Las Cruces New Mexico FamilySearch Center

The LAS CRUCES FAMILY HISTORY CENTER  is available to serve community members free of charge.

The Center is open to the public. All visitors are welcome by appointment only due to Covid-19.

Center Contacts and Hours
Location Map:


 * Location Map

Address:


 * 2915 E Idaho Ave Las Cruces NM 88001 United States
 * Entrance is at the back of building. Handicap entrance is located there.
 * By appointment only! Please ring door bell and wait for someone to come to let you in.
 * Handicap ramp available at North entrance to the building. You can navigate East on the sidewalk then turn right to the back door.  If that is not possible for you then call the family history phone number and we will come and open the door for you.

Directors: David and Karen Heiner Assistant Directors: John and Georgetta Smith


 * Languages:
 * English
 * Spanish
 * Portuguese

Phone: 575-649-2301

E-mail: [mailto:FHCHeiners@gmail.com FHCHeiners@gmail.com]

Open Hours:


 * Due to the Covid 19 Pandemic, the FHC will be re-open with shortened hours of operation starting June 1 2021. The Contact David Heiner @575-649-2301 or email him @ [mailto:FHCHeiners@gmail.com FHCHeiners@gmail.com] for an appointment outside the set hours of operation.
 * Covid-19 vaccinated patrons are not required to wear a mask. Non-vaccinated patrons must wear a mask.  These restrictions adhere to current CDC and local guidance.


 * You can make an appointment for either the Center or a remote call via email, call, or text.
 * Email #1: FHCHeiners@gmail.com
 * Call/text #1: 575-649-2301
 * Email #2: smithjon1406@hotmail.com
 * Call/text #2: 575-312-5118

Upcoming Events
No events currently. The Family History Center has been closed due to Covid-19 except by appointment. The Center will re-open on 1 June 2021.

Class Schedule: In person classes are currently postponed due to Covid-19.
If there is a Family History topic you would like to explore, please send your request to [mailto:thelcfhc@gmail.com thelcfhc@gmail.com].

For self-help, please refer to the Family History Guide for basic instructions about FamilySearch, Ancestry, and MyHeritage.

Genealogy instructional videos and training can be found at the RootsTech Website.

Search BYU Family History Library Online Webinars.

Staff Training Meetings
There will be no in person staff training meetings until further notice. Staff members should refer to the Family History Guidefor individual online training.

Center Resources

 * "Finding & Merging Duplicate Records in the Family Tree" from BYU Webinar Kathryn Grant. Youtube link.


 * Family Search Catalog: Many of the films and fiche available through the FamilySearch Catalog may be available in our library. Call ahead to have a Staff member check if we have the one you need.
 * Books: A collection of genealogical and historical books.  The Center has a limited number of Family Books by name.  There are some books regarding most of the United States. as well as books on England, Scotland and Ireland, as well as a few European references.  We are currently working on a catalog of the books we have.  Check back later for a list.

Databases and Software

 * FHC Portal This Center has access to the Family History Center Portal page which gives free access (in the Center only) to premium family history software and websites that generally charge for subscriptions.
 * Sites included are:
 * 9th Century British Library Newspaper Digital Archive
 * Alexander Street Press
 * The American Civil War:
 * Research Database
 * Letters and Diaries
 * Images, Photographs, Posters, and Ephemera
 * Social and Cultural History
 * Women and Social Movements in the United States
 * American Ancestors - Library Rights
 * Ancestry - Institution Versions: U.S., Australia, Canada, Germany, Sweden, United Kingdom
 * ArkivDigital - web-based access (just ignore the username & password prompt and click the "Log in" button. Hit "English" in the upper right corner of the page to view the English version of the site.) Or use the legacy application-based access installed from here.  (Version 1.5.4-rc3-r1114.exe - Updated 4 June 2015)
 * Install one-time only with an account with administrative rights.
 * Launch from the 'ArkivDigital Online' Start Menu icon.
 * ArkivDigital Beta Version 2.0 is not yet available.
 * Findmypast - Institution Version
 * Fold3
 * Geneanet
 * Kinpoint - Premium
 * MyHeritage - Library Edition
 * Newspaper Archive
 * Paper Trail
 * ProQuest Obituary Listings
 * Puzzilla - Premium Services

Hardware and Equipment:

 * 6 all-in-one touch screen computers
 * 8 all-in-one computers
 * Lexmark laser printer with scanner
 * 2 Microfilm Readers: Northwest 2020 Reader, Dukane Reader
 * 1 Micron Microfishe Reader
 * 1 Canon microfilm/microfishe reader/printer

Staff Research Specialties

 * Two Spanish Speaking and Mexico research experts
 * Portuguese assistance
 * Basic FamilySearch experts
 * Great Britain research
 * Little known genealogical sites on the web

Resources in the Local Area

 * Branigan Cultural Center, P.O. Box 2000, 501 North Main Street, Las Cruces NM 88004, Facebook
 * Dona Ana County Genealogical Society
 * Dona Ana County, New Mexico Genealogy
 * Rio Grande Historical Collection

Dona Ana County, New Mexico Genealogy
For a great list and description of available sources throughout New Mexico, go to New Mexico Random Acts of Kindness.

Links

 * Las Cruces, New Mexico at Wikipedia
 * Dona Ana County at Wikipedia
 * New Mexico at Wikipedia

Volunteer at the Center
''If you are interested in doing your own family research and helping others learn to do the same, the Center could use more staff members. There is need for early and late afternoon as well as evening staff members. Please call 575-649-2301 if interested in volunteering.''