Family history centers are next best thing to Salt Lake City

Without a doubt, the dream of every avid genealogist is to do research at the granddaddy of all genealogy libraries, the one maintained by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah.

More commonly known as the Mormon Church, this organization has been keeping genealogical records for more than 100 years.

But, if you can't make it to Salt Lake, you have a second choice ... the smaller family history centers maintained by local LDS churches.

I've been trying to get my foot in the door of one of these facilities for more than a year but was constantly frustrated by not being able to find it open. I finally gave up, and started begging people for information on how and when I could visit and do some research.

Last weekend, I heard from Don Stokes, who gave me the name and phone number of Nancy Montgomery, coordinator for the FHC in Newnan. Nancy not only gave me valuable information on the hours of operation, but also wrote a short article for my column this week. I'm meeting Nancy there Thursday evening for my first visit and, needless to say, I am excited. Here's what Nancy says:

"Looking for your family?

"In November 1894, a group of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) founded the Genealogical Society of Utah and opened a library. In 1938, the Genealogical Society began gathering and preserving records on microfilm.

"Today more than 150 photographers are filming birth, marriage, death, probate, land, military and other records throughout the world. Each year the family history library preserves and catalogs nearly 100 million new pages of historical documents. There are presently 50,000 microfilms that include 600 million names.

"The family history centers are in the LDS church buildings in Newnan and Jonesboro. The center in Newnan is on U.S. Highway 29, two miles north of Alt. Ga. Highway 34, next to the Old Pine Country Club. Phone 770-254-9857. The center in Jonesboro is at 2100 Lake Jodeco Road, 770-536-4391.

"Many people today find discovering their family an exciting and enlightening adventure. The research will give you a real sense of belonging. Traits and characteristics reappear in many generations. I have gained a deep appreciation for my relatives that lived through the wars and famines of the 1850s in Ireland. I also have found relatives that live in England. We have established a close relationship and enjoy time together, both in person and on the Internet.

"The family history centers have two main purposes: to teach people who are unacquainted with family history research how to begin finding their ancestors, and to help researchers at all levels of expertise to access the many records that are available in Salt Lake City. Many of these records have been put on the Internet, but 95 percent have not and cannot be put on the Internet.

"Each family history center has computers and staff members who are delighted to help you with your research. The doors of the center are open to all at no charge.

"Start with gathering information about yourself and your family. Sort through scrapbooks, photo albums, dresser drawers, closets and boxes in storage. Look for names, places, dates and relationships.

"If you have a computer, download free software from the Internet location familysearch.org. [Note: This free software is only available for PCs (Windows), not Macs JK] Then start with your name as Rin #1 on the pedigree and family group sheet. Be sure to fill in the notes, such as the number on the birth certificate and where it can be found. Many things can be included in the notes, such as short stories and physical descriptions of places and people.

"Start a log, so that you do not repeat your research. As you research your family, work from the known to the unknown. Try to connect family members person to person and from one generation to the next. Be sure to include the dates and the counties of the locations.

"When you begin researching a family, write in a research log your ancestor's name, your research objective and the place where the event happened.

"I recently visited Salt Lake City with only one objective: [to find] the will of Joseph Davies, who lived in Alderly Edge, Cheshire, England. I was not sure of the date of his death. I was directed to the basement of the genealogical building, on North Temple Avenue. I started with 1905 that was when my grandfather died. I worked backwards. The records had a brief description of the will. I found the will in 1885. It was on microfilm. I duplicated it and made copies for my cousins in England. It did take five hours but I had been looking for that will for 15 years.

"In the weeks to come I would like to share information about the ancestral file, international genealogical index, family history library catalog, census records (how to read them and where to find them), National Archives records, and much more helpful information about finding your families."

I really appreciate Nancy's taking the time to write that article for us, and will welcome all information she can give us about the FHC. Hours of operation in Newnan are Tuesdays 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and 6-9 p.m.; Wednesdays 6-9 p.m.; Thursdays 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and 6-9 p.m.; and Saturdays 9 a.m.-noon.

Nancy also teaches a genealogy class each Monday at the Peachtree City Library. Phone 770-631-2520.

Your local genealogical library is wonderful for local and state information, but when you step outside the boundaries of Georgia with your research (as we all will do at some point), information locally is sketchy at best. If you can't make a trip to North Carolina or Virginia, you have the next best thing ... your local FHC.

I will give you a full report after my visit.

I still want to hear about your families. Send mail to The Citizen, Drawer 1719, Fayetteville, GA 30214; e-mail jkilgore@thecitizennews.com or jodiek444@aol.com.

Until next week, happy hunting!