Des Moines Iowa FamilySearch Center: Difference between revisions

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| title=Des Moines Iowa Family History Center
| content=''The Des Moines Family History Center is a volunteer run library with access to many archives and records to help you find your ancestors.
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=== Center Contacts and Hours  ===
Welcome to the Des Moines Family History Center.
Please call the center before coming to see if oipen. The center is volunteered run. Volunteers have have unexpected family commitment or illness. We occasionally have to close the center.


'''Location Map:'''


*[https://www.google.com/maps/place/3301+Ashworth+Rd,+West+Des+Moines,+IA+50265/@41.58486,-93.7492866,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x87ec2086a61238a3:0xfd40be594b6a83ba Location Map]
<span style="text-align:center; font-size:24pt">Welcome to the Des Moines Iowa FamilySearch Center</span>{{Box
 
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'''Address:'''
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*3301 Ashworth Rd West Des Moines IA 50265 United States
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*Cross intersection street – Valley West Drive
| title=Des Moines FamilySearch Center
<br>
| content=The Des Moines Iowa FamilySearch Center is run by volunteers and serves patrons from central Iowa who are interested in finding their ancestors.
 
}}
'''Phone:''' '''1-515-225-0416'''
 
'''E-mail:''' [mailto:IA_DesMoines@ldsmail.net IA_DesMoines@ldsmail.net]
 
'''FHC Director:''' Liesa Newman
<br>
 
'''Open Hours:'''
 
*'''Tuesday:'''10:00am-3:00pm &amp; 6:30pm-9:00pm
*'''Saturday:'''10:00am-3:00pm
<br>
 
'''Holiday Schedule:'''
 
'''Closed 1st weekend in Apr/Oct for General Conference. Closed Christmas and New Years Day (last two weeks in December).''' <br>
We occasionally close unexpectedly because of inclement weather. Same as the Des Moines Public School system. If they are closed, we are closed too. 
 
 
'''Planning a Visit'''
 
Our FHC is staffed by local volunteers who can help get you started with family history research. They can guide you in using FHC resources and equipment. If you're planning a visit to our center to begin your genealogy, write down what you know about the family you wish to research -- names, dates, and places -- and choose a research goal. This will help our volunteers to best assist you. Please call to calendar and confirm group visits in advance.’”
 
Des Moines Family Center Library is pleased and eager to offer the opportunity for individuals, organizations, and others to schedule a group visit to our library. We offer a variety of options that are sure to provide interest to your group. They include a short presentation, 20 to 25 minutes, in one of our meeting rooms, with the remainder of the time in the library.
 
Be our guests in a fun and learning atmosphere where knowledgeable FamilySearch staff will welcome and assist you in uncovering your ancestors and build your family tree
 
 
'''For Groups:''' To make an appointment, please contact the director.  [mailto:IA_DesMoines@ldsmail.net IA_DesMoines@ldsmail.net]
 
 
'''From Riverton Utah library:'''
Handouts and Guides
This new page includes links to download or print PDF handouts from the classes taught at the library and the Quick Start Guides available at the library. Click here (https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Riverton_FamilySearch_Library/Handouts_and_Guides) to view the handouts and guides.
Click here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1fuGadhnLuCIeRWu5aq_B5BMkHdPpZJ_2nH8JwnkfpXA/viewform) to register for a weekly email.
<br>
 
=== Calendar and Events  ===
 
'''2017 classes (Tuesdays 7:00-8:00 pm, Repeat for 2nd and 3rd weeks, 4th open for Q & A)'''
 
*January: Introduction to Familysearch Family Tree
*February: Finding your ancestors on Ancestry.com
*March: Sharing information between Familysearch and Ancestry.com
*April: Finding your ancestors on Familysearch
*May: Finding your ancestors on Findmypast
*June: Finding your ancestors on My Heritage
*July: Adding Memories to Familysearch: stories, photos, audio, etc.
*August: Finding your ancestors with Google
*September: What is descendancy research and how do I do it?
*October: Finding your ancestors on Find-a-grave
*November: Finding your ancestors on the United States Federal Census
*December: Finding your ancestors on Familysearch: catalog, books
 
==== Upcoming Events  ====
 
'''Family History Day Oct 21, 2017 10am-12pm'''
*The West Des Moines Family History Library will host a Family Discovery Day. From 10:00 am to 12:00 noon in the library.
 
