Rochester Minnesota FamilySearch Center

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


Rochester Minnesota Family History Center

We serve the southeast Minnesota area.  Help available to all researchers.


RochesterMN FHC .jpg

IMPORTANT: Due to Precautions Being Taken to Limit the Spread and Minimize Risk posed by the Coronavirus:

All face-to-face meetings are canceled at the Rochester Family History Center until further notice.
Please call 801 263-1637 with questions about Family Search or for help with your Family History / Genealogy.


Training & Education Videos

>>>> ROOTS TECH CONFERENCE -- ALL YEAR FREE ACCESS!! <<<<


Sourcing Basics
This video is targeted at the beginning genealogist or family historian.
It is likely also useful to individuals who need a refresher on the "What - Why - and How" of source citation.



Center Contacts and Hours

Location Map: Location Map
Address: 2300 Viola Heights Dr., Rochester, MN 55901
  • Enter through NORTHEAST doors and ring bell on wall if inner doors are locked.
Phone: 507-281-6641 - You may also leave a message at 801 263-1637
E-mail: MN_Rochester@familyhistorymail.org


OPEN HOURS : Currently Suspended
  • Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
  • Other: By appointment -- call and leave message with your number on phone listed above or reply to the E-mail above.
HOLIDAY SCHEDULE 2021 - We are closed for the following:
Thanksgiving and Nativity Event: Closed the Week of Nov 22 and the Week of Dec 1
Christmas and New Years: Closed the Week of Dec 20 and the Week of Dec 27
Inclement Weather: Closed with Rochester Public Schools--If they are closed, we are closed, if they are delayed 2 hours, so are we.


Center Databases and Software

  • FHC Portal The Family History Center Portal page gives free access while in the Center to premium family history software and websites that generally charge for subscriptions and are subject to change.
  • Current Portal Websites
    • 19th Century British Library Newspaper Digital Archive
      • Alexander Street Press
      • The American Civil War: Research Database / Letters and Diaries / Images, Photographs, Posters, and Ephemera / Social and Cultural History / Women and Social Movements in the United States
    • American Ancestors - Library Rights
    • Ancestry - Institution Versions --- U.S. / Austrailia / Canada / Germany / Sweden / United Kingdom
    • Arkivdigital - English display available
    • FamNet
    • Findmypast - Institution Version
    • Fold3
    • Geneanet
    • Kinpoint - Premium
    • MyHeritage - Library Edition
    • Newspaper Archive
    • Paper Trail
    • Puzzila - Premium Services


Resources and Equipment

  • 7 computers -printer enabled
  • 2 microfilm readers
  • 1 microfiche reader
  • 1 microfilm printer

Staff Research Specialties

Ancestry.com: Wednesdays 9:00-12:00
U.S. Before 1850: Wednesdays 9:00-12:00
British Isles: Wednesdays 12:00-3:00
French: by appointment ask for Sharon
German: by appointment ask for Lynn
Norwegian or Swedish: by appointment ask for Andrea
Native American: by appointment ask for Valerie
Illinois Vital Records, ancestry.com: by appointment ask for Tiffany
Mennonite, Scotland, New Jersey: by appointment ask for Melissa

Helpful LINKS

Genealogy Topics on YouTube
Genealogy BLOG (United States Only)
Ancestral Findings Podcast
Genealogy Gems Podcast by Lisa Louise Cooke
Genealogy Guys BLOG
Extreme Genes Podcast
Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter
Family Tree Magazine Podcast
Google Newspaper Archive (obits - death notices - historic articles)


Local Resources

Rochester Public Library Genealogy Collection
Olmsted County Genealogy Society
History Center of Olmsted County
Minnesota Genealogical Society
Minnesota History Center

Upcoming Or Local Events

NorthStar Genealogy Conference - October 1 /2 2021


Volunteer at the Center

We are always looking for volunteers who can help:

Assist Others with Their Family History
Staff the Center
Teach Classes

Leave a message on our phone system if you are interested in volunteering.