USING A LDS FAMILY HISTORY CENTER #9 FamilySearch (tm) Computer Databases revised Sept 1997 There are over 2,500 branches of the main Family History Library (FHL) in Salt Lake City. Each branch has a core collection, and access to microfilm and fiche through a rental program. Each center is different, varying in size and staff experience. To locate a FHC in your area, look in the white pages under Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. If there is no special FHC listing, call the church on Sunday mornings to inquire about the nearest Family History Center. Those FHCs that are equipped with computers have a program called FamilySearch(tm) which is used to view the following CD-ROM databases. Ancestral File Pedigree linked data, searchable by given name and surname. Save information to disk or print out a hard copy. GEDCOM compatible. This means you can import the GEDCOM file directly into your genealogy program without having to type each entry individually. Using Ancestral File I was able to save (on my own floppy disk) the genealogy compiled by our Cousin Rolland, a recognized competent genealogist. In a matter of four minutes I had 360 individuals and some 47 marriages, all linked together in family relationships. It took me another four minutes to transfer this data from the floppy disk to the genealogy program on my home computer. All I had to do then was link the duplicated individual and I was set! Without this process using Ancestral File, I would have had to request photocopies of all the family group sheets from Cousin Rolland and then painstakingly type everything into my computer. Why duplicate effort? My time is better spent researching obscure "brick walls" on the pedigree chart than retyping known info! IGI (International Genealogical Index) Individual or Parent Index. This collection comprises all names submitted for temple work from 1969 to the present. Search this collection first by locality (US/Canada, foreign county), then by given name and surname. Modify the search with a birth year if desired. Be sure to also check the Addendum. Save information to disk or print out a hard copy. GEDCOM compatible. Its easier to use this CD-ROM than the microfiche version, though I recommend checking both just to be sure your ancestor wasn't left out of the CD-ROM collection by mistake. Military Death Index Review this CD-ROM to locate information on soldiers whose deaths occurred during the Korean War and the Viet Nam conflict (including those in Laos and Cambodia.) Search by given name and surname. The index lists the branch of the service so it is easier to locate the military service records through other channels. Save information to disk or print out a hard copy. GEDCOM compatible. Social Security Death Index Search by surname and given name to see if the death was reported to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Once you've found Social Security Number you can ask the SSA for a copy of the SS-5 original application (for the number not benefits). Remember this process took a bit of work to prove that an individual was indeed a resident. The SS-5 lists parents, birth date and birth place, thereby providing proof of parentage and adding another locality to research! Save information to disk or print out a hard copy. GEDCOM compatible. FHLC - Family History Library Catalog This is the computer version of the microfiche catalog to the complete collection of genealogical materials of the LDS Family History Library. Unlike the fiche version, the CD-ROM searches are limited to LOCALITY or SURNAME Searches. Additionally, experienced users may look up microfilms by computer ID number. Save to disk or print out a hard copy. This is my favorite part of the FamilySearch CD-ROM collection! I use the computerized version of the FHLC to prepare for a research trip to Salt Lake City. It is best to look at all available records for the localities where my ancestors once lived. Then you can order the microfilm for the time periods in question -- land records, probate files, city directories and the like. I print out everything that looks interesting, one item per page. When visiting the FHLibrary, I know to look first at the books and non-circulating microfilms before beginning my regular microfilm research. I make notes right on the print-out, and staple photocopies from the microfilm to it. When I get home, I will need to enter the source for the document when typing the new information into my genealogy program. The stapler also saves time writing the exact film number and title, author, etc.. Scottish Church Records An index of names listed in the Church of Scotland (Presbyterian) parish registers and similar records, also including records from a few other denominations. Time period: late 1500s through about 1854. Save to disk or print out a hard copy. NOTE: Though the OPR (Old Parochial Registers) are available on microfiche, several researchers at our local LDS FHCenter have noticed not all entries appear in each collection. So