Washington DC 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.


Washington DC Family History Center

The Washington DC Family History Center welcomes you, and we look forward to assisting you with your genealogical research. We provide access to digitized records, books, and genealogical websites. Our all-volunteer staff is ready to answer questions about the resources available in the FHC and give limited research guidance.There is no charge for using the facility.


Washington DC Family History Center

10000 Stoneybrook Drive

Kensington, MD 20895

Location Map: Location Map

"WE ARE NOW OPEN"

  • Wednesday ..... 10:00-1:00
  • Thursday .......... 1:00-4:00
  • Saturday ......... 10:00-3:30

**Masks required while in the Family History Center


E-mail: wdcfhc@gmail.com

Website: Washington DC Family History Center


Premium family history websites and helpful resources are available to help you as you make family history discoveries.

Free Access at the Family History Center

  • FamilySearch Center Portal
  • 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 scanners (to scan and edit photographs, slides, photo negatives and documents.
  • Slide and negative scanner
  • New Book scanner


Library Collection -- comprehensive collection of printed books that include family histories, yearbooks, biographies, local histories, other genealogical books

Generations Newsletter

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

Research Specialists

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

  • African-American Focus on all aspects of African-American research
    • Group meets every Monday, 10-12 on Zoom, 10-2 in person at FHC, Contact Frank Jenkins at FHCAASIG@gmail.com
  • 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.ne
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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

Resources in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area


Volunteer opportunities at the Washington DC Family History Center

For further information, contact us at 301-587-0042.