Gardendale Alabama FamilySearch Center

Center Contacts and Hours

 * Location Map: Location Map


 * Address:  1923 Mt Olive Blvd Gardendale, AL 35071


 * Phone: 205-607-7368


 * E-Mail:  [mailto:al_gardendale@familyhistorymail.org al_gardendale@familyhistorymail.org]

Open Hours: 


 * Open by Appointment Only.


 * For Appt - Call:
 * Eveyn Baldwin - Family History Consultant 205-607-7368 - New Member Family History, Basic and Intermediate Family History, and Irish Family History.
 * Rick Williams - Family History Consultant 205-223-8041 - Family Search, Ancestry, Roots Magic, and Google Advanced Researcher.

Holiday Schedule: 


 * We occasionally Close due to Inclement Weather or Illness. Closed All Major Holidays. Closed Thanksgiving week. Closed last two weeks in December for Christmas and New Year. Closed on Saturday and Sunday for April and October for General Conference.

Using Family History Center
Supervision


 * Adults accompanying youth groups should prepare to actively participate with their youth.
 * Local family history consultants are an excellent resource to bring with your group and will provide continuity after your visit.

Printing


 * Copies of any documents found during your visit can be printed at the Center . (B/W 8"x11").
 * Documents could also be scanned and saved to your flash drive.

Guidelines for a Successful and Rewarding Visit


 * Please DO NOT bring food or drink to the Center.


 * Church Account Registration:  For groups with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, each member needs an FS Church Account BEFORE coming to the Center. Log in to https://id.churchofjesuschrist.org/ or another church account site to test that username and password are working. Members who don't have a current account must register for one prior to the visit. Go to https://id.churchofjesuschrist.org/, click on the Register for an Church Account button on the right side of the screen, enter the necessary information (includes their church membership number and birth date).
 * Personal Family History Information:  Except for Indexing visits, please have everyone bring a personal Pedigree Chart with as much family information as possible.
 * Specific Goal or Objective to Accomplish: Each group should have an idea or goal, before they arrive, of what they would like to accomplish during the visit to our Center.
 * Patrons may bring their personal computers for note taking or entering information into personal genealogical programs. Wireless Internet access is available.
 * Patrons may bring memory sticks to download information or copies.

Collections

 * FamilySearch Catalog:


 * Book Collection: --

Databases and Software

 * FHC Portal This center has access to the Family History Center Portal page which gives free access in the center to premium family history software and websites that generally charge for subscriptions.'''


 * Alexander Street Press, American Civil War


 * Research Data: Contains indexed, searchable information on over 4 million soldiers and thousands of battles, together with 15,000 photographs. ◦Letters and Diaries: Contains approximately 100,000 indexed pages of diaries, letters, and memoirs, including 4,000 pages of previously unpublished manuscripts, such as the letters of Amos Wood and his wife and the diary of Maryland planter William Claytor. Images, Photographs, Posters, and Ephemera: Provides a vivid history of the American Civil War with over 1,400 images.


 * Access Newspaper Archives - NewspaperArchive.com is the world's largest online newspaper archive. Featuring billions of articles from historical newspapers around the U.S. and the world, NewspaperARCHIVE makes exploring history and genealogy easy and fun. Discover fascinating news in archived newspapers hundreds of years old—including obituaries, birth announcements, sports articles, comics, and more—to fill in the life stories you are interested in. And share those stories with others through our community at Our NewspaperARCHIVE. All of our historical newspapers are full-page and fully searchable. Try exploring above, and discover your history today!


 * Ancestry Institutional version – Ancestry gives you access to thousands of collections of records from around the world, including immigration, census, voter, vital, and military records; newspapers and periodicals; family trees; photos and images; directories, maps, court, land, wills and financial records, stories, memories, and histories; and detailed records about births, marriages, deaths, land ownership, and much more. It is the largest for-profit genealogy company in the world.


 * Arkivdigital – is the largest private provider of Swedish Church Records and other historical records online! All images are newly photographed color images of the original documents.


 * Findmypast – makes it easy to research your UK ancestry and create your family tree. Search census records and trace births, marriages, and deaths to bring your family history to life.


 * 1911 British Census (accessed through the Findmypast website) – The 1911 UK Census is a record of everyone who lived in England and Wales in 1911. It provides a unique snapshot of the lives of those who lived at that time. Note: Some parts of Findmypast access may be limited due to negotiations (23 Oct 2013).


