In a strategic move to enhance its service offerings, Ancestry, a leading authority in family history research, has officially announced its acquisition of iMemories, a forward-thinking company renowned for its expertise in media digitization and cloud-based content preservation. This acquisition marks a significant advancement in Ancestry’s ongoing mission to connect individuals with their ancestral histories, facilitating a more comprehensive approach to discovering, preserving, and sharing family stories.
iMemories has established itself as a reliable partner for transforming analog media—such as home movies, film reels, videotapes, photographs, slides, and negatives—into high-quality digital formats. These digitized records can be easily accessed through the iMemories app on various devices including smartphones, tablets, computers, and Smart TVs. This capability not only modernizes the preservation of personal histories but also ensures that cherished memories remain accessible across generations.
The acquisition is poised to augment Ancestry’s capabilities, enriching its existing ecosystem with powerful tools for user-generated content. This enhancement supports Ancestry’s strategy to provide personalized and artificial intelligence-driven storytelling, creating additional value for current subscribers while also attracting new customers. Such innovations are expected to lead to an enriched user experience, allowing families to weave their historical narratives more extensively and engagingly.
Howard Hochhauser, President and CEO of Ancestry, expressed enthusiasm regarding the merger, stating, “We’re thrilled to welcome iMemories to Ancestry as we make family history more visual, emotional, and accessible. By combining Ancestry’s leadership in family history with iMemories’ expertise in media digitization, we’re empowering people to preserve their most meaningful moments and bring their family stories to life in powerful new ways.” This highlights Ancestry’s commitment to leveraging technology for a more profound connection to family heritage.
Founded in Scottsdale, Arizona, iMemories has cultivated a trusted reputation over the last two decades. With a track record of serving over one million clients and digitizing more than 100 million assets, iMemories contributes advanced preservation tools and a scalable media platform to bolster Ancestry’s global outreach.
Mark Rukavina, Founder and CEO of iMemories, shared his excitement about this partnership: “Joining forces with Ancestry opens an exciting new chapter for iMemories. Together, we’re redefining how families experience their history—making it easier than ever to preserve treasured memories and pass them on for generations to come.”
Looking to the future, the collaboration between Ancestry and iMemories will not only streamline the digitization of family photos, videos, and films but also enhance the integration of these visuals into users’ family trees. The infusion of AI-powered tools will further enrich these stories, making them more vivid and personalized.
While the financial details of the transaction remain undisclosed, it is noteworthy that JEGI CLARITY + LEONIS acted as advisors for iMemories throughout this process. The strategic acquisition signifies a notable shift in how families will engage with their histories, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of their unique legacies.
