GERMANNA_COLONIES-L Archives

From:
Subject: [GERMANNA] Using LDS Family History Centers
Date: Mon, 7 Aug 2000 13:55:04 EDT

You asked:

I'm a dumb about the info you sent me. Do I go to a LDS library and
order the film or how do I go about this. I have a webtv which doesn't
have any kind of a program but I can download some stuff with the
exception of Java.

My response:
I am unfamiliar with webtv functions. All you can do is experiment or ask
your supplier/vendor about accessing this URL:

http://www.familysearch.org

If it doesn't show up, then you will have to call your local or nearby LDS
family history center to determine where they are located and what are the
hours and days they are open. (Look in phone directory under Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints, and perhaps there will be listed a family
history center. If not, call the church on Sunday when someone will answer
phone and ask about nearest LDS FHC.)

They are staffed by volunteers (who may NOT be genealogists) who don''t work
every day. (Remember, these operations cost lots of money--so be grateful
for whatever you receive there, and they are free to us genealogists--of all
stripes--as long as we behave ourselves.)

If you are able to access the URL on your webtv, then look at the top right
for a tab labeled Custom Search. The next screen should give you lots of
choices--skip most (but come back to them someday and explore, explore,
explore). Look on the lower left for a heading of Family History Library
Catalog (use down arrow).

Keep playing around--on the right, I believe, should be a choice of surname,
place, and something else (can't remember). Look for PLACE. Click on that.
Then when you finally get a blank type in the county (or city, like Chicago)
and the full name of the State. There will be a lot of topics ranging from
Archives and Libraries to .... (topics are alphabetical).

One by one, some book titles will come up and some film titles. Say, you
click on land records. This will (you hope) give you some film names, such
as grantor index, perhaps by surnames (like A-M and M-Z), and grantee index,
and then each reel of film by year or by surname. Each jurisdiction has its
own peculiarities.

There is probably a listing for Military, also--at least for the State.

Now, unfortunately, not all the film numbers will show up on the screen. You
have t o ask for them. When you get the title of a film, look for a tab on
the upper right which says something like "View Film Notes."

Click on that, and write down (or print out) the film number. You want to
take the title and the film number to your local LDS FHC and ask that they
give you a form so that you can request the film be sent to your local LDS
center for your viewing. You need the title as well as the film number.
(Take your money or checkbook. I ordered $56 worth of films the other day as
I was finding lots on my elusive ancestors in the probate records.)

It will cost you about $4.00 for a short-term loan--more if it's long-term.
Ask how long you can keep the film at FHC after it arrives from Salt Lake
City.

Now--about the waiting period. Sometimes it takes weeks. Sometimes SLC
already has a duplicate of the film to lend and will send it out in about two
weeks. (Remember the LDS FHCs are sprouting--like mushrooms--all over the
country--and the world. We went to a small village near Cuernavaca, Mexico,
and lo and behold, the nicest building in town was an LDS church!)

If you cannot use your webtv to access the catalog, when you telephone the
LDS center, ask if they have the catalog on computer. It will be somewhat
easier to use than your home computer catalog, but at home, at least you
don't have to spend gasoline to get to the LDS center.

I hope this helps you explore the LDS facilities. Be aware that in some
instances whole books have been put on microfiche (if the copyright has
expired or if the author has given permission for it to be microfiched.)

The Library of Congress has a book-lending program, but I do not know whether
they lend their genealogical books. Probably not. But ask--your tax money
goes to support it.

National Genealogical Society in Arlington, VA also has a book-lending
program. You are charged postage plus you have to be a member, etc. When I
am on the West Coast, the postage from the East Coast costs me more than the
gasoline to go to other libraries in my area (and gasoline is not cheap
here!) Their website: www.ngsgenealogy.org


Good luck and may you discover lots of information in your searches.

E.W.Wallace
southern California

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