Pocatello Idaho FamilySearch Center

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

Welcome to the Pocatello Idaho FamilySearch Library website! Our library serves the residents of Bannock, Power, and Bingham counties.  We have many trained volunteers who assist our patrons.  We provide education and support for the family history community in Southeast Idaho.

Center Contacts and Hours

Location & Map:

• Physical Address: 156 South 6th Ave, Pocatello, Idaho
• Entrance is on the east side.  Parking is available near the library and in the adjacent parking lots.
• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4272, Pocatello, Idaho 83205-4272
• Location on Map

Phone: 208-232-9262

E-mail: id_pocatello@ldsmail.net

Open Hours:

• Monday, Friday, Saturday: 9am to 5pm.
• Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 9am to 9pm.
• Closed: Sunday.

Center Administration:

Director:  Boyd Roberts

Associate Director - Technical:  Jason Mendenhall

Associate Director - Scheduling:  Amy Roberts

Associate Director - Admin: Charles Hyde

Associate Director - Consultant Training - Melinda Campbell

Calendar and Events

Holiday Schedule:

The center will be closed on:

• General Conference, Saturday, April 5
• Memorial Day, Saturday-Monday, May 24-26
• Independence Day, Thursday-Saturday, July 3-6
• Labor Day, Saturday-Monday, August 30-September 1
• General Conference, Saturday, October 4
• Thanksgiving, Wednesday-Saturday, November 26-29
• Christmas: Monday, December 12 - Thursday, January 1, 2015
  
  

Class Schedule

March 2014 Classes

Ancestral Quest Users Group – Tuesday, March 4, 2014, 7 p.m.
Roots Magic Users Group – Tuesday, March 11, 2014, 6 p.m.
PAF Users Group – Tuesday, March 25, 2014, 7 p.m.

Come Discover Your Forgotten Ancestors – We’ll help you locate the names of family members who have not been included in your family records. Tuesday, March 18, 7:00 p.m. Larry Christensen

Priesthood Leaders and Family History Consultants Training - Thursday, March13, at 7:00 p.m. This class will help prepare new leaders and consultants fulfill their various responsibilities regarding family history. Additional classes for consultants will be held on March 20 and 27 at 7 p.m. Melinda Campbell

Ongoing Basic Family Tree Classes

• Wednesdays, noon – Susan Dotson
• Thursdays, 10 a.m. – Roger Porter
• Thursdays, noon – Melinda Campbell
• Thursdays, 7 p.m. – Mark Hopkins
• Saturdays – Mark Hopkins

If you, and at least two others, wish to request a specific class, call the library (232-9262) and we will try to find an instructor to accomodate your topic and time! (Maximum time 1.5 hrs, please)

Center Resources

Collections

• Family History Library Catalog: Click on "Search" | "Catalog" |enter book title, subject or author, | "Search" |.   You can select the specific library (i.e. Pocatello Family Search Library) by using the appropriate down arrow (near the bottom of the page.) Once that library's collection appears, you may select the books which are "available on line."
  
• For all FHL digitized books: "Search" | "Books" |enter book title, subject or author, | "Search" |.  Digitized books can be read online or downloaded or select pages copied as PDF.
  
• This center has the ability to order any of the films and fiche available through the Family History Library Catalog.There is a fee for this service.
  
• These same services are all available online at FamilySearch.org

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. 

Center Resources:

• Computer Lab of twenty-four networked computer workstations with printing capabilities and a data/video projector
• Computer Lab of twelve networked computer stations with printing capabilities and a data/video projector
• Patron computer area with fourteen computer workstations with printing capabilities
• Computer with drives to transfer data from 5 1/4" and 3" floppy disks onto your thumbdrive
• Microfiche and microfilm readers and scanners with printing capabilities
• Scanner for slides
• Scanner/copy machines
• Digitizing station for converting books to digital images
  

Center Services- Group Visits

Group Size:  If you want a tour of the Center, groups should be 10 or less to avoid disturbing other patrons who are working.

