Online information on Family Search Centers
I am VERY frustrated that when I look for a Family Search Center as I travel, the information about local centers is almost invariably WRONG. Hours are incorrect, some centers have closed, telephone numbers are disconnected, etc. Isn't there something than can be done to keep things updated?
It looks like some local centers have created web pages wherein the information is pre-pandemic, as an example. Is there some effort being made to centralize information on opening times, locations, resources, etc? One center in Orem still has a sign on the door indicating their hours, but the center is permanently closed!
Sorry if I sound frustrated, and it is quite true. I am now calm, but I hope someone from Family Search will reach out and find a solution. Thank you!
Best Answers
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The director of each center is responsible for keeping the contact information, open status, and hours updated for their location on the website. During COVID, most centers closed completely, and many have still not reopened, including my local center. When I first moved here, I was aggressive in getting the director here to update the page for the local center.
@P Jeffrey helped some of us on this recent thread about closed FHCs. https://community.familysearch.org/en/discussion/comment/422063#Comment_422063
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Donald
Welcome to the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum.
I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...
[ And, I happen to be a Member of the Church ... ]
[ And, I have been a Staff Member, of Family History Centres", of the Church, for many Years ... ]
Just in passing ...
I totally understand your frustration ...
But ...
That Said ...
Please be aware; and, advised ...
The Stake/District "Temple and Family History, Consultant -- Family History Centre" (ie. formerly: Director), of a "Family History Centre", of the Church, come and go; and, there is often either, very little; and/or, NO, "Training", for NEW One's. Many have to learn 'on-the-fly'; as, they go.
I am; and, was, lucky; as, I have worked in a number of "Family History Centres"; as, a Staff member, and/or, Director, over a number of Years; so, have never really needed any "Training".
Whereas, many NEW Stake/District "Temple and Family History, Consultant -- Family History Centre" (ie. formerly: Director), are not so lucky; and, have a lot to learn and take in. Much of which they must "Learn" as they go.
This Worldwide "COVID-19" Pandemic, has made things, a lot worse; and, harder.
Many "Family History Centres" remain TEMPORARILY "Closed"; whereas, some the closed permanently.
eg.
Our Local "Family History Centre", "Reopened" the Year that the Pandemic commenced, after being TEMPORATILY "Closed"; but, was again TEMPORARILY "Closed" again, this Year.
Plus, with the Worldwide "COVID-19" Pandemic, MANY of the OLDER Members, of the Church, who NORMALLY Staff the Centres, are NOW, obviously, reluctant to do so. But, ALSO many, of the Younger Members, who just DO NOT want to take any chances; and/or, have "Health" issues.
Remember:
The "Family History Centres", ALL around the World, are Staffed, on a "Volunteer" basis, by Members of the Church, from the Local Stake/District/Ward/Branch. There is NO "Remuneration" for such Service. Such Service, is provided; BECAUSE, they WANT to HELP / ASSIST; and, NOT that they are required to do so.
I have had to be, at my Local "Family History Centre", for each and every "Session" (sometimes twice a Day); as, their was a dwindling number of those, with experience, who were available, to "Staff" the Centre, for the Three (x3) Days a Week, that it was open; and, finding someone available, to "Fill In", if I had to take 'time off', was always a problem/issue.
Even, just before the Pandemic, we had a "Family History Centre" in our Region, "Closed" permanently, by the Local Stake Presidency; as, they could not find, Members of that Stake (ie. in the Church), with the 'Time' (needed), to devote to Staff the Centre.
And, that was a BUSY Centre, that also specialized, in a particular "Area", that had been operational for MANY Years; and, was regularly frequented/visited by many.
Now ...
That Said ...
Please be, aware; and, advised ...
That; as, stated, in the following Article ...
Quote:
Family History Centers are locally operated and supervised. The facilities and resources of the centers differ by location, and range from small, “Computer-only” facilities that do not circulate film and are open only a few hours a week, to large centers open typical business hours with dozens of volunteers, computers, digital film readers, scanners, and printers to support the patrons’ use of extensive collections of books, periodicals, maps, microfilm and microfiche.
The centers are generally staffed by volunteer members of local congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as genealogy enthusiasts from the community who are not members of the church. Staff members are not paid for their services. More experienced volunteers may be able to assist patrons with specific research challenges.
Because the center hours, resources, and expertise of volunteer staff will vary widely, patrons with specific research questions may wish to call before visiting a center to find out who might be able to assist them, and the best time to visit.
Introduction to Family History Centers
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Introduction_to_Family_History_Centers
Many of the Stake/District "Temple and Family History, Consultant(s) -- Family History Centre" (ie. formerly: Director), may have either, limited knowledge of (and/or, Skills); or, not be aware of the, various "Places", to "Update" the "Details", of the Centre.