'''To register or request a class, please email: [mailto:IA_DesMoines@ldsmail.net IA_DesMoines@ldsmail.net]
 
=== Center Resources  ===
 
==== Collections  ====
 
:*[https://www.familysearch.org/#form=catalog '''FamilySearch Catalog:'''] This center has the ability to order any of the films and fiche available through the FamilySearch Catalog. Each person will have to sign in and order the film with their credit information. Choose the Des Moines Family History Center as the place the film is to be sent. You will receive phone call when the film has arrived on loan in our FHC for your use.
:*'''Patrons' Microfiche Collection''' -- a collection of fiche ordered by our patrons, assorted titles. Contain family histories, vital records, and other types of information. These are indexed in the blue binders in the bookcase.
:*'''Indefinite Film Collection''' -- a collection of films on a variety of subjects, to include vital records, county records, court records, etc. They are indexed by state and then by county in the "state binders" in the bookcase.
:*'''Book Collections''' -- Dictionaries of many languages. Reference guides for areas worldwide. Head of Families (Early censuses).
 
We encourage visitors to bring own their digital cameras for copying images from microfilm or microfiche. Then you have your own digital record and can take the images home to clean them up on your imaging program!
 
*If the FHC camera is used, copies may be printed or files may be transferred to a jump drive using the XnView or FastStone.
*'''Memory sticks/jump drives''' can be used to download information from the microfilm scanner.
*'''Email Scans''' to your Email account from microfilm scanner.
*Patrons may bring their own laptops for note-taking or entering information into personal genealogical programs, with the disclaimer that the owner is responsible for the security of the device.
 
'''The Center is not a lending library. All films, fiche and books must remain within the Center.'''
 
==== Databases and Software  ====
 
:*'''[[FHC Portal]]''' This center has access to the Family History Center Portal page which gives free access in the center to premium family history software and websites that generally charge for subscriptions.
 
*'''19th Century British Library Newspaper Digital Archive'''
*'''Access Newspaper Archive''' - the largest historical newspaper database online, contains tens of millions of newspaper pages from 1753 to present. Every newspaper in the archive is fully searchable by keyword and date, making it easy for you to quickly explore historical content. All 50 states plus 10 countries.
*'''Alexander Street Press''' - The American Civil War: Research Database Letters and Diaries Images, Photographs, Posters, and Ephemera
*'''American Ancestors''' -
*'''Newspaper Archives''' - World's largest online newspaper archive, Features billions of articles from historical newspapers around the U. S. and the world. Full page and fully searchable.
*'''Ancestry.com''' -- This site has 10+ billion records. U. S. federal and state census records, vital records, passenger
lists, Canadian census, church, and vital records, UK census records, birth, marriage and death indexes, and other international records.
*'''ArkivDigital Online''' -- Swedish genealogy. Launch from the 'ArkivDigital Online' Start Menu or Desktop icon from a computer where the program has been installed.
*'''Find My Past''' -- 1.7 billion international family history records from the U.S., Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand and beyond with records going back to 1200. New collections are added every month.
*'''Fold3.com''' (Previously known as Footnote.com) -- Fold3 provides convenient access to US military records, including the stories, photos, and personal documents of the men and women who served.
*'''Godfrey Memorial Library''' -- Online access to the Middletown CT historical library's approximately 200,000 books and periodicals in its collection which includes state and local histories, family histories, biographies, church records, funeral records, cemetery records, military records, maps, and more.
*'''Heritage Quest Online''' -- a valuable genealogical resource available at this time only through library subscriptions like the Family History Center. U.S. Federal Census records from 1790 through 1930. (No index for 1830, 1840, 1850, nor 1880 census; for the 1930 census, only five states are indexed: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Texas, and Virginia.) The online collection includes new indexes created by HeritageQuest. In addition to the ability to search by name, the census records can be searched by place of birth, age, ethnicity, and other variables.
More than 25,000 fully searchable family and local history books. There are numerous other "non-history" books available that also have genealogy value, such as town and city directories, government reports made years ago, biographies, lectures, and much more.
Selected Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application Files, again fully searchable with high-quality scanned images of the original applications available online.
Signatures of and personal identification data about depositors in 29 branch offices of the Freedman's Savings and Trust Company, 1865-74.
PERSI (the PERiodical Source Index - a comprehensive subject index covering more than 6,500 genealogy and local history periodicals written in English and French since 1800). Best of all, you can view the original records and book pages as high-quality images and even print individual pages on your local printer. 
*'''Historic Map Works Library Edition''' - Historic Map Works™ Library Edition is one of the most extensive digital map collections available, with over 1.5 million high-resolution, full color historic maps.
*'''Paper Trail''' - a guide to overland pioneer names and documents.
*'''World Vital Records''' - Records from United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, China, Cook Islands, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Fiji, Finland, Georgia, Greenland, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Lebanon, Mexico, Montserrat, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tonga, Turkey.
 
