Orchard Park New York Family History Center

United States New YorkErie County  Orchard Park Family History Center

This Family History Center is the place to come for research or assistance in finding your missing family tree members! We offer free advice to help you navigate the sea of genealogical information that is coursing the internet, a free program to record your history on Family Tree, and a place to come to try out a selection of subscription websites at no charge. And, of course, there are many more free websites we can direct you to, training to be offered, and shortcuts to be shared. You may also order out of the Library Catalog on www.FamilySearch.org at home and have the microfilms sent to this location for your viewing convenience''. You can connect to our Wifi, so please bring your laptops and thumb drives.''

Center Contacts and Hours
Location and Map:


 * 1) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4005 Baker Road, Orchard Park, New York 14127 (no mail is accepted at this address)
 * 2) We are located almost across the street from the Orchard Park High School parking lot. It is best to park in the larger (southern) of the two parking lots.  The larger lot is "L" shaped and leads to a sidewalk at the back of the building where the entrance to the Family History Center can be found.  There is one small step up to double glass doors.  Restrooms are available.  Handicapped accessible; please feel free to call for special arrangements if you think they might be needed.
 * 3) (Link to map using Google or other map sites)

Phone: 716-662-3117

E-mail: [mailto:Directoropfhl@gmail.com Directoropfhl@gmail.com]

Open Hours:


 * Tuesdays 9 am to 4 pm;
 * Wednesdays and Thursdays 6 pm to 9 pm;
 * Thursday afternoons by appointment 1 pm - 4 pm -- contact Director in advance.
 * Closed when power is out or Orchard Park Schools are closed. Call first if weather is questionable.

Holiday Schedule: 2014 dates closed:  November 27, December 24 &amp; 25; late opening time at 7 PM on May 7 &amp; 8.

Upcoming Events
Participating in annual free Family History Fair on Saturday, October ??, 2014, from 9 am to 3 pm, at the Family History Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1424 Maple Road, Williamsville, NY 14221; homemade lunch available for $5. Beginner through advanced genealogists all invited! Bring your friends or venture out alone -- you won't be alone long! This event gets rave reviews year after year -- many 1 hour classes to pick from simultaneously. New classes added each year. Free parking.

Collections

 * Family History Library Catalog: This center has the ability to receive any of the films and fiche available and ordered through the Family History Library Catalog.
 * On "Indefinite Loan" are 2 microfilm drawers of Erie County churches/cemeteries; 2 drawers of microfilms for 10 other Western and Central New York counties; Native American microfilms; plus 1,200 more microfilms -- see what film numbers we already have before you order!

Databases and Software

 * FHC Portal This center has access to the Family History Center Portal page which gives free access in the center to premium family history software and websites that generally charge for subscriptions. Hardware and Equipment


 * 3 internet connected research computers; 1 photocopier; 1 microfilm reader with photocopying capability; and 8 microfilm readers, one of which has a special magnifying lens for 16 mm microfilm.

Staff Research Specialties
One Family History Consultant knowledgable of New York State Native American/Reservation populations -- please call in advance and ask for Mary F (or leave her a message) to set up a one-on-one appointment to concentrate on your area of research.

Beginner classes offered -- call and leave your name and phone number on a contact list.

Resources in the Local Area
(This section is to highlight other resources in your area that will be helpful for individuals doing research there in your location, if there are any, such as government offices, historical societies, etc.)

Links
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Volunteer at the Center
Be a regular at the Center and you will get noticed! A lot of genealogy is absorbed through osmosis and you will be an expert in no time! We are always looking for new volunteers to work with our Consultants to help those around us fill in their family trees!