FamilySearch Centres

Update effective 6 July 2021. The FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City reopened 6 July 2021 after being closed since March 13, 2020, due to precautions pertaining to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Some FamilySearch Centres and FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries are also open, depending on location. This is a decision which is made locally. If you live in an area where churches and libraries generally are open, check with your local FamilySearch Centre and/or check with your local Affiliate Library about FamilySearch access. In addition
Update effective 12 August 2021. A new computer portal for accessing restricted records was introduced at FamilySearch Centres (not Affiliate Libraries) which requires changes to each computer in the FamilySearch Centre. Before visiting a FamilySearch Centre, firstly check that computers are available (there is currently (2022/06) a wait for replacements, or you can now (from c January 2023) bring your own laptop or Chromebook, and secondly check that the portal is fully functional, so that restricted records can be accessed.
##########

FamilySearch is a nonprofit family history organisation which is part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or LDS, also known as the Mormons.

FamilySearch Centres are local branches of the LDS FamilySearch Library (until 10 January 2023 known as the Family History Library) in Salt Lake City and can be found worldwide. (Until 10 January 2023 some Centres were called Family History Centres (Centers))

Access to digitised microfilms of records in the FamilySearch Library, which are not otherwise available on home computers, is available at these centres. However, ordering of the previously available microfilms ceased in 2017, to be replaced by digitised versions, refer details below. You do not have to be a member of the LDS to use a centre or their resources. Read the FamilySearch Wiki article Introduction to LDS FamilySearch Centers for more details.

In addition, there are FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries, which may be public libraries, or libraries connected with genealogical societies, etc. Often an Affiliate Library will have longer operating hours than a FamilySearch Centre, or perhaps may be larger institutions with more computers available to view records. However, some records cannot be viewed at an Affiliate Library.

Find a FamilySearch Center or FamilySearch Affiliate. Enter your location details, including country. If you live in a state or county, depending on country it may help to enter the state as the location, then increase the size of the map to see the Centres in the region, and greatly increase the size if you live in area where there may be two or more Centres in the same city (as otherwise the multiple Centres may not display). Alternatively, it may be sufficient to enter city and country. However, it is suggested you always increase the size of the map to check that all Centres are displaying.
This link is also available from the FamilySearch Home Page, click on icon marked ? (top right hand of the webpage), then click Help and Learning/In-person Help
At least some of the Centres do not provide opening times. In most centres the phone is only connected during opening times, so it may be difficult to actually make contact and find out when the Centre is open. In addition, the Centres usually do not have provision for mail enquiries. There is also some information in the FamilySearch Wiki Category:FamilySearch Centers, but not for all Centres, and Affiliate Libraries are listed separately, see External links below. You could also try FamilySearch Support Contact Us for your geographic area.

Update 17 Jan. 2023. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have additional access at Church meetinghouses worldwide.

Always confirm opening times prior to a visit, as the website details, even if available, may not be up to date. Also confirm the address. Website details for some Centres do not include the address. (For one Affiliate Library noted, which is known to operate at two different addresses, only one address appeared on the FamilySearch web details, which was different to the information appearing on the Affiliate Library's website, although this has now been corrected.)

Photocopy service from Salt Lake City has now ceased

The previous photocopy service ceased 5 December 2014.

However, a new Records Look Up Service was introduced 24 May 2021, see External links below.

Ordering microfilms service has now ceased/digitised microfilms

The previous microfilm ordering service has now been replaced by digitised microfilms. The last day for ordering microfilms was 7 September 2017. Some Centres have retained some microfilms in their own permanent mini collections.

When a microfilm has been digitised it is also, in addition to the microfilm number, allocated a DGS number, referred to as a Digital Folder number. The latter number appears to becoming the main reference number for a record set. (The URL for a record set has the format (at 2020/02) https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/004769478 where the last number is the DGS number).

All microfilms have now been digitised, and are available through the Catalogue Search on FamilySearch, not in the Records section. A camera icon (with no other symbol) means the record may be viewed on your home computer, a camera icon with a key above it means the record is available on a restricted basis. (No icon at all indicates the record is not available to view digitally) (See images etc.) (Note, you need to be signed in, refer below, or a key or microfilm only, or even no symbol may appear for all records.) For non-LDS church researchers, records which originate from the British Library are available to be viewed on a FamilySearch computer, or your own laptop or Chromebook at a FamilySearch Centre, and additionally most, but perhaps not all, are viewable at Affiliate Libraries, although this may vary over time. See "Viewing 'Protected' access online books and databases" below.

