Mormon Genealogy Records

In the field of family history, Mormon genealogy records are recognized as among the best in the world.  These records are stored in the Family History Library, the largest genealogical library in the world, sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Mormon church.

Only a small part of the Mormon genealogy records collection is about members of the Mormon church and their ancestors.  The Family History Library houses thousands of rolls of government records and records from myriads of churches.  Because of the variety of records available, people from all nationalities and backgrounds can find records pertaining to their ancestors there.

You can access the Mormon genealogy records collection from a local Family History Center: there are more than 4,500 worldwide.  To use the records, you can order them on loan and they'll be sent to whichever Family History Center is nearest to you.  If you want to have access to all the records, however, you'll want to take a trip to the Family History Library in Salt Lake.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
If you do decide to take a trip to the Family History Library, do your homework to make sure you're prepared to take advantage of the huge records collection there.

• Talk to your relatives.  Do some preliminary research to learn all you can about your family to link back to your pre-1930 ancestors.  Although the Family History Library has millions of records, information post-1930 is difficult to get because of privacy laws. 
• Use the online catalog.  Do some searching on www.familysearch.org to find out what records are available for your family.  Make a list of every book, microfilm, and microfiche that you want to look at.  Then you won't waste precious time at the Family History Library just going through the online catalog. 
• Order your vault films.  Because there are millions of documents in the Mormon genealogy records collection, some are stored in the nearby underground Granite Vault.  If any of the records you want to search are labeled with a "Vault" call number, you'll have to order them a few days in advance.  You can do this on the www.familysearch.org website, or by phone. 
• And of course you should check the library schedule online to make sure it will be open when you want to make your visit.  The library is typically open from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, but it does close for select holidays and all Sundays.