A Family History Awakening - Anu's Story

Sister Martin and I, Elder Martin, interviewed Anu before a recent Family History Fireside. We wrote the following story exclusively about her because her excitement was literally "over-the-top", but difficult to covey that excitement in words. It may be posted on a church online news in India. Enjoy...

Elder Martin, Anu, Sister Martin. Background: an excited missionary from No. California, Elder Kioa and Elder Nelson

It was an exciting evening for Annapurna Vadlamani (Anu), a Visakhapatman resident. She was one of over a hundred people that gathered for a Family History Conference in Visakhapatman, India on January 26, 2019.

Annapurna Vadlamani (Anu) and Sister Terry Martin

Why did she and so many attend? Why would anyone want to dig up their past genealogical roots? Many are very eager to do family history since the prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, announced that a temple will soon be built in India.

Anu was enthusiastic to share why she attended the event and why she loves doing family history. She is currently the Visak District Family History Consultant and Self Reliance specialist for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Anu was also asked to translate for one of the speakers from English to Telugu during the event. She is married and has four children.

Anu translating from English into Telugu, the local language

In 2008, she desired to seek after her paternal grandmother’s family history. Since she had passed away, she sought to find her grandmother’s sister. All Anu knew was her name, the city, and that she lived on Temple Street.

Anu courageously traveled to another city, seven months pregnant with her two little children on her quest.  When she arrived at Temple Street, she began asking people if anyone knew her. She said “It was like the Lord’s hand was there, helping”. Each person she asked drew her a little closer until she found her. It was like a miracle.

At first she was worried if she would be accepted. Her great aunt was Hindu and Anu was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS. She had only met her once before. However, her grandmother’s sister warmly welcomed her.

Anu eagerly sketched the four generation family pedigree as they visited for 2 hours, “she was like an encyclopedia of information”. Anu exclaimed, “It was an amazing experience! I’ll never forget it! I felt a strong connection with my ancestors, like they were waiting for me to get the information recorded.” Anu explained that India's government didn't record birth and death dates. Approximate dates were typically remembered by lunar calendar. For example, a birth date may be recorded as 5 days after the full moon. 

Anu was the first in her family to be baptized, then her sister and finally her mother joined the church. At first, Anu’s sister was very against her joining the church.  However, when the missionaries told her more about Jesus Christ and the true plan of salvation, and that she could see her grandmother again, she got very excited and knew it was true! She loved and missed her grandmother very dearly. Her maternal grandparents took care of her and her sister when were little during a time when her father was out of work. a Two weeks later she was baptized and became super strong in her faith.

One of Anu's favorite experiences was going to the Hong Kong Temple for the first time to do baptisms for the dead. She did 90 baptisms that day. She said, "The water was warm but I didn't get tired even though I was pregnant and a little apprehensive".

Anu loves "awakening" others about their family history and telling them about familysearch.org. She shares her testimony often and exclaims, “It might look like a gigantic task, but it is not. All you need are names and dates and we will help you with the rest.”

Anu and other Family History Consultants being introduced at the Family History conference in Visakhapatman, India

The event was held at the Visak 1st, 2nd and 3rd Branch building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Several speakers from different backgrounds came and shared their stories.

Here are two audio clips of Anu speaking with us. The background noise is loud since everyone is visiting before it started.

The speakers were great. We may post another story about them. Here's a link to a story written about the same people that presented in different cities. It includes a piece of the story above. Church of Jesus Christ of LDS Newsroom - Searching for Family Connections in India

Here's some other pictures of the Visak event below.