Safford-Thatcher Arizona FamilySearch Center

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

The Safford-Thatcher-Pima Arizona Family History Center Library located in Safford, serves all of the Gila Valley. We have about 50 Volunteers trained to help the patrons who visit the Center each year. The Library is dedicated to providing education and support for the family history community in the Gila Valley area.

Center Contacts and Hours

Location and Map:

515 West 11th St Safford, AZ 85546 United States
(Link to map using Google

Phone: (928)-428-7927 or (928) 322-2206

E-mail: AZ_SaffordThatcher@ldsmail.net
Open Hours:

Monday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Wednesday 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Thursday 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Holiday Schedule: Closed these dates in 2014

FRI Oct 10 Closed for the Graham County Fair

FRI Oct 31 Early Closing at 3:00 p.m. for Halloween

TUES Nov 11 OPEN Veteran's Day 9 a.m.- 8 p.m.

WED Nov 26 Early Closing at Noon

THURS 27- FRI 28: Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday

MON December 22 - January 4: Closed for Christmas Break

MON Jan 5 OPEN Back from Christmas Break

Groups Welcome by Appointment: Please Call (928) 428-7927 to make arrangements.

Calendar and Events

Upcoming Events

Daughters of the American Revolution Member Meeting

Saturday October 18, 2014, 9:30 a.m.

Class Schedule

WED Oct 16 Find Your Cousins 6:00 p.m. Susan Logan

WED Oct 22 Adding Photos to Your Family Tree 1:00 p.m. Jeannie Wood

THURS Oct 23 Digital Archives-Free Norweigan Online Research 6:00 p.m. Suzi Smith

MON Oct 27 Clues on Dating Old Photos Class 2 of 2 11:00 a.m. Bonnie Briscoe

THURS Oct 30 No Bones About It! Cemetery Internet Sites 6:00 p.m. Susan Tuttle

Staff Training Meetings

Center Resources

Collections

FamilySearch Catalog: This center has the ability to order any of the films and fiche available through the FamilySearch Catalog.
Ordering Microfilm
The FamilySearch Catalog is available online @ familysearch.org, and can be searched by place name, family surname, resource title, author, subject, call number, film number or key word. GET NUMBERS Click the down arrow at the end of the Search field to select the category of information you wish to search. If you find a film you’d like to view, you can order that film using the on-line film ordering right from your browser at home.
There is a fee ($7.50) for film rental for a two (2) month period and ($4.75) for microfiche - which are not returned but stay at the Center. This helps defray the handling and cost of shipping. There is no charge to view films from the Center’s “Resident Film Collection.” Please check with the Center before you order, in case we already have it on permanent loan. That will save you the rental cost.
Microfilms are typically available at the center for 60 days. Films can become “extended” status films and will be available at the Center indefinitely. For more specific information about film ordering, ask a staff member at the Family History Center. You need to log onto familysearch.org and designate your home "Family History Center" before ordering.
All microfilm and microfiche must be viewed at the Family History Center where they are located. They cannot be transferred to another Family History Center or viewed at another location.
We have many Local Family Histories in our library as well as books on Arizona towns and counties. All other States are represented, too.

(List additional collections you have such as the types of books and microfilm you have on indefinite loan; though you will not want to list every single item you have. Just give visitors to this page a general idea of your resources.)

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, Including:
FamilySearch.org
Ancestry.com
Fold 3 (formerly Footnote)
HeritageQuest
AmericanAncestors.org (formerly New England Historic Genealogical Society)
World Vital Records
Godfrey Memorial Library and many other sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who can use the Libary's resources?
A: Any and all persons who are doing genealogical research or searching for their ancestors are welcome to use our resources.

Q: Do you proselyte at this Library?
A: No. If patrons wish to know more about our Church, we invite and encourage them to visit with our missionaries, on their own, away from the Library. Our charter by the Church is to assist and provide instruction to patrons who are searching for their ancestors.

Q: Are there any costs associated with using the Library's resources?
A: Yes. There is a nominal cost associated when making copies on our printers and copiers. Microfilm and microfiche not resident in our center may, for a nominal fee, be loaned to our Library from the Family History Library located in Salt Lake City, Utah. There is no cost for using our computers or our microfilm or microfiche readers.

Q: Why do I have to sign in?
A: We are required to submit reports on the number of patrons that use the center in order for us to justify our needs for staffing and financial support. We do not require addresses or phone numbers.

Q: What kinds of computer files should I bring into the center to work on?
A: Bring in your database BACKUP files on a Flash Drive. If you are working on a computer program other than PAF, FamilyInsight, RootsMagic, Ancestral Quest or Legacy, bring in a GEDCOM file. We do not have a computer that can read Apple/Mac files, but you can receive help if you bring in your own laptop. We do not have any PAF version earlier than 3.3.

Hardware and Equipment

13 Computers connected to the Internet and Wi-Fi is available if you want to bring your own laptop or tablet for Family History research.
5 microfilm/fiche readers.
1 Copier and 2 Printers, black and white or color copies are available a for a small fee. Our copier can also scan documents and photos directly to your personal flash drive at no cost.
(Include the resources you have to help individuals do their research - computers, microfilm readers, printers, etc. ) ====

Center Services

Staff Research Specialties

(Include sections for any other services your center provides. Add additional sections for those services. See the Mesa and Logan FHC pages for examples.)

Resources in the Local Area

(This section is to highlight other resources in your area that will be helpful for individuals doing research there in your location, if there are any, such as government offices, historical societies, etc.)

Links

Volunteer at the Center

(Include information here about the volunteers you are looking for.)