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Outside view of Library front entrance

Address

35 North West Temple Street
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84150
801-240-1794

Hours

  1. Monday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
  2. Tuesday-Saturday: 8:00am - 9:00pm
  3. Sunday: Closed
  4. Holiday Schedule

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Tips For The Beginner

Visitors often wish they had known what to bring or how to prepare to better use the limited time they had in the library. The following suggestions will help you get the most from your visit.

1Learn all you can about your family from home and family sources. Interview and correspond with family sources. Interview and correspond with family members, especially your older relatives. Find additional information at cemeteries, historical societies, and local record offices. Learn about family history resources at local public and academic libraries. Your relatives can save you time and get you started. For a full explanation of how to do this, read A Guide to Research or How to Start Your Family History.

2Search work done by others using the sources outlined in the two-part United States Previous Research. You should also use the Search for Ancestors feature of this web site. If you find your family in previous research sources, use the library to find original records to verify the information found.

3Look for others who may be currently working on your ancestors. Use the following Internet sources to see if anyone else is researching the names you discovered in the first two steps.

  • RootsWeb surname list
  • GenForum
  • Mailing lists

4It is helpful to visit a Family History Center first. At a center, try to use the printed materials, microfiche, and tools described previously. This can simplify your research and save time when you get to the Family History Library. For the nearest center, go to Find a Family History Center.

5Use the Family History Library Catalog and Research Guidance to select the records you wish to view when you get to theto the library. The catalog describes the library's records. It is the key to research in the library and at Family History Centers. Use the catalog to find the book, CD-ROM, microfilm, and microfiche numbers you need to obtain records.

6Use the Family History Library Catalog to determine if the films you need are immediately available in the library. Films listed in the catalog as "Vault" films may take up to three days to retrieve. You can request the microfilmsbefore you visit. For films from:

  • United States & Canada, (801) 240-7378
  • Films from British Isles, (801) 240-7379
  • Films from All others, (801) 240-2334
  • Fax (801) 240-1924

E-mail us your request

7Most documents are written in the language of the country where they were made. You usually do not need to know the foreign language to use the records, but learning a few key terms is helpful. Many language word lists are available online at Research Tips.

8Many records are handwritten, are in chronological rather than alphabetical order, and are not indexed. Allow plenty of time at the library when searching these types of records.


Tips For The Pro

Visitors often wish they had known what to bring or how to prepare to better use the limited time they had in the library. The following suggestions will help you get the most from your visit.

1Learn all you can about your family from home and family sources. Interview and correspond with family sources. Interview and correspond with family members, especially your older relatives. Find additional information at cemeteries, historical societies, and local record offices. Learn about family history resources at local public and academic libraries. Your relatives can save you time and get you started. For a full explanation of how to do this, read A Guide to Research or How to Start Your Family History.

2Search work done by others using the sources outlined in the two-part United States Previous Research. You should also use the Search for Ancestors feature of this web site. If you find your family in previous research sources, use the library to find original records to verify the information found.

3Look for others who may be currently working on your ancestors. Use the following Internet sources to see if anyone else is researching the names you discovered in the first two steps.

  • RootsWeb surname list
  • GenForum
  • Mailing lists

4It is helpful to visit a Family History Center first. At a center, try to use the printed materials, microfiche, and tools described previously. This can simplify your research and save time when you get to the Family History Library. For the nearest center, go to Find a Family History Center.

5Use the Family History Library Catalog and Research Guidance to select the records you wish to view when you get to theto the library. The catalog describes the library's records. It is the key to research in the library and at Family History Centers. Use the catalog to find the book, CD-ROM, microfilm, and microfiche numbers you need to obtain records.

6Use the Family History Library Catalog to determine if the films you need are immediately available in the library. Films listed in the catalog as "Vault" films may take up to three days to retrieve. You can request the microfilmsbefore you visit. For films from:

  • United States & Canada, (801) 240-7378
  • Films from British Isles, (801) 240-7379
  • Films from All others, (801) 240-2334
  • Fax (801) 240-1924

E-mail us your request

7Most documents are written in the language of the country where they were made. You usually do not need to know the foreign language to use the records, but learning a few key terms is helpful. Many language word lists are available online at Research Tips.

8Many records are handwritten, are in chronological rather than alphabetical order, and are not indexed. Allow plenty of time at the library when searching these types of records.