 * Fold3 (formerly Footnote.com) – Search or browse millions of historical documents and photos. Fold3 has refocused their efforts on gathering the best online collection of military records and stories. The Fold3 name reflects military history and honor, since traditionally, the third fold in a flag-folding ceremony honors and remembers veterans for their sacrifice in defending their country and promoting peace in the world.


 * Genline - English parish records, directories, census, civil registration, surname mapping, and selected army and navy lists.


 * Godfrey Library The Godfrey Library’s collection consists of over 200,000 books and periodicals including biographies, genealogies, state and local histories, city directories, cemetery and funeral records, church records military histories, newspapers and family bibles. The capstone of our collection is the American Genealogical Biographical Index (AGBI), an index of more than 4 million names from the more than 800 books in our original collection and the Boston Transcript genealogy query column.


 * The majority of the library’s material is focused on New England families and history, but there are a great deal of books and periodicals relevant to those researching other states as well as internationally.


 * Heritage Quest Online Heritage Quest Online database is a collection of material for both genealogical and historical researchers, with coverage dating back to the late 1700s. Researchers can use HeritageQuest Online to find their ancestors, trace their paths across America, and learn what life was like in the areas where they settled. Searches include:


 * Census: Find ancestors in the complete set of U.S. federal census images from 1790 to 1930, including name indexes for many years.
 * Books:  Find information on people and places described in over 24,000 family and local histories.
 * PERSI Periodical Source Index™: Find information about people and places from this index of over 2 million genealogy and local history articles, updated annually.
 * Revolutionary War: Search selected records from the Revolutionary War Era Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files.
 * Freedman’s Bank: Search for individuals in Freedman’s Bank (1865-1874), which was founded to serve African Americans. Includes a name index and images for bank depositors and their dependents and heirs.
 * U.S. Serial Set: Search the Memorials, Petitions, and Private Relief Actions of the U.S. Congress in the LexisNexis® U.S. Serial Set.


 * Historic Map Works™ Historic Map Works™ Library Edition is one of the most extensive digital map collections available, with over 470,000 high-resolution, full color historic and antique maps. The core of the collection consists of cadastral (property and land ownership) maps illustrating the geographic and development history of the United States and also includes illustrations, city directories, and more. This unique content allows genealogists, historians, and academic researchers to track the "residential genealogy" of families and locations.


 * Origins Features comprehensive and exclusive British and Irish record collections dating back to the 13th century, as well as rare and unique photos and books to browse.


 * Paper-Trail Provides access to 19th-century westward American migration documents.


 * World Vital Records - Over 158 million digitized images, including US and UK Censuses. Over 300 million names from birth, marriage and death records. Over 75 million names from military records. Over 100 million pages of newspapers, 1739 to present. One of world's largest historical map collections with 1.5 million maps. More than 8,000 high school, college and military yearbooks. More than 30 million tombstone photos.

Learning Resources

 * Getting Started
 * Websites
 * Guide to Research
 * Free On Line Courses
 * Forms and Aids
 * Research Problems Help
 * What to Bring to the FHC

Library Resources
Class/Training Rooms


 * Family History Library-Main room with computers.


 * HP Group Room next to Family History Library for Instruction.

Patron Equipment Resources
'''We are a Computer Only Family History Center. We do not order microfilms. All computers are on high speed internet.'''


 * 2 Computers, and 1 Copier/Printer/Scanner

Patron Software Resources
This software is on our computers. This allows the patron to use with a flash drive, or for training or for evaluation. These programs are also compatible with FamilySearch Family Tree.


 * Ancestral Quest - Ancestral Quest is the modern version of the old Personal Ancestral File (PAF). Ancestral Quest Basics is available for FREE download. The free basic version is a full genealogical program with some of the AQ special print &amp; web features turned off.


 * Roots Magic- Roots Magic has a basic version called Roots Magic Essentials and it is available as a FREE download.


 * Legacy- Legacy has a basic version called the Legacy Standard Edition and it is available as a FREE download.


 * Personal Ancestral File (PAF) - FREE - multi-language versions available. While this program is no longer supported by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is still popular and robust. It can be down loaded from various locations on line. Care is needed to download the free product only and not other products.

Youth Program Assistance
Youth Connecting with Generations

Remind the youth to bring with them for their hands-on visit:


 * Their Church Account user name and password
 * A filled-in pedigree chart OR the name, birth date and birthplace of an ancestor who was born before 1901.
 * Paper and pencil/pen for taking notes of information found.

