Can You Get Into Ancestry.com World Addition at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City

This article originally appeared in "Appendix F: The Family History Library and Associated Family History Centers" by Stephen C. Young in The Source: A Guidebook to American Genealogy

The Family History Library in Salt Lake City,UT.

The Family unit History Library, supported and sponsored past The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes chosen the 'LDS' or 'Mormon' Church), is located on the west side of celebrated Temple Square in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. The library'due south origins stretch back to 1894 with the organization of the Genealogical Society of Utah (GSU) and launched with the donation of the personal drove of historical and genealogical books of its first president, Franklin D. Richards. From this modest beginning more than than 110 years ago, the Family History Library has grown into the largest and best known genealogical research facility in the world with its 5 stories of inquiry infinite and more than iv,300 satellite family history centers around the world. The chief library's continually growing drove now numbers in excess of 285,000 books, augmented by more than one.iii 1000000 rolls of microfilm and 665,000 microfiche. More than than ii.5 million rolls of microfilm are actual­ly archived, but due to infinite constraints only the nigh usually used rolls are placed in the library. The GSU is at present capturing digital images in its effort to collect and preserve documents of genealogical value from archives and record offices in virtually of the nations of the world.

All resources of the Family History Library and its associated family history centers are freely bachelor to genealogical re­searchers regardless of religious denomination or inclination. The motivational commitment to fund this immensely coor­dinated and expensive network of research facilities is based in the doctrinal imperative for LDS Church members to seek out their kindred dead in social club to perform proxy service in their behalf. The Church extends these resources in an invitation for all interested genealogical researchers to utilise its facilities and participate in preparing the records and information to eventually create the world'south largest, most comprehensive lineage-linked database.

Overview

During the past century the Family History Library has been located in several different buildings in Table salt Lake City. The current 5 story structure, officially opened in October 1985, is its first independent, purpose-built library facility. It includes 142,000 foursquare feet of floor space on three levels above ground and two below. Ii separate remodeling projects in 2001 and 2004 improved staff and patron workspace and furnishings, and updated the technological re­sources available to researchers, in­cluding the improver of more than two hundred desktop computers with Internet access for patron utilise. Additional public access com­puters will exist introduced into the library in the hereafter equally demand in­creases. Concurrently, numbers of microfilm readers will necessarily be reduced to brand space as more genealogical records and indexes go available digitally, including images from the Library'due south own collections.

The itemize to the collections of the Library tin exist searched online by visiting FamilySearch.org, then clicking on the 'Library' tab at the top of the page, so clicking the 'Family History Library Catalog' tab. Several options for finding specific resources in the collection are presented here, including searching by place, surname, title, author, subject, or call number. A keyword search also provides a specific office for finding entries that contain certain words or combination of words. This latter search feature is particularly useful in discovering sources past intersecting elements such as geographic places with surnames, or multiple surnames of particular involvement within a family. It is always a expert thought to search the catalog in preparation for coming to the library in order to ascertain whether the records or resources of interest are available, especially if traveling to the library from long distances. Of particular annotation is the recent and ongoing project of linking hundreds of published family unit histories in the itemize to digital images of the books themselves. Visitors traveling to Salt Lake City from a altitude should bank check the catalog prior to coming to confirm if the microfilm they wish to use is in the library. If a particular movie is not stored onsite, the FamilySearch website has an east-mail office to order films so they are waiting for gratis pickup at the service window on the advisable floor.

The Family History Library is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., except Mondays when it closes at 5 p.m. The Library is also closed on some national holidays (e.thousand. Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christ­­mas, New Years). Specific closing dates can exist adamant past accessing the library's calendar at the FamilySearch website. It is recommended that large groups plan­ning visits, either sponsored past local genealogical societies or pri­vately organized, contact the li­brary'south Research Services part prior to arrival. Coordinating with this role will reduce the likelihood of many groups visiting the library at the same time and competing for the same resources. Special orientation sessions and a welcome packet can be arranged for visiting groups by calling (801) 240-1054. Classroom didactics on a diversity of full general and specific inquiry topics is offered on a daily basis by library staff. A monthly printable class schedule is attainable from the library website and is usually posted three months in accelerate.

