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Introduction to Family History Centers (view source)
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Family History Centers (FHCs) are branches of [ | Family History Centers (FHCs) are branches of [https://www.familysearch.org/ FamilySearch] and the [[Family History Library|Family History Library]] in Salt Lake City, Utah (United States), located all over the world. Their goal is to provide resources to assist you in the research and study of your genealogy and family history by: | ||
*Giving personal one-on-one assistance to patrons | *Giving personal one-on-one assistance to patrons | ||
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*Offering free how-to classes (varies by location) | *Offering free how-to classes (varies by location) | ||
As of April 2011, there were more than 4,600 FHCs in 134 countries. There is no cost to visit a Family History Center, and they are open to anyone with an interest in genealogical research. They are operated by [http://mormon.org/ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS)].<br> | As of April 2011, there were more than 4,600 FHCs in 134 countries. There is no cost to visit a Family History Center, and they are open to anyone with an interest in genealogical research. They are operated by [http://mormon.org/ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS)].<br> | ||
== Finding a Family History Center == | == Finding a Family History Center == | ||
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There are three ways to find the location of a family history center. | There are three ways to find the location of a family history center. | ||
*Click on the link at the end of this paragraph, then type the name or location of the center you are looking for in the blue box ("FamilySearch Centers"), and click the "Search" button. If you do not find what your looking for, try the "Advanced Search", where you can add additional search terms. [https://www.familysearch.org/locations Click here to proceed.]<br><br> | *Click on the link at the end of this paragraph, then type the name or location of the center you are looking for in the blue box ("FamilySearch Centers"), and click the "Search" button. If you do not find what your looking for, try the "Advanced Search", where you can add additional search terms. [https://www.familysearch.org/locations Click here to proceed.]<br><br> | ||
*Telephone FamilySearch support at 1-866-406-1830 (in North America) or 00-800-1830-1830 (in the United Kingdom). For other international locations, please refer to the [[Help:FamilySearch Support E-mail and Worldwide Telephone Directory]] <br><br> | *Telephone FamilySearch support at 1-866-406-1830 (in North America) or 00-800-1830-1830 (in the United Kingdom). For other international locations, please refer to the [[Help:FamilySearch Support E-mail and Worldwide Telephone Directory]] <br><br> | ||
*Check your local phone directory under "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." Call and ask for the location of a center in your area. <br><br> | *Check your local phone directory under "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." Call and ask for the location of a center in your area. <br><br> | ||
*After you have located the one you want to visit, refer to its web page at [[:Category:Family History Centers]]. Select the Country and then the State or Province where the Family History Center resides. Find the center on the list and check its web page for hours, research facilities, etc. (Just be aware that many of these Family History Centers are not updated as yet.)<br><br> | *After you have located the one you want to visit, refer to its web page at [[:Category:Family History Centers]]. Select the Country and then the State or Province where the Family History Center resides. Find the center on the list and check its web page for hours, research facilities, etc. (Just be aware that many of these Family History Centers are not updated as yet.)<br><br> | ||
Each center has unique hours of operation, and may have changed from the hours posted on our site. It is a good idea to call the center for their scheduled hours before you visit. | Each center has unique hours of operation, and may have changed from the hours posted on our site. It is a good idea to call the center for their scheduled hours before you visit. | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
Most Family History Centers are located in LDS Church meetinghouse facilities (chapels and Stake Centers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). Everyone is welcome to visit the centers and use their resources. To find the center nearest you: | Most Family History Centers are located in LDS Church meetinghouse facilities (chapels and Stake Centers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). Everyone is welcome to visit the centers and use their resources. To find the center nearest you: | ||
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== Visiting a Family History Center == | == Visiting a Family History Center == | ||
