Family History Library, Salt Lake City

The Family History library has been helping people search out their ancestors since 1894. Since 1985 it has been in this location just west of Temple Square. It is said to be the largest single repository of genealogical records and information in the world. The numbers of volumes and fiches and names is a little overwhelming and I can tell you from personal experience that it is more than a little intimidating.

But even a quick visit can be revealing and might get you started on a life time hobby.

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One of the books in the quite extensive library is one on the Yerkes family. If you are interested in any of the Yerkes in the US, they all descended from the original imigrant Anthony Yerkes who came to the Philadelphia area in the 1600s.

Hiram Yerkes (photo 2 - from a family picture album-not from the Family History Library) was b. 1810 and d. 1893. Hiram and Anna Lewis Yerkes had eight children. Robert, Sarah, Martin (my great grandfather), David (pictured), Simeon (pictured), Daniel, Phebe (pictured), and Elwood. The other picture is of Carrie who was Elwood's daughter.

• Open to the general public at no charge
• Visited by an estimated 2,000 patrons or more each day

Hours
Monday: 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Tuesday–Saturday: 8:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M.



• The collection includes over 2.4 million rolls of microfilmed genealogical records; 742,000 microfiche; 310,000 books, serials, and other formats; 4,500 periodicals; 700 electronic resources.
• The International Genealogical Index database contains approximately 600 million names of deceased individuals. An addendum to the International Genealogical Index contains an additional 125 million names. These names have been patron submitted or extracted from thousands of original birth, christening and marriage records.
• Records available are from the United States, Canada, the British Isles, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Africa.
• In 2003, the collection increased monthly by an average of 4,100 rolls of film, 700 books, and 16 electronic resources.
• A majority of the records contain information about persons who lived before 1930.
• Approximately 200 cameras are currently microfilming records in over 45 countries. Records have been filmed in over 110 countries, territories, and possessions.

Patron Resources:

• 202 patron computers
• 509 microfilm readers
• 36 microfiche readers
• 28 microfilm and microfiche copiers
• 4 microfilm scanners
• 15 book copiers
• Seating capacity for 396 at tables
• Orientation and research classes

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My grandmother took me to the Family History Library to look up my other grandmother's relatives. We found out how to look up the records on their computers and find the microfiche and use the reader to see what was there. We had to pay $1.00 for a card to print documents out. The card was 60 cents, and the other 40 cents we could print documents at 10 cents each. I found that I could take a picture of what was on the screen and it would be just as good as printing it out, and wouldn't cost anything.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints felt it was so important that their followers knew of their families history and in turn wanted to share and help others that seek their genealogy. It is visited by so many people all over the world. It is the most extensive library ever dedicated to genealogy in the world. I was so impressed with the extent of information they have in there.

Also, I do know that many of the churches across the United States have facilities or have some one assigned to the duty of assisting others with genealogy.

It is FREE to the public also.

Hours: 7:30-5:00 Mon.; 7:30-10:00 Tue-Sat

To locate the nearest family history center, call 800-346-6044 in the United States and Canada

I visited the Center looking for info about a branch of my family with origin in a northern province of Argentina, Salta. I found a lot of information but I couldn't find the informarion I am researching because I'd not enough time. I'll be back. Great place. Very friendly and multilingual staff.

FamilySearch Center (1-801-240-4085)
Monday through Friday 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M
Saturday 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

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This is the outside of the Family History Library. There is a parking lot adjacent to the library that has a flat $5 fee for the entire day. It was very easy to figure all this out when we drove to the area downtown where the library is located.
We were amazed by the size of this place. It is very efficient and well run. We were given an orientation tour before we started upstairs to the stacks of books and reels of film.

I had a productive week at this library. If you're already familiar with microfilm research, you can just walk in and get started at the film roll shelves/drawers. If you're new to family history research, there are instructional videos and lots of FHL volunteers willing to help you. The facilities are extremely well-kept and there is always enough space for everyone to work comfortably. The library does not have a food level or cafe - you cannot eat anywhere in the library.

One thing I wish I had known prior to my visit: if any of your films from the catalog on www.familyhistory.org show up as "VAULT," you can order those films at your local Family History Center to be sent to the FHL. Otherwise, you'll have to order them AT the FHL, and that can take a couple days to receive them there.

World Genealogical center with a room per area. You can be helped by somebody speaking your language and you may search your roots in data files and microfilms.
The library is open 72 hours a week.
It is the shorter way to gather information on the history of your family. For France, a large large part of the vital statistics are there.