• If you want to schedule a classroom for instruction, we have two options - Our large classroom has twenty-four computer stations and our smaller classroom has twelve computer stations.

Reservation Procedure:

• Determine the date you would like to come.
• Determine the goal for your visit. You may want to check the list of suggested activities below for ideas.
• Call the Center - 208-232-9262 - to reserve the date.

Available Times:
In order to use the Center as efficiently as possible, we suggest the following times:

• Evening group visits (Tue, Wed, & Thu) will be scheduled from 4 PM to 8 PM.

Supervision:

• Adults accompanying youth groups should prepare to actively participate with their youth.
• Local family history consultants are an excellent resource to bring with your group and will provide continuity after your visit.

Printing:

• Copies of any documents found during your visit can be printed at the Center for $0.10 each. (B/W 8"x11"). Color copies are $0.25 per copy/side.
  
• Documents can also be scanned and saved to your flash drive for free.

Guidelines for a Successful and Rewarding Visit:

• Please DO NOT bring food or drink to the Center.
• LDS Account Registration: Each LDS Member of the group needs to have an LDS Login Account BEFORE coming to the Center. Youth under 13 should use their parent's login or bring written permission to obtain an account.
  
• Please have them log into https://ldsaccount.lds.org or another church account site to make sure their username and password are working.
• For members who don't have a current account, have them register for one prior to your visit. They can do this by going to https://ldsaccount.lds.org and clicking on the Register for an LDS Account button on the right side of the screen and entering the necessary information, which includes their church membership number and birth date. Their membership number is on their temple recommend or can be provided by their ward clerk.
• Personal Family History Information: Except for Indexing visits, please have everyone bring a personal Pedigree Chart with as much family information as possible. A research log or notebook is also important for recording search results.
• Specific Goal or Objective to Accomplish: Each group should have an idea or goal, before they arrive, of what they would like to accomplish during the visit to our Center.

Suggested Activities at the Center:
While most of the activities below can be done at our Center, we've also tried to give you the forms, websites, etc. needed so you could prepare these activities for your own groups - Youth groups, Family History classes, Relief Society mini classes, etc.

Youth 12-18:

• Introduction to the Family History Center
• A tour and overview of our Center, including the resources, tools, equipment, computers, multimedia & oral history center available for use by our patrons.
• Introduction to FamilySearch
• A demonstration of finding an ancestor in FamilySearch, then locating historical documents about that ancestor in FamilySearch to learn more about him and attach to his file.

Great Preparation for Pioneer Treks:

• The youth may  like to create a 9-generation Fan Chart in pdf format which they can save to a flash drive and get printed at a local print shop (our printers do not print large enough to make the chart readable).
• FamilySearch.org (Find an ancestor)
• View the video - Family History - Made Simple (2:19), excellent for children as well as adults. It ends with the suggestion to search familysearch.org.
• You could then view the video "Step 2 Discover a Family Record" (2:23)

Introduction to Indexing:

• An overview of the why and how of indexing with hands-on practice.
• Go to FamilySearch Indexing and take the 2 minute Test Drive (button in upper right).
• Another good getting started video is FamilySearch Indexing Quick Start (5:49)
• Youth may also enjoy the Indexing App for their phone or tablet.

Research Quick Start:

• A focused presentation demonstrating popular research websites to find specific information on your ancestors.

Cemetery Scavenger Hunt:

• Find a Grave is an excellent research site where volunteers post information about their deceased ancestors in cemeteries around the world.
• You may find birth/death dates, tombstone pictures, links to other family members, photos and even biographical information.
• This scavenger hunt type activity will help you learn how to use the site and inspire you to contribute as well.
• Activity Form used in this activity.

