What Is a Family History Center? How It All Began This story begins with the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, in the United States of America. Since it was established in 1894, the Family History Library has become the largest of its kind in the world. However, because not everyone is able to come to Salt Lake City to use the Family History Library, most of its extensive holdings are accessible at the numerous Family History Centers sponsored by the Genealogical Society of Utah. These Family History Centers are located throughout the world, primarily in LDS Church meetinghouses. The library houses millions of microfilms, thousands of microfiche and books, and many other records. Most of the microfilms have been acquired through an extensive microfilming program that began in 1938. Microfilmers are presently filming original documents in churches, courthouses, and archives in many countries. The originals of these microfilms are preserved in a vault in the mountains near Salt Lake City. Copies of microfilms are available for use at the Family History Library and at Family History Centers. Publications A series of research outlines is available at the Family History Center. Each outline describes records of genealogical value, where they are located, and how they can be used. Each outline also describes how to find the most important records in the Family History Library Catalog. Other useful publications include: Library Services and Resources (4 pages, free). An annual overview of the Family History Library and the local Family History Centers. Where Do I Start? (4 pages, free). Introduces the five-step process of research. A Guide to Research (24 pages; $0.40 U.S.). A simple explanation of the research process. Using the Family History Library Catalog (44 pages; $0.75 U.S.). A booklet which explains the Family History Library Catalog, a listing of the worldwide resources available to each center. Microfilm Collection Almost all of the Family History Library's worldwide collection can be loaned, for a limited time, for use at the Family History Centers. There is a small postage and handling fee; all centers charge this same basic fee. Please note that the majority of the microfilms are copies of handwritten, historical records in a variety of foreign languages. The records include copies of government birth and death records, church registers, census schedules, military files, and immigration lists. Microfiche Collections Reference collections available at each center in the United States and Canada include: Accelerated Indexing Systems. U.S. census indexes, primarily 1790-1850. Periodical Source Index (PERSI), 1846-1990. Index to genealogy magazines. Reference Collection. Useful books for getting started in various countries. Computer Resources FamilySearch™ is a computerized system of information that includes: Ancestral File Scottish Church Records Family History Library Catalog Social Security Death Index International Genealogical Index Military Index Sharing Information Patrons are encouraged to share their time and efforts with the rest of the family history community by: Contributing to Ancestral File, a computer file of linked families. Correcting information already in Ancestral File. Indexing (ask about the local Family Record Extraction program). FamilySearch is a trademark of Intellectual Reserve, Inc.