The chief floor lobby, just inside the front end doors, provides ample signage to directly users to the resources of the library. Don't exist surprised if one of the friendly staff stationed in the entrance hall approaches and offers assistance; they are trained and eager to provide support to the public, especially newcomers.

One of the first services offered may exist a short presentation in the Orientation Room located just off the lobby. All outset-fourth dimension visitors to the Family History Library are encouraged to view this video presentation as it illustrates and explains where the public services and resources are located in the edifice.

Novice researchers should bring family data to the library with an idea of what goals they wish to reach during their visit. A trained staff member at the front counter is available to interview patrons and quickly clarify historical documentation they've brought to determine where and how they might find success in the library. Volunteers will then escort these patrons to the appropriate floor of the building and introduce them to additional personnel to farther assist them in beginning their research. Genealogical research can appear very complicated and intimidating to the novice, so this guided feel is designed to maximize the chances of success.

Each flooring of the library has restroom facilities and drinking fountains. Public telephones are located almost the elevators on each floor. Cellular phones should simply be used in this expanse and so that quiet search rooms in the building are not compromised and other pa­trons tin can bear their research uninterrupted. A stairway and three elevators at the front of the building deliver patrons to each of five floors of the library and all exits are well-marked.

Another standard service on every flooring is a reference counter staf­fed by people skilled in genea­logical inquiry methodology, stra­tegies, and resources. In addition to these general skills, these staff members take distinct research ex­perience in the genealogical re­cords of different nations or even specific regions within those countries. Visitors volition discover at least forty computers bachelor for their utilise on each floor of the library. Additional staff with general and specific expertise are stationed and tasked to assist patrons in using the computer for genealogical research.

Each search room has small lockers available for patron apply for a refundable fee of 10 cents. For security purposes personal items may not be left in the lockers overnight and they are emptied by security personnel each evening after closing. The Lost and Plant service is found in the Main Floor lobby. Coat racks are available on every level but it should be noted they are non monitored by security. Valuables, such as purses and laptop computers, should never be left unattended in the search rooms. Thefts are occasionally reported in the library despite random patrols past security staff.

Pour plus de sécurité, l'intallation d'un coffre-fort de sécurité peut être united nations plus. Une armoire forte blindéeast permettra de ranger des registres sous forme de dossiers suspendus, celà permet de sécuriser les documents, mais pas les grosses valeurs.

1 of the greatest assets of the Family unit History Library are the full and part-time volunteers. Literally hundreds of volunteers assist the paid employees each calendar week in all areas of operations and customer service. These highly-motivated LDS Church members from around the world go out their homes, family and friends to dedicate twelve to eighteen months of their retirement years to come up to Salt Lake City to help the Library in fulfilling the objective to provide the best possible service to its guests. Many others are local church members who aid the genealogical research community in their visits. Many of these hard working volunteers are already avid genealogical researchers, and all are constantly upgrading their enquiry and service skills within a continual comprehensive preparation system. The library could not function without the good graces and enthusiastic back up of this large volunteer staff.

The collections of the Family History Library are logically divided, using a modified Dewey Decimal system, on a geographic basis to facilitate researcher access. A description of each col­lection and its location is appropriate here.

3rd Floor'U.S./Canada Books and Maps

This floor of the library holds approximately 105,000 books containing a wealth of information from most United states of america and Canada localities. These include local histories on a state, county, or even smaller jurisdictional basis, too as published cemetery and demography indexes. Indeed, any kind of publication accounted genealogically helpful to patrons may be institute in this collection. Detailed modern and historical maps at different scales, encapsulated for preservation purposes, are bachelor for all parts of Due north America. Periodicals of genealogical and historical interest, many of which take been bound to ensure their durability, compliment this drove. Library authoritative offices, a re-create center and the Conservation Lab are located on this floor. There is as well a modestly equipped showtime aid room in a staff area on the third floor used for low-class health concerns.

