Hurricane Utah FamilySearch Center

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

Hurricane Utah Family History Center The Hurricane Utah Family History Center is located in downtown Hurricane just off State Street. We serve the areas of Hurricane, La Verkin, Toquerville, all the way to Zion's National Park.  We have almost 60 volunteers who are trained to help visiting patrons surf the highways of the Internet to find their kindred dead and organize their information in one of the software programs available.

Center Contacts and Hours

• Location Map: Location Map

• 37 South 200 West, Hurricane, Utah 84737
• Coming from St. George, take the first Hurricane Exit. Drive through 5 stop lights after the freeway. Turn Right on 2nd West. We are South of State Street right behind the Hurricane Car Dealership located in the old Seminary building. Parking is available in the back of the building or in the front on the street.

Phone: 1-435-635-2174

E-mail: ut_hurricane@ldsmail.net

Open Hours:

• Monday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
• Tuesday: 9:00am - 9:00pm
• Wednesday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
• Thursday: 9:00am - 9:00pm
• Friday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
• Saturday: 10:00am - 2:00pm

Holiday Schedule (Center will be closed):

• Monday, Jan. 19 Martin Luther King Day
• Monday, Feb. 16 President's Day
• Wednesday, April 8 Deep Cleaning Day
• Monday, May 25 Memorial Day
• Tuesday, June 16 Deep Cleaning Day
• Monday July 3 - July 26 Summer Break
• Thur. Aug. 30(5pm) - Mon. Sep. 3 Peach Days and Labor Day
• Monday, September 7 Labor Day
• Fri./Sat. Sept. 28 and 29 - Family Roots Conference
• Sat. Oct. 6 - General Conference
• Oct. 31 (closing at 3:30) - Halloween
• Mon. - Sun. Nov. 19-25 - Thanksgiving Week
• Tue. Nov. 20 - Deep Cleaning Day
• Sun. - Wed. Dec. 16-Jan 2 - Christmas Break (Reopen Monday January 3rd)

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Calendar and Events:

CLASSES for OCTOBER -- 2018

For class descriptions, see the listing after all the Classes.

To schedule and sign up to take classes, call 435-635-2174 

DATE	TIME	CLASS	INSTRUCTOR
3 Wed	7:00 PM	Family Tree #1	Daryl Bartholomew
4 Thu	9:30 AM	Family Tree #1	Daryl Bartholomew
4 Thu	3:30 PM	Web Indexing	Ethelyn & Craig Humphries
5 [null Fri]	2:00 PM	Family Tree Mobile App	Cathy Riley
10 Wed	7:00 PM	Family Tree #2	Cathy Riley
11 Thu	9:30 AM	Family Tree #2	Cathy Riley
11 Thu	2:00 PM	Merging Duplicates	Pat Grow
16 Tue	10:00 AM	Descendancy Research	Mimi Thomas
17 Wed	10:00 AM	Write Your Own History	Helayna Goulding
17 Wed	2:00 PM	Scanner Workshop	Steve Haddox
18 Thu	2:00 PM	Researching with Newspapers	Gerri Hinton
18 Thu	3:30 PM	Indexing & Review	Ethelyn & Craig Humphries
18 Thu	7:00 PM	Ancestry.com	Pat Grow
22 Mon	1:30 PM	Save Money with Our Center’s Free Websites	Daryl Bartholomew
23 Tue	9:30 AM	GIMP Photo Repair	David Hinton
23 Tue	1:30 PM	Advanced Research	Pat Erdmann
24 Wed	11:00 AM	Apps	Steve Haddox
25 Thu	1:30 PM	Ancestry.com   Tips and Tricks	Pat Grow
30 Tue	1:30 PM	Hidden Treasures in FHC’s Library Books	Pat Erdmann
	By appointment 435-635-6940	England Research—1837 to present	Barbara Waagen
	By appointment 435-635-6940	Norwegian Research	Barbara Waagen
	By appointment 435-635-6940	Swedish Research	Barbara Waagen
	By appointment 435-635-0824	Danish Research	Vibeke Lindhardt
	By appointment 435-313-3915	German Research  /  Orphan Trains	Pat Erdmann
	By appointment 435-635-4179	Basic Research	Arlene Wardean
	By appointment 435-669-3123	Family Tree #3	Marian Keller
	By appointment 435-619-3632	Help with Indexing	Ethelyn and Craig Humphries

