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

Washington DC FamilySearch Center

The Washington DC FamilySearch Center is a hub of genealogical resources and research. The center is open to the public and provides access to a wide range of genealogical records, including census records, vital records, immigration records, and church records. Visitors to the center can use computers, and a variety of research tools and resources to uncover their family history.

The center is staffed by volunteers who are passionate about helping others discover their heritage. They offer assistance and guidance to visitors, helping them navigate the research process and find the information they need to build their family trees.

10000 Stoneybrook Drive
Kensington, MD 20895

Phone: 301-587-0042

Location Map: Location Map

E-mail: wdcfhc@gmail.com

Website: Washington DC FamilySearch Center

Hours of Operation[edit | edit source]

Wednesday .... 10:00 am - 1:00 pm (beginning in March hours will be 10 am - 4 pm)[edit | edit source]

Thursday .........1:00 pm - 4:00 pm[edit | edit source]

Saturday ........10:00 am - 4:00 pm[edit | edit source]

When Montgomery County Schools are closed for bad weather, the FHC will be closed. If it is a Saturday, please call before leaving your home: 301-587-0042

FamilySearch Center Resources[edit | edit source]

Free access to the following subscription websites:[edit | edit source]

FamilySearch Center Portal

Access Newspaper Archives
Ancestry Library Edition
ArkivDigital Online (Swedish)
MyHeritage.com
FindMyPast
Fold3
19th Century British Library Newspapers
Puzzilla
Historic Map Works Library Edition
The Genealogist
Alexander Street Press, American Civil War
Paper Trail
17 computers, 4 with dual monitors
Free Wi-Fi for your laptops and tablets
High volume Photo scanner (can scan 500 photos per hour)
Flatbed scanner -- scans and edits photographs, slides, photo negatives and documents.
Slide and negative scanner--scanner displays your digital images on a monitor which makes it easier to adjust tint and print quality before you scan slides and negatives.
Book scanner -- Bring in journals, diaries or books you would like to digitize. The book scanner will remove the fold in the center of the book and flatten the pages. You can save the book as a searchable pdf, Word document or Excel spreadsheet.
Library Collection -- comprehensive collection of printed books that include family histories, yearbooks, biographies, local histories, other genealogical books

Generations Newsletter[edit | edit source]

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 FamilySearch Center as well as research tips and links. To subscribe, please send an email to: wdcfhc@gmail.com.

Research Specialists[edit | edit source]

Volunteers specialists are available to assist patrons in a variety of areas of research within the U.S. and internationally. Several of our volunteers are members of APG (Association of Professional Genealogists). If you have a specific research need, please contact us to determine how we can be of help.

Special Interest Groups[edit | edit source]

African-American Focus on all aspects of African-American research
- Group meets alternating Mondays, 10-12 on Zoom, 10-2 in person at FSC, Contact Frank Jenkins at FSCAASIG@gmail.com for further information

Beginning Genealogy: For those getting started with genealogy research
- Group meets via Zoom every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Contact Lorraine Minor at ldgene@verizon.net for further information

Advanced DNA Group Focus on advanced methodologies and tools
- meets on the 2nd Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom. Contact Jim Bartlett at jim4bartletts@verizon.net for further information
Beginning DNA Group Focus on how to use DNA for genealogy research
- Meets via Zoom on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm. Contact Andy Hochreiter at ajhochreiter@comcast.net for further information
Eastern European: Focus on research and resources in Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Slovenia, Ukraine, and Belarus.
- Group meets monthly on the 3rd Saturday at 1:00 p.m. via Zoom. Contact Mary Ann Evan at maryann.evan@gmail.com for further information

Irish Research: Focus on research in both Ireland and in the U.S.
- Group meets the 3rd Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. Contact Cindy Finelli at cfinelli16@gmail.com for further information

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 1st and 2nd Saturdays each month at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom. Contact Gary Petranek at gpetranek@gmail.com for further information

Resources in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area[edit | edit source]

Volunteering at the Washington DC FamilySearch Center is a great way to give back to your community, develop new skills, and deepen your knowledge of genealogy and family history. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, please contact the center directly.