Annandale Virginia FamilySearch Center

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 the Kodak PS80 Photo Scanner up to two-hours per shift. The Kodak PS80 Photo Scanner appointment may lengthened based on the demand. Appointments will Only be taken during open hours. Call the Center at 703-256-5518 to make an appointment.

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

Closings
Closed every Sunday and Monday and all major holidays.

Additional Closings: 

January 2, 2023 - New Year's Day - Observed (reopen Tuesday, January 3)

April 1, 2023 - General Conference: The Church of Jesus Christ of

Latter-day Saints

April 3 - April 10, 2023 - Spring Break (Reopen Tuesday April 11)

May 27 - 29, 2023 - Memorial Day weekend (Reopen Tuesday May 30)

July 4, 2023 - Independence Day (Reopen Wednesday July 5)

August 20 - September 4, 2023 - Summer Break, Labor Day (reopen Tuesday September 5)

September 30, 2023- General Conference: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

November 11 - November 14, 2023 - Veterans Day weekend (reopen November 15)

November 19 - November 27, 2023 - Thanksgiving Holiday (reopen Tuesday November 28)

December 17, 2023 - January 1, 2024 Christmas and New Year Holiday (reopen Tuesday January 2, 2024)

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

FamilySearch Center Portal This center has access to the FamilySearch Center Portal page, which gives free access in the center to premium family history software and websites that generally charge for subscriptions. Locked images may be accessed on the FamilySearch Center's computers. The Premium sites are as follows:


 * 19th Century British Library Newspapers - British newspapers for the 19th century from 1800 to 1900.
 * Alexander Street - The American Civil War - Letters and Diaries
 * American Ancestors
 * Ancestry
 * ArkivDigital - The largest private provider of Swedish Church Records and other historical records.
 * FamNet - The online family history network for those who have New Zealand roots.
 * Findmypast - Findmypast makes it easy to research your United Kingdom ancestry.
 * Fold3 - The best online collection of military records and stories.
 * Geneanet - This site is dedicated to genealogy in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Germany.
 * Irish Ancestors -The one-stop starting point for all Irish ancestral research, mapping surnames and surname variants.
 * MyHeritage Library Edition
 * NewspaperArchive - The largest historical newspaper database with newspaper pages from 1607 to present.
 * Puzzilla - Find new research opportunities on descendant lines in Family Tree.

Family history programs installed on each workstation:


 * Chrome Browser
 * Firefox Browser
 * Microsoft Edge
 * Snipping Tool
 * Libre Office
 * Ancestral Quest
 * Roots Magic

Hardware and Equipment


 * 9    computers (six with dual-monitors)
 * 3    microfilm readers
 * 1    microfiche reader
 * 1    network printer, 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

Online Genealogy Records
 Online Genealogy Records by Location  (Link)

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 FamilySearch 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 FSC 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.