Annandale Virginia FamilySearch Center

===We are open and are currently accepting up to 4 patrons at a time. Appointments are appreciated and walk-ins accepted also. PLEASE SEE THE ANNOUNCEMENT BELOW ABOUT THE TEMPORARY SHUT DOWN OF THE FAMILY HISTORY PORTAL AS IT AFFECTS THE AVAILABILITY OF RESTRICTED IMAGES AND SUBSCRIPTION SITES.===

The hours of operation are:
Tuesdays:     9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Wednesdays: 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Fridays:        9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Saturdays:    9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Patrons may schedule up to two-hours per week, one time per week. We will adjust that schedule as we determine what the demand is like. Appointments will ONLY be taken during open hours. Call the Center at 703-256-5518 to make an appointment.

IMPORTANT! Family History Center Portal Maintenance Shutdown
Please be aware that limited access collections and partner websites accessible through the

Family History Center Portal, e.g., Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com, Fold3.com,  will be temporarily unavailable for critical maintenance and updates. We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding. The Family History Library staff in Salt Lake City, Utah will have the ability to

search limited access collections during this period and can offer patron assistance.

To learn more about this option, patrons should explore free virtual consultations and free records

look-up services. Steps to find the New Look Up Form:


 * Click on the “?” in the upper right on the FamilySearch Home Page
 * In the pop up, click on “Contact Us”
 * Where you see the photo of the Salt Lake Family History Library, click on “Learn More”
 * Scroll down to “Services” and click on that icon
 * Scroll down to “Records Look Up Request Form” and click on the green “Click Here”
 * The URL is: https://form.jotform.com/201775133001037

''' Due to the above described maintenance and the changes in availability of our services and staffing, please call 703-256-5518 prior to coming to the Center to verify if we are open. '''

Center Contacts and Hours
Location Map:


 * Location Map

Address:  3900 Howard St., Annandale, VA 22003-1762


 * Access to the AFHC is through the exterior door on the West side of the building as you come into the parking lot.
 * For admission please ring the doorbell and a staff member will admit you.

Language: English

Phone:  703-256-5518

E-mail:  VA_Annandale@familyhistorymail.org

Open Hours: 


 * Tuesday: 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
 * Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. -  9:00 p.m.
 * Friday: 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.


 * Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Closings
Closed every Sunday and Monday and all major holidays.

Additional Closings are: 

January 1, 2021 - New Year's Day (reopen Tuesday, January 5)

March 31 - April 6, 2021 - General Conference - Easter & Spring Break (Reopen Tuesday, April 6)

May 31 - June 7, 2021 - Memorial Day Holiday (reopen Tuesday, June 8)

July 3, 2021 - July 5, 2021 - Independence Day Holiday - (reopen Tuesday July 6)

August 22 - September 6, 2021 - Summer Break, Labor Day (reopen Tuesday September 7)

October 2, 2021- General Conference (reopen Tuesday October 5)

November 25 - November 27, 2021 - Thanksgiving Holiday (reopen Tuesday November 30)

December 21, 2021 - January 3, 2022 Christmas and New Year Holiday (reopen Tuesday January 4, 2022)

Inclement Weather Schedule:
'''The AFHC may be closed for all or part of a day when Fairfax County Schools are delayed or closed due to inclement weather (their info can be found at fcps.edu). Please call the center at 703-256-5518 after the beginning of a shift (9:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m. on Wed.) to determine if the Center is open or not and to ask about the condition of the parking lot. If no one answers the phone, the Center has not opened.'''

Center Resources
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.

Family history programs installed on each workstation:


 * Chrome Browser
 * Firefox Browser
 * Internet Explorer Browser
 * FamilySearch Indexing
 * Snipping Tool
 * Libre Office
 * Ancestral Quest
 * Roots Magic
 * ArkivDigital
 * Book Collector - a listing of all the books contained in the Family History Center

Hardware and Equipment


 * 9    computers (six with dual-monitors)
 * 1    Canon 300 microfilm scanner
 * 3   microfilm readers
 * 1    microfiche reader
 * 2    network printers, with one scanner with the ability to upload photos and documents directly to one's FamilySearch account.
 * 1    Kodak PS80 Photo Scanner and Flatbed Scanner - scan and digitize photos of almost any size quickly and save to your thumb drive
 * Wi-Fi Access

Research
Whether you’re brand-new with family history or an expert researcher – or somewhere in-between – there is a wealth of resources available at the Annandale Family History Center for your family history research. Our staff of volunteers are here to help you get started, answer your questions, and give direction to your research.

Areas of Expertise - Staff Volunteers By Shift Staff Areas of Expertise - By Location

Staff Areas of Expertise by Subject

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Who can use the Center?

A: The Center is open to everyone, whether or not they live in the immediate area, and it is free of charge.

Q2: Can I bring food or drink to the Center?

A: Food and drink may not be consumed in the main rooms. There are no vending machines or food onsite. There are drinking fountains, and you may drink bottled water in the main rooms.

Q3: What other guidelines should I be aware of?

A: Use quiet conversation so as not to disturb others who are working. If you need to use audio in the research room, use headphones. Do not remove any materials from the FHC without permission.

Q4: Can I access the Premium Sites from the Wiki or from home?

A: No, the Premium sites are only available at the Center. However, the church is partnering with Ancestry.com, and church members have free access to Ancestry.