Taylorsville Salt Lake Community College FamilySearch Center

Welcome to the Taylorsville Utah FamilySearch Center at the Salt Lake Community College's Institute of Religion (Redwood campus). We have twenty 23-inch solid-state-drive PC's (8GB), a Lexmark MX611 printer/scanner, 12 awesome desks/tables. We added an HP color printer/scanner Mar 2017, a Kodak PS80 high-speed photo scanner Dec 2017, the Swedish Death Records 1860-2016 program Aug 2018, a Wolverine F2D Titan manual slide scanner with negative scanning Aug 2019, and home movies digitization equipment March 2022 (for VHS, VHS-C, 8mm reels, Super-8 reels, and camcorder tapes), and a CZUR book scanner Sep 2022. The directors are Jon & Cheryl Thomas, with assistant directors Rick Francom, and Lynn & Janice Buchanan. We opened 9/1/2016.

COVID-19 Policy
SLCC is a "mask-friendly" campus (masks optional). With that said, SLCC encourages everyone to wear a face covering while on campus. We have an air sanitizer running in our center, and we use sanitizer wet-wipes to clean all keyboards & mice & desk surfaces at the start or end of each shift. Currently, anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms (which now includes fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle aches and chills, or decreased sense of smell or taste) should be tested for COVID-19. If you are experiencing symptoms and awaiting testing:


 * Stay home if you are sick
 * Self-quarantine/self-isolate
 * Contact your primary care provider or visit the Coronavirus.Utah.gov testing location locator

Why Use a FamilySearch Center?
Why do your family history work at an FSC instead of just at home or at your local church building? --> 1) Our staff are available (minimum 3 on duty anytime we're open) to help with any questions or assistance. They are well trained and have been doing this for years. 2) We have lots of equipment in operational status (with staff trained to use), more than you have at home. 3) We have sufficient budget and staffing to continue serving this community for many years to come. 4) We are a community gathering place in a secure location surrounded with Institute supporting personnel on-duty full time.





Center Contacts and Hours

 * Language: English


 * Address: 4554 So 2025 W, Taylorsville UT 84129
 * Off of Community Blvd, a.k.a Bruin Blvd.
 * The Institute building is the last building on the southwest corner of the main Redwood campus. (Just immediately west of the new SLCC administration building)
 * Sometimes while school is not in session, most doors may be locked except for the east or southeast doors. So plan to use those doors.
 * The FamilySearch Center is in Room 107 (west end of the south hallway).

Location Map



 * See Google Map

Schedule

 * 10 AM to 2 PM Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday
 * 6 PM to 9 PM Tuesday and Thursday
 * The SLCC Campus is mask-friendly (so wearing a mask is optional). We clean the keyboards and mice before and/or after each shift. We have installed an air purifier.
 * If you want to call to make an appointment at other times, we can schedule up to two hours with you. Call 801-590-7838 (or text to 801-718-9772)
 * To see our current appointments & shift schedules, see  Our Google Calendar  (but you may need to sign in to your Google account first)
 * Closure Dates:
 * All State and U.S. Holidays (or anytime SLCC is closed); Specifically : 
 * Feb 20 - Presidents Day
 * Mar 2 - Closed for RootsTech. See Rootstech.org (runs Thursday Mar 2 thru Saturday March 4)
 * Mar 6-9 - SLCC Spring Break
 * May 29 - Memorial Day
 * Jun 19 - SLCC observation of Juneteenth Day
 * July 4 - Independence Day
 * July 24 - Pioneer Day
 * Aug 7-24 - SLCC Summer Break
 * Sep 4 - Labor Day
 * Oct 19 - SLCC Fall Break
 * Nov 22-23 - Thanksgiving
 * Dec 8-31 - SLCC Winter Break

Parking



 * Due to Rooftop Construction January-February 2023:  Two of our 5 patron stalls are currently blocked by construction fencing. 
 * Parking Instructions for Patrons as of 10/22/2022:
 * Weekdays before 4:00 PM: Park in any of the 5 Institute Faculty blue-lined parking stalls on the far east side under the big trees --> 3 spaces before or 2 spaces after the well-marked crosswalk leading from the Institute to the SLCC Administration building. Click on both photos to the right, to expand the view of where those 5 stalls are. We periodically monitor cars in those stalls to check if they are patrons using our center (and coordinate with the Institute office administrative assistants).
 * If the stalls are filled when you arrive, we (or the Institute east window office) has a form you can fill out to register your plate# with SLCC Parking Services for the day.
 * No parking tickets will be issued the first week while starting any new SLCC term. See [Https://www.slcc.edu/academiccalendar/docs/academic-calendar.pdf SLCC Academic Calendar] or call 801-957-4011.
 * If you still get a ticket on your car, bring the ticket to the FamilySearch Center leader or call the Center at 801-590-7838 (which is forwarded to a leader's phone off-hours). We will resolve it with you.
 * If arriving after 4:00 PM, no worries -- no ticketing after 4PM (unless parked illegally such as in a handicap stall without a handicap sticker). Just park in any yellow-lined student stall or blue-lined Institute faculty stall in lot E (south or east side of institute).

