Rochester Minnesota Family History Center

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IMPORTANT: Due to Precautions Being Taken to Limit the Spread and Minimize Risk posed by the Coronavirus:

 * All face-to-face meetings are canceled at the Rochester Family History Center until further notice.


 * Please call 801 263-1637 with questions about Family Search or for help with your Family History / Genealogy.

Calendar and Events












Center Contacts and Hours

 * Location Map: Location Map


 * Address:  2300 Viola Heights Dr, Rochester, MN 55901


 * Enter through NORTHEAST doors and ring bell on wall if inner doors are locked.


 * Phone:  507-281-6641 - You may also leave a message at 801 263-1637


 * E-mail:  MN_Rochester@familyhistorymail.org


 * OPEN HOURS :


 * Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
 * Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
 * Other: By appointment -- call and leave message with your number on phone listed above or reply to the E-mail above.


 * HOLIDAY SCHEDULE 2020 - We are closed for the following:
 * Thanksgiving and Nativity Event: Closed the Week of Nov 23 and the Week of Dec 1


 * Christmas and New Years: Closed the Week of Dec 21 and the Week of Dec 28


 * Inclement Weather: Closed with Rochester Public Schools--If they are closed, we are closed, if they are delayed 2 hours, so are we.

Center Resources

 *  To View a List of Local Resources at the Center: 
 * 1. Logon to www.familysearch.org with your Sign On User Name and Password.
 * 2. Click on the Search Menu at the top of the Home page.
 * 3. Click on the Catalog Menu Option.
 * 4. Select Family History Center located in the Availability section of the page; the Family History Library drop-down data input field will display.
 * 5. Enter Rochester into the data field and select the Rochester Minnesota Family History Center entry.
 * 6. Click the Search icon.
 * 7. Search Results for Family Search Catalog will display.

Databases and Software

 * FHC Portal The Family History Center Portal page gives free access while in the Center to premium family history software and websites that generally charge for subscriptions and are subject to change.


 * Current Portal Websites
 * 19th Century British Library Newspaper Digital Archive
 * Alexander Street Press
 * The American Civil War: Research Database / Letters and Diaries / Images, Photographs, Posters, and Ephemera / Social and Cultural History / Women and Social Movements in the United States
 * American Ancestors - Library Rights
 * Ancestry - Institution Versions --- U.S. / Austrailia / Canada / Germany / Sweden / United Kingdom
 * Arkivdigital - English display available
 * FamNet
 * Findmypast - Institution Version
 * Fold3
 * Geneanet
 * Kinpoint - Premium
 * MyHeritage - Library Edition
 * Newspaper Archive
 * Paper Trail
 * Puzzila - Premium Services

Center Resources and Equipment

 * 7 computers -printer enabled
 * 2 microfilm readers
 * 1 microfiche reader
 * 1 microfilm printer

Staff Research Specialties

 * Ancestry.com: Wednesdays 9:00-12:00
 * U.S. Before 1850: Wednesdays 9:00-12:00
 * British Isles: Wednesdays 12:00-3:00
 * French: by appointment ask for Sharon
 * German: by appointment ask for Lynn
 * Norwegian or Swedish: by appointment ask for Andrea
 * Native American: by appointment ask for Valerie
 * Illinois Vital Records, ancestry.com: by appointment ask for Tiffany
 * Mennonite, Scotland, New Jersey: by appointment ask for Melissa

Helpful LINKS

 * Genealogy Topics on YouTube
 * Genealogy BLOG (United States Only)
 * Ancestral Findings Podcast
 * Genealogy Gems Podcast by Lisa Louise Cooke
 * Genealogy Guys BLOG
 * Extreme Genes Podcast
 * Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter
 * Family Tree Magazine Podcast
 * Google Newspaper Archive (obits - death notices - historic articles)

Local Resources

 * Rochester Public Library Genealogy Collection
 * History Center of Olmsted County
 * Minnesota Genealogical Society
 * Minnesota History Center

Upcoming Or Local Events
NorthStar Genealogy Conference -  October 9 - 10, 2020

Volunteer at the Center
We are always looking for volunteers who can help:
 * Assist Others with Their Family History
 * Staff the Center
 * Teach Classes

Leave a message on our phone system if you are interested in volunteering.