To schedule and sign up to take classes, call 435-635-2174

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

Family Tree Training Class #1

Learn to Navigate in Family Tree; View 4 different charts Landscape, Portrait, Fan and Descendency. How to [expand or contract] family lines. Find [Get Help] and the [Learning Center]; understand Privacy Rules. Learn the difference between [Summary Card] and [Person or Detail Page]. Produce a [4-generation Pedigree Chart]; and a [Family Group Sheet]. View children and other spouses, if any. Update vital information and [standardize] information for ancestors in your tree for at least 4 generations.

Family Tree Training Class #2

Add sources; why it’s important to verify who the person is. You will learn how to add sources from other websites; and how to use [Recordseek]. The Memories tab has a drop down with several options; [Photos, Stories, Documents, Audio, People, Albums, and Find]. We will show the uses for each option, such as how to download photos, stories and documents. How to Tag photos, etc. Learn how to use the [Library Catalog] that is located at the Salt Lake City Family History Library, from your computer. learn how to sign up and access the 5 Partner websites at no charge, [Ancestry.com, FindMyPast, myheritage, American Ancestors, and Geneanet]from your computer.

Family Tree - Advanced #3

Learn the essential research skills to find your ancestors by:

1. Getting organized for research
2. Identifying a line to do research on to extend your pedigree
3. Form solid strategies to research your selected lines
4. Using Family Search tools to find ancestor information
5. Developing your skills in researching your ancestors
6. Solve problems and use effective research methods

These 3 classes are to be studied and learned together. Each class builds on the next and prepares you for more cleaning and getting the records as correct as possible to give our book of life to the Lord when that time comes.

Why keep a Data Base?

Since FamilySearch has a tree, we learn why we need to keep a database. There are many different types of Genealogical databases. A Database can keep the information you want on a living relative (your children.) A Database can keep photo memories of living and dead. A Database cannot be changed by anyone but you. A Database is private, only changed by you, and is kept safe from others. It is also a place to keep notes that you don’t want anyone else to see. Learn how to tag to keep private information private. There are free and cost wise databases that interface with Family Tree to easily move information back and forth. Learn when to Backup/Restore, Import/Export, and what “save as” is for. Learn when to use a flash drive and well as learn more terminology.

Basic Roots Magic

No matter what personal genealogy program you decide to use, the most important thing is that you have one.  You do not need to be a professional researcher as even those who have the most casual approach to dipping your toes into the world of genealogical research can greatly benefit from having a way to store and/or share your family stories and data.  RootsMagic is a very versatile and easy to use program even for those who know only the basics of computer use.  In the Basic RootsMagic Class, I will explain how to obtain RootsMagic, set up the program on your computer and/or flash drive and tap into and link the data and sources available to anyone interested in using Family Search/Family Tree with assistance for obtaining access to Family Search if needed.  But unlike Family Search, RootsMagic is your own private data base allowing you to have control over what information you choose to included and what part of that information you may want to share.  We will go over the basic features of the program including:  logging in, starting and naming files, finding and adding people, data entry and editing, navigating tabs and views, and of course, how to back up and share your files.  This class is open to anyone interested in researching and saving Family History.

Advanced Roots Magic

There are tweeks and tricks in advanced RootsMagic that will help you organize a family reunion, print out data sheets to find what might be missing in a person’s life information, sheets to find who was living in a particular area and time, color code direct ancestors, add photos and documents, merge options, gazetteer, internet tools for sharing and searching and publishing.  You can also print out Reports:  narrative, custom, individual summary, Family Group Sheets, Pedigree charts and others.  We will go over some of these and introduce you to others and as always there are no dumb questions.  RootsMagic is a wonderful programs that does more than just store data.  It also lets you do things with that information in many different ways that are helpful to really personalize “your” files.

Wiki Training

Have you heard of Wikipedia? Family Search has created a resource guide to help you find what information is available in the place you are looking for your ancestor called simply the WIKI.

