Family History Centers (FHCs) are branches of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There are over 4500 centers in 88 countries. They are a resource in the study of family history used by thousands of patrons weekly.

Family History Centers vary greatly in size, hours staffed, and resources available. Most order microfilm from the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. The centers that do not order films are usually located close to others that do. As of September, 2008, the charge for ordering a film was $5.50 in the United States. Microfiche can also be ordered. Many FHCs also have small book collections.

History

The first family history center, then called a branch genealogical library, was organized in the Harold B. Lee Library on Brigham Young University Campus in May, 1964. Plans had been announced at October General Conference of 1963 to organize family history centers in Mesa, Arizona, Logan, Utah, Cardston, Alberta and Oakland, California, all adjacent to the temples in those cities.

The Family History Centers were put under the overall direction of Archibald F. Bennett. By December, 1964 there were 29 FHCs and by 1968, 75.

In 1987, these institutions were renamed "family history centers."

See also

• Family History Library
• Genealogical Society of Utah

References

• Allen, James B.; Jessie L. Embry; Kahlile B. Mehr. Hearts Turned to the Fathers: A History of the Genealogical Society of Utah(Provo: BYU Studies, 1995) p. 188-189.

External links

• FamilySearch.org assists with searching for specific family history center locations

es:Centro de Historia de la Familia