The LDS Family Search web site is fundamental to all genealogical research at our library.
It is not practicable to give complete detailed directions for its use. Instead all genealogy researchers should invest time in clicking thru and studying this site. Nevertheless, a few useful points can be made as a guide to getting started.
In mid-2005 the LDS home page was reorganized. The new arrangement provides access to all the same search engines and information as before. The opening-page Search Engine now searches All Resources in one or more of the following databases simultaneously: Ancestral File; Census, International Genealogical Index, Pedigree Resource File, US Social Security Death Index, Vital Records Index, and Family History Web Sites.
Should you wish to limit your search to only one of these seven databases, click on the Advanced Search button on the home page, find and highlight the particular database you wish, and use the resulting search engine window to limit your search to that selection.
On the home page you are invited to Search Genealogy Records and there under to find Vital and Census records. These links duplicate the searches of these items available under the Advanced Search procedure. You are also invited thereunder to search the great Family History Library Catalog which is the place where you will find many sources of information for your research.
Clicking on this catalog enables searching the LDS library holdings by place names, surnames, keywords, titles, film or fiche numbers, authors, subjects or call numbers. Because you can order microfilm to be viewed at our library (see below), it is important to observe if there is a “See Film Notes” notation on any listing for an item you find to be of interest when you search. When there is this note, the record may be in either microfilm or microfiche form. If the item is only available in fiche or book form, it may require a visit to Salt Lake or you may be able to engage a service there to look something up for you-usually by telephone.
In searching place names, one can put in a Country’s name or any other political subdivision name down to a village. It is revealing for example to search for the “United States”. The vast listings there are alphabetized, but the spelling and terminology you use must be carefully selected. For example “Immigration” will get one set of records and “Emigration” will get another. Another important technique in searching for Vital Records is to think about the level of governmental organization that would have created the record. For example, in the past states in this country generally began to record births and deaths in the late 1800’s or early 1900’s while marriage bonds or licenses may have been issued by counties or towns somewhat earlier. So, when you first search a place name and then a vital record within that location your success in finding it may depend upon you selecting the right place name for that particular kind of record.
In using the LDS census postings, note that they have a cooperative arrangement with Ancestry.com. To you this means that if you search the LDS for the 1880 Federal US census data on a computer that has one of our Ancestry subscriptions logged on, you will be able to follow thru the process to the point that you can print the census image. If you use some other computer, say from home, you will be asked to subscribe to Ancestry before you can print the census image.
Research Guides
An important LDS resource which is available in printed form within the Heritage Library is the series of booklets (created and printed by LDS), each of which deals with one of the fifty U.S. states or with one of twenty three countries or regions of the world. These booklets contain invaluable guidance and information on records and sources for the researcher .
LDS Films
As mentioned above a most significant resource available through the Heritage Library is the ability to order microfilm from the LDS Library in Salt Lake City. When your research on the web has identified a film number, speak to a Librarian who will arrange to order it for you .The cost is modest-$3.25 per film.
The procedure and rules for ordering film from the LDS for a patron are enumerated below. They are also on the ordering form available at the librarian’s desk or in the adjacent file cabinet. It is important and the Patron is urged fully annotate the form so that they will have a record of just what they want to see on the film so as to refresh their memory when it arrives a few weeks later.
Patrons must use the Heritage Library Microfilm Order form.
Librarians need to ensure all areas of the form are completed correctly. Films have seven digits. Do not accept a form with less than seven digits listed for microfilms. For earlier films that appear to have only five or six numbers, insert zeroes as the initial digits to bring the total to seven.
Payment in the amount of $5.50 per film must be made with the order. Microfiche are 30 cents.
Take care to ensure the patron's telephone number and/or email are readable.
Orders will be placed on Tuesdays of each week.
Films are generally received on the following Wednesday or Thursday. They will be logged in on Friday or Saturday and patrons will be notified.
The films are to be distributed to patrons only by the Librarian in Charge.
The librarian will put his/her initials and date on the Borrower's Card prior to giving the film to the user. Ask the patron at the end of their use of the film if they are finished with the film. If so mark film as such and return to proper storage unit. All films must be returned to the proper storage unit by the Librarian in Charge.
Once notified patrons have 30 days to review the film and can renew the rental for an additional 30 days.