Software Installed at the FHC:
 
*'''FamilySearch Indexing''' (to help index transcriptions from film to excel spreadsheets to make a searchable index for FamilySearch)
*'''Ancestral Quest 15''' (By Incline Software) (newer update from PAF)
*'''ArkivDigital Online''' -- Swedish genealogy. Launch from the 'ArkivDigital Online' Start Menu or Desktop icon from a computer where the program has been installed.
 
*'''XnView''' to capture images
*'''FastStone''' Viewer to capture images
*'''Libre Office''' (Alternative to Microsoft Office, compatible
 
==== Hardware and Equipment  ====
 
:*4 computers (internet access), 1 projector/screen monitor (for class lessons), 2 printer/scanner/copiers, 1 printer,  4 overhead microfilm readers, 1 microfiche reader and a microfilm scanner. Our scanner will scan pictures & documents directly to your FamilySearch account!
 
----
 
=== Center Services  ===
Other nearby Family History Centers from Des Moines :
 
*'''Ames Iowa:'''  https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Ames_Iowa_Family_History_Center
*'''Indianola Iowa:'''  https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Indianola_Iowa_Family_History_Center
*'''Knoxville Iowa:''' https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Knoxville_Iowa_Family_History_Center
*'''Newton Iowa:'''  https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Newton_Iowa_Family_History_Center
 
Others in the state of Iowa:
 
*'''Atlantic Iowa:''' https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Atlantic_Iowa_Family_History_Center
*'''Belle Plaine Iowa:''' https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Belle_Plaine_Iowa_Family_History_Center
*'''Burlington Iowa:''' https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Burlington_Iowa_Family_History_Center
*'''Cedar Falls/Waterloo Iowa:''' https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Cedar_Falls/Waterloo_Iowa_Family_History_Center
*'''Cedar Rapids Iowa:''' https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Cedar_Rapids_Iowa_Family_History_Center
*Centerville Iowa:  https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Centerville_Iowa_Family_History_Center
*'''Council  Bluffs Iowa:''' https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Council_Bluffs_Iowa_Family_History_Center
*'''Davenport Iowa:''' https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Davenport_Iowa_Family_History_Center
*'''Dubuque Iowa''': https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Dubuque_Iowa_Family_History_Center
*'''Fairfield Iowa:''' https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Fairfield_Iowa_Family_History_Center
*'''Fort Dodge Iowa:''' https:// familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Fort_Dodge_Iowa_Family_History_Center
*'''Glenwood Iowa:''' https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Glenwood_Iowa_Family_History_Center
*'''Iowa City Iowa:''' https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Iowa_City_Iowa_Family_History_Center
*'''Logan Iowa:'''  familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Logan_Iowa_Family_History_Center
*'''Marshalltown Iowa:''' https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Marshalltown_Iowa_Family_History_Center
*'''Mason City Iowa:'''  https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Mason_City_Iowa_Family_History_Center
*'''Mount Vernon Iowa:''' https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Mount_Vernon_Iowa_Family_History_Center
*'''Muscatine_Iowa:''' https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Muscatine_Iowa_Family_History_Center
*'''Osceola Iowa:''' https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Osceola_Iowa_Family_History_Center
*'''Oskaloosa Iowa:''' https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Oskaloosa_Iowa_Family_History_Center
*'''Ottumwa Iowa:''' https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Ottumwa_Iowa_Family_History_Center
*'''Shenandoah Iowa:''' https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Shenandoah_Iowa_Family_History_Center
*'''Storm Lake Iowa:''' https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Storm_Lake_Iowa_Family_History_Center
*'''Spencer Iowa:''' https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Spencer_Iowa_Family_History_Center
*'''Sioux City Iowa:''' https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Sioux_City_Iowa_Family_History_Center
 
==== Staff Research Specialties  ====
 
''(Include sections for any other services your center provides. Add additional sections for those services. See the [[Bountiful Utah Heights Family History Center|Bountiful]] and [[Chattanooga Tennessee Family History Center|Chattanooga]] FHC pages for examples.)''
 