Second Floor'U.S./Canada Microform

The North American collection on the second flooring includes 670,000 rolls of microfilm and over 200,000 microfiche. These include all the relevant federal and state/provincial demography returns for both countries. Dozens of published volumes of census indexes obligingly back-trail these films to facilitate research. A corking per centum of the books on the third floor accept been filmed and are included in this microfilm drove so they tin can exist ordered and used past researchers at whatever of the Family History Centers worldwide. Again, the microform (film and fiche) for the U.s. and Canada tin include all types of publications, including armed services, civil, and religious records at all levels, also every bit individual genealogical collections donated past individual researchers. Part space for the Library Attendant and reference staff, ane classroom and a copy middle, complete the layout of the 2nd flooring.

Master Floor'Published Family Histories

The main floor of the library houses approximately 75,000 published family histories which are essential to survey in the beginning stages of inquiry in club to discover if any ancestral lines have already been researched and documented. As already mentioned, the main antechamber and Orientation Room are situated on this floor, every bit well as a small patron snack room with food and potable vending machines. The building's largest classroom and the recently added computer lab, with 30 computer stations, provide the latest in training engineering. Reference and Enquiry Services staff areas and the copy eye take up the residue of this floor.

B1 Floor'International Books and Microform

This floor is ane level below the main floor and includes books and microform (film and fiche) of any of the international drove not placed on B2 (run into beneath). This includes records from the Far East, Eastern and Western Europe, the Scandinavian and Baltic nations, Central and South America, and Africa. This drove incorporates more than than 56,000 books, 550,000 rolls of microfilm, and 250,000 microfiche of records in the languages of these regions. Due to infinite constraints, some books are located in a high density storage expanse on this flooring, but can be accessed by request at the service window. A staff area, reference counter, classroom and re-create center offer the same services here as on the other floors.

B2 Floor'Commonwealth of australia, British Isles and New Zealand Books and Microform

Placed on the basement level two floors below the main floor is the drove encompassing the records of the British Isles, Australia, and New Zealand. This includes more than 50,000 books, 150,000 microfilm, and 220,000 microfiche. In addition to the staff expanse, reference counter, classroom and copy center, is the library'due south Special Collections room which holds restricted records. There are ii non-public operations on this flooring: the Medieval Research and Photo-duplication units.

Estimator Resources

Nearly all public access computers are connected to the Internet; there are also dozens of ports provided for laptops at many of the tables on four floors of the library (the 3rd Floor being the exception). Futurity plans include wireless access for laptops. A few of the patron computers are dedicated strictly for the considerable meaty disc resources containing additional programs, databases and indexes. These CDs tin exist identified in the library's catalog and are obtained on each floor at the service windows next to the re-create centers. The Family History Library produces and maintains its own software to assistance its guests in apace and hands identifying electronic products produced in-house (such every bit several national census indexes). The reference staff on each floor of the library recommends and updates boosted Internet hotlinks of websites specific to their geographical interests too equally hot links to other genealogical resource on the Internet. These include free admission to some 'fee-based' websites, including Ancestry.com.

Reference Services

The Family History Library employs approximately forty-5 full-fourth dimension reference personnel, most of whom are professionally accredited genealogical researchers. Some are globe-renowned in their particular inquiry field and all can demonstrate years of education and experience in practical family history. At least thirty languages are supported (spoken or written) by staff, and most have researched in unlike parts of the earth. Each staff member is assigned weekly shifts at the reference counters for the express purpose of assisting visitors in their research efforts.