The digitisation of microfilms was completed in September 2021. At that time is was stated "FamilySearch is working to outsource the digitization of its large microfiche collection, which should be completed several years from now". Note that some microfilms may not be available to view digitally for many years, perhaps decades, due to restrictions in the country of origin of the records, relating to data privacy restrictions, which may be more restrictive for digital images than for microfilms.
Update July 2023. Microfiche digitisation is hoped to be finished in 2024 when all of the digitized microfiche content will be released at the same time. However, not all of the digitized content will be viewable online because of contract restrictions. Elsewhere it was advised that c July 2023 a contract had been signed and the digitisation was hoped to be completed in about a year.

Note that the digitised microfilm reader may be very sensitive to internet speed, so if you are viewing digitised microfilms on your home computer and having problems, try to pick a time of lower internet demand such as early or late in the day. Personal experience (in the past) was that 1pm, weekday and Saturday, access was extremely unsatisfactory, early Sunday morning was much better. Unsatisfactory viewing conditions may also be experienced at some Centres, either due to internet speed, or for other reasons - you may wish to enquire about this aspect, and if so, whether any particular day or time is better and if you have more than one FHC or Affiliate Library in your area, compare viewing conditions.

Note that researchers have commented that it is much slower viewing records which have been digitised, compared with the same records on microfilm. This finding is magnified if there are problems with internet speed, so it may be worth enquiring whether any Centres near you, including genealogical societies, have retained a copy of the microfilm you are interested in. For some Centres, this information may be obtained through the FamilySearch Catalog where there is an Availability option in the Search. Unclick the Online option and select your local FamilySearch Centre from the menu available. Always confirm by telephone with your local FHC to ensure information is current. Note however that over time fewer Centres continue to hold microfilms for various reasons including the inability to maintain functioning microfilm readers, and this trend will increase in the future.

The FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA retains an extensive collection of microfilms, including all those not available to view digitally, which can be ordered before your visit (including up until Sat. July 15 2023 those held at Granite Mountain Record Vault) so they will be ready when you arrive, (but you must allow sufficient time), or you may decide to hire a researcher. Books stored off site must also be pre-ordered otherwise you will be unable to access them.

You may also request that books from the FamilySearch catalogue be digitised.

Viewing restricted access online books and databases

After signing in to FamilySearch, some digitised microfilm databases will display, in the catalogue entry, a camera icon with a key symbol above which advises "this film is viewable with additional restrictions". (If you are not signed in, a key, or microfilm only, or even no symbol may also appear, even for databases viewable on your home computer). However, members of the public can view most (but not all) of these databases at a FamilySearch Centre on a FamilySearch Centre computer, through the FamilySearch Portal. (Although details are minimal, from c January 2023 it appears that access through your own laptop or other device is possible, provided you are physically present at the FamilySearch Centre but to access the records you will need to download the FamilySearch Portal while connected to the LDS Church Liahona WiFi). Some digital databases may also be viewed at Affiliate Libraries, which may have longer opening hours than a FamilySearch Centre. Contact your FamilySearch Centre prior to visiting to advise your requirements and, if it is possible, book a suitable computer (after enquiring whether internet image viewing varies by day or time, or there is poor viewing generally, refer section above). For the general public, FamilySearch records which were available on microfilm, which have since been digitised, and which originate from the British Library in London can be viewed at a Family History Centre and additionally currently (2021/02) can also be viewed at an Affiliate Library. Note however in the past access at Affiliate Libraries has varied, and some microfilms originating from the British Library have not been available at Affiliate Libraries. LDS church members may have additional access.

There appear to be at least four different types of restriction wording seen by signed in, non-LDS church members either currently, or in the past:

• "Sign in to Familysearch.org as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints".

This wording has not yet been seen on India related digitised microfilms. Note: This wording now withdrawn, see below.