----
 
=== Resources in the Local Area<br>  ===


:*'''[http://rzamor1.blogspot.com/2014/07/consultant-webinar-new-tools-for.html New Tools For Finding Your Missing Cousins (Renee Zamora)]''' '''Handout - [http://broadcast.lds.org/elearning/fhd/Local_Support/Consultant/Webinar/Consultant-Webinar-NewDescendancyTools-Handout-final.pdf?et_cid=47565884&et_rid=774958158&linkid=http%3a%2f%2fbroadcast.lds.org%2felearning%2ffhd%2fLocal_Support%2fConsultant%2fWebinar%2fConsultant-Webinar-NewDescendancyTools-Handout-final.pdf&cid=?cid=em-1539 New Tools For Finding Your Missing Cousins (Renee Zamora)]'''<br>
===Center Contacts and Hours===


HathiTrust digital library https://www.hathitrust.org/ offering a collection of millions of titles digitized from libraries around the world
'''Location Map: '''[https://www.google.com/maps/place/3301+Ashworth+Rd,+West+Des+Moines,+IA+50265/@41.58486,-93.7492866,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x87ec2086a61238a3:0xfd40be594b6a83ba Location Map]


Allen County Public Library Internet Site (http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/index.html), locations, hours, events, newsletter, research, services. Largest digital scanning project.
{{helpbox|width:20%;color=blue
|name=[[Des_Moines_Iowa_FamilySearch_Center|West Des Moines FamilySearch Library]]
|group1=Address:
|list1=3301 Ashworth Rd<br> West Des Moines, IA 50265-3137<br>Cross intersection street – Valley West Drive<br>
Ample Parking on the east<br>end of the parking lot.<br>Handicap spaces available.<br>'''Dorothy Flores - Director<br>
'''Email: '''[mailto:IA_DesMoines@familyhistorymail.org IA_DesMoines@familyhistorymail.org]<br>


Newberry Library (http://www.newberry.org/genealogy/overview.html) a large Chicago repository with genealogies, local histories, censuses, military, land, indexes, vital records, court, and tax records mostly from the Mississippi Valley, eastern seaboard, Canada, & British Isles.
|group2=Hours
|list2=Thursday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
}}


St. Louis County Library (http://www.slcl.org/branches/hq/sc/sc-genpg.htm), mostly Missouri, but includes St. Louis Genealogical, and National Genealogical Societys' collections, online databases, federal censuses, African American records, access to LDS microfilms.
[[Image:WestDesMoinesFHC.jpg|400px]]<br><br>
[[File:West DesMoines Family History Center Map.jpg|225px]]<br><br>
'''Hours:'''  


Mid-Continent Public Library Midwest Genealogy Center, Independence, MO, national censuses/indexes, 80,000 family histories, 100,000 local histories, 565,000 microfilms, 7,000 maps, and extensive newspaper clippings.
==Center Resources==


Library of Congress, Washington, DC, Local History and Genealogy Reading Room (http://www.loc.gov/rr/genealogy/) is part of the world's largest library including 50,000 genealogies, 100,000 local histories, rich in collections of manuscripts, microfilms, maps, newspapers, photographs, and published material, strong in North American, British Isles, and German sources.
====Collections====


=== Links  ===
:*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2k2KSg7xUfUTDVwMDFoLXYxY1k '''Patrons' Microfiche Collection'''] -- a collection of fiche ordered by our patrons, assorted titles. Contain family histories, vital records, and other types of information. These are indexed in the green binder in the reference shelf. **Recently updated.** Fiche ordering ceased Aug 31, 2017.
:*[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Va7VXmNM_870U9SS2qJI2V5eY30YDwi78FQAoAZ_8gk/edit?usp=sharing '''Indefinite Film Collection'''] -- a collection of films on a variety of subjects, to include vital records, county records, court records, etc. They are indexed by state and then by county in the "state binders" in the bookcase. These are indexed in the white binder in the reference shelf.
:*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M7ymiiw27vrxF-i1DRWuktwoS2cl7vMo/view?usp=sharing '''Book Collection:'''] -- Dictionaries of many languages. Reference guides for areas worldwide. Head of Families (Early censuses). These are indexed in the blue binder in the reference shelf.


Sign Up Genius http://www.signupgenius.com
====Databases and Software====


State rescources:
:*'''[[FamilySearch Center Portal]]''' -- From the computers in the FamilySearch Center you can access the FamilySearch Center Portal and all of its premium websites.


