St. George Utah FamilySearch Center/Discovery

DISCOVERY CENTER RESERVATION INFORMATION
The FamilySearch Discovery Center is free and is open to the public. Reservations are not required for assistance with research or to attend training classes. However, the Discovery Center Experience is a popular evening activity and scheduling a visit ahead of time will result in a better experience, especially during peak evening visiting hours. Times can be reserved for groups or individuals by using the 'Schedule a Visit ' link below.

The scheduling page will indicate available dates and times for your visit. You can check availability without placing a reservation and then return later to make a selection. Reservation start times are every 20 minutes and can accommodate up to 15 visitors. If your group is larger than 15, please make multiple reservations to accommodate all the people in your group. (For example, for a group of 25, please reserve one time slot for 15 and another slot for the remaining 10.) Visitors typically spend 30 to 45 minutes to complete the experience.

What to Expect
When you arrive at the St George FamilySearch Center, you will be given an Ipad which will be used at each of the Discovery Experiences. EVERY person in the group will need a FamilySearch account username and password. Step 1. Login to FamilySearch and take a selfie. (See below for more information about accounts.) Step 2. Take a picture with your group in front of one of many historic or panorama backdrops. (At the end of your visit this picture will be emailed to you. Be sure your email address in FamilySearch is correct.) Step 3. Choose between any or all of the Discovery Experiences presented on the large touch-screen displays.

Discovery Experiences

 * Picture Our Heritage: Take a picture of yourself or group in front of a famous landmark.
 * My Time Machine: Experience what life might have been like for your ancestors.
 * Picture My Heritage: Picture yourself in period clothing.
 * All About Me: Learn information about yourself, your name and what was happening the year you were born.
 * Record My Story: Create 10 minute audio/video recordings with an virtual online interviewer. A picture from your smartphone can be added to your story.
 * Where I Came From: Visualize the countries where your ancestors came from, see the photos and read the stories of their life.
 * My Famous Relatives: Learn of the famous people you are related to. See if you are related to other Discovery Center visitors.

Tips for Visitors

 * You must have a FamilySearch account (free). Or an LDS account.
 * You don't have to be a member of the LDS Church to have a FamilySearch account.
 * FamilySearch accounts are free but are best set up at home before visiting the Discovery Center. Those without an account or who have forgotten their account username or password should arrive 30 minutes before their scheduled visit for assistance in establishing this information.
 * Your FamilySearch data file should connect to deceased ancestors in order to enjoy a unique and personal experience.
 * At the conclusion of the visit, photos, video recordings, and other information from the experience will be emailed to each visitors. Make sure your email address in FamilySearch is correct.

Age Restrictions
Anyone 8 years of age and older is eligible for a FamilySearch account; however, accounts for children ages 8 through 12 require parental permission via email at the time the account is created.

Forgotten Passwords
Account recovery and password resets require one of the following:
 * The email address associated with the account and the ability to access the email while at the Center.
 * The phone number associated with the account and the ability to receive text messages from that phone while at the Center.
 * The LDS Membership Record Number (MRN). (Leaders might consider bringing a list of MRN's for the LDS youth who are in their group.)

Connecting to Ancestors
Linking an individual to their ancestors in FamilySearch is a separate activity from creating an account. Most people need access to family records or other living relatives in order to link themselves to their ancestors. This is best accomplished at home or during a separate visit to the Center. For youth it is helpful if a parent can be present.

Last Update: 02/25/2018 by Theron and Shanna Schaefermeyer