Tacoma Washington Family History Center

We Are Closed During the Covid-19 Pandemic from March 13, 2020 and until Further Notice.
 NOTICE:  During inclement weather, or other emergencies:  Always call the Family History Center (253) 564-1103, to see if we have remained open.  If no one answers the phone, we are closed.

LOCATION:   5915  S  12th St, Tacoma, WA


 * Family History Center is located in the building at the corner of 12th and Pearl St.
 * Family History Center entrance is on the south side of the building facing 12th St.
 * Entrance is marked by a small sign "Family History Center" near the steps.

HOURS:


 * Tues  9 am-8:30 pm.  Wed  9 am-8:30pm  Thurs  9 am -8:30 pm. Sat  10 am-3:00 pm
 * Call in case of inclement weather
 * Holidays: Closed all Major Holidays: Closed Memorial Day weekend, Independence Day, Labor Day weekend, the first Saturday in April and October,  Thanksgiving week (Nov 23-30, re- opening Tuesday, Dec 1, 2020), the last two weeks of December (Dec 20- 31, 2020 and open on our regular schedule following New Years Day, on Tues, January 5, 2021.
 * Access our help from home, as well as at the Family History Center

FACILITIES:


 * 11 computers which patrons can use to access Family Search, online databases, and the FHC Portal
 * Conference room--table with big screen for group instruction
 * Quiet place to do research
 * Helpful, skilled staff to help patrons

CONTACT:


 * Language: English
 * Phone:       253-564-1103
 * E-mail:       WA_Tacoma@familyhistorymail.org
 * Co-Directors:   Mary and Gaaren Anderson
 * Asst Director:  Jim Brown

PROGRAMS:


 * Individualized help for patrons, to assist with their research and indexing.
 * Group Trainings for youth and other ward organizations in training their people.
 * Weekly newsletter, informing staff, ward and stake leaders, and other interested parties of progress and events
 * Community Outreach--We coordinate with other community-based organizations, such as genealogical societies.

RULES:


 *  No food or drink are to be brought into the Learning Room with the computers or into the Family History Center itself.  There is a drinking fountain available in the hallway and we ask that patrons eat before coming or after leaving the Center. Thank you.


 * We are not at this time a Discovery Center. Please bring only children who are old enough to do Family History work. Childcare is not provided.

Center Resources Collections:FamilySearch Catalog: This Center may have various films and fiche available through the FamilySearch Catalog. (Ordering of microfilms will discontinue as of August 31, 2017.) Polk City Directories for Tacoma, Washington, Tacoma Suburban Directories, the City of Puyallup, Washington, and various Directories for surrounding areas and cities are now available in the Northwest Room of the Tacoma Public Library in downtown Tacoma, just 3 miles from the Tacoma Family History Center  https://www.piercecountylibrary.org   '''A large collection of Microfilm and Microfiche is available. Check for available items through the FamilySearch Catalog to see if it is at the Tacoma Family History Center. '''  Databases and Software

 
 * Family Search online and many other online genealogical databases
 * 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. We have 11 computers which access the portal (premium sites). We also have a room with additional counter space for laptop use with charging plugs and access to the Internet. We have minimal microfilm access and readers.