Fort Walton Beach Florida FamilySearch Center

The Fort Walton Beach Family History Center existed for years as the "Genealogy Library" in this location. The Center is considered by many to be a genealogy outreach for the benefit of the community of genealogists living in Crestview, Florida, Niceville, Florida, and Valparaiso, Florida, as well as the Greater Fort Walton Beach area. Patrons from Dustin and Santa Rosa Beach, Florida have also supported the center.

Center Contacts and Hours
Location Map:


 * Location Map

Address:


 * 339 Lake Dr NW Fort Walton Beach FL 32547 United States


 * Language: English, One Staff member speaks, French, Italian and Latin

Phone:


 * 1-850-244-3338

E-mail:

Open Hours:   Tuesday: By Appointment call 850.678.8430
 * FL_FortWaltonBeach@ldsmail.net
 * Thursday:10:00AM-4:00PM
 * Saturday:10:00AM-1:00PM

Holiday Schedule:

Closed for Federal holidays: Closed for Church Conferences:

Collections

 * FamilySearch Catalog: This center has the ability to receive orders by patrons for any of the films and fiche available through the FamilySearch Catalog. Patrons must have an account on Family Search (which is free) to order film.


 * General Source and How-To Books for genealogists are in the collection, including The Red Book, The Source, and Handbook for Genealogists. Microfilm and microfiche are available for the Southeastern (an some other regions) States.


 * Supplies: Basic supplies such as genealogy charts are available.

Databases and Software

 * Family History Center 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. Among these, currently, are Ancestry.com, Fold3, and others.

Hardware and Equipment

 * There are three microfilm readers available, one microfiche reader, a camera for taking pictures of microfilms, seven computers, and two printers, one of which will scan your photos or other media. One printer has access to scan direct to your Family Tree on Family Search

Staff Research Specialties
Currently, staff research specialties include German, French, Latin and Italian research with translator services available. Several staff members are qualified to guide patrons seeking their Southeastern United States roots. One individual is a specialist in Civil War research.

Resources in the Local Area
The local library in Valparaiso, Florida has an excellent Family History section. But film from the Family History Library can only be sent to the Family History Center in Fort Walton Beach. Short term film loans are for 60 days and will remain in the center till the due date.

Links
Patron now order their own film! When ordering you will be asked to chose a Family History Center to have the film deliver to. Please choose Fort Walton Florida.

You do not need to own a computer in order to place an Online Film Order. You can use any computer with Internet access. Internet computers are commonly available for public use at public libraries and family history centers. Family history center staff or library personnel can help the patron set up an e-mail account in order to be able to place a film or fiche order at familysearch.org/films if you have the number of the film(s) you want to order. Film(s) are the property of the Church and will not be removed from the center for any reason.

Volunteer at the Center
To be a volunteer at the center you do not have to be a member of the LDS Church. All you need to know is a working understanding of computer programs and have done some Family History research. Member of the Church must be called in the wards as a Family History Consultant before being asked to work in the Family History Center.