Genealogy Chat

I was wondering whether it is worth going direct to a LDS office as there is one not far from me what sort of records do they hold is it more than the online site do I need to book an appointment any suggestions please thanks

I went to my local one for the first time this morning, and I hadn't booked but was told I should have. They did have a microfilm machine available though, so I had a go with it and yes they do have stuff that isn't on the website, also I believe you can order microfilms of parish records etc. to be sent to your local centre from the main library in Salt Lake City for a small charge and then you can look at it at your local centre for a few weeks.

I have used the LDS Family History Centre near me and they are very good with very helpful volunteers running them. At the one I visited you do have to book - 3 hour slots - as some days are just for church members. They have a vast amount of records, and can order most things that they haven't got e.g. parish records on film, which you pay a small fee for, and they order them and keep them for about 3 months to give you time to search them. It costs nothing to use their facilities, and don't even ask for donations. I'd give them a try if there is one near you. Kath. x

thanks to you both sounds good to me will ring them tomorrow

What is an LDS Sharon

Information that the LDS has depends one where you live and if you want parish records then you may find it better to go to the town archives nearest to the parish where events took place. Most towns now have an archive where you will be able to see electoral rolls/registers, birth marriages and deaths from Parish Registers pre 1837 and a load of info that you didnt know existed - down to how many bombs fell in the next street to yours in WW2. You will also be able to view anyone who may have been affected by the Poor Laws and the local workhouses.

Hi Shafron it's a Latter Day Saint's (Mormons) local family history research centre.

If you want to find out if there's one near you, you can find out on the LDS (family search) website. Click on the 'library' tab then scroll down to the bottom of the page. There's a link that says 'locate nearest family history centre', if you are in the UK it's best to put your county in and it will list all the local ones. It should give the address, opening hours and telephone number. I use the Sheffield one quite regularly and they hold the census and Parish records for Sheffield, Rotherham and Barnsley along with the complete BMD for England and Wales and lots of other miscellaneous bits and pieces (they held a fiche of St Pancras, London baptisms I needed!) I order in films for the records I need that are not held there. They cost £2.60, take about two weeks to arrive and they will hold the film for about a month so you have plenty of chance to go and view it.

I just wanted to say always check records from LDS against certificates etc.A lot of the info.is given by well meaning people who have not checked the info.they have,so a lot of mistakes are passed on to others.I have found this out while searching my own familytree .I had a whole generation which proved to be completly wrong,so be careful

Yes definitely worth a visit - people are very nice and helpful too. You should book in advance as sometimes its full but if there's a space they'll fit you in. Each centre has its own opening hours for general public. I've just got back from my local LDS Centre and have ordered some OPR films which will probably take a couple of weeks. £2.20 + 50p postage each. My centre has film readers, fiche reachers and two computers with free ancestry access. They tend to keep local records for a 30 mile radius but at my centre only have English bdm's up to 1903. Some records after being ordered are kept at the centre, others have to be returned to the central office to be sent out again. Look at the LDS webpage under catalogue and you can see what films/fiche you can order. Yes some of the information is what LDS members have put in which could be wrong but many records are photo's of actual OPR's. Have also found someone researching the same area in Scotland and were able to share resources. I also found an ellusive birth in 1830 that I couldn't find anywhere else.

thanks for all your suggestions I will seriously look into it wish I lived nearer to where I need to look but I am miles away maybe I will take a holiday near the local Graveyard what fun I am sure my husband will enjoy it he thinks I am nuts anyway

Dont give up Valerie - I live in France and ordered two micro films of Irish Parish Records which I went to look at yesterday at the nearest centre which is about 80km away from where I live. They had a super new building and the staff were so helpful and told me that if I pay an extra 8Euros they will keep the films there for me forever! I even have my own section of drawer to keep the films in. The lady there said that as I lived so far away I could bring a packed lunch and stay all day next time as long as I booked beforehand. My husband thinks I'm nuts too!

hi June that sounds wonderful a whole day looking at dead peoples records without feeling guilty, think I will go by myself as I dont think he will hang around for more than about 10 minutes .I am definitely going thanks

Valerie - Can I back up the positive remarks - I use my little local one all the time - parish records, poor law records - which are marvellous if your lot were as poor as mine- apprenticeship papers, bastardy papers etc. And loads more.They even have Tasmanian convict details. Do look at the LDS site , and click into their library section and their catalogue . Go into PLACE and type in the places you are interested and everything that you can order comes up with full notes to give you exact details. It's been brilliant for me. Jan

To Valerie Thanks for asking the question - having read the answers I will now go as well, I have one about 1/2hours drive from me and never even thought to go because I don't live near the ancestors I am researching but now I am going to have a look! Thanks again Regards Tammy

thanks Janice must admit never looked at the library wasnt sure how it worked but will do today and Tammy good luck with your visit hopes it is successful