Would like to hear your experience with "cleaning out" Family History Centers.
I have lived in four different wards in the past five years, and each building had similar elements in their Family History Center: outdated books, CDs and Microfilms, broken computers, floppy drives lying around when there are no computers at the center that can read said floppy drives. Basically layers of unusable things that people are too scared to throw away. My current ward's Family History Center is not much different. To be sure, we have some nice, new equipment: two new touchscreen computers and a new scan/print/copy machine. But we also have several books taking up space in a cabinet: Some are donated family histories that can be found online on familysearch.org. Most are pre-internet editions of genealogy guidebooks like "The Source" that may still have some useful information, although outdated. Then there are the CDs and microfilm/fiche. I have yet to go through them but I will guess that many/most of them are already digitized and available on familysearch.org. I would check first before discarding, of course.
The most recent (2015) Family History Center Operations Guide contains instructions for discarding old books, films, CDs, and equipment, but I have not seen these instructions followed in the four wards I have been in recently. I am not sure anyone knows this manual exists: https://www.lds.org/bc/content/ldsorg/callings/temple-and-family-history/family-history-center-director/ops-guides/PD10048360_000-FHC-Operations-USCANWEB.PDF
Have you experienced your local Family History Center clearing out the old stuff? Or have you watched it sit and gather dust? Or is it better to just leave things as they are and not make waves? I am not the Family History Center Director, only a Consultant.
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We have had pro-active directors at our local center, so we have Windows 10 computers (supplied by the Church) excellent WiFi, and old out-of-date materials are disposed of on a regular basis (usually by making them available to those who come into the center). So our center remains well organized. Even the old printer/reader is gone since it could not be repaired. We advise patrons to use their mobile devices or a digital camera to capture the film images if the digital images are not available for one reason or another. The films are used on a regular basis, as well.
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To answer your last question first, it's always best to follow the guidelines in the FHC Operations Guide. Your FHC Director might be delighted to know that you are willing to do the work, as it can be an overwhelming job if the FHC has a long history. One issue we had in cleaning out the FHC is that "helpful" members would often bring items back to us that they had noticed in the trash can. So we found that we had to either take items out to the dumpster ourselves, or bury them under other items in the trash can.
Be sure to check the chart starting on page 23 of the Operations Guide. Microfilms and microfiche that have been digitized are to be returned to Salt Lake Distribution, not given away or destroyed. There are a few noted exceptions on the chart. Best wishes on your quest if you choose to pursue it.
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Please do not be so willing to get rid of things. I had a person from the community come in and asked if we could help her.
In doing so we found a book( that she noticed as she sat talking to us) about an area just about 100 miles from our center.
She had gone to that area as a child and so she told about her summer vacations there. We got the book off the shelf and
in it was pictures and on a page was her grandparents at a fair with their kids. She had never seen that before and was so
excited that we had it.
I understand we have to clean but we have to preserve first.
Thanks.
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Obviously you have a treasure in your Center's book collection, and perhaps you will be happy to know that the FHC Operations Guide specifies that we should keep books that are used by patrons or are specific to our locality.
But the 1976 instructions for the Extraction Program and the accompanying notebook are now nothing but clutter. The old printed Research Guides are now outdated. They have been updated in the FamilySearch Wiki, and so forth and so forth. Much of what needs to be removed is material that is completely outdated and perpetuates incorrect sources or practices.
Patrons will notice that the Center seems to be a more pleasant place, even if they can't quite figure out what happened.
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I spent a couple hours throwing out obvious trash in our FHC after first discovering and reading those instructions. Still more to do, but I've been too busy to get to it lately. Probably in the fall when my youngest goes to Kindergarten.
