Use it or lose it?

[ChasH]

Chatters,

I often use the LDS facilities at one of their FHC's - I believe most if not all their churches have them - and it seems that pressure might be mounting to reduce the hours available to non-members.

If you have never used the LDS FHC facilities to search one of their millions of films related to family history have a look at the LDS library giving their films' titles and seriously consider it please.

You can find details of the whereabouts of FHC's on the LDS site.

Regards

Chas

[Sylviaann]

When they were originally given permission to film church records it was on condition that they allowed access to non church members.  I hope they are not forgetting this.

I went to my local LDS every week for 10 years.  This was before the net.  I found all my family in Norfolk.  They would be hard to find on the net even now.  So I agree people should go as often as possible.  It is a cheap way to look at Parish registers.

Sylviaann

[rosie99]

Hi

I have been going to my local LDS FHC for 10 years but they have recently closed it. The LDS web site says the closure is temporary but the local people in control won't give a definate answer on this and give no indication whether it will ever reopen. They suggest using two other centres around 15-20 miles away but easier said than done when people are having to rely on public transport to get there.

Rosie

[Roger The Hat]

Ummm,

My nearest LDS Centre is about 24 miles away, and as a novice to the hobby I've never used the facility before.

What's involved, and what do I need to know before I go, please?

Roger The (inexperienced) Hat.

[c-side]

Hi Roger and all

My centre is also over 20 miles away but well worth the trip when researching places and people outside your county of residence.

To check whether LDS have microfilms etc. for the area and date you need go to their family dearch website and click on 'library' then to library catalogue then follow the search through.

You need the film reference number and then you can order this by writing to your local centre.  The current cost is £2.70 for one month, £3.90 for three months.

When the film comes in they will ring you and then you book a microfilm reader etc.

As for losing them - I know my local one was having problems getting church members to man the facilities for a while but it seems to be OK now.

Christine

[Roger The Hat]

Thanks for that, Christine, I'll give it a go!

[rosie99]

My centre is also over 20 miles away but well worth the trip when researching places and people outside your county of residence.

As for losing them - I know my local one was having problems getting church members to man the facilities for a while but it seems to be OK now.

Christine

I would agree that they are well worth the journey and the resources are extremely good.  Staffing isn't the problem at the one I was going to as the person manning it was more than happy to continue.    
Still we live in hope they will have a change of heart.

Rosie

[MarieC]

I went to my local LDS very frequently over a period of years and it was invaluable!  I haven't needed to go there just lately, but I know that they have reduced their hours substantially.  Also, the films that were held in our country (in Sydney) are no longer held there.  I think they all have to come from Salt Lake City, which means a long wait.  It is very sad, I think.

MarieC

[~Rachel~]

I've never been before, I didn't know they existed actually! My nearest one isn't too far so will give it a go, thanks for bringing it up!