• "Sign in to Familysearch.org as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Access the site at a family history center".
• "Sign in to Familysearch.org as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Access the site at a family history center. Access the site at a FamilySearch affiliate library."

Update c 22 October 2019. All references to "Sign in to Familysearch.org as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" appear to have been removed, to be replaced by the following wording for signed in, non-LDS church members: "You may be able to view this image by visiting one of our partners' sites or the legal record custodian (fees may apply)". (FamilySearch article.)

Note. For records restricted to LDS church members only, consultants at FamilySearch Centres have been instructed "Consultants should not sign in to allow members of the public to access restricted images. Such sharing can violate contracts between FamilySearch and the records custodian".

In the past, signed-in LDS church members had access to a wider range of records than non LDS church members, and this situation continues. In particular, LDS church members were able to view the India church records originating from the British Library on their home computers, and it is believed this is still the current situation.

• "Access the site at a FamilySearch center. Access the site at a FamilySearch affiliate library".

Note:

• To access the digitised records you will need to Sign In on the computer at the FamilySearch Centre or Affiliate Library using your personal Sign In details, refer FamilySearch, section India Records, so take your user name and password with you, or you may experience delays.. At the Family History Centre, you will first need to open the FamilySearch Portal (which must have been previously installed) on the computer, and then sign in with your personal sign in details. (Although details are minimal, from c January 2023 it appears that access through your own laptop or other device is possible, provided you are physically present at the FamilySearch Centre but to access the records you will need to download the FamilySearch Portal while connected to the LDS Church Liahona WiFi). At an Affiliate Library you will need to make sure that you select a computer which has the FamilySearch portal installed, (exact name not known, perhaps may not include the word portal). "...you need to log out of FamilySearch before you connect to the Library's wi-fi and then log in again, for the system to recognize you and allow access". (You can log out of FS before you leave home).
• Before you visit a Centre or Affiliate Library, enquire whether it is possible to take a copy of a required record, what means are available, whether there is a charge, whether you can download to your own laptop, or whether you can/need to bring a device such as a USB flash drive/memory stick, or whether is is possible to take a screen shot of a record and send it to your home computer. The only way to keep a copy of the record for future reference may be to either to print out a copy on paper, or by using a memory stick or laptop. (If you directly "attach" a copy of the record to a person in FamilySearch Family Tree, you will not be able to view the record outside the Family History Centre/Affiliate Library.)
• At times (c 2019 January, and still ongoing early April 2019), when trying to access a digital file, a message ""Image Unavailable. This image is unavailable for online viewing at this time." has been seen. However it appears this is some sort of error, and if you re-access the digital file (multiple times if necessary), the usual message that it can be viewed at a FHC or Affiliate Library should appear, and the films become viewable.. Update. June 2019, this error appears to have been fixed, but details have been left for information in the event of a re-occurrence.
• Some Affiliate Libraries such as genealogical societies may charge a visitor research fee if you are not a genealogical society member.

FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries

FamilySearch affiliate libraries include, or can include, public or university libraries, archives, museums, or genealogical societies. Should you be unable to access a Family History Centre to view digitised microfilms which are also viewable at a FamilySearch affiliate library, perhaps you could discuss with your library whether it would be willing to become an affiliate library. See external links below for procedure, and for a FamilySearch Wiki article which lists Affiliate Libraries. As the Family History Library in Salt Lake City appears to be be involved with affiliate library decisions, telephone, or perhaps Facebook, contact, with that library (refer external links below) may help if other means of contact are unsuccessful.

London, England

National Archives, Kew

London FamilySearch Centre at The National Archives closed permanently on Saturday, 23 March 2019.
The National Archives has now become a FamilySearch Affiliate Library.

Society of Genealogists, London

The permanent microfilm collection from the London Family History Centre at Kew was given to the Society of Genealogists in 2017, and became available at SOG for consultation from August 2017. Note some records may be available online, but may be slower to view than the microfilms. Refer comments above, under "Ordering microfilms service has now ceased/digitised microfilms". Check the FamilySearch catalogue to see those records which you can view on your home computer.

Society of Genealogists is a FamilySearch Affiliate Library.

Society of Genealogists is also a FamilySearch scanning centre where your family history or a book of genealogical value may be scanned, see FamilySearch Book Scanning.