Adults:

• All activities listed in the Youth section work well for adults as well. Other ideas are:
• FamilySearch.org
• View the video - FamilySearch Overview (6:23) (excellent introduction to all facets of FamilySearch)
• You could then show any one of these short videos, depending on the interest of the group.
• Each section (Finding Records, Wiki, Indexing, Forums and FamilySearch) has an overview or getting started video if your group is just beginning or more indepth ones for advanced interests.
• Then let them practice, hands-on, what they learn.

FH Center Research Scavenger Hunt:

• Dear Myrtle created a Family Tree Scavenger Hunt that we’ve updated for today’s technology and adapted to work in our Family History Center.
• This Scavenger Hunt is intended to acquaint patrons with microfiche, microfilm, maps, reference books, computer programs, Internet sites and other resources available at our Center

Ancestry.com:

• Access is free at our Family History Center
• View video "Search for Historical Records on Ancestry.com" (7:42 min.) stopping periodically to practice the techniques discussed.

Starting your own Database:

• Begin by viewing the video - Family History - Made Simple (2:19)
• Create a new database (Ask leader ahead of time, which program their group would like to use.)
• Enter their own personal information.
• View the video - Finding Easy Information (3:07) pausing after the memory section (1:18) and have them add their family members and information they know.
• Open a new tab and View the video "Step 2 Discover a Family Record" (2:23)
• Search for records about an ancestor on FamilySearch.org
• Add the information they find to their database.
• Continue the video -Finding Easy Information (at 1:19), then challenge them to go home and gather what records they can find and start interviewing relatives to learn more.

Group Visit without a Presentaton:

• This is for those who have been trained or oriented, but want to schedule a time where group members can go directly to the Center and make use of the computers with our staff assistance as needed.

Other Sources for Great Family History Activities:

• Visit a Cemetery
• This wouldn't work in the FHC, but it would be a fun one for a group that could go to the actual cemetery.
• Jennifer, at "One Branch at a Time" Blog has developed Cemetery Scavenger Hunts for Primary age as well as YMYW age.
  

• Family History Activities for Youth
• Family History Activities for Children - 3-7
• Family History Activities for Children - 12-?
• Photos - An Innovative Way to Introduce Youth to Family History
• 5 Minute Genealogy videos - 25 great, short videos on YouTube, FamilySearch channel. Build an entire activity around 1 video, then practice what you learn.
• FamilySearch Youth and Family History website offers ideas to help youth discover their ancestors and serve others by sharing their talents and experiences.

Resources in the Local Area

• Master Death Records of Hall Mortuary, Pocatello, Idaho, 1924-1966

• City Directory Collection for Pocatello, Idaho, 1929-2000
• City Directories for various years for the cities of Twin Falls, Boise, Burley, Coeur d’Alene, and Idaho Falls

• Southeast Idaho Obituaries, 1959-present, which are accessible at Marjorie Rawson Collection

• Scanner which can accommodate large Family Group Sheets

Links

(Include links to other websites of interest to those who visit your center such as links to the city, county and state wiki pages where your center is located.)

Volunteer at the Center

Serve As a Volunteer or Church Service Missionary in Our Family History Library

■ Feeling lost in your Family History Consultant Calling? Take advantage of our

training program.
■ Just want to learn more about Family History? Those who serve always learn the most!
■ Serve part or full time.
■ Experienced family historians: We need your knowledge and skills.
■ Select 1 or more of our 15 shifts:

• Monday, Friday or Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.;
• Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., or 5 p.m.

to 9 p.m.

■ Contact the center director at 208-232-9262 or by email at id_pocatello@ldsmail.net.

Serve As a Family History Support Missionary
■ Want to serve a Full Time Mission but need to stay in the area?
■ Physical restrictions do not allow you to serve away from home?

■ Do you have a computer and internet access at home?

Requirements
■ Basic computer and family history skills
■ Internet access
■ Serve 8 or more hours per week

■ Get more information

Other Ways to Serve
FamilySearch provides many opportunities for you to contribute to family history work and make more resources available to people around the world who are seeking after their ancestral roots.

Category: Idaho Family History Centers