Contact Info

 * Phone: 
 * FamilySearch Center: 801-590-7838
 * Taylorsville Utah (Redwood campus) Institute of Religion office: 801-964-3064
 * North America FamilySearch missionary support help-line: 866-406-1830 (Mon-Sat 8am-8pm, Sun 1pm-8pm Mountain Time)


 * E-mail: ut_taylorsvilleSLCC@familyhistorymail.org
 * Facebook: "Friends of Taylorsville FamilySearch Center"

Upcoming Events & How to Reserve a Date for your Group

 * >>> To Schedule a Date for Your Group:
 * Please have your Family History Leader call/text Rick Francom at 801-810-4419 or email: rfcask@gmail.com
 * Please schedule at least a week in advance to coordinate with Brother Francom.
 * Even better if schedule 2-3 weeks in advance for large groups.
 * For large groups where most could benefit from one-on-one consultants, please limit to no more than 12.
 * Wednesday nights are best for large groups, especially if you bring your own consultants, or plan well in advance.
 * Thursday nights are usually less attended, so may be best for short notice, smaller groups.
 * To see upcoming events / appointments & shift schedules, see  Our Google Calendar  (but you may need to sign in to your Google account first)

Past Group Events

 * For 2017-2021 group events -- see Taylorsville SLCC FHC Past Events (grouped by unit)
 * For 2022 & forward - see past months on our  Our Google Calendar 

Class Schedule

 * None yet, except those recommended below.
 * Encouraging staff & patrons to do training on their own schedules, such as:
 * click thru desired lessons at The Family History Guide online
 * attend Utah FamilySearch Center/Class_Schedule classes at Riverton FH Library
 * attend / watch classes / webinars at SLC FS Library
 * attend / watch RootsTech lectures / presentations
 * watch BYU Family History Library Webinars
 * watch Ancestry.com training videos at youtube.com/user/AncestryCom

Staff Training Meetings

 * Each 4th or 5th Sunday of each month at 3:00 PM - Hybrid Zoom / in-person @the FSC as you choose.
 * The public is welcome to attend; not restricted to just staff consultants. Our 23 chairs fill up fast when typically 2/3 of our 28 staff show up, so join via Zoom here
 * Various past Zoom recordings of our staff training meetings are in our YouTube Playlist at: here (but not for public distribution)

Collections

 * FamilySearch Catalog: - search may show record images available to view here that you might not be able to view at home.
 * Swedish Death Records database 1860-2016 ("Sveriges Dödbok") program on PC #7

Databases and Software

 * NEW May 2022: WinX DVD Ripper: converts a home-movie DVD (if Costco had converted for you prior) into a .MP4 file. Subscription license on PC's #18-20.
 * Then upload to your Google YouTube account. Then enter the link into a WORD file, then save as PDF & upload the PDF as a Memories Document.
 * NEW Feb 2019: PaperScan Pro software on PC # 8, so scans from Kodak 8 1/2" X 14" Flatbed can be OCR-converted into a Text-Searchable PDF file.
 * Chrome Extensions installed on all PC's Chrome browser:
 * RecordSeek: reliably attach a source to FamilySearch from any web page such as an obituary (including from Ancestry). You can download too from here.
 * Eternal Reminder: you add a PID into your account, and it sends you a reminder when that PID reaches 110 years from that person's birth date
 * FamilySearch Premium Content which verifies authorization (by building) to access restricted source images and premium websites. See instructions here.
 * FamilySearch Center Portal This center had access to the FamilySearch Center Portal page until FamilySearch took it down for maintenance overhaul summer 2021. It gives free access in the center to premium family history software and websites that generally charge for subscriptions. Click FamilySearch Center Portal for a list of those premium databases you can access for free while at our center.
 * Microsoft Office 2007
 * Ancestral Quest (latest FSC version) - can read your old PAF, then can sync with FamilySearch Family Tree! You can download too from here (trial or purchase).
 * Roots Magic (latest FSC version) - also sync's your own private database tree with FamilySearch Family Tree. You can download too from here (trial or purchase).
 * IrfanView (latest version) - fastest editor / viewer of your downloaded photos or on your USB thumb drive. You can download too from here.