I know; as, I have to learn; as, I went.
The Church itself, is not; and, cannot, be expected, to always, be aware of the LOACL circumstances/situation, of each and every Centre; ESPECIALLY, during this ('Ongoing') Worldwide "COVID-19" Pandemic.
Plus ...
Each "Family History Centres", of the Church, ALL around the World, HAS a DESIGNATED "Web" Page, for the respective "Family History Centre", in 'FamilySearch', under the 'FamilySearch' "Research Wiki'.
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Main_Page
Which can include the "Details" of the Centre (eg. Name; Address; Telephone Number; E-mail Address; etc).
Unfortunately ...
NOT all those "Web" Pages are either, maintained; and/or, kept "Up-to-Date".
And, some of the Stake/District "Temple and Family History, Consultant(s) -- Family History Centre" (ie. formerly: Director), are not aware, WHERE; and, HOW, the "Details" of the Centre, appear; and/or. are maintained (ie. "Updated"), on the page in 'FamilySearch' of:
Find a Family History Center and FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries
https://www.familysearch.org/fhcenters/locations/
So ...
That Said ...
Despite, the problem/issue, 'at hand' ...
PLEASE understand ...
That the Service, provided by, the "Family History Centres", ALL around the World, is done so for FREE, to all.
And, the Service, is maintained, by "Volunteers", mainly being Members of the Church, from the Local Stake/District/Ward/Branch.
The Church tries, to keep 'Tabs', on ALL the "Family History Centres", ALL around the World; but, such is a mammoth task; and, many of the "Family History Centres" MAY not have current/up-to-date "Details" (nor, be able to be contacted).
As an aside ...
IF, you CANNOT contact a particular "Family History Centre", of the Church; THEN, ...
Can I humbly suggest, that you may like to consider trying, to contact, one or more of the Local Wards/Branches (ie. Congregations), of the Church; where, a particular, "Family History Centre", is located - to find out about a particular "Family History Centre". And, I would further suggest, that the best time to do so, would be on a Sunday, when members of the congregation, are more likely to be there, in the Building.
Just my thoughts.
Good Luck.
I know, that this certainly may not help/assist; but, I hope, that this may provide you with, some additional, insight; and, perspective; and, another avenue to pursue.
Brett
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I am not connected with FamilySearch
From comments I have seen in Community, the place where details are updated is in some LDS church system, and in some instances someone senior to the director center has to enter the information.
Why not make it easier for Center staff to change details by setting up a designated email address where details could be sent. Either call it familyhistorycenters@familysearch.org, or something like changeddetailsfhc@familysearch.org. Perhaps more changes in Center hours etc would be advised if this was introduced.
Make it so anyone could advise, including members of the public, (FS to then conduct its own internal checks) and put the email address in knowledge /Help Center articles about FHCs
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I never trust the information on the FHC map. Always ring a FHC before going.
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Answers
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Thanks to all for the comments. I did not mean to come across as rude or ungrateful for the efforts made by volunteers. I have been blessed by the time I have spent in many centers. My purpose was to try reaching someone in the upper echelons and encourage them to create a standard information page that could be easily updated, as MaureenE123 suggested. 😎 Apparently there is one for me to refer to, thanks to your responses. I think the biggest problem is the "other" pages created by individual centers that have not been kept up to date, and (it seems) sometimes abandoned. Therefore, searches on the Internet return inaccurate information. Perhaps one solution is to send out an edict from headquarters to delete all such pages and rely on the main one at https://www.familysearch.org/fhcenters/locations/#
To all respondents, thank you for your thoughts and information!
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"FamilySearch department policy is that Family History centers should NOT have their own Social Media sites."
https://community.familysearch.org/en/discussion/comment/431008#Comment_431008
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The following is a clarification from Ken Richins about using Social Media from another posting on the topic. It appears it is possible with Priesthood Leadership's direction and following the guidelines as listed in the handbook.
"Ken Richins - NAO Tech Support Lead ✭✭✭
I just got word from management, and it is a new initiative. Family History Centers are encouraged to use social media now if they follow the guidelines in the Operations Guide and the Handbook of Instructions and follow local priesthood direction. That's the biggie, following the guidelines. The biggest thing is you can't use FamilySearch or Church branding. You can share Church blogs and FamilySearch blogs and links on your social media sites."
See the full comments here:
https://community.familysearch.org/en/discussion/comment/429739#Comment_429739
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@Tamara Stevenson the question was from @DonaldOrmsby1, not from me.
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