be sure to check both! PAF - Personal Ancestral File 2.31 or 3.0 Organize the names/dates/localities and family stories you have found by using this popular DOS-based genealogy management program. Try it here before deciding to buy it for your home computer. Ask the FHC volunteer about the availability of local PAF Users Groups for further assistance. Additional Reading: There are individual resource outlines on each of the CD-ROM collections listed above which provide step-by-step directions in the use of the computer. Ask the volunteer at the FHCenter for a copy. I keep mine in my left hand while I type away with my right hand! Well, just when you thought you had a handle on this genealogy research thing, they throw in things like this to help you even more! Have a great week researching at your local FHC using the CD-ROMs in FamilySearch! FHC #10 MEDIEVAL RECORDS ID UNIT So you say you can trace you ancestry back to Charlemagne? Or better yet, Adam and Eve? Well, you will need to become aware of the activities of a small, select group of individuals working in the MEDIEVAL RECORDS ID Unit, a part of the LDS Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Experienced researchers are aware that there are no reliable records before the systematic reporting of church activities in parish records or Bishop's transcripts for areas such as England, Western Europe, and the Americas. The MEDIEVAL RECORDS ID UNIT formerly called the Royalty ID Unit, evaluates records from the pre1500 AD time period. We know these records are spotty at best, and contain many errors, due to purposeful human error, and illegability from years of wear and tear. Salt Lake does not permit the submission of names in this time period, as the MRIU is working these lines as completely as possible with their expert training. What do I mean by purposeful human error? Well, many early genealogy type records were based on an individuals desire to be related to land holding gentry. So reports to the authorities were willfully misrepresented. You can access the completed work of the Medieval Records ID Unit using the ANCESTRAL FILE (tm) on FamilySearch (tm) equipped computer systems. All this adds mystery and intrigue. Just remember that if you can push EACH line back to the 1500's, we'll sign you off, and you can QUIT researching! The Medieval Records ID Unit will take it from there for you! DOES THE LDS FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY HAVE IT ALL? Dear READERS, Yesterday I worked my usual shift at the local LDS Family History Center. I assited a patron who is planning a trip to Salt Lake to work at the main FHL for a week in August. Since her area of research is Germany, I suggested she check with the library about the microfilms she will want to view during her trip.... WHY? BECAUSE the FHL does have it all...but NOT all at the main building! Many items not commonly in demand are stored off-site in the service center or the granite vaults to the south east in the mountains! According to the LIBRARY SERVICES AND RESOURCES: Family history Library and Family History Center brochure published in 1995 by the LDS Church, you can also expect access to be limited on films from Central and South America, Africa and Asia. These films can be ordered at the library attendant's window. However since the brochure states it can take a few hours or up to TEN DAYS to receive your film, its best to plan in advance. What to do? 1. Get a copy of the brochure mentioned above so you can understand the policy in detail. Your local LDS FHCenter has one. 2. Use the FHLCatalog at your local LDS FHCenter on the computer and print out a listing of every item you plan to view on microfilm while in Salt Lake. 3. Compare your localities with the description of microfilms usually stored at the FHLibrary. 4. Highlight any which do not fit the catagories for on-site storage. 5. Write to the FHLibrary at 35 North West Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150 requesting that the highlighted films be available at the library during the time of your visit. 6. You may call the FHLibrary at (801)240-2331. The hours are: Monday 7:30am to 6:00pm. (They close early for Family Home Evening) Tue-Sat 7:30am to 10:00pm. GETTING YOUR OWN COPY OF THE FHLC Most people just drop by their local center regularly, since the microfiche and microfilms mentioned in the catalog must be viewed in the center anyway. You can purchase the FHLCatalog on fiche, but then you'd need to have a microfiche reader to view it. It can be purchased in sections. You would have to order it through your local LDS FHC. I particularly like the idea of having the microfiche FHLCatalog for each LOCALITY where my ancestor's lived. In this manner I can review at home what records are available to order through my local FHCenter. Inquire at 1-800-453-3860 - Family History Library for details of their publications and costs of the various portions of the FHLC. You can also obtain this information through your local FHCenter.