Iowa History Wiki Page: familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Iowa_History
'''Other nearby FamilySearch Centers from Des Moines:'''
Iowa Cemeteries Wiki Page: familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Iowa_Cemeteries
{| width="80%"
How to Find Iowa Birth Records Wiki Page:  familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/How_to_Find_Iowa_Birth_Records
|-
How to Find Iowa Marriage Records Wiki Page:   familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/How_to_Find_Iowa_Marriage_Records
| valign="top" |
How to Find Iowa Death Records Wiki Page:  familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/How_to_Find_Iowa_Death_Records
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Ames_Iowa_FamilySearch_Center Ames Iowa FamilySearch Center]
Iowa Online Genealogy Records: familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Iowa_Online_Genealogy_Records
| valign="top" |
Mormon Trail Wiki Page:  familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Mormon_Trail
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Indianola_Iowa_FamilySearch_Center Indianola Iowa FamilySearch Center]
Billion Graves  https://billiongraves.com
| valign="top" |
Iowa WPA Graves http://iowawpagraves.org/
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Knoxville_Iowa_FamilySearch_Center Knoxville Iowa FamilySearch Center]
Iowa Gravestones http://iowagravestones.org/cemeteries.php?cid=77
| valign="top" |
Soldiers and Sailors Database  https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/soldiers-and-sailors-database.htm
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Newton_Iowa_FamilySearch_Center Newton Iowa FamilySearch Center]
Rootsweb http://home.rootsweb.ancestry.com/
|}


=== Links  ===
'''Other statewide FSC's in Iowa:'''
{| width="80%"
|-
| valign="top" |
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Belle_Plaine_Iowa_FamilySearch_Center Belle Plaine Iowa FamilySearch Center]
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Burlington_Iowa_FamilySearch_Center Burlington Iowa FamilySearch Center]
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Cedar_Falls/Waterloo_Iowa_FamilySearch_Center Cedar Falls/Waterloo Iowa FamilySearch Center]
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Cedar_Rapids_Iowa_FamilySearch_Center Cedar Rapids Iowa FamilySearch Center]
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Centerville_Iowa_FamilySearch_Center Centerville Iowa FamilySearch Center]
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Council_Bluffs_Iowa_FamilySearch_Center Council Bluffs Iowa FamilySearch Center]
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Davenport_Iowa_FamilySearch_Center Davenport Iowa FamilySearch Center]
| valign="top" |
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Dubuque_Iowa_FamilySearch_Center Dubuque Iowa FamilySearch Center]
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Fairfield_Iowa_FamilySearch_Center Fairfield Iowa FamilySearch Center]
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Fort_Dodge_Iowa_FamilySearch_Center Fort Dodge Iowa FamilySearch Center]
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Iowa_City_Iowa_FamilySearch_Center Iowa City Iowa FamilySearch Center]
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Logan_Iowa_FamilySearch_Center Logan Iowa FamilySearch Center]
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Marshalltown_Iowa_FamilySearch_Center Marshalltown Iowa FamilySearch Center]
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Mason_City_Iowa_FamilySearch_Center Mason City Iowa FamilySearch Center]
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Mount_Vernon_Iowa_FamilySearch_Center Mount Vernon Iowa FamilySearch Center]
| valign="top" |
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Muscatine_Iowa_FamilySearch_Center Muscatine Iowa FamilySearch Center]
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Osceola_Iowa_FamilySearch_Center Osceola Iowa FamilySearch Center]
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Oskaloosa_Iowa_FamilySearch_Center Oskaloosa Iowa FamilySearch Center]
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Ottumwa_Iowa_FamilySearch_Center Ottumwa Iowa FamilySearch Center]
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Shenandoah_Iowa_FamilySearch_Center Shenandoah Iowa FamilySearch Center]
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Storm_Lake_Iowa_FamilySearch_Center Storm Lake Iowa FamilySearch Center]
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Spencer_Iowa_FamilySearch_Center Spencer Iowa FamilySearch Center]
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Sioux_City_Iowa_FamilySearch_Center Sioux City Iowa FamilySearch Center]
|}


