Washington DC FamilySearch Center
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This article describes the services and resources available at a FamilySearch Center, a branch facility of the FamilySearch Library. |
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Center Contacts and Hours
Location Map: Location Map
Address: 10000 Stoneybrook Dr, Kensington, MD 20895
- Directions I-495 to Connecticut Avenue N. At first traffic light outside I-495, turn right onto BEACH Drive. Follow until Beach Drive dead-ends into STONEYBROOK Drive. Turn left on STONEYBROOK Drive. Go up the hill; turn left into the 3rd driveway, which is the driveway at red brick church building (10000 Stoneybrook Drive). The FHC is on the right side of the building, half-way back.
Phone: 1-301-587-0042
E-mail: DC_Washington@ldsmail.net or info@wdcfhc.org
- Language: English
Open Hours:
- Monday: Closed to general public; open for African-American Special Interest Group
- Tuesday: 9:30am-4:30pm and 7:00pm-9:00pm
- Wednesday: 9:30am-4:30pm and 7:00pm-9:00pm
- Thursday: 9:30am-4:30pm and 7:00pm-9:00pm
- Friday: 9:30am-1:00pm
- Saturday: :930am–4:30pm
- Sunday: Closed
Website: Washington DC Family History Library
Mailing Address: PO Box 49, Kensington, MD 20895
Procedures & Rules
- No materials can leave the FHC, including books, microfilm, microfiche or CD-ROMs. Smoking, alcohol and illegal drugs are not permitted anywhere on the premises. No food or drink (except for water) is permitted.
Calendar and Events
Classes are held at the Washington DC Family History Center, monthly on the 3rd Saturday at 10:00 a.m. 10000 Stoneybrook Drive, Kensington, MD 20895. Please call for schedule.
Annual Conference, free - 1st Saturday in May
For registration and further information: Info@wdcfhc.org phone: 301-587-0042
Center Resources
Newsletter
- Our free monthly newsletter, Generations, is sent via email during the first week of each month. It has timely information about activities and events at our FHC as well as research tips and links. To subscribe, please send an email to: info@wdcfhc.org.
Oral History Room
- A unique feature of our FHC is our Oral History Room, which is equipped with professional audio and digital video technology. This is an easy way to capture and preserve the living history of a family member or loved one. For further information or to schedule the room, call Linda Christensen at 301-587-0042; email: info@wdcfhc.org.
Collections
- FamilySearch Catalog: This center has the ability to order any of the films and fiche available through the FamilySearch Catalog. Patrons' Microfiche Collection -- a collection of fiche ordered by our patrons, assorted titles. Contain family histories, vital records, and other types of information. Indefinite Film Collection -- a collection of films on a variety of subjects, to include vital records, county records, court records, etc. Book Collection: -- Shelved by Locality, Subject, or Family Name. Books for each state in the U.S. are arranged alphabetically; each state has a binder containing a Research Outline and other materials. There are books on immigration, church records, census, military, and foreign countries; maps and atlases.
Additional Resources
- Card Catalog - Items in this FHC are found in the card catalog, which lists microfilm, fiche and book presently onsite. Cards are arranged by Locality, Surname, and Subject.
- Family Group Records Archives (FGRA) - This is the only FHC east of the Mississippi River to have a full set of these microfilms which represent the largest part of the Family History Library’s collection of over 8 million Family Group Sheets. There are roughly 1991 films, arranged alphabetically by the husband’s surname.
- Other Finding Aids - research guides, handwriting guides, letter writing guides for foreign countries, magazines.
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: Ancestry.com FHC Institution version, World Vital Records; Fold3.com (formerly Footnote), NewspaperArchive.com, MyHeritage, FamilyLink, Genline, FindMyPast.uk, FamilyHistoryLink, Alexander Street Press (Civil War), The Genealogist, Historic Map Works, 19th Century British Library Newspaper Digital Archive.
- Our computers have links to hundreds of genealogy websites.
- Genealogy software available on our computers: PAF, RootsMagic, Legacy, Family Tree Maker.
- Additional software programs include: Adobe Photoshop Elements, a software editing program for photos, slides and negatives; and ABBY Reader, which converts digitized documents into text documents.
Hardware and Equipment
- Wi-Fi
- Kodak photo scanner (can scan 500 photos per hour)
- 12 computers
- 6 printers (one color)
- 2 microfilm reader-printers (Canon and ScanPro)
- 2 flatbed Epson scanners (to scan and edit photographs, slides, photo negatives and documents, and save them to a removable drive or CD)
- 10 microfilm readers
- 3 microfiche readers
Center Services
Staff Research Specialties
Staff specialists are available to assist patrons in a variety of areas of research within the U.S. and many countries. We also have several staff members who are members of APG (Association of Professional Genealogists). If you have a specific research need, please view the specialists on our website (wdcfhc.org/consultants.php) or contact us to determine how we can be of help.
Special Interest Groups
African-American: Focus on all aspects of African-American research. Group meets every Monday at 9:30 a.m.
Beginning Genealogy: Personal assistance for the new researcher provided by Lorraine Minor. Group meets every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.
DNA: DNA in genealogy research is escalating in importance. This group is led by Jim Bartlett, who describes the various tests and explains how they may benefit your research. Group meets on 2nd & 4th Wednesday evenings, 7:00 p.m.; please call as schedule may vary.
Eastern European: Focus on research and resources in Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Slovenia, Ukraine, and Belarus. Lecture and computer research assistance. Group meets monthly on the 3rd Saturday at noon; please call as schedule may vary.
Irish: Focus on research in both Ireland and in the U.S. Group meets the 1st, 3rd & 5th Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m.
Metro DC RootsMagic Users: RootsMagic is a popular genealogical software which makes researching, organizing and sharing family history easy. This group explores its many features to maximize usage. Group meets the 2nd Saturday of each month at 9:30 a.m.
Additional groups will be formed as requested by patrons.
Resources in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area
National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, DC
Library of Congress, Washington, DC
DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution)
Martin Luther King Public Library, Washington DC Special Collections
Virginia Room of the Fairfax County Virginia Library
Genealogy Events (sponsored by the Mt. Vernon Genealogy Society)
Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society (AAHGS)
See also the District of Columbia Archives and Libraries FamilySearch Wiki page.
Links
FamilySearch Wiki, Maryland Maryland
FamilySearch Wiki, Virginia Virginia
FamilySearch Wiki, Washington DC District of Columbia
Volunteer at the Center
Would you like to enhance your family history research skills and share what you already know? We are seeking volunteers to staff our Center and assist our patrons. For further information, contact Linda Christensen at info@wdcfhc.org or call 301-587-0042.