Mission Viejo California FamilySearch Center

The Mission Viejo Family History Center serves a major portion of South Orange County, California. All are welcome and our services are free. Visiting the Mission Viejo Family History Center (MVFHC)

NOTICE! We are reopening the MVFHC after the extended Covid 19 shutdown as of 9/14/21 by appointment only. Since we have to arrange for staff to meet your appointment, please give us at least a 24 hour notice so that we can accommodate you.

Please click HERE to reserve a time slot for your visit.

This link may require you to bypass several advertising sites before you get to the actual scheduling calendar. Thank you for your patience while we get things moving again. For the time being, you will need to wear a mask while using the center.

Skill Building Workshops

Most Thursday nights, the family history center is reserved for skill building workshops, classes where you can learn basic research skills and have a chance to practice what you learn with guidance from others. For now the workshops will be conducted, remotely, over zoom.

To view the workshop times and topics and to sign up, click HERE.

After you sign up, details you will need to log on will be sent to you by e-mail.

Location Map:


 * Location Map.

Address:


 * 27976 Marguerite Parkway Mission Viejo, California 92692 United States
 * Corner of Marguerite Parkway and Hillcrest.
 * Enter at the rear of the building - left hand door.


 * Language:English

Phone:


 * 1-949-355-6094

E-mail:


 * CA_MissionViejo@familyhistorymail.org

Hours:


 * Tuesday:10:00am-4:00pm and 6:00pm-9:00 pm
 * Wednesday:10:00am-4:00pm and 6:00pm-9:00pm
 * Thursday:10:00am-4:00 pm

Holiday Schedule:

General Conference, April 2-3, October 1-2; Thanksgiving Week, November 21-27; Christmas/New Years, December 23-January 2

Collections

 * FamilySearch Catalog: This center has a very limited number of various films available through the FamilySearch Catalog.

Databases and Software

 * FHC PortalThis 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.This includes the following:
 * Ancestry.com
 * Find My Past - Institutional Version
 * Fold 3.com
 * Geneanet
 * Kinpoint - Premium
 * My Heritage - Library Edition
 * WorldVitalRecords.com
 * ThePaperTrail.org (A guide to Overland Pioneer Names and Documents)
 * Alexander Street Press: The American Civil War
 * Research database
 * Letters and Diaries
 * Images, Photographs, Posters and Ephermera
 * social and Cultural History
 * Women and Social Movements in the Unites States
 * ProQuest Obituary Listings
 * Puzilla.org - Premium Services
 * 19th Century British Library Newspaper Digital Archive
 * ArkivDigital (Swedish records=36 Million documents)

Hardware and Equipment

 * 10 Computers with Internet access
 * 4 Microfilm Readers
 * 2 Microfiche Readers
 * Printer
 * Flatbed Scanner

Center Services

 * Provide one on one research help and provide access to genealogical records through the Internet or microfilm loan program.
 * Receive personalized instruction via Zoom by one of our most experienced volunteers. Contact us via the phone numbers above for details.
 * Provide Training. (Offering free how to classes)
 * Assist in cleaning up data files.
 * Provide Service Opportunities for volunteers.
 * Visit the center by appointment, during our open hours. We will be glad to acquaint you with our resources and equipment.