Several years ago, the Association of Personal Historians held their conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, the Mecca of family history. While I was there I had the opportunity to visit the Family History Library. As RootsTech 2015, a large annual genealogical conference, kicks off in Salt Lake today, I thought I’d share 5 reasons to visit (and love) this fabulous library.
- Courtesy of familysearch.org
1. It is the largest library of its kind in the world: You will be amazed at the vast holdings there. I was able to find an obscure land record from the 1840’s within a half an hour of entering the library because…
2. There are hundreds of well-trained volunteers to help you. Part of the service that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do involves going on 2-year missions to various parts of the world. Some missionaries serve the family history library, and they do so with a passion and a knowledge base that is impressive. When you enter the library, you are asked if you need help. No searching out harried reference librarians with limited hours. Wish every library had the funds and staffing to do this!
3. It’s free!
4. Records are available from other countries as well as the United States and are being digitally updated on a daily basis.
5. You can continue your research once you leave Salt Lake by forum, website, or telephone
www.familysearch.org
1-866-406-1830
If you’re lucky enough to be attending RootsTech 2015, be sure to make the Family History library a stop during your time in Salt Lake, I promise you won’t be disappointed.
If you aren’t able to be at RootsTech, you can follow along online via their conference live stream at rootstech.org
