Oakland California FamilySearch Center/Resources: Difference between revisions

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! style="border:2px solid black; background-color:#739b4b; width: 145pt; border-radius: 5px;{{round corners}}" |[[Oakland_California_FamilySearch_Library/Classes & Webinars |<span style="color:white;font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size:25px">Learning Center</span>]]
! style="border:2px solid black; background-color:#739b4b; width: 145pt; border-radius: 5px;{{round corners}}" |[[Oakland_California_FamilySearch_Library/Classes & Webinars |<span style="color:white;font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size:25px">Learning Center</span>]]
! style="border:2px solid black; background-color: #996799; width: 145pt; border-radius: 5px; {{round corners}}" |[[Oakland_California_FamilySearch_Library/Library Resources|<span style="color:white;font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size:25px">Library Resources </span>]]
! style="border:2px solid black; background-color: #996799; width: 145pt; border-radius: 5px; {{round corners}}" |[[Oakland_California_FamilySearch_Library/Library Resources|<span style="color:white;font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size:25px">Library Resources </span>]]
! style="border:2px solid black; background-color:#739b4b; width: 145pt; border-radius: 5px;{{round corners}}" |[[Oakland_California_FamilySearch_Library/Events & External Resources|<span style="color:white;font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size:25px">Events</span>]]
! style="border:2px solid black; background-color:#739b4b; width: 145pt; border-radius: 5px;{{round corners}}" |[[Oakland_California_FamilySearch_Library/Events & External Resources|<span style="color:white;font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size:25px">Virtual Tours</span>]]
! style="border:2px solid black; background-color:#739b4b; width: 145pt; border-radius: 5px;{{round corners}}" |[[Oakland_California_FamilySearch_Library/Virtual Tours & Discovery Center|<span style="color:white;font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size:25px">Virtual Tours</span>]]
! style="border:2px solid black; background-color:#739b4b; width: 145pt; border-radius: 5px;{{round corners}}" |[[Oakland_California_FamilySearch_Library/Virtual Tours & Discovery Center|<span style="color:white;font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size:25px">Calendar</span>]]
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Revision as of 12:59, 17 March 2021

Home Consultations Learning Center Library Resources Virtual Tours Calendar


70+ Computers

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Free premium genealogical sites at the FHC Portal:

  • AmericanAncestors.org (New England Historic Genealogical Society-NEHGS)
  • Ancestry.com (Largest commercial genealogy site)
  • Archion (German Lutheran Church Records)
  • Arkivdigital (Swedish Database)
  • Find My Past (Commercial Genealogy Site- strong in British Isles, Australian, and Canadian records)
  • Fold3 (Specialty in Military records)
  • GenealogyBank.com (Newspapers)
  • My Heritage (Commercial Genealogy Site - strong in European records)
  • Newspapers.com (Newspapers)


Oakland FSL Library Computers.JPG





















Additional Capabilities:

  • Genealogy database software: Ancestral Quest, Legacy, RootsMagic
  • Research aids such as HistoryGeo
  • Research databases as Acadian-Cajun Family Trees, Australian Vital Records, Mormon Immigration Index
  • LibreOffice for word processing, spreadsheet and presentation preparation
  • Photo editing software: IrfanView, HP Photo Smart Essential, MGI Photo Suite, ACD Foto Slate
  • Microfilm ScanPro Digitizing Equipment

Online Catalog

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To access the single world-wide catalog for all FamilySearch libraries and centers, click here:



To NARROW your search to materials specific to the Oakland FamilySearch Library, take these steps:

  1. Click on the Catalog button above
  2. Under Availability, click on "Family History Center"
  3. Press the down arrow to select "Oakland California FamilySearch Library"
  4. Search by Places, Surnames, Titles, Authors, Subjects or Keywords


To BROADEN your search to other family history centers and to the holdings of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, select the desired name from the dropdown "Family History Center" list.


For an introduction to the FamilySearch Catalog Click here: Introduction to the Catalog

Classrooms Available for Reservation. Call (510) 531-3905

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Computer Lab available for group classes, Temple & Family History Consultants and others

  • Capacity: 14 class members each with computer for hands-on learning
  • Teaching station with computer and a projector to large screen
  • Printer access for all stations


Learning Center

  • Capacity: 50 class members
  • Includes an extra-large screen, projector and teaching station with computer for the instructor
  • Printer access


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Digitizing Stations

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  • Scanning & digitizing photos, photo albums, negatives, slides, and books (USB drives available)
  • Microfilm & Microfiche reading and digitizing
  • Shot Box for photographing 3-D heirlooms; 16" X 16" X 16"
       Oakland FSL Scanner.JPG
      Oakland FSL Black Scanner.JPG
         Oakland FSL Flat Scanner.JPG
Shotbox for photographing 3-D heirlooms
Microfilm and Microfiche reading


Books, Maps, and Resources of Local & International Interest

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The library has an 8,000-volume family history book collection, including a Special Collections section.

Resources of local interest:

  • Alameda County Obituary Card File 1985-2002: an alphabetical card file containing more than 35,000 obituaries clipped from Alameda County newspapers (95% from the "Alameda Times Star")
  • California Mission Records: microfilmed copies of original mission records dating from the 1770s to the early 1900s

Resources of international interest:

  • Growing collection of church records from the Azores
  • Records of births, marriages and deaths from Tonga. These typescript copies of vital records in Tonga date from the late 1860's to 1942
  • City Directories - extensive collection across many parts of the United States


Oakland FSL Reference Desk.JPG float:right

Discovery Center

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The Discovery Center engages individuals interactively with their family history and heritage.
Utilizing one of eight 55 inch touch screens, five fun and educational activities are available.
Over 20 additional activities are available on FamilySearch.org and on the
"FamilySearch Family Tree" App under Family History Activities in the drop-down menu.

Oakland FSL Discovery Center.JPG


Click on any image below and you will be taken to the website page.

All About Me[edit | edit source]

Learn about the meaning of your first and last name, what happened in your birth year, and other fun facts.

Oakland FSL All About Me.JPG

Where Am I From[edit | edit source]

See where your family came from, view photos of family members and read their stories.

Oakland FSL Where Am I From.JPG

My Famous Relatives[edit | edit source]

Patrons can learn how they are related to famous people. Did their ancestors sail on the Mayflower?
Do they descend from famous Americans, such as the Founding Fathers, or U.S. Presidents?
Are they related to church leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

Oakland FSL Famous Relatives.JPG

Picture My Heritage[edit | edit source]

Connect to your heritage. Add your face to historical photos and dress of the times.

Oakland FSL Picture My Heritage1.png

Compare A Face[edit | edit source]

Compare your face to your relatives' faces, and see who you most resemble.

Oakland FSL Compare a Face.JPG


As these activities utilize data from FamilySearch.org, in order to enhance your Discovery Center experience,
consider doing the following before coming to the Library:

1. If you already have a FamilySearch account, be sure to bring your account username and password.
2. If you do not have an account, you may set up one by clicking on the link below.
3. If you prefer, library staff can assist you to set up an account when you arrive.



Lunchroom & Family/Children's Area

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Pictured below is a lunchroom facility for patron use, which includes a refrigerator, microwave and toaster oven. Also pictured is a designated area for small children to play.

Oakland FSL Lunch Room.JPG float:right

Finally, the EXPERTISE of our staff. Contact us & see if we can help! (510) 531-3905

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