LDS.....

mallog · Post by **mallog** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 8:46 pm

I have never been to my local LDS centre. Anyone like to give me any hints on the best way to go about it? Do you just book yourself in or is it best to order stuff first and if so what is it that you order ??!!

Mallog

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 9:32 pm

Hi Mallog
I just phoned & booked myself in and tried to find out what they had/didn't have on my first visit. My nearest has census films for the whole of Scotland which is very handy! Initially I think I must have established that they had the census film I was looking for and just went in and had a look at that, keeping my eyes open for what else they had!
e.g. my nearest one only has OPR and other info, like MIs, BDM details etc. for the local area only. They are very helpful and I've never felt pressurised in any way to "join up"! Mostly it seems to be Church members who use the facilities. Once when I turned up the search room was empty whcih was unusual - the centre was having a party 'cos they had visiting members from Salt Lake City and one lady came into the search room and told me all about how her family tree connected her to Donny Osmond! (She wasn't joking either - one of Donny's sons was at the party...)

As far as I remember, the time it takes for ordered films to appear can vary. At my local LDS you usually pay for your film at time of ordering (a couple of pounds) & they usually phone you once your film is "in". You then have about three weeks to get in to have a look at it.

I'd be tempted to phone, ask what records they have and if they have anything you think sounds interesting, then book yourself in for a session and take it from there.
Best wishes
Lesley

winslowsmom · Post by **winslowsmom** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 10:24 pm

My local LDS Family History place also has a pretty wide membership on the Ancestry site. (sorry, in California not Scotland). As you may know from when that site was free, some are good records, some are bogus link jumping lines. I don't know if all of the LDS places have this membership - I think I heard one of the guys say they were trying it out for a year.
I was happy because I was able to access arriving passenger lists Scotland - Boston, and view the original manifests from when my Mom's family came to Boston in the late 1920's.
I didn't order anything, just strolled up to an empty computer. But I think their centers vary widely from place to place. Its fun to nose around too - beside ordering films, many have large bookshelves full of goodies.

Cathy H

mallog · Post by **mallog** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 6:12 am

Thank you both. Didn't know passenger lists might be available. Sounds like I am just going to have to go and discover what's in my local one. It might just be a wee treasure chest.

rdem · Post by **rdem** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 12:06 pm

I am not a member of the LDS church but I was volunteer at their FHC in the eighties. You will find that that you won't be able to gather everything they have available in one visit. I would go with the thought of attacking one search and ask what they have to offer. Normally, at every library there is a "expert" in different areas. If not then they at least know where to look. You will find them very helpful and will not prosletyze.