Library Attendant Services

Located most each reference counter on every flooring is a service window staffed past library attendants. These highly-trained back up personnel are set to help patrons in a variety of ways, including making alter, responding to requests for assistance dealing with retrieving microfilm/microfiche and books, as well as technical challenges with copy machines, picture show readers, and copy bill of fare issues. Research aids and supplies, such equally genealogically-oriented software, inquiry guides, inquiry logs, census forms, pens, pencils and envelopes, are purchased at the service windows. Microfilm not stored in the library tin can also be ordered by patrons for adjacent-twenty-four hours delivery.

Re-create Services

Making photocopies or other reproductions of copy­righted textile is governed past copyright constabulary. The person using cocky-help equipment is solely responsible for abiding by copyright law and may be liable for any infringement. Each reference floor includes a designated copy center with equipment to digitally reproduce records from newspaper, microfiche, and microfilm to laser printers. Library patrons too take the option of downloading digital images from microfilm or book onto compact disc or a computer retentivity stick on a scheduled footing. Blank CDs for this purpose are bachelor for buy at those service windows with a greenbacks annals (currently B1, Master, and 2nd floors). Laser printers are continued to each of the public access computers on all five floors allowing instant printing of whatever information found on the Library desktop product software or any Internet websites. The Family History Library uses a card organization for purchasing copies. Initial purchase of a reusable copy card costs $ane.00 which includes 40 cents for copies; additional funds upwards to a maximum of $20.00 tin can be purchased for these cards at any fourth dimension on each floor. However, adding large amounts of funds on the cards is not encouraged considering it is not uncommon for patrons to forget their copy carte du jour in a printer or copy machine. There is a name strip to sign on the back of the copy cards and then that lost cards tin can exist retrieved at the service windows.

FamilySearch Heart

This facility is designed specifically with the intent of introducing the uninitiated to the exciting possibilities of family unit history. Located on the main floor of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building on the east side of Temple Square, tourists and walk-in patrons are presented with fun, interactive exhibits and activities around the theme of 'discovering your heritage,' including displays designed specifically with children in heed. Like the Family History Library, the services of the FamilySearch Center are free to the public and offer the opportunity of understanding genealogy and placing one's own family inside the context of general history. No appointments are necessary, the FamilySearch Center is open up Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.yard. to 9:00 p.thousand. (endmost Saturdays at v:00 p.thousand.). This is not a research facility; visitors who wish to conduct focused research efforts are directed one block west to the Family History Library.

Family History Centers

Due to the doctrinal delivery of its members to deport genealogical research, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-solar day Saints supports more than 4,300 Family History Centers in church buildings in 102 nations. Like the Family History Library, these centers are open to the public and their onsite resources are complimentary to use beyond the standard cost of making copies or printouts. Most microfilmed resources identified in the Library itemize can exist ordered from Salt Lake Urban center for a nominal fee, this cost covering postal charges but no treatment fee. Many centers house small collections of books and microfilm usually focused on full general national and specific local history, records and resources. The Family History Centers are administered locally by ecclesiastical church building leaders and staffed by area LDS and non-LDS volunteers. Understandably, the knowledge and training of these support personnel differs, but each volunteer is unremarkably experienced in genealogical research and committed to assisting visitors to the all-time of their ability. Address, phone number, and hours of functioning, which vary by center, can be learned at the FamilySearch website. It should be noted that nearly all Family History Centers accept admission to the Internet, and some centers have site licenses to some of the popular fee-based genealogical websites, such as Beginnings.com.

FamilySearch.org

For the most current data about the Family History Library, see the FamilySearch website <world wide web.familysearch.org>. Library rules, answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), contact information and hotlinks, floor plans, parking information, and explanations of other services, are all bachelor here online.

Family History Library 35 N West Temple Street Common salt Lake City, UT 84150 Telephone: (801) 240-2331

External Links

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Source: https://wiki.rootsweb.com/wiki/index.php/Family_History_Library

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