Hardware and Equipment

 * 20 Dell 23-inch touch-screen all-in-one desktop computers installed August 2016. Each has 8GB RAM and a 128GB Solid State Drive (SSD).
 * Lexmark MX611dhe black & white laser printer (with color scanner directly to each Windows PC) installed August 2016. We charge 5 cents ($0.05) per printed page (per side) AFTER THE FIRST 10 PAGES printed (the first 10 are free per patron per visit).
 * HP OfficeJet 8715 color printer (with OCR scanner into text-searchable PDFs) installed March 2017. We charge 15 cents ($0.15) per page (per side) printed AFTER THE FIRST 3 PAGES printed (the first 3 are free per patron per visit).
 * Kodak PS80 high-speed photo scanner (with legal flatbed scanner) installed Dec 2017 on PC #8.
 * The photo auto-feed scanner can also feed 8.5-inch sheets. But if anything has ragged edges or is very old, use the flatbed.
 * There are two programs that can run the PS80 scanner: The Kodak JPG Scanner program, and the PaperScan PDF Scanner (+PDF editing) program.
 * The Kodak JPG Scanner uses a "Perfect Touch" algorithm that improves the sharpness and color contrast of each photo. It saves each photo as a separate .JPG file (even if multiple are on the flatbed).
 * The PaperScan PDF Scanner uses an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) algorithm to convert printed text to searchable or drag-and-drop text.
 * To view current reservations, click here: Google Drive for TayFHC Kodak Reservations Weekly Excel Sheets. If there is no sheet for this week, then it is probably available. Or call to make appointment.
 * PlusTek 11" x 17" flatbed scanner, installed Sep 2022 on PC #8.
 * Simple push-button scanning, which automatically appears on PC #8. You can then move files from either the Kodak and/or PlusTek programs save-area to your USB thumb drive. (Which we sell 32GB for $4)
 * Ceiling projector with large pull-down screen. (+New audio/video mixers & HDMI cabling installed Oct 2018)
 * Projector upgraded 16 May 2019 to brighter, sharper, wireless Epson EX9220 that can do wireless screen mirroring from most smartphones.
 * Wolverine F2D Titan slide scanner for multiple slide sizes.
 * Manual feed works best using a larger-format single-hole tray.
 * Can convert negatives (either black & white, or color) to beautiful JPEG files.
 * More reliable than our PowerSlide X scanner (which we have put into storage).
 * Has a "Send to USB" menu to show photos (saved to SD card) appear on PC #5, so you can transfer to your USB thumb drive.
 * Home movies digitization equipment (new May 2022, managed by our Tuesday night shift lead David Miller):
 * (Two) ClearClick Video to Digital Converter 2.0: Digitizes home movies into .MP4 files on an SD card (then you xfer SD to your USB on a PC);
 * Connects via component audio/video cable from our VHS tape player or from a Camcorder;
 * Donated VHS player (used in above scenario);
 * VHS adapter for VHS-C camcorder tapes (used in above scenario);
 * Donated used Camcorders to play back digital video cassette tapes (used in above scenario) from either 8mm video cassette or mini-DV cassette;
 * Wolverine 8mm & Super-8 reels to .mp4 file on an SD card. Usually an hour for a 5-minute silent movie. Then you xfer SD to your USB thumb drive on any of our PC's.
 * Win-X DVD Ripper program on PC# 18-19-20. Converts a 2-hour DVD movie media disc to a .MP4 file in 15 minutes.
 * Please bring only one cassette or reel per visit, to be converted onto your USB thumb drive. (Which we can sell 32GB for $4).
 * Please call to make an appointment.
 * Note: We can show you how to upload your .MP4 files to your Google YouTube account as "unlisted". Then enter the link into a WORD file, then save as PDF & upload the PDF as a Memories Document.
 * CZUR Book Scanner (with foot pedal) installed Sep 2022 on PC #18.
 * Can flatten out pages side-by-side from a thick hard-bound book. Uses overhead lighting with a red laser light.
 * Managed by our Asst. Director Lynn Buchanan

