Genealogy
Making the Most of Your Visit
The Family History Centers are a very helpful resource for genealogy research and
the people there are friendly and always willing to help. The staff is made up of
volunteers doing their own family research so they themselves have (at one point or another)
been at whatever stage you are. And although they are privately owned and operated, everyone is welcome to use these centers.
Before you visit, contact the center to determine the hours of operation and any needed directions to find the center.
You can find the locations of larger Family History Centers™ in the United States and Canada on the LDS website.
What can I find at a FHC?
The library has collected millions of microfilms, thousands of microfiche and books, and many other records. Most of the microfilms have been acquired through an extensive microfilming program that began in 1938.
They continue to film original documents in churches, courthouses, and archives in many countries.
The originals of these microfilms are preserved in a vault in the mountains near Salt Lake City.
And copies of microfilms are available for use at the Family History Library and at Family History Centers™.
What do I do when I get there?
You will be asked to sign a book with your name, and then you simply proceed to the
front desk and tell them what you are looking for. They will get
the information for you and, if you need them to, help you understand what it means.
You can also reserve a computer and browse through CD-ROM files that are part of the
International Genealogical Index (IGI). This is an international index that has been
collected through a process of extracting parish records, cemetries, etc. from all
over the world, as well as, information other people have submitted from their own
research.
Even more
information is available on CD-ROM's so just ask and the staff only too willing
to help find it for you. If the center you are visiting doesn't have the information
you want, the staff can find it at the main library and have a copy sent to them. They will
explain the costs associated with these types of requests. When your information arrives at the center, you will have a month to review it
and then it is returned back to Salt Lake City.
What is the Genealogical Research Directory?
The LDS annually publishs this collection of individuals and the names they are researching.
In order to be listed you must be willing to share information with anyone who writes to you.
You can list up to 15 surnames that you are researching, and pricing information is available
at your local FHC. Requests must be submitted by November of each year for the following edition.
International Genealogical Index is a registered trademark of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Family History Center is a trademark of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
