open stacks.

These reception attendees stand in the future periodicals area.

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Other rooms will house rare books, a computer lab (with equipment for digitizing your family photos or video tapes), microfilm cabinets and a microfilm reading room.