Family History Center (LDS Church)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Family History Centers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints operate as branches of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. There are over 4000 centers in over 88 countries. Family History Centers vary greatly in size and hours staffed. They form a resource in the study of family history and are used by thousands of patrons weekly.

The vast majority of these locations order microfilm from the main library in Salt Lake City. The films sent to the Family History Library are generally made by copying films in the granite vaults east of Salt Lake City. Most centers that do not order films are located close to other ones that do. As of 2007 in the United States the charge for ordering a film was $5.75. Microfiche can also be ordered.

Several FHCs also have small book collections.

[edit] History

The first family history center, then called a branch genealogical library, was organized in the Harold B. Lee Library on Brigham Young University Campus in May of 1964. Plans had been announced at October General Conference of 1963 to organize family history centers in Mesa, Arizona, Logan, Utah, Cardston, Alberta and Oakland, California all adjacent to the temples in those cities.

The Family History Centers were put under the overall direction of Archibald F. Bennett. By December of 1964 there were 29 FHCs; by 1968 there were 75.

The name of these institutions was changed from branch genealogical library to family history center in 1987.

[edit] See also

Genealogical Society of Utah

[edit] References

Allen, James B.; Jessie L. Embry; Kahlile B. Mehr. Hearts Turned to the Fathers: A History of the Genealogical Society of Utah(Provo: BYU Studies, 1995) p. 188-189.