Documenting a family’s history amid the generations is one of the trendiest pastimes. Fortunately for the recreational and the specialized genealogists, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), commonly known as the Mormons, has developed a reports store that covers hundreds of years.
These reports incorporate census reports, birth reports, death indexes, court proceedings, newspapers, obituaries, and dozens of additional sources of information. In addition to the major library in Salt Lake City, Utah, LDS has made these records accessible free of charge to the public, in spite of spiritual association, through more than 3,600 Family History Centers.
In order to have a useful trip to the Family History Library, consider the following tips:
*Before visiting the Family History Center (FHC) in your region, confirm the days and times the library is open. Unlike traditional public libraries, the FHC is run by volunteers and has limited hours of operation.
*Fill out a Family Group Record for every family you are exploring. You might not have all the information needed, but the more you have, the better off you will be. A copy of the outline is accessible for download on the LDS website.
*You can also execute a search on location, family name, author, keyword, and title inside the Family History Library Catalog. The advantage of doing this is that though the catalog does not include the definite records, it does include the call numbers and/or fiche rolls for definite documentation. Having this information when you get to the Family History Center will assist you to find the information that the FHC has on hand or they can order the reports from the major library in Salt Lake City.
*Get a notebook or supply of Research Log forms to utilize through your research. These notes will assist you confirm your family record information and help you in future investigation at home or in additional locations.