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By Diana L. Smith
Over 3,000 Branches of the World's Largest Genealogical Library:
Using the LDS Family History Centers
May
2000
As genealogists, we are always looking for resources near home to help us in our research. So often we do not live anywhere close to the "ancestral home(s)" and it is not possible for most of us to travel everywhere we need in order to do first-hand research.
A number of large genealogical libraries have evolved which can be valuable in this search. The largest is the Family History LibraryTM of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also referred to as LDS or Mormons) in Salt Lake City. This is a terrific resource if you can get to Utah; however, there is even better news for genealogists in other parts of the world .... the LDS Family History Centers (FHC). There are over 3,000 of these located in LDS facilities all over the world. Each FHC is slightly different, but they all have resources helpful to genealogists.
First, a few explanations of abbreviations used:
Why Does The LDS Church Support Genealogy?
From "A Guide to Research", March 1998, Family History SourceGuideTM - How-To Guides by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
"Why do members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do family history research? They do it because they are motivated by love for their deceased family members and desire to serve them.
Life does not end at death. When we die, our eternal spirits go to a spirit world, where we continue to learn while we await the Resurrection and Final Judgment. Members of the Church believe that the family can also continue beyond the grave, not just until death. This is possible when parents and their children make special promises, called covenants, in sacred temples. These covenants, when made with the authority of God and faithfully kept, can unite families for eternity.
Members of the Church believe that their deceased ancestors can also receive the blessings of being eternally united with their families. For this purpose, Church members make covenants in temples in behalf of their ancestors, who may accept these covenants in the spirit world.
In order to make covenants for their ancestors, members must first identify them. To help members in the work, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has gathered genealogical records from all over the world. These records are available at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City and at family history centers throughout the world."
The Genealogical Society of Utah was founded in 1894 to gather records to help members trace their ancestry. In 1938 they began preserving records on microfilm. These records are not limited to LDS members, but are open to the public at no charge.
Local Family History
In 1964 the system of family history centers was established. By 1996 there were over 2,650 centers in 64 countries and territories. Today there are more than 3,000 centers around the world. These centers are located in the local LDS churches, referred to as "stakes". They are staffed by volunteers (primarily but not exclusively LDS members). The hours and equipment in each center vary, based on the size of the stake and volume of usage of the facility.
The holdings of each center start with a "core collection" of microfiche records. This core collection contains a cross-section of information from around the world. About half of the collection is gazetteers, for the U.S. and other parts of the world. Many of these are old and out of print, which can be helpful when looking for places which no longer exist. Other records in the collection include such diverse items as: a joint index to the Genealogical Manual of the Nobility and the German Lineage Book; a roster of Iowa soldiers in the Civil War; and Morton Allan's Directory of Passenger List Arrivals. There are approximately 1200 microfiche in the complete collection.
Other holdings in each FHC are at the discretion of the Director. Some centers have designated a "specialty" which is appropriate for the make-up of the community. For example, a center specializing in Eastern European records because of a high concentration of immigrants from that area in the community might add maps, dictionaries and research aids for the countries and languages of that area. Other books in the collection are often those donated by patrons or may be purchased by the center due to heavy usage by patrons.
Microfilms and microfiche found in the FHLC (see the section below on the Family History Library Catalog) may be rented from Salt Lake City by patrons for use in the FHC only - they may NOT be removed from the center. Microfilms are kept in the FHC for a specific period of time and some may even be retained on "indefinite loan" at the discretion of the local director. Check with your local center for current policies. Microfiche rented from Salt Lake City by patrons are NOT returned, but kept in the local center for ongoing use. So .... if you have a choice of film or fiche, take the fiche!
Some local resources may be available, depending on the relationship with other organizations in the community. For example, one center has an agreement with a local genealogical library to "pass on" the most recently outdated version of a local vital records database which is provided by the county archives. Those who do not have access to the county archive or the genealogical library may find what they need on the FHC copy, at no cost to the FHC. (Note, since genealogists are frequently seeking old information, having the most recent version is not usually a problem).
The LDS in Salt Lake City sets basic guidelines for FHCs of various sizes, but within those guidelines the rules may vary by center. For example, the hours are set locally, and will be governed by demand and available resources, particularly by the availability of volunteer librarians.
It is always a good idea to call before visiting to check on hours, rules, any fees, etc. Some centers have a sign-up list for equipment (computers especially, but sometimes microfilm and microfiche readers are also limited), which you may need to reserve in advance of your visit.
There is no fee for using the Family History Center, but donations are appreciated to enhance the holdings and maintain the equipment.
Here is a brief introduction to a number of the CD-ROM computer database resources available in the local Family History Centers.
Ancestral FileTM
Ancestral File is a database of linked pedigrees containing millions of individuals. The first edition was issued in 1989, and updates are issued periodically. The first entries were from LDS members, but submissions are welcomed from members and non-members. The more records there are available, the more useful the database will be. Instructions for submitting and correcting information in Ancestral File are available at the FHC or online.