Staff Specialties

 * Japanese speaking / reading staff: Sherm Anderson & Lynn Buchanan (Mon-Thur 10am-2pm)
 * Swedish sources: Sherm Anderson (Mon-Thur 10am-2pm)
 * Spanish speaking staff: James Payne (Tuesdays 10am-2pm), Scott Jones (Thursdays 6pm-9pm) - semi-fluent.
 * Indexing: Mon 10-2: Pat Newton, Lori Merritt, Michael Butler; Tue 10-2: Kay Cherrington; Wed 10-2: Kathy DeJong; Thu 10-2 & 6-9: Bill Juszcak; Thu 6-9: Leslee Petrick & Scott Jones.
 * Copy old diskette data to a USB thumb drive: Jon Thomas 801-718-9772.
 * Danish Research / Translation: Cheryl Thomas 801-718-9675.
 * Brazilian / Portuguese / some German Translation/Research: Bill Juszcak Thu 10-2 & 6-9.
 * Roots Magic: Mon 10-2: Pat & Janet Newton & Lori Merritt; Tue 10-2: James Payne; Tue 6-9 & Thu 10-2: Rick Francom; Thu 6-9: Leslee Petrick.
 * Ancestral Quest: Jon Thomas 801-718-9772; Terry Gidney Wed 10-2.
 * Slide Scanning: multiple.
 * Photo scanning: multiple.
 * Video Digitization: David Miller (Tue 6pm-9pm), James Payne (Tue 10am-2pm), Scott Jones (Thu 6pm-9pm), Jon Thomas or Lynn Buchanan (most shifts)
 * French / German / Italian / Latin research: Yvette Longstaff - specific questions only via email to: ymtb_longstaff44@yahoo.com (does not serve on a shift) in Bennion West Stake
 * Australia / Italian / US / British Isles: Jacqueline Tritsch - specific puzzles on a limited time: 801-833-3520 (does not serve on a shift) in Taylorsville Central Stake

Resources in the Local Area

 * Taylorsville Utah Redwood Institute of Religion (on FB)
 * Story of Mormon Pioneers Settling Taylorsville in the Salt Lake Valley
 * City of Taylorsville
 * Taylorsville Memorial Park Cemetery
 * Taylorsville Public Library
 * West Valley City Public Library
 * Salt Lake Utah South (Tongan) FamilySearch Center - in Kearns (3.4 miles southwest)
 * Murray Utah South FamilySearch Center - 6.2 miles southeast
 * Midvale Utah Union Fort FamilySearch Center - 6.3 miles southeast
 * Riverton Utah FamilySearch Center - 10.4 miles south

Links

 * Current Wikipedia info about Taylorsville Utah
 * Utah FamilySearch Center/Class_Schedule Riverton FH Library Class Schedule
 * SLC FH Library Class Schedule
 * Ancestry - Has an amazingly good record-search algorithm
 * FindMyPast - Claims to be "The home of British & Irish Family History"
 * MyHeritage - Runs nightly searches for record matches & tree matches from your tree (must upload a GEDCOM to start)
 * RecordSeek for creating source citations from any web page such as above 3 (install its Chrome extension)
 * Taylorsville Institute (our hosts)
 * The FH Guide - universally approved online FH Training lessons with links to relevant help
 * FamilySearch Blog
 * My Pioneers (a FamilySearch Campaign)
 * BYU FH Technology Lab Tools (Relative Finder, Virtual Pedigree, Descendancy Explorer, Pedigree Pie, Games, etc)
 * Midvale FSC - whom we admire & try to emulate if only in principle
 * All the Stories in One Place - Searches your tree for stories (click "Synchronize") - started working again as of 14 Nov 2018!
 * My Obituaries - your relatives recent obituaries that may not be linked to their record yet
 * BYU FH Library (in the northeast basement of the Harold B Lee library)
 * Sandy UT Granite FSC - has good media conversion equipment (took over a prior Junior High Seminary, home of TheFHGuide.com authors)
 * FSC Locator - world map to search or click to find map markers of your nearest FSC or FH Library
 * Find-A-Grave - an amazing resource that puts it all together (although sometimes under wrong assumptions)
 * FamilySearch Newsroom - Announcements worthy as a media publication resource
 * RootsMapper - amazing tool that shows your ancestors immigration paths graphically (as if they took a jet plane route)
 * FamilySearch Places Research tool - zoomable or searchable world map with good details & evolving
 * FS Obituaries database - from partnering with GenealogyBank, for 1980-2014
 * Utah Digital Newspapers - searchable hundreds of current & prior newspapers going way back
 * Puzilla - powerful way to look at multi-generation family relationships graphically. Can make missing pieces look obvious
 * FS England-Wales County Maps - color-coded. Click on a county and it lists all parish maps within
 * Welsh Mormon History - by Dr. Ron Dennis at BYU. Searchable for your Welsh ancestors bio details
 * RootsTech - the annual largest FH conference in the world, here in SLC UT. See recordings of many presentations
 * DigitalArkivet - Norway National Archives of Parish Registers
 * Denmark Census - searchable online records from Denmark
 * Danish National Archives - Church records from Denmark
 * Swedish ArkivDigital - online searchable genealogy records from Sweden

Volunteer at the Center

 * Looking for volunteers comfortable with computers who love learning genealogy, and teaching youth and young adults how to find their ancestors.
 * If you are available to volunteer for 2 to 4 hours per week, we would love to have you, and happy to help you learn (and teach us all) additional skills.
 * Contact Jon Thomas (801-718-9772) or Cheryl Thomas (801-718-9675).
 * Fill out the Long-Term Volunteer Form
 * Then bring it in to us at an appointment so we can get to know you.