1st Visit
Call: Surrey Family Search 604.597.9695 to book as a new patron
Bring: Pedigree information - names, dates, places. Photocopies of any birth, marriage & death certificates in your possession. Home sources are usually needed for the most recent 100 years of research.
View: Introduction to FHC Video
Check: Previous research
2nd Visit
Computer Research: Check "Favorites" bookmark for Country of Interest
England or Wales: check www.ancsestry.com 1841-1901 census.
Find My Past, World Vital Records all paid subscription sites that are free to use at Family Search centers.
Scotland: check FHLC for place of research. 1881 Census is only available at the FHC or by CD purchase from Salt Lake. Order 1891 Census of Scotland on microfilm if family still in Scotland—order from Salt Lake
Check FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY CATALOGUE to ascertain what Microfilms &/or Microfiche are available to order from Salt Lake.
Subsequent Visits
Check the index of Birth, Marriage & Death for families if working in BC, Ontario, Ireland or Scotland
By checking the index you can order any certificates that Salt Lake has. The cost is $2.00 US for a certificate. The cost for 1 certificate is $4.00 & 2 cert. is the same cost.
Ontario certificates started in 1869
Ireland certificates 1864 -1955
Scotland Civil Registration Certificates are available from Salt Lake from 1855-1875 inclusive & 1881 & 1891.
BC certificates are available at Vancouver Public Library or can be ordered from Salt Lake using index #'s. Some microfilms of certificates are on permanent loan in the Burnaby FSC.
(1) Acquire all certificates available. First Check Free BMD's for England & Wales. If not found in Free BMD Check microfilm index. Most Family Search Centres have an extensive index of these. Earlier years are on microfilm, later ones on microfiche.
(2) Order on-line from General Reg. Office or from the County Record Offices in England & Wales
You may book a microfilm reader to view the index films the day of, or the day before your visit. Earlier bookings can be made for those patrons who have a film on short term loan in the FHC.
Rules
Patrons will be treated courteously & given as much help as the volunteer workers in the Family Search Centre are able to provide. Some assistants are qualified genealogists but this is not true of all of them. They have various levels of expertise in various areas of the world. Our staffs are both members of the LDS Church & non-members.
The use of the Centre is provided free to anyone wishing to do family research. In the use of the building patrons are required to honour the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This precludes the use of alcohol, tobacco, coffee or tea while on the Church property, both inside the building and outside on the grounds. Your automobile is considered private property, but please do not empty ashtrays on Church property. Your cooperation is appreciated.
History
The Genealogical Society of Utah was founded in 1894 to gather records that help people trace their ancestry. The Family History Library was founded as a forerunner to the Family History Library. In 1938 the society began preserving records on microfilm. Today microfilm camera operators are filming birth, marriage, death, probate, immigration, military and many other records in many countries. Each year the library preserves and catalogs about 100 million new pages of historical documents (about 50,000 microfilms, 25,000 microfiche & 12,000 books.
Currently over 2 million rolls of microfilmed records (equal to more than 6 million written volumes) and approx. 700, 000 microfiche are available on loan to Family Search Centers worldwide.
Most of the records date from 1550 to 1920. The library has few records of living persons and does not have a record of everyone who has lived.
In 1964 a system of Family Search Centers was established to give more people access to the Family History Library's resources. More than 3,400 Family Search Centers now operate in 64 countries and territories.