The advantage of Ancestral File is the linked pedigrees. Searches may be made by surname only, or by surname and given name. The database index shows name, date of birth, state or country, and parent or spouse's name. If a match is found, more detailed information may be viewed on the individual, a pedigree chart of ancestors, or a list of descendants connected may be viewed. This data may then be printed (printers are usually connected with a nominal fee per page printed) or downloaded to a GEDCOM file on a floppy disk.
Note that living people are excluded from Ancestral File - there will only be a listing of LIVING with no name, gender or dates to indicate the existence of a child or parent. Notes and sources are not presently included in the database, but there is discussion of including that information in the future.
Information on the submitter(s) of the information is available and should be used to contact others researching individuals found in Ancestral File. This could be the most valuable part of the information.
Please be aware that this information is not verified by the Family History Library. It is provided as submitted, so you should verify everything carefully against other sources. It DOES provide valuable clues, but until documentation is found, these should be treated only as clues.
Although you may download a GEDCOM, I strongly advise against importing that data directly into your genealogy database. Instead, import it into a SEPARATE database where you can review the information carefully. Then enter only the information you document, showing the appropriate sources for the information.
International Genealogical IndexTM (IGI)
The IGI is an index/database of event information (specifically birth, christening and marriage). Information on living persons is not included. Information is from three principal sources:
This database contains well over 200 million entries, and millions more are added annually. The database is periodically re-issued to include these updates. There are microfiche and CD-ROM versions of the IGI. The most recent CD-ROM update was issued as an Addendum to the previous edition, so it is necessary to search BOTH editions to make sure entries are not missed.
The database is organized geographically to limit the search. The user selects the appropriate region, then enters the search criteria, which is at least surname, but may include given name and an approximate event date. Matching entries are displayed alphabetically by first name, then by date of event. The date does not filter out information, but merely starts the display in the right area. I suggest you search by similar name (not exact name) as it is faster AND may catch any misspellings of the surname.
Searches may be made by Individual, Marriage, or Parent. Results when searching by Parent will include any children shown with that person as parent, so it will put family members together. Note that the IGI is NOT a linked database like the Ancestral File, but simply an event database. The Parent function is the only way of putting together information on a family, and is not intended to be all-inclusive. Not all children of a family may be included in the database with a birth or christening event to link them to their parents.
The source of each entry is indicated. If the source is an Extracted Birth, Christening, or Marriage Record, there may be a microfilm or book copy in the Family History Library. If the source is "form submitted for proxy LDS temple ordinances", there will be a batch and sheet number, possibly with a source call number, listed under the source information.
These sources can be requested to view any additional information, including the actual submitter's name and address. Note, however, that names submitted after May 1991 do not include the submitter, and submitters before that may well have moved or died. Other submitted records include no further information. If you choose to request these submission records, be prepared for disappointment. If there is a source call number, or if the word "film" appears in the "serial/sheet" column on the microfiche version, that is the microfilm number. If there is only a batch and sheet number, you will need to find the "call number" in the IGI Batch Number Index, which is on microfiche, usually at the beginning of the IGI microfiche section.
If you have further questions, consult the Resource Guide "Finding an IGI Source". As with the Ancestral File, treat information from the IGI as clues to information to be verified from other sources.
U.S. Social Security Death Index (SSDI)
The Social Security Death Index is included in the FamilySearch programs on CD-ROM at the FHC. This database includes millions of deceased Americans. The FHC CD-ROM database is updated about every 2-3 years.Note that this database does NOT list every American who has died since Social Security started in 1936! It includes only those whose death was reported to the Social Security Administration. Not all Americans have been covered by Social Security, so deaths of many farmers, self-employed people, government and railroad workers, etc., were not reported and are not included Since the computer database was started in the 1960s, earlier deaths are being added as time permits, so their inclusion is spotty. [See my column on "A Government Program That Can Help Me? Using Social Security Records", Pilgrims, Pioneers & Aliens, Oct 1999.)
The Military Index
The Military Index is a list of U.S. military fatalities from the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. The database includes ONLY those who died in U.S. military service during these conflicts. The information for each individual is name, rank, branch of service, birth date/place, residence, death date/place, religious affiliation, and race. For the Vietnam dead it also includes the number of the panel of the Vietnam Memorial on which the name is found.Source Guides
There are Source Guides for:These guides are extremely helpful in identifying resources and establishing research strategies. These are available on CD-ROM in many Family History Centers or by order through Salt Lake City (see the Further Reading section below). This CD-ROM may also be purchased from Salt Lake City for $5.00 for home use.
Other CD-ROM and Computer Resources
The Family History Library Holdings
There are millions of records available in the Family History Library on microfilm, microfiche, and in books. Many of these are stored in the Granite Mountain Record Vault. These are indexed in the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC), which is available on microfiche or CD-ROM in the FHC, or online at www.familysearch.org.
The catalog is the entrance to this information. The catalog is available on microfiche or CD-ROM. The search can be by surname, locality, author/title or subject. Not all records are available for research outside Salt Lake City, so read the summary carefully.Microfilm/microfiche records available range from copies of individual research to complete copies of church records, court records, cemetery records, and census. Before making a research trip anywhere, check the FHLC to determine which records are available through the FHC, then use your on-site time to study other records.
There are a number of "myths" surrounding the use of LDS records and the Family History Centers