I can look for the state or country or county my ancestor lived in and see what is recommended for finding a record about my ancestor. Can it really be this simple? They have had these as printed guides for many years, but now because the collections online change so quickly they have created a site where you can go to see the latest and greatest information about, well almost anything genealogy oriented. We have 21 computers available for you to start learning what is available for you to find that hidden record about your ancestor. Come join in our workshop after the class.

Research Basics

Learning how to do research is not a difficult task these days. Familytree has many hints already to attach to your ancestor. Make sure it is the correct record for your family.

Going beyond what family search gives you, you will learn what information to look for on a record, especially those easier ones like census records. Learn to glean the most you can from looking at the original record, not just an indexed record. Did you know they don’t index everything that might be important to you? We have staff on hand to help you practice what you learn today.

England and Wales Research-After 1837

The basis of research after 1837 includes extensive use of the 1841 – 1911 census records, civil registration records and index of births, marriages, and deaths from 1837 forward (years of availability vary for each group of records), and use of the newly available GRO (General Register’s Office) records. In addition, the church records of the Church of England including parish maps and non-conformist denominations are a valuable source of information for your English and Welsh families. the General Probate Registry beginning in 1859 is another valuable resource. Come and learn how to find and use these great resources, many of which are now available at no charge by using online records. Search strategies will be also presented.

American Ancestors

The New England Genealogical Society have joined with Familysearch and LDS members can have free access to their site. They named their web site “American Ancestors.”

We will be showing a webinar to learn how to use the site to our advantage. They have many early American records that are not available anywhere else.

This is one of the perks that familysearch is giving to us for doing our work. Come and learn how to use this new site. I am very excited to learn to find more documents about my early American ancestors.

Norwegian Research, part 1

Two Norwegian Research classes are offered:  Part 1 and Part 2.  It is strongly recommended that both classes are attended in order.  The material is not duplicated.  There will be both instruction and “hands on computer” time plus handouts and worksheets.  The instructor will be Barbara Waagen for both classes. Part 1:  Topics covered include:  A brief history of Norway, geography and land divisions, helps to “cross the pond” using USA immigration records and Norway emigration records.  Also discussed will be handwriting helps for confidence in reading the original records, and naming customs. Learn how to use the Wiki in FamilySearch as a resource. Learn how to access Norwegian Church records for FREE. Part 2:  This section is designed to utilize the information from Part 1 in compiling an actual family.  Topics covered in Part 2 include: A research process guide, a key word list, calculating actual dates from feast dates, hints for using farm histories and census records, and using Norwegian parish records including birth/christening, marriage, license and banns, and death/burials.  Students will be challenged to complete a prepared research project in the actual parish records using a real family for experience to find all children in the family and parents.

Swedish Research:  

Two Swedish Research classes are offered-Part 1 and Part 2.  It is strongly recommended that both classes are attended in order.  The material is not duplicated.  There will be both instruction and computer “hands on” time plus handouts and worksheets.

Part 1  

The topics covered include; a Brief History of Sweden, Geography and land divisions, key words you must know, helps to “cross the pond” back to Sweden, naming customs, and three ways to access the Swedish Church Records for FREE.  A practice exercise including some handwriting helps will also be included.

Part 2 

The topics covered include: Using the Wiki in FamilySearch, Maps are a must, using birth, christening, banns, marriage, death and burial records and why you need them, the importance of Clerical Surveys plus hints for using them, and how to convert Feast Dates to Calendar Dates. Finally, you will learn the research process using all of these free records to compile a real family.

Basic Computer

This class is not teaching about genealogy and how it is done, but is designed to help those who are just learning about computers and how they work.

Basic Computer #1

You will learn basic computer language for use of the computer. There is class time and practice time.

Basic Computer #2

We look at word processors and their function. We talk about the kinds of word processors there are and their differences. We learn how to create documents and folders and how to join them.

Basic Computer #3

We take an in-depth look at the things you can do with the word processor to make the documents you produce come to life.