Australia and New Zealand

Note that the Centres listed below are a selection only of those available. Affiliate Libraries are included as they generally have longer opening hours. Note Affiliate Libraries currently have access to FamilySearch digitised records originating from the British Library, important for India research, however, for some periods in the past this was not the situation for all such records, so make sure you check any restrictions applying through the Family Search catalogue.

NSW

For those in or near Sydney, NSW, Australia it is recommended that you attend the LDS Family History Centre at North Parramatta. This Centre holds many India related films of records from the British Library permanently onsite, including all the baptism, marriage and burial indexes, indexes relating to wills, Registers of European Soldiers Services to 1860 and some of the IOR O series records. In the past (c November 2009) Thursdays and Saturdays usually had librarians on duty who have a particular interest in India. Enquire about the current situation. Details:

See Update October 2019 further down this section.

Address: 169 Pennant Street

North Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia

(Situated near James Ruse Drive, Parramatta side, and opposite the intersection with Isabella Street))

The Centre is situated towards the rear of the LDS chapel, left hand side, near the parking area. The Centre has its own entrance, so do not try to enter through the LDS chapel.

Public transport: 545 bus from Parramatta station to Chatswood station.

Phone: (02)9683 5849

Opening hours given on the website, (current at September 2017): 10.30am- 2.30pm Tuesdays, Thursdays and 2nd and 3rd Saturdays. Closed School Holidays and Public Holidays. Note, no details at all provided provided October 2019.

Phone prior to your visit, when the Centre is open, and book a film reader or computer, depending on what you need to use. Confirm opening times.
No phone messages or mail enquiries. (The phone is disconnected outside of opening hours)

For details currently available on the website, type Parramatta in the Search and click on the icon on the map. Always confirm opening times, (and address) by telephone prior to a visit, as the website details may not be up to date.

Update October 2019. The Parramatta Family History Centre appears to have closed. The computers are thought to have been relocated to the Baulkham Hills Family History Centre at 77 Watkins Road, Baulkham Hills, NSW - telephone number (02) 9686 4170. The Family History Department of the (Australia) LDS Church Offices in Carlingford (NSW) (telephone 1300-537-248) advised that the microfilms are thought to have gone to Baulkham Hills also.

If you are not interested in microfilm held onsite, but only on viewing digitised microfilms, and want to access records which are available at an Affiliate Library, in the Sydney region Society of Australian Genealogists located in the Sydney Central Business District is a FamilySearch Affiliate Library and may be preferred as it has more extensive hours than most FHCs and may be a more convenient location for some researchers. A visitor research fee applies if you are not a SAG member.

Victoria

• Melbourne. The two following societies are FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries. A visitor research fee may apply if you are not a society member.

Family History Connections, the registered business name of Australian Institute of Genealogical Studies (AIGS). Unit 1, 41 Railway Rd (corner of Queen St) Blackburn VIC 3130 (Opposite the Blackburn Railway Station). Has a large collection of India material including some permanent FamilySearch microfilms. Search the online catalogue.

Genealogical Society of Victoria Level 1, 10 Queen Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000. Also has some microfilms.

• The LDS FHC at Blackburn closed 1 October 2010 . The Centre's collection of India Office Lists 1886-1940 were transferred to the Heidelberg Family History Centre.

Queensland

• FamilySearch Affiliate Library: Genealogical Society of Queensland 25 Stackpole Street on the corner of Mt Gravatt Capalaba Road, Wishart, QLD 4122. A visitor research fee may apply if you are not a society member.
• The Rockhampton Family History Centre in Queensland, Australia has/had a set of indexes for baptism, marriage and burial in the three presidencies. Current situation not known.

Western Australia

• FamilySearch Affiliate Library: Western Australian Genealogical Society Inc 6/48 May Street, Bayswater, WA 6053. A visitor research fee may apply if you are not a society member.

Australian Capital Territory

• FamilySearch Affiliate Library: Heraldry & Genealogy Society of Canberra Cook Community Hub, 41 Templeton Street, Cook ACT. A visitor research fee applies if you are not a society member.

Northern Territory

• FamilySearch Affiliate Library: Genealogical Society of the Northern Territory Inc. Location of the Library is in a northern suburb of Darwin at Unit 1, Harry Giese Building, 1 Willeroo Street (off Henbury Ave), Tiwi NT. A visitor research fee applies if you are not a society member.

