Why You Should Go: 2020 Trip to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City

Lisa Gorrell, CG, is leading the upcoming CGS research trip to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City this coming May. Here's what she has to say about it:

Lisa Gorrell

Our upcoming trip next year to the Family History Library will be from Sunday, May 24 to Sunday, May 30. These dates follow the dates of the National Genealogical Society’s Conference. If you would like to attend the conference, too, you will need to book your own hotel for those dates. Now, you’re probably asking “Why would I want to go to the Family History Library? Isn’t it all online now?” Yes, it is true that FamilySearch has been digitizing their collected records and putting images online, but they are far from putting it all online. Let’s talk about their collection:

Books. Many of the books in their collection may never be digitized. Books that have been recently published are still under copyright laws. Even if a book is digitized, only one person can view it at a time. Your chances are greater viewing a physical copy at the library.

Microfilm. The plan is to digitize all of the microfilm. They are having a hard time getting blank microfilm and it is very expensive. Also, the microfilm machines are getting old and it’s difficult to find parts to repair them. So digitizing the film is a win-win situation for the library. However, some of the original repositories where the records were filmed the have not given permission to publish the images online. Therefore, the only place you can view some “digitized” films is on computers at the Library itself, or perhaps at local Family History centers. This will also include microfiche.

Advantages.  

So what is the real advantage of an in-person trip to the Family History Library?

Six days of distraction-free research
Six days where you didn’t have to do household chores
Six days of being with others who share your enthusiasm for genealogy research
Research assistance from the leader (me) or one of the experts at the library (especially at the foreign language floors)

How should you prepare for such a trip?

Decide which ancestral lines you want to work on

Record the localities where these families lived

Check the FHL catalog for the records and books that are available at the library for each locality. Some items may be available online, but if there is a “key” symbol next to the film number, that film can only be viewed at the FHL or at a Family History Center.

This symbol indicates records
that may only be viewed in a library

If you find lots of books and films you would like to view, then it may be worthwhile to make the trip with CGS.

Consultation

You can schedule a pre-trip consultation with the leader, Lisa Gorrell. You will also be able to have consultations during the trip at the library.

We have fun, too! Of course, the trip isn’t just all serious research. We have three planned joint meals together, and every day we get together for lunch and dinner at a variety of places. It’s a great time to share our successes and get help with our research issues.

To sign up for the trip, use this link at Eventbrite. There are limited spaces, so be sure to register soon!

Copyright © 2019 by California Genealogical Society

Notes from the field: 18th Annual Family History Library Trip

In our 120^th anniversary year, CGS members continue to host and participate in a variety of learning experiences. Last month, Lisa Gorrell led a group on the 18th annual trip to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Lisa Gorrell (left) orients visitors to the library

We lucked out with the weather; while it had snowed in Salt Lake just the week before, during our visit temperatures soared and flowers were in bloom everywhere.
 

Our group of 14 had a great week of research, study, and socializing. 

Four of our members also took time for a day trip to the recently opened Topaz Japanese American Internment Camp Museum in Delta, where more than 11,000 persons of Japanese American ancestry were confined during World War II.

Kathy and Steve Ikeda, Linda Okazaki, and Jim Russell at Topaz

Our research was as varied as the participants. A few of us had amazing breakthroughs, while others found their brick walls remained stony. Sometimes it's a kind of vindication to know that even the experts can't trace that maddeningly elusive ancestor. All agreed it was well worth our while. Thanks to our fearless leader, Lisa, for organizing and leading the trip! 

Copyright © 2018 by California Genealogical Society

Salt Lake City Family History Library: Why You Should Go on Our 2018 Research Trip

by Lisa Gorrell

Have you heard? The California Genealogical Society (CGS) has scheduled its 2018 annual genealogy research trip to the Family History Library from Sunday, April 22nd to Sunday, April 29th. As the team leader for the trip, for the third year in a row, I’m especially excited to get you to come with me!  Now you’re probably asking yourself,  “Why would I want to go to the Family History Library? Isn’t it all online now?”

Advantages
So what is the real advantage of an in-person trip to the Family History Library?

• Six days of being with others who share your enthusiasm for genealogy research
• Research assistance with the leader (me) or one of the experts at the library (especially at the foreign language floors)
• Six days of distraction-free research
• Six days where you didn’t have to do household chores

Yes, it is true, that FamilySearch has been digitizing their collected records and putting images online, but they are far from putting it all online. So let’s talk about their collection:

Books 
Many of the books in their collection may never be digitized. Books that have been recently published are still under copyright laws. Even if a book is digitized, only one person can view it at a time. Your chances are greater of viewing a physical copy at the library.

Microfilm 
The plan is to digitize all of the microfilm because they are having a hard time getting blank microfilm and it is very expensive. Also the microfilm machines are getting old and it’s difficult o find parts to repair them. So digitizing the film is a win-win situation for the library. 

However, some of the original repositories where they filmed the records have not given approval for publishing the images online. So the only place you can view some “digitized” films is on computers at the library itself, or perhaps at the local family history centers. This will also include microfiche.