Local Links:
===Resources in the Local Area===
[[Image: IowaGenealogicalSociety.jpg|left|350px|IowaGenealogicalSociety.jpg]]
'''<u>State Resources:</u>'''
Iowa Genealogical Society (http://iowagenealogy.org) Also a local family history center satellite.
{| width="80%"
[[Image: State Historical Society Iowa.jpg|left|350px|State Historical Society Iowa.jpg]]
|-
State Historical Society of Iowa https://iowaculture.gov/history/research/collections
| valign="top" |
Iowa Heritage Digital Collections http://www.iowaheritage.org/
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Iowa_History Iowa History Wiki Page]
Des Moines Public library http://dmpl.org/our-collection/research/local-history
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Iowa_Cemeteries Iowa Cemeteries Wiki Page]
Des Moines Register Newspaper Obituary Index http://libhip.desmoineslibrary.com:8080/ipac20/ipac.jsp?profile=
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/How_to_Find_Iowa_Birth_Records How to Find Iowa Birth Records Wiki Page]
Cemetery Interment Search: (includes Glendale, Woodland, St. Ambrose, Laurel Hill, Oak Grove, Sims and  Elm Grove) https://cemeterysearch.dmgov.org/
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/How_to_Find_Iowa_Marriage_Records How to Find Iowa Marriage Records Wiki Page]
Highland Memory Gardens Burials http://www.highlandmemorygardens.com/search-burials.asp
| valign="top" |
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/How_to_Find_Iowa_Death_Records How to Find Iowa Death Records Wiki Page]
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Iowa_Online_Genealogy_Records Iowa Online Genealogy Records]
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Mormon_Trail Mormon Trail Wiki Page]
*[https://billiongraves.com Billion Graves]
| valign="top" |
*[http://iowawpagraves.org/ Iowa WPA Graves]
*[http://iowagravestones.org/cemeteries.php?cid=77 Iowa Gravestones]
*[https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/soldiers-and-sailors-database.htm Soldiers and Sailors Database]
*[http://home.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ Rootsweb]
|}


----
'''<u>Local Resources:</u>'''<br>
{| width="80%"
|-
| valign="top" |
[[File:IowaGenealogicalSociety.jpg|300px]]


=== Volunteer at the Center  ===
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Iowa_Genealogical_Society Iowa Genealogical Society]
| valign="top" |
[[File:State_Historical_Society_Iowa.JPG|250px]]


''We welcome volunteers from the community to help serve in the Family History Center. It's a great way to help others and to learn by doing.  You need not be an expert.  Ability to use a computer and willingness to become familiar with the FamilySearch website and resources are key.  Contact the FHC director at the telephone or e-mail listed above for more information.''
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/State_Historical_Society_of_Iowa State Historical Society of Iowa]
|}

Latest revision as of 15:34, 8 May 2024

FamilySearch This article describes the services and resources available at a FamilySearch Center, a branch facility of the FamilySearch Library.




Welcome to the Des Moines Iowa FamilySearch Center

Des Moines FamilySearch Center

The Des Moines Iowa FamilySearch Center is run by volunteers and serves patrons from central Iowa who are interested in finding their ancestors.


Center Contacts and Hours

Location Map: Location Map

West Des Moines FamilySearch Library
Address:
3301 Ashworth Rd
West Des Moines, IA 50265-3137
Cross intersection street – Valley West Drive

Ample Parking on the east
end of the parking lot.
Handicap spaces available.
Dorothy Flores - Director

Email: IA_DesMoines@familyhistorymail.org
Hours
Thursday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

WestDesMoinesFHC.jpg

West DesMoines Family History Center Map.jpg

Hours:

Center Resources

Collections

  • Patrons' Microfiche Collection -- a collection of fiche ordered by our patrons, assorted titles. Contain family histories, vital records, and other types of information. These are indexed in the green binder in the reference shelf. **Recently updated.** Fiche ordering ceased Aug 31, 2017.
  • Indefinite Film Collection -- a collection of films on a variety of subjects, to include vital records, county records, court records, etc. They are indexed by state and then by county in the "state binders" in the bookcase. These are indexed in the white binder in the reference shelf.
  • Book Collection: -- Dictionaries of many languages. Reference guides for areas worldwide. Head of Families (Early censuses). These are indexed in the blue binder in the reference shelf.

Databases and Software

  • FamilySearch Center Portal -- From the computers in the FamilySearch Center you can access the FamilySearch Center Portal and all of its premium websites.

Other nearby FamilySearch Centers from Des Moines:

Other statewide FSC's in Iowa:

Resources in the Local Area

State Resources:

Local Resources:

IowaGenealogicalSociety.jpg

State Historical Society Iowa.JPG