FamilySearch Library Donations

Information on donating items to the Family History Library and Church History Library (Church historical archives)

Family History Library

The Family History Library and FamilySearch appreciate gifts, which make up a large part of its collections.

Collection Policy

FamilySearch collects records of genealogical and historical value to enable families to gather and connect in order to experience the joy of discovering their family. Gifts and donations of genealogical records and family histories are accepted to they can be preserved and shared on FamilySearch.org

Gifts and Donations Guidelines

All donations become the property of FamilySearch and will not be returned unless paid for by the donor.

FamilySearch accepts materials that:

• Are typed, well organized, and includes a title, author, and publication date
• Add new information to FamilySearch's collection
• Do not violate current privacy and copyright laws
• Do not include living people, for privacy reasons. If the book contains information about living individuals, the author takes sole responsibility for the availability of this information to the public.

Materials Accepted by the Family History Library

• Family histories
• Published genealogical books
• Published historical books such as local and county histories
• Periodicals
• Directories
• Indexes and transcriptions of records in book format
• Autobiographies and biographies containing genealogical materials for multiple generations

Additional Materials Accepted by FamilySearch's Digital Library

• Yearbooks
• Journals (Over 70 years old)
• Family Bibles
• Autobiographies and biographies (without living people)

Other Materials

Family stories, photos, and videos should be added to FamilySearch Family Tree or in the Memories section of FamilySearch.org. Family information on Pedigree Charts, Family Group Sheets, or GEDCOM files, should also be added into Family Tree.

The following materials should be shared with family members, or a local historical society or public library.

• Artifacts, souvenirs, or memorabilia
• Correspondence and travelogues
• Fiction
• Personal journals (less than 70 years old)
• Newspapers and newspaper clippings
• Obituaries
• Original source documents (birth, marriage, death certificates; probates; deeds, etc.)

Materials Related to members of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Materials related to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or its history (including personal journals, missionary journals, biographies, autobiographies) may also be sent to the Church History Library for their collection.

Church History Library

Donations Guidelines

801-240-5696

Permission to Duplicate or Digitize

In order to legally duplicate copyrighted materials, FamilySearch must have permission from the author or copyright holder. Please send a completed General Donation form and a Permission to Duplicate form when applicable, with your materials. Forms may be downloaded below, requested by phone, email, or regular post from the address below:

• General Donation form
• Permission to Duplicate form

Process for Donating to the Family History Library

1. Carefully review the FamilySearch Gifts and Donations Policy. 2. Fill out the following forms:

General Donation form

Permission to Duplicate form, when applicable

3.

When you have determined what items you would like to send, contact the Family History Library at email: books@familysearch.org or by calling (801)240-1855.

1. The appropriate form(s) must be completed and sent with the donation. See the links to the forms at the bottom of the page.
2. Donations to the library can be made in three ways:

1. By email at books@familysearch.org via a link, PDF file or Dropbox
2. If you live in Utah or are planning a visit you can deliver the material directly to the library
3. By mail (book, flash drive, or CD) to the Family History Library (address located at the bottom of the page).

Additional Information

The Family History Library does not organize collections or publish books. If you have compiled material that you want published, please find a publisher of your own choosing, whether self-published or by a commercial company.

The Family History Library does not accept GEDCOM, PAF, Family Tree Maker, Legacy or other computer programs used to compile genealogy. To submit these files to FamilySearch please click here. Follow the instructions to put the information in your files into FamilySearch.

The Family History Library is not an archives. The focus is digital preservation.

The Family History Library does not accept donations of websites, databases, or other similar sources of genealogical information. If you have created such a resource click here to submit the information as content for the FamilySearch Wiki.

If you are wanting to sell a family history or genealogical publication, please send an official offer to fhl-acq@familysearch.org.

Suggestions for Donations not Accepted

• Upload the material to the computer and attach the items as "Sources" or "Memories" within FamilySearch
• Find a family member or friend to help that has the capability
• Take your items to a local Family History Center and have them help put the documents into FamilySearch
• Contact your local LDS ward or stake and offer the project as an opportunity for the Young Men/Young Women to earn an Eagle Scout or Young Women Recognition award

Information and Forms

FamilySearch Gifts and Donations Policy

The General Donation form is required for all donations to the library.

• General Donation form - English
• General Donation form - German
• General Donation form - Spanish

The Permission to Duplicate form is optional and can only be signed by the copyright owner (author, publisher or authorized representative of the copyright owner). This form allows digitized publications to be viewed in the FamilySearch Catalog regardless of location. Without, the link to the digital version publications will only work in the Family History Library and family history centers.

• Permission to Duplicate form - English
• Permission to Duplicate form - German
• Permission to Duplicate form - Spanish

Contact Information

Email: books@familysearch.org
Phone: (801)240-1855
Mailing Address:
Family History Library - Donations
35 N. West Temple St.
Salt Lake City, UT 84150

Church History Library

The Church History Library welcomes gifts and donations of many types. Unfortunately, they are unable to accept all donations. For donations of books, manuscripts, artwork, photographs, or other articles relating to the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or its members, visit this website and fill out the form. A Church history representative will contact you if they determine that your item fits within the scope of their collections.

Other items

For information on how to donate money, property, or equipment, visit the LDS Foundation website.