New Zealand

The following are FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries.

• Auckland. Central Auckland Research Centre, part of Auckland Libraries. Central City Library, Level 2, 44-46 Lorne Street, Auckland.
• Wellington. Alexander Turnbull Library (National Library of New Zealand, Wellington). General Reading Room & FamilySearch Service, Level 1, 70 Molesworth Street Thorndon 6011. Research guide: Family History from NLNZ contains a section "FamilySearch at the National Library".

External links

• FamilySearch Library FamilySearch website launched c mid February 2021. Includes
  • Services/Records Look Up Service introduced 24 May 2021. Note however, although not specifically stated, the Look Up Service does not apply for records where the record restrictions state "You may be able to view this image by visiting one of our partners' sites or the legal record custodian (fees may apply)".

  Update. This service is to cease 17 July 2023.

  • FamilySearch Library [web]Site Map which includes Donations/Literary Donations in respect of books etc.

Prior to the Feb. 2021 new website, and still concurrently FamilySearch Library FamilySearch Wiki, which however now mainly links back to the FamilySearch Library website. Also see Category:FamilySearch Library FamilySearch Wiki.

General email address is fhl@FamilySearch.org

To report an error in the FamilySearch catalogue, for microfilms, microfiche and digital images contact the FamilySearch Library at: FHL-SLC-FilmRequests@churchofjesuschrist.org, and for all other items contact the FamilySearch Library at books@familysearch.org.

FamilySearch Library on Facebook. May be an alternative means of contact for Facebook members.

For non standard telephone enquires in respect of the FSL (Salt Lake City), try the FamilySearch Library Director's assistant (details).

Lynn Turner, New FamilySearch Family History Library Director 11 April 2022. FamilySearch Blog.

• FamilySearch Partner Libraries FamilySearch Wiki. Note: Partner Libraries are not the same as Affiliate Libraries, although most Partner Libraries are probably also Affiliate Libraries.
• Affiliate Libraries
  • FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries FamilySearch
    • Information on Becoming an Affiliate Library The contact email address is now affiliatelibraries@familysearch.org (introduced 26 June 2021).
    • Affiliate Library Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
    • Question: Are there alternatives to static IP for Affiliate Libraries? (More details)
  • How do we become an affiliate library? FamilySearch Help Center article.
  • Our affiliate library needs access to restricted images FamilySearch Help Center article.
  • FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries FamilySearch Wiki. Includes a List of Affiliate Libraries, which may not be complete.
• FamilySearch Archives Department Information gives an email address of archives@familysearch.org as "Contact Us" applicable for archives, churches, and other record custodians.
• What are the image restrictions in Historical Records? FamilySearch Help
• Family History Center Portal FamilySearch Wiki. Several premium online research services, usually pay websites, are available at FamilySearch Centres with free access. These websites must be accessed at a FamilySearch Centre, (Church members may have additional access at church meeting houses) and are not available at Affiliate Libraries. Includes (at 2023/Feb./03) Findmypast probably the Library version (or perhaps an even more limited version as the wording at Feb. 2023 is "not all of the content from Findmypast is available") which does not include newspapers, with the same ownership British Newspaper Archive available at select locations only (previous wording some UK Family History Centres); Ancestry-Institution Version, fold3 (owned by Ancestry) and MyHeritage-Library Edition and in the United Kingdom only, Geneanet, and at select locations only (previous wording some UK Family History Centres) The Genealogist. Note MyHeritage has purchased Filae, a resource for accessing French archives and tracing French ancestors and MyHeritage now contains many French records, and elsewhere these are stated to be included in the MyHeritage-Library Edition. (Filae is a Partner for Latter day Saints Church members.) From April 2023 NewspaperArchive an an American pay website (mainly US newspapers) is available for free (previous periods either not available or only available in selected locations). It is suggested you check before visiting whether the FamilySearch Centre you intend visiting has the website you are interested in as changes are possible.

For actual access to these websites, at the FamilySearch Centre, on a FamilySearch computer, first open the FamilySearch Portal, then open the premium website, then sign in through FamilySearch.