Beginning Lesson #12 Using LDS Family History Centers From: PHHGENE DearMYRTLE Could you answer two questions for me. I have been told that the LDS records are not researched. Is that correct? Have they gone into county courthouses and copied the records just as they are written? DearPHHGENE, Thanks for the great lead in to today's overview of using a LDS Family History Center! Let me state in response to your first question, some records could be construed to be "not researched well" if one considers that a large number of researchers have elected to submit their compiled genealogies in book or computerized format. The LDS Family History Library cannot verify the quality of research that had been done. Its left to us to verify the lineages proposed by others. Hopefully they left big audit trails by citing their sources. As to your second question, the LDS Family History Library (formerly the Genealogical Society of Utah) has obtained microfilm of original courthouse, parish and other vital records form towns, counties and countries all over the world. They also have microfilms of abstracted records, where in individuals may have done their own indexing or notations of entries they found searching the original books. Now some more specifics for beginning genealogists on why its advisable to use the resources of a local LDS Family History Center. The LDS Family History Library is the main branch in Salt Lake City, Utah. There are over 2,500 local LDS Family History Centers located throughout the world, which have lending library privileges with the main Library in Salt Lake. You don't have to be a member of the LDS Church to use the facilities, nor do your ancestors have to have been members for microfilm of their original records to be archived there. When I was first getting into genealogy, I knew about the LDS Family History Library, since I happen to be a member of the church. I was amazed how many other people hold the Library in high regard. Now I understand that it is the largest single collection of genealogical materials in the world. In fact they add about 5,000 new items a month! That incredible. I have previously designed an entire AOL department collection of articles detailing the various collections common to each LDS Family History Center, titled <A HREF="aol://4344:167.myrtfhc.1414158.531675763">USING LDS FHCENTERS. </A> I have also included a <A HREF="aol://4344:167.my960101.1379842.51360427 3">RESEARCH CHECKLIST </A> which was created by my friend Elsie (of ELSIE SAYS...fame) as a tool to guide you through these same collections. Check out the following articles: <A HREF="aol://4344:167.my960119.1381980.506628358">What is a FHC?</A> <A HREF="aol://4344:167.my960208.1389208.508270106">FHC #1 - Before You Go</A> <A HREF="aol://4344:167.my960209.1389367.508365587">FHC #2 - The IGI</A> <A HREF="aol://4344:167.my960216.1389948.508976354">FHC#3 - Using the FHL Card Catalog</A> (FHLC) <A HREF="aol://4344:167.my960223.1391369.509914903">FHC #4 - Parish & Vital Re cords List</A> <A HREF="aol://4344:167.myfhcsp.1405235.531699072">FHC#5 - Special Collections I & II</A> <A HREF="aol://4344:167.my960405.1395092.512863567">FHC #6 - PERSI Index</A> <A HREF="aol://4344:167.my960412.1395093.512863904">FHC #7 - Family Registry</ A> <A HREF="aol://4344:167.my960419.1395094.512864621">FHC #8 - Family Group Reco rd Archives</A> <A HREF="aol://4344:167.my960426.1395098.512866032">FHC #9 - FamilySearch (tm) Computer Databases Overview</A> <A HREF="aol://4344:167.my960503.1395103.512868307">FHC #10 - Medieval Records ID Unit</A> <A HREF="aol://4344:167.my970127.1418505.538793769">Elsie Says...IGI is a good place to start</A> <A HREF="aol://4344:167.my970210.1419422.540337627">Getting Your Own Copy of t he FHLC</A> <A HREF="aol://4344:167.my970141.1384518.537205773">How Reliable are the Recor ds?</A> <A HREF="aol://4344:167.my960605.1390284.518446120">Does the LDS FHL Have It A ll?</A> <A HREF="aol://4344:167.my951115.1381928.500906266">Overcoming DO NOT CIRCULAT E Microfilms</A> <A HREF="aol://4344:167.my960403.1395043.512845300">Indexing Projects & Name E xtraction Program</A> <A HREF="aol://4344:167.my960815.1403267.524324167">Handicapped Access to LDS FHL</A> <A HREF="aol://4344:167.my960825.1404579.524595426">NEW FHC Address Access!</A > <A HREF="aol://4344:167.my970207.1418885.539466533">Locating LDS FHCenters</A> For a photo tour of a typical LDS Family History Center, check out the following WEB page: <A HREF="http://members.aol.com/terryann2/fhcinal.htm">A Family History Center in Huntsville, Alabama</A> located at: http://members.aol.com/terryann2/fhcinal.htm Definately use the facilities of your local LDS FHCenter. It can save you bundles in travel dollars!