St. George Utah FamilySearch Center/Discovery

SCHEDULING A VISIT
The FamilySearch 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 Experience is a popular activity and scheduling a visit ahead of time will result in a better experience as reservations have priority over walk in visit. Especially during peak visiting hours in the evening. Times can be reserved for groups or individuals by using this link.

The scheduling software will show available dates and times for your visit. You can check availability without placing a reservation and then return later to make a selection. Available hours are divided into 15 minute start times. Each interval can accommodate 15 visitors. If your group is larger than 15, please reserve consecutive times, as required, 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 FamilySearch Center, you will be given an Ipad which will be used at each of the Discovery Experiences. 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 several 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. Here you can learn about the year you were born and the times that your ancestors lived. (Be sure your FamilySearch account is linked to your ancestors before you come.)

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 the year you were born.
 * Record My Story: Up to 10 minutes with an online interview. A picture from your smart phone can be added to your story.
 * Where I Came From: Learn where your ancestors came from.
 * My Famous Relatives: Learn of all the famous people you are related to. See if you are related to anyone in your group.

Tips for Leaders

 * Visitors already linked to ancestors in FamilySearch will enjoy a unique and personal experience.
 * Even without an account or a previously entered list of ancestors, visitors can enjoy the historical displays and cultural information. They can also share the experiences of the others in the group.
 * You don't have to be a member of the LDS Church to have a FamilySearch account.
 * A FamilySearch account is the same as an LDS 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 name or passwords can arrive 30 minutes before their scheduled visit for assistance.
 * At the conclusion of the visit photos and other links from the experience will be emailed to each participant. Make sure their email address in FamilySearch is correct.

Age Restrictions
Anyone 8 years of age and older is eligible for an account; however, children ages 8 through 12 must receive parental permission. Parental permission is automatically requested 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 access that phone and receive text messages while at the Center.
 * LDS members can login using their Membership Record Number (MRN). (Leaders might consider bringing a list of MRN's for the members 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.