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I’m a Temple and Family History Consultant as well as a professional genealogist. Two years ago I was informed our chapel was a recognized Family History Center. Shortly after being called as the TFHC I was asked to also run this center. I noticed right away that the room was very small enough space to hold two computers, a printer and a couple chairs. I honestly thought to myself, Are you sure this is a recognized center? Anyway, I set right out to become involved with the local genealogical community. I wanted them to know they had a Family History Center in their area. Everyone I spoke with mentioned how grateful they were that it was open again. Shortly after I was asked to speak at the local Genealogical society meeting. Upon my arrival at the meeting I started being introduced to people when the President of the Socity Explained how gracious she was because we gave them everything. Books, films, fiche, readers, etc. I believe I had a look of horror on my face. I have no idea what was all really gotten rid of as I was new to the ward.
The next day at church I shared with the person who did this they were NOT supposed to do that. I showed her where it says what she was supposed to do in the manual. She was shocked there was even a manual.
As I stated earlier not only do I run a Family History Center but I’m also a professional genealogist. My companies focus had to change because I couldn’t even get access to my local family history center. This was even as being my then Branch’s Family History Consultant. Basically the next closest center was in Baton Rouge which was an hour and a half for me to drive. I share this because I feel my experience is more the norm here in Louisiana. I feel some how there must have been a miss understanding in regards to local FHC. These centers still need to be in operation, some people do not have computers in their homes, not all have smart phones and even still there is a large amount of people who do not even use computers.
There was a mention of getting rid of out dated books. What would we do if this was felt about the Bible, The Book of Mormon? Let me ask you, do you think The Family History Library got rid of their The Source, etc.?
I know for myself and thousands of others, some of these books are my go to everyday. I say to those who are thinking of throw them away, why don’t you try reading some of just one of them such as The Source and you will realize a lot of the information isn’t online.
instead of focusing on cleaning out a Center, thinking of sharing on family Search Wiki what your Center has for use, start teaching classes to the consultants about things the center has to offer. Sure a lot is online, but have you taken the time to know what you have and how to use them. I’m appalled that most FHC workers have no idea about the portal and how to use it. How many know what software come already loaded on your FHC computers?
have you saved websites that are beneficial for your area or for those researching? This is WAY MORE than Ancestry , My Heritage and Fold3. if your a TFHC teach classes (not just Sunday School) and not just to members, but to your community as a whole. Remember your community are potential members. Not to mention when they learn how to preserve their family history using Family Search their ancestors names become a part of the Worlds Tree making more names available for Temple Work.
Family History Centers have been built up for a purpose, the resources are there for a reason. Let’s not get rid of something because we personally think it has no value. You never know who is going to need it and how many lives will be changed for it.
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Think before you act. Is what you and * I mean you* want to toss away of some benefit to others.
Just because the majority of people have computers and i-pad and phone does not mean everyone does. You as a consultant are suppose to be able to help a person, look every where. I understand tossing out old forms and alike, but to toss out old books and magazines and articles that are of a benefit is a shame. Old disk can be moved to newer disks, I know a person that does just that for many people. Not just genealogy but old items of interest to that person or others. If our ancestors had tossed all what they had at that time, we would not have the blessing of information to build our families today. NOT EVERY ONE IS A COMPUTER WIZ AND SOME DO NOT HAVE THEM BUT THEY COUNT TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THIS IS NOT JUST A SOCIETY OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH CLEANING, DUSTING AND MOVING OUT NON USED OR WORKING EQUIPMENT TO MAKE SPACE. NOT EVERYTHING THAT IS NOT ON A COMPUTER IS A WASTE.
I KNOW THIS MAY NOT JIVE WITH THE CLEAN AND DON'T MAKE A MESS FOLKS, BUT
GENEALOGY IS SUPPOSE TO BE OLD, USED, LOVED BY, WRITTEN ABOUT AND EVEN DRAWN IN PICTURE FORMS. ALL I CAN THINK IS....... THINK FIRST, WHO MIGHT THIS BE
OF HELP TO.
THANK YOU.
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we cleaned up our center, sent back films and fiche. donated to public library information that is related to our area, but we did organized and made a list of ref. material we have keep so it would be easier for those who like books to find information. we are small center.
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Please do not use ALL CAPS. It is considered the equivalent to shouting, and very rude. I doubt you would shout at me if we were talking face to face.
