Mankato Minnesota FamilySearch Center

Center Contacts and Hours
Location Map: Location Map

'''Address: 1851 Marie Lane North Mankato, MN 56003
 * Language: English

Phone:  507-625-8342

E-mail: MN_Mankato@ldsmail.net

Open Hours:


 * Tuesdays: 10:00am-5:00pm
 * Thursdays: 10:00am-9:00pm
 * From time to time we may have an unscheduled closings due to staff illnesses or absences. If you are coming from out of town you may want to call ahead to confirm we are open.

Holiday Schedule:

Closed all Major Holidays. Week of Thanksgiving. Last two weeks in December. Closed for inclement weather. Please call center with any questions.

Calendar and Events

 * GENEALOGY ON THE INTERNET

Presented Saturday January 28, 2017

Photo courtesy of Bishop Aaron Budge

Class Schedule:
We are currently developing a series of free genealogical research classes. Dates and times to be announced. You may e-mail us with suggestions of topics that interest you.

FamilySearch has an an upcoming free Webinar series in March 2017. Check the familysearch.org website for dates and times. Some Webinars require pre-registrations.

 A note from the Director: 

The 2017 RootsTech Conference whose main sponsor is FamilySearch will be held 2/8/2017 - 2/11/2017 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah

RootsTech is a global family history event where people of all ages learn to discover, share and celebrate their family connections across generations through technology. At RootsTech, there is something for everyone, no matter your experience in family history or your skill level in technology. This is an annual event. I recommend attending if you can.

If you are not able to physically attend. Many of the main programs are simulcast each day via internet at RootsTech 2017. Check their website for times and dates. Videos for many of the programs will also be available online after the event closes.

Collections

 * FamilySearch Catalog:  This center may have various films and fiche available through the FamilySearch Catalog.
 *  FAMILYSEARCH IS DISCONTINUING REPRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF MICROFILM AND MICROFICHE AS OF 9/01/2017. LAST DAY TO ORDER IS 8/31/2017. 
 * Records from the Microfilm and microfiche collections are being digitized and will appear online as they are digitized.

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.


 * 19th Century British Library Newspaper Digital Archive
 * Alexander Street Press - The American Civil War:
 * American Ancestors - Library Rights
 * Ancestry.com - Institution Versons: US | Australia | Canada | Germany | Sweden | United Kingdom
 * ArkivDigital Online (Swedish records)
 * Find My Past - Institution Version
 * Fold3.com (Previously known as Footnote.com)
 * Geneanet
 * Kinpoint - Premium
 * MyHeritage - Library Edition
 * Newspaper Archive
 * Paper Trail
 * ProQuest Obituary Listings
 * Puzilla - Premium Services

Hardware and Equipment

 * 5 computers with internet access, 6 microfilm readers, 1 microfiche reader 1 microfilm/microfiche reader/scanner/printer

Staff Research Specialties
Always call for specific staff availability
 * Amy Saulnier
 * Usually available Thursdays 6:30pm-closing:
 * Amy's recommended general genealogy links
 * New York, Massachusetts, Ohio, English, Swedish genealogy & genealogy on the internet
 * Recommended  Swedish genealogy websites :
 * Recommended  location specific websites : some of these may need updating!


 * Joyce Gardner
 * Usually available Thursdays 10am - 2pm
 * German, Pomeranian, Irish, Minnesota genealogy
 * James Osborne
 * Usually available Tuesdays 10am - 2pm
 * Over 30 years of genealogy research experience
 * Michael Jones (Family History Center director)
 * Usually available Thursdays 2pm-closing
 * Proficient with familysearch.org research & documentation, as well as our premium research websites.
 * Annette Honda
 * Usually available Thursdays 5pm to closing (currently on leave and not available)
 * Utah, Vermont, Danish, and English genealogy
 * Brenda Lampman
 * Usually available Thursdays 10am-2pm
 * People of the First Nation family research
 * Don Petty
 * Usually available Tuesdays 2pm-5pm
 * Over 10 years of genealogical research experience

Resources in the Local Area

 * Blue Earth County Historical Society:
 * Nicollet County Historical Society
 * Brown County Historical Society

Links

 * Amy's recommended general genealogy links (as seen in Genealogy on the Internet class)
 * Genealogy web site of the month:
 * March 2017: GenealogyInTime Magazine has
 * Discussions on recent/upcoming changes to various genealogy database sites This is a monthly e- magazine you can subscribe to for free.
 * Top 100 Genealogy Websites of 2016 list
 * April 2017: Ancestry Academy
 * May 2017: Photograph preservation:
 * Assorted photograph preservation related links at Cyndi's list
 * Photograph-related message boards at ancestry.com: NOTE that Vintage photos board is no longer active but at least some of others are. Archives available for all.
 * September 2017: Video on locating familysearch.org digitized records: Short version, Long version
 * Genealogy tip/discussion of the month:
 * March 2017: Amy's (possibly wacky) method for organizing genealogy finds (Papers) -- dowloadable, zoomable, printable, ... PDF files
 * 5 page PDF summary of Amy's method
 * 130 page PDF document with same 5 page summary + illustrated example for a particular family
 * see also NEHGS youtube video on organizing genealogical materials
 * April 2017: Amy's method for organizing genealogy finds (Electronic files) - 4 page PDF file
 * May 2017: Let's get a discussion started!
 * This will hopefully help a future discussion on comparing family tree sites. Please send your choices (can be multiple) via email to MN_Mankato@ldsmail.net
 * Where do you store your family tree?
 * paper ONLY -- group sheets, pedigree charts, etc.
 * online family tree sites:
 * Ancestry.com
 * FamilySearch
 * WorldConnect (rootsweb)
 * MyHeritage
 * other: _______________ (please specify)
 * programs on your home computer/laptop:
 * Family Tree Maker
 * Legacy
 * RootsMagic
 * other: _______________ (please specify)

Volunteer at the Center
If you would like to be a volunteer at The Mankato Family History Center, We would be happy to discuss that with you! You do not have to be a "seasoned" genealogist, or a member of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to be a member of our team. Your enthusiasm for Family History or Genealogy, some basic computer knowledge, and the desire to assist others is what is needed. We will train you to work with our systems and patrons. You may call and leave a message, or send us an e-mail message at the above email address to be considered.