The Duty to God Certificate Requirements (by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints): Deacon - Family Activities: 4. Keep a written record of your family history. Ask a parent or the ward temple and family history consultant to help you prepare a 4-generation pedigree chart. Priest - Family Activities: 9. Submit the names of one of your ancestors for temple work or write a 500-word personal history. See also: Duty to God Award.

BSA
Boy Scout Merit Badge in Genealogy - We can help you accomplish your BSA goals for this merit badge.


 * Requirements to be completed before coming to the library:


 * Contact a family member by telephone, e-mail or letter, and interview them about their life. Ask about events that have occurred and where they happened. Record the information you learn and bring this information to the workshop.
 * Complete a pedigree chart. Click here for a .pdf fill-in pedigree chart. The information can also be handwritten. List yourself and at least two additional generations. Bring this information to the workshop.
 * Complete two family group sheets, one listing your parents and all of the children in your family, and another listing one of your parents and their siblings in a family group with your grandparents.Click here for a .pdf fill-in family group sheet. The information can also be handwritten. Bring this information to the workshop.
 * Please also bring the name of an ancestor or relative who was alive in 1940.
 * List 8 to ten important events in your life (time line) and bring the list to the workshop.
 * Using your time line, write a short autobiography of your life and bring it to the workshop.


 * If Scouts complete the items above before coming to the library, and bring their documents with them, they will be able to complete the following requirements at the library, and have authorized personnel certify the completion of their merit badge requirements.


 * Requirements to be completed at the library:


 * Define the terms "genealogy," "ancestor," and "descendant."
 * Name three types of genealogical records and explain how they help you chart your family tree. Obtain one genealogical document that supports your family tree and evaluate this information.
 * Contact a genealogical repository.
 * Explain the effects of computers and the internet on genealogy. Explain how photography and microfilm have influenced genealogy.
 * Discuss what you have learned about your family through your genealogical research.


 * Genealogy Merit Badge Resources

Resources in the Local Area

 * Alabama Genealogical Society
 * Birmingham Genealogical Group (Meets 4th Saturday at Birmingham Central Library, 2-4pm)
 * Birmingham Central Library: features extensive collection for Southern research
 * Samford University: Outstanding seminars for genealogists, is Repository for Alabama Baptist Church Records, large Ireland collection, many other records.

 Family History Centers 

Birmingham Alabama Family History Center (Largest FHC in Birmingham Stake) 2780 Altadena Road Birmingham, AL 35243-4537 1 205-967-7279

 Repositories with very large genealogical collections 

Library of Congress, Washington, DC, Local History and Genealogy Reading Room is part of the world's largest library including 50,000 genealogies, 100,000 local histories, and collections of manuscripts, microfilms, maps, newspapers, photographs, and published material, strong in North American, British Isles, and German sources.

National Archives, Washington DC, census, pre-WWI military service &amp; pensions, passenger lists, naturalizations, passports, federal bounty land, homesteads, bankruptcy, ethnic sources, prisons, and federal employees.

Allen County Public Library(Indiana) home of the Periodical Source Index (PERSI), more than 350,000 printed books and 513,000 items of microfilm/fiche including family histories, censuses, city directories, passenger lists, military records, local histories, American Indians, African Americans, Canadian, British, &amp; German collections.

Training Resources

American Ancestors - Online Seminars Ancestral Quest - Tutorials Ancestry.com -Learning CenterBYU Center for Family History and Genealogy FamilySearch - Learning Center FamilySearch - Wiki Granite Genealogy - Training Indexing Helps Latter-day Saint Ancestry Tracing Latter-day Saint Ancestors Legacy Family Tree - Training

RootsMagic Learning Center

Links

 * Alabama Department of History and Archives
 * Alabama Genealogy
 * Alabama Genealogical Society Website
 * Billion Graves
 * Birmingham Genealogical Society Blog
 * Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Archives
 * Birmingham News Archives (1993-Present)
 * Cindi's List for AL
 * Family History Library Favorites
 * Find a Grave
 * Free Public Records Directory
 * Interment.com
 * North Jefferson News (2007-Present)
 * Rootsweb
 * Samford Genealogy Website
 * USGenWeb
 * Wallace State Genealogy Website

Volunteer at the Center
'''We welcome volunteers from the community to help serve in the Family History Center. It's a great way to help others and to learn by doing. You need not be an expert. Ability to use a computer and willingness to become familiar with the FamilySearch website and resources are key. Contact the Stake TFH Consultant - Center at: [Mailto:al_gardendale@familyhistorymail.org al_gardendale@familyhistorymail.org].