You do have a good point about some people not being comfortable with computers and some locations not having reliable internet, etc. Consider who may need the materials. This is definitely something I have thought about. Thank you.
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My FHC is similar to yours: A small closet with enough space for two comuters, a fiche reader, and a printer. Our old microfilm reader has not been removed from the building, but since it does not fit into the closet, it has been moved to the meetinghouse library, where it is gathering dust. When you have so little space, there is definitely a motivation to eliminate anything that is not needed. We don't have enough space to be an archive!
When I inquired to FamilySearch support about cleaning out the center, they emphasized to me that you are not supposed to donate films and fiche to genealogical societies or anyone. You are supposed to return them to Salt Lake. I think this is because of copyright issues or just FamilySearch wanting to keep track of their materials. That's awful that someone in your ward did that.
The Source and other manuals for doing genealogy are useful materials, but the ones in my center are outdated. They still have a lot of useful information, but nothing about resources available online. Some of the phone numbers and addresses for repositories may be out of date as well. But I can definitely see that they may get some use, if people in my ward and community actually start using the center (this is another issue I am dealing with, getting people to actually come and use the FHC).
I don't think comparing tiny rural Family History Centers with the Family History Library in Salt Lake is relevant. The FHL has a lot of space, plus the Granite Mountain Record Vault, which is an archive. FHCs are branches of the main FHL, not archives. It would make more sense to compare them to a tiny city library. Typical city libraries do not hold on to books that are not being used just because they may be used "someday." I have volunteered at a city library before -- they regularly "weed out" books. We definitely have to consider whether or not a book or other resource is likely to be used before we decide whether to discard or keep it. And yes, that does include considering the fact that some things are not on the internet and some people do not use computers. I'll admit there are many in the younger generation that are too hasty and neglect to consider that.
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Dear Mary,
Using caps works best for the vision impaired. They have trouble seeing the small letters. Please tell me the right way to do that so it is easy for that person to read.
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Some people type in all caps because for those that have vision issues , it is easier to see.
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Several years ago a nonmember donated his recently deceased wife's genealogy which constituted several boxes to our Family History Center (quoting the nonmember, "It's you or the dump".) We formed a group of 7 workers and looked through the information. She had original research, documents, photos, histories - it was a priceless gift. We also discovered that the information covered over 600,000 individuals. Consultants used their non-patron time to piece by piece add the information to a nonmember account we created at FS. As the years passed and my husband and I were released as FHC Consultants, the new Consultant decided to clean up the center and trash the remaining boxes of genealogy. One of the consultants called me in a panic. She had taken home all of the boxes with the permission of the Center Consultant and asked if I would consider taking them and putting the information in FamilySearch. She offered to add the pictures and documents which I did. MY POINT is that yes, let's clean up our centers BUT NOT throw out the baby with the bath water.
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Bless you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We have a situation in our center for 3 members who have passed away and their children told us to pitch the stuff, they have no interest. 2 of these folks records were done over the course of 107 years in combined research. We entered it into family search but these have proof and pictures that could NOT be replaced if we tried. I will house them before I will let someone who has no caring just toss them out because it is now on family search. We are the protectors of history. I know some may say I am too worried about this but it's not easy to replace things. If you have every been though a flood or fire, just try it and see what it
takes to restore them.
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I agree with everything you said! We had a large FamilySearch facility with hundreds of thousands of microfilms, many stacks of books, maps, etc. Our directors who were unaware that not everything is available online or through the portal got rid of EVERYTHING! They felt it wasn't needed any longer. There was no need for books any more. As a semi-professional I was dumbfounded. The facility librarian, who was a retired professional librarian and excellent genealogist tried to protest but after years of service she received an email informing her she had been released as a missionary and her services were no longer needed.
The changes that are happening in the world for family history can be exciting but within the church, at times, it can be very discouraging. It would appear that there are too many novices who don't understand true genealogy making decisions.
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Pegging hearing your story makes my stomach feel ill and sad at the same time. As I mentioned in my earlier post, I think this is becoming the norm.
