There are two Family History Centers in the greater Omaha, NE area where I live. They are completely different in their design, attitude, and in the records that they carry. But both have provided me with excellent experiences. I recommend that you all visit different centers in your area--you're lucky to have so many!! They are staffed by volunteers who vary in their ability to help, but all of the volunteers are there to serve. You can order microfilms and/or microfiche for approximately $3.50, then view them at the center for a month, and these can sometimes be renewed. What a deal!!! Both centers have the 1870 Census Index available on CD. This has been a great help! We have all benefitted from the work of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints--they are responsible for the preservation and microfilming of soooooo many records that we all access regularly on the Internet. I believe it's part of their mission to preserve the past--I'm sure one of our list members knows more about this than I do. Omaha was a big part of the Mormon Trail, but I'm no expert. And one more thing...the volunteers at the FHC's are not there to try to convert all of us to their faith. They're not going to bug you about religion. They just want to help you find your families. It's weird to just walk into these places the first time, but you'll find that you're welcomed by the people there, and I'm sure you'll get some help too. Ellen Bugs Papillion, Nebraska