Family History Library

Family History Library
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Name	Family History Library
Location	Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Established	1894

Family History Library. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints operates the Family History Library, which is located in Salt Lake City, Utah, near Temple Square and the Salt Lake Temple. The library is a renowned research facility, attracting visitors from around the world, including genealogists, historians, and researchers from institutions like the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, and New England Historic Genealogical Society. It collaborates with other organizations, such as the Society of Genealogists, National Genealogical Society, and American Society of Genealogists, to advance family history research.

Introduction

The Family History Library is one of the largest and most comprehensive genealogy libraries in the world, with a vast collection of resources, including books, manuscripts, microfilms, and databases. It provides access to records from various countries, such as the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, and Australia, and collaborates with institutions like the British Library, National Library of Australia, and Library and Archives Canada. The library's resources are used by researchers from organizations like the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, California Genealogical Society, and Texas State Genealogical Society. Visitors to the library can also access online databases, such as Ancestry.com, Findmypast, and MyHeritage, which provide access to historical records from around the world, including those from the National Archives (United Kingdom), Archives Nationales (France), and Bundesarchiv (Germany).

History

The Family History Library was established in 1894 by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with the goal of collecting and preserving genealogical records from around the world. The library's early collections included records from the United States, Europe, and Latin America, and it has since expanded to include resources from Africa, Asia, and Oceania. The library has collaborated with other institutions, such as the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, and New York Public Library, to acquire and preserve historical records. Notable genealogists, such as Donald Lines Jacobus, Milton Rubincam, and John Insley Coddington, have used the library's resources to advance their research, and it has also been used by historians like David McCullough, Doris Kearns Goodwin, and Nathaniel Philbrick.

Collections

The Family History Library's collections include over 2.4 million rolls of microfilm, 727,000 microfiche, 356,000 books, 4,500 serials, and 700 electronic resources. The library's collections cover a wide range of topics, including genealogy, history, biography, and culture, and it has resources from institutions like the British Library, Bibliothèque nationale de France, and National Library of China. The library also provides access to online databases, such as FamilySearch, Ancestry.com, and Findmypast, which offer records from around the world, including those from the National Archives (United States), Public Record Office (United Kingdom), and Archives nationales d'outre-mer (France).

Services

The Family History Library offers a range of services to support researchers, including research assistance, classes, and workshops. The library's staff are experienced genealogists and historians who can provide guidance on research techniques and help researchers navigate the library's collections. The library also offers scanning and printing services, allowing researchers to access and preserve historical records. Additionally, the library collaborates with other institutions, such as the Society of Genealogists, National Genealogical Society, and American Society of Genealogists, to provide training and education programs for genealogists and historians.

Research Assistance

The Family History Library provides research assistance to visitors and remote researchers. The library's staff can help researchers develop research plans, identify relevant records, and provide guidance on research techniques. The library also offers one-on-one consultations with experienced genealogists and historians, and it collaborates with other institutions, such as the New England Historic Genealogical Society, New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, and California Genealogical Society, to provide expert research assistance. Researchers can also access the library's online resources, including tutorials and webinars, to help them advance their research.

Facilities

The Family History Library is located in a state-of-the-art facility in Salt Lake City, Utah. The library's building features study areas, classrooms, and exhibition spaces, and it is equipped with modern technology, including computers, scanners, and printers. The library also offers access to online resources, including databases and digital collections, and it collaborates with other institutions, such as the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, and British Library, to provide access to historical records. The library's facilities are designed to support researchers and provide a comfortable and productive research environment. Category:Genealogy