Family History Centers are locally operated and supervised. The facilities and resources of the centers differ by location, and range from small, “Computer-only” facilities that do not circulate film and are open only a few hours a week, to large centers open typical business hours with dozens of volunteers, computers, digital film readers, scanners, and printers to support the patrons’ use of extensive collections of books, periodicals, maps, microfilm and microfiche. <br> | Family History Centers are locally operated and supervised. The facilities and resources of the centers differ by location, and range from small, “Computer-only” facilities that do not circulate film and are open only a few hours a week, to large centers open typical business hours with dozens of volunteers, computers, digital film readers, scanners, and printers to support the patrons’ use of extensive collections of books, periodicals, maps, microfilm and microfiche. <br> | ||
The centers are generally staffed by volunteer members of local congregations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as non-LDS genealogy enthusiasts from the community. Staff members are not paid for their services. More experienced volunteers may be able to assist patrons with specific research challenges. | The centers are generally staffed by volunteer members of local congregations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as non-LDS genealogy enthusiasts from the community. Staff members are not paid for their services. More experienced volunteers may be able to assist patrons with specific research challenges. | ||
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<br>Family History Center staff can also help you search the [[An overview of the Family History Library Catalog|Family History Library Catalog]], or you can search it yourself before visiting the center. The [[An overview of the Family History Library Catalog|Family History Library Catalog]] is a catalog of the holdings of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, the central library of FamilySearch which has been gathering genealogical records for over 115 years. Most of those records were recorded onto microfilm and microfiche. Copies of those 2.3 million rolls of microfilm and microfiche circulate to Family History Centers all over the world much like a public library’s inter-library loan system. The Family History Library's book and CD collections do not circulate. | <br>Family History Center staff can also help you search the [[An overview of the Family History Library Catalog|Family History Library Catalog]], or you can search it yourself before visiting the center. The [[An overview of the Family History Library Catalog|Family History Library Catalog]] is a catalog of the holdings of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, the central library of FamilySearch which has been gathering genealogical records for over 115 years. Most of those records were recorded onto microfilm and microfiche. Copies of those 2.3 million rolls of microfilm and microfiche circulate to Family History Centers all over the world much like a public library’s inter-library loan system. The Family History Library's book and CD collections do not circulate. | ||
If you know what films or fiche you would like to order, you may want to bring a printed copy of the film description from the Family History Library Catalog. In many parts of the world, you may be able to order the film on-line and have it sent to the Family History Center nearest to you.<br> | If you know what films or fiche you would like to order, you may want to bring a printed copy of the film description from the Family History Library Catalog. In many parts of the world, you may be able to order the film on-line and have it sent to the Family History Center nearest to you.<br> | ||
==== Free classes ==== | ==== Free classes ==== | ||
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Microfilms are typically available at the center for a set period of time which varies based on the center location and the way the film was ordered - generally 30 days for paper orders, or 60 days for online orders - and can be renewed if necessary. If you are not finished with a film when it is scheduled to be returned, you can ask to extend the film’s loan period. Films can become “permanent loan” status films and be made available at that center indefinitely. All microfiche ordered are automatically on "permanent loan." For more specific information about film ordering, ask a staff member at your local Family History Center for their film loan timeframe and extension process. | Microfilms are typically available at the center for a set period of time which varies based on the center location and the way the film was ordered - generally 30 days for paper orders, or 60 days for online orders - and can be renewed if necessary. If you are not finished with a film when it is scheduled to be returned, you can ask to extend the film’s loan period. Films can become “permanent loan” status films and be made available at that center indefinitely. All microfiche ordered are automatically on "permanent loan." For more specific information about film ordering, ask a staff member at your local Family History Center for their film loan timeframe and extension process. | ||
All microfilm and microfiche must be viewed at the Family History Center where they were ordered. They cannot be transferred to another Family History Center facility, or be removed from the center to view at another location. <br> | All microfilm and microfiche must be viewed at the Family History Center where they were ordered. They cannot be transferred to another Family History Center facility, or be removed from the center to view at another location. <br> | ||
[[Category:Family_History_Centers]] | [[Category:Family_History_Centers]] | ||