Descendancy Research

Would you like to do more temple work in your own family? Do you need temple names for youth to do? Learn how to find counsins that are related to you and qualify them for temple work. The LDS church's family tree is giving you lots of hints to find such cousins. Puzzilla.org is an app that also helps to find ends of lines that have not been found yet. Come and learn how to research or attach sources so the work can be done by you.

Scanners Workshop

Before you upload your pictures or documents to your flash drive, or to Family Search, they must be digitized. This class will teach you how to use the scanners at the Center to digitize your material, including slides, pictures and negatives. You will also learn how to scan a book, or multi-page documents.

Photo Repair

This class will use the GIMP program for the class. While it is an extensive photo program, we will be focusing on the 7 tools in that program to allow a person to take out blemishes in the photo. We will learn how to repair rips and tears, or folds in the picture. Please bring a photo you would like to have repaired. This picture must already be scanned and put on your flash drive. You will have time to practice on a computer.

Match and Merge

Do you find duplicates in your life? Are there wives, children or duplicate parents you don't recognize? Being able to find and merge duplicate records will help solve some problems in your family tree.

Web Indexing

You can now index on your tablets of or other mobile devices. No downloads are required! Come learn the new program. Searchable only. Indexing is vital to temple and family history work because it helps "fuel the find"; through indexed records, more and more people are now able to find their family members and add them to their family trees so they can perform temple ordinances. Because of Indexing, more SOURCES are becoming available every day!!

Danish Genealogy

Learn how to find your ancestors and their records in Denmark.

Apps Gallery

There are over 100 apps to be found in the APP gallery. In this class we learn how to get into the APP gallery and how to move around in it to find the app you are looking for. We will demonstrate the use of several of the apps. You will be impressed.

US Military Records

Military records are found in many places on the internet from 1785 to the Vietnam war. You will learn how to find specific records on different websites, and how to google unusual records. Pension files and how to order them, are so important and you can find much information on other members of the serviceman's family. Death records can be found as well as marriage dates and places. Some explain what they did in the service, and where they served.

Family History Center Portals

Premium websites are available in the Family History Center-Portals for research. These can only be accessed from the Family History Center Computers. If you wanted to access them from your home computer, the premium websites would require a paid subscription.

Write your own history

Suggestions on what to include in your life history and how to get started. 52 Questions to consider.

Discovering DNA

I took the test....now what? Lear how to use the information you received from the test results. What does it all mean?

Newspaper Research

This class is designed to help you discover the many ways that newspapers can aid in your research. Newspapers can provide clues and information that cannot be found anywhere else! Newspapers contain birth, marriage, death notices, obituaries, photographs, passenger lists, military news, biographical sketches, citizenship notices, land transactions, and a host of other information. Access to historical newspapers has never been better. Come and see what you have been missing!

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Center Resources

Collections

• Our center has approx 1000 films on indefinite loan and 3 drawers of micro fiche.
  

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. 

Hardware and Equipment

• 26 computers, 2 High volume printers and a Scanner/copier, Flat bed scanner for scanning Pictures, Negatives & Slide, ScanSnap Scanner. Scans normal documents, pictures, and books. Scans much faster than the flatbed, Microfiche Reader 2 microfilm readers, Microfilm reader/scanner for printing or saving film images and 42" TV for Skype and daytime classes.

Center Services

We are equipped to handle group visits of up to 15 people. Group leaders need to come into the FHC at least 2 weeks prior to the visit, and get a packet so that their group can be prepared for a successful visit. Please call Cathy Riley, 801-541-3208, to reserve a date and time for your visit.

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Resources in the Local Area

Hurricane Heritage Museum: This museum has histories, stories and pictures of the settling of the community of Hurricane, and surrounding communities. There are family histories there, and many books written for the purpose of explaining the history of Hurricane. It has some artifacts of pioneer vintage.

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Links

• FamilySearch Research Wiki: What It Can Do For You!: A comprehensive video presentation explaining the Wiki, navigating it, and some especially useful pages. Case studies demonstrate using the Wiki for genealogical research. Editing and adding articles to the Wiki are covered.

• Hurricane Family History Website

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Volunteer at the Center

• For those who would like to serve a one year "Service Mission" or longer please call and pick up the information to give to your Bishop, or if you would just like to be a volunteer then call and we can set up an appointment.