I believe it was a great IDEA to put everything online. I feel a big problem happened when they were NOT granted permission in many cases.
It is said that everything will be available online by 2020. I live in Louisiana and VERY LITTLE is available at home to research. Some records for Louisiana are available to view but this has to happen in a recognized center. In my case only one of my two computers will let patrons view it Family Search locked items. So I can only have one person at a time.
Currently my center is open one evening a week, plus Thursday thru Saturday by appointment. I had an appointment to meet a patron. I turned my computer on and EVERYTHING was changed. I had icons for FamilySearch, Legacy, Ancestral Quest. (Items that are preloaded from the church on the FHC computers.) were removed. My easy access was removed for the portal, the free genealogical websites links that were saved were wiped clean, etc. needless to say hours upon hours of work were wiped clean. I called the Relief Society President and asked her if she did it and or gave permission the answer was No! I called the Bishop and asked the same question the answer was again, No!. Basically the only other people besides myself who have a key are the missionaries.
Basically, they wiped my computer clean, they even removed what I need to use the portal and I can not even get into the Administration area of the computer. It is very very frustrating. I do have things to do other than take additional hours to reconfigure everything or sit on the phone with support for hours. Either the computers are for Family History or they are for missionaries which is it? I was told they don’t need to be on the computers because they have smart phones. But this doesn’t stop it.
I’m wondering the people making the decision really know the difference between genealogy and family history
Genealogy is a collection of names and dates. Family History is putting a person in historical context.
online we can have access to birth, marriage and death information. In most cases birth records don’t typically start until the early 1900s, death certificates have varying time frames as far as their starting as do marriage.
To submit to the Temple all you have to have is this information.
But if we only submit names and don’t personally learn who are ancestors were how are we to get the benefit of their healing power?
And how are we supposed to learn who they were if the people running centers feel the History is collecting dust. Or that the resource created to find those records were considered out dated because they did not mention computers.
Let me ask us all something. How would it be considered history unless it was old?
I still say there is way more to Family History then these online databases.
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You should talk to you Stake Technology Specialist about the computer issues. He is supposed to help you make sure the technology is working properly. Try to communicate with the missionaries, too so they know the rules. My ward has had issues with the missionaries or mystery people messing up center computers as well, and issues with them leaving the center unlocked when they leave. It is something we need to work on.
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If you are using a computer, on most browsers you can hold the "Ctrl" key and push the "+" key on your keyboard to increase the font size, "-" key to decrease it. To go back to the original font size, hold "Ctrl" and press "0".
On a smartphone, you will have to go into your browser app settings. It is usually under "accessibility" or "font size." You can google it for the browser app you are using (chrome, safari, etc.).
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If the font is too small for you on this website specifically, post on the "Feedback about this discussion board" page, here: https://community.familysearch.org/s/group/0F93A000000LfVzSAK/feedback-about-this-discussion-board. There have been some complaints about the font size here, but I think they have been working on fixing it. It's possible it hasn't been fixed on all browsers though.
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To quote from the operations guide (emphasis added):
"You may acquire a few research materials that are used often by your patrons, such as reference books, maps, forms, publications, or microfilmed records on extended loan. . . Because space is limited, do not acquire large collections of materials. Do not keep materials owned by another society or group.
"Have a list of the center’s resources, organized by author, title, subject, and locality to help patrons find what they need. . .
"Once a year, review the materials, and remove materials no longer needed, or which have been digitized.
- Return extended loan microfilms that have been digitized and are available online or are no longer needed.
- Discard old publications, notices, memos, and instructions.
- Check with the Family History Library before disposing of books or periodicals to see if the library could use the copy or would like to digitize it. If the library does not need it, the book or periodical can be donated or discarded.
"Donated Materials
"Do not accept large collections of materials. Centers should not be the storage facility or repository for materials of an individual or organization. . .
"Where possible, encourage patrons to donate family histories, local histories, or genealogical materials to FamilySearch. FamilySearch can copy or digitize the materials, making them part of the online collection. Patrons may email FamilySearch at booksdonations@FamilySearch.org about donating materials. The Permission to Duplicate form is used to give FamilySearch permission to duplicate the material."