Now that I’ve got your attention, the next thing to think about is: 
How should you prepare for such a trip?

• Decide which ancestral lines you want to work on
• Record the localities where these families lived
• Check the FHL catalog for the records and books that are available at the library for each locality
• Some items may be available online, but if there is a “key” symbol next to the film number, that film can only be viewed at the FHL or a Family History Center.
• If you find lots of books and films you’d like to view, then it may be worthwhile to make the trip with CGS

Consultation

You can schedule a pre-trip consultation with me, Lisa Gorrell, by sending an email. I’ll also be available for consultations while we’re on the trip in Salt Lake City.

We have fun, too!

Of course, the trip isn’t just all about serious genealogy research. We have three planned group meals together, plus every day we get together for lunch and dinner at a variety of places. It’s a great time to share our successes and get help with our research issues.

To sign up for the trip, use Eventbrite. There are limited spaces, so be sure to register soon!

Copyright © 2017 by California Genealogical Society

Salt Lake City Success: Our Annual Trip to the Family History Library

by Lisa S. Gorrell

Seven members along with myself serving as the trip leader, made the trek to Salt Lake City, Utah for six days of research at the genealogy mecca of the west coast: The Family History Library.

Member Dick Baker, who along with his wife Lynda, really enjoyed his second trip to the Family History Library this year.  Dick said, “As a beginner, the resources in the library were a bit overwhelming.  Without Lisa’s help, we would have been lost.  She kept me on track by helping me stick to my plan.”

What was it like?

We stayed at the Plaza Hotel, which is just a short walk out the back door to the library. Since it was a bit nippy and wet this year, being next door to the library was a blessing.

The schedule for the week was loose, so there was plenty of time for researching and socializing. Sunday evening was our first get-together dinner at the Olive Garden restaurant where we had a private room.

Monday, we attended an instructor-led class about getting the most out of the FamilySearch Library catalog. It was presented well and being able to use lab computers to follow along was very helpful. This class was well received and even I, who have used the online catalog for years, learned some new tricks!

Each day at lunch the group met in the lobby for a short walk through Temple Square to the Latter Day Saints' office-building cafeteria. At the cafeteria, there were many varieties of items that were reasonably priced. Some members bought extra during the week to have for dinner, so they could keep on researching!

The Temple Square gardens were gorgeous with multi-colored tulips, daffodils, Iceland poppies, pansies, and other flowers.

It was a great place to take a walk for exercise.

Wednesday evening’s group dinner was held at the Garden Restaurant at the top of the Joseph Smith Building. Our table was right at the windows where the view was spectacular.

Fabulous Finds

Each day, Lisa helped participants with research questions, computer searching, or with microfilm use. Each of the members had successes: 

• Jacqueline found photos and information from a local society’s newsletters, and a county history book that had many pages about her family—so much so, she may buy the books.

• Linda found an obit that allowed her to correct a death date and the husband’s death year, and DAR records that connect her third-great-grandfather.

• Kate helped confirm marriages without vital records, and using city directories in Savannah, Georgia was able to sort out Horrigan, Charlton, Pates, and McAuliffe families.

• Lynda connected to her Utah family line on FamilySearch Family Tree.

• Dick worked with entering information in his family tree program and found documents that might point to his grandmother’s maiden name.

• Nancy found original documents from microfilm to back up sources found online.

• Shirley found her husband’s Witherell line in Norton, Bristol County, Massachusetts that had many more generations than the family had thought.

Final thoughts

The wrap up dinner was held at Tuscan Brio Restaurant in the City Creek Shopping Center. At the end, we all toasted each other’s successes and vowed to return again next year.  

2018 trip is planned for April 22 through 29. Will you join us?

Copyright © 2017 by California Genealogical Society

Why Go on a Research Trip to the Family History Library?

by Lisa Gorrell

Are you on the fence about whether a group research trip should be in your plans this year? Need some good reasons to encourage you to make the trip?

Here are my top reasons to visit the Family History Library in Salt Lake City:

Research in the best library on the West Coast with microfilmed original records from around the country and the world.

Enjoy the successful finds with companions who get your excitement of breaking through a brick wall. You'll have access to consultations before and during the trip to help you over any researching hurdles. Your leader, Lisa Gorrell, and others in the group can be great sounding boards when you’re unable to make progress.

Family History Library consultants can help you, too. There are experts on every geographic area around the globe, especially the British Isles, Europe, South America, Asia, and Australia.

Make new friends and cultivate old friendships during lunch and dinner breaks.

And the best: Spend a week away from your home chores and focus on your research without distractions.  My personal favorite!

The deadline for the early bird pricing is February10th. The final deadline is March 10th.  Right now, we've only had two people register for the trip and we need seven more attendees to make it a go.

So what are you waiting for? Help us continue the annual tradition of our Salt Lake City Genealogy Research trip by registering today---you'll be glad you came!

Copyright © 2017 by California Genealogical Society