To me, that means if someone donates a family history to your Family History Center, you should check to see if it has been digitized on FamilySearch, and ask FamilySearch if they need a copy. You should not keep the family history at your center unless you have a good reason: you have enough space and it is getting used by people who visit the center.
Taking on a service project to digitize and make available on FamilySearch boxes of loose papers and photographs is a very admirable activity, and I applaud you, Penny, and others who have accomplished such a project. However, family history centers and ward meetinghouses are not storage facilities for everyone's genealogy, so once the service project is over, those boxes need to be transferred to an appropriate archive or residence. If everyone's genealogy papers were stored at our family history centers and meetinghouses, we would have no space for teaching people about the gospel and how to find their ancestors.
It also means that reference materials and "how to" manuals should be kept to a minimum of what you need and are using at your center. That will depend on who uses the family history center, who the consultants are and how much space you have.
And these materials should be organized and cataloged, not just sitting in a cabinet in a pile. You may be familiar with the materials and know how they are useful, but you need to make sure that knowledge is easily transferred to a new FHC director who is less familiar with family history.
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Can you get some of the youth in your ward to help scan the photos and the documents that provide proof of information and upload them to familysearch? That would be a great Personal Progress/Duty to God project. Then the photos and documents would be preserved in case of a flood/fire/etc.
We should not only put genealogical information into the FamilySearch Tree, but also copies of records or photographs that give us greater connection to the people in the tree. We also need documents and explanations that clearly show how we know the information we added to the tree is correct and where it came from. If you have proof of information that is not in the online tree, it needs to go in there.
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Excellent points, Mary! I agree with you wholeheartedly.
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I am the new Stake Temple and Family History Consultant in charge of the Des Moines Family History Center. There is definitely no reason for our center to continue to store certain long-term films such as the 1900 census for certain random places, or some German baptismal records which are available to view in the center on a computer. Films that have not been digitized yet are worth storing. Paring down our microfilm cabinets from 2 to just 1 would mean additional desk space for patrons who bring their own devices and are there because 1. they need help from a trained consultant and 2. they need a dedicated time and space in which to work on their goals.
We have a beautiful 1855 plat map of Iowa. That is definitely staying. But a guide for all the post offices in Iowa in the 1970's? A book on how to council in your councils (it isn't even a genealogy topic!)? A 1985 manual about "Computer Genealogy" that describes how you can justify purchasing a "genealogy computer" to your wife because it *also* could help you do useful things like balance the budget or play some very basic computer games (hahahaha)? Five Finnish-English dictionaries? Elizabeth Shown Mills' precursor to "Evidence Explained"? A 1994 poster about the five-step process to doing genealogy they used back then?
I know that as we follow the guidelines in the Operations Guide from 2015 as well as the inspiration of the holy ghost, we will be able to help our FHCs be better at serving the needs of the patrons. I second what was said upstream about how people will notice something different about the center when we make sure that the centers are not cluttered and impenetrable archives but up-to-date, well-staffed, well-equipped labs that really focus on the needs of the patrons.
I hear a lot of anxiety and frustration from consultants who worry that cleaning out the center will not serve their patrons. I think everybody on this thread is concerned about that same goal. It is important to follow the guidelines that we have, and to also do it intelligently. If you are in a position to clean out a center, and you are not sure whether or not you should throw something out, use wisdom, caution, and common sense. Best of luck!
It's going to take a long, long time for me to go through the long-term microfilm storage and return what has been digitized to Salt Lake. I am excited to get rid of that extra microfilm cabinet. We don't need to store expo markers and office supplies in the other one; we have actual cabinets for that. Maybe it's because I am in the midst of momming lots of young kids ages 1-10. My mantra *has* to be "throw it away!" or entropy will win. Before you have a panic attack, rest assured that I am committed to following the guidelines, consulting with the other stake temple and family history consultant from the other stake that uses this center, and seeking the spirit's guidance. I urge you to do likewise.
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