Valencia California Family History Center

Interested in genealogy? Are you seeking information about your roots? Want to know where you came from? Who your great-great-great-great grandfather was? You can start or continue your ancestry search without charge, at the Valencia Family History Center. Established in 1978, it is open to the public 45 hours each week. Its all-volunteer staff of research experts assisted interested patrons who made more than 2,300 visits to the center during the 2013 year. In addition to providing personal assistance, the center’s equipment include computers with free access to premium websites, microfilm and microfiche readers, printers, scanners, and a book library. For 24-hour recorded information or to speak with someone at the Center, call 661-259-1347.

Center Contacts and Hours
Location Map:


 * Location on Map

Address:


 * 24443 McBean Pkwy Valencia California 91355 United States


 * Language:English

Phone:


 * 1-661-259-1347

E-Mail:


 * CA_Valencia@ldsmail.net

Open Hours:


 * Monday:9:00am-5:00pm
 * Tuesday:9:00am-5:00pm and 6:00pm-9:00pm
 * Wednesday:9:00am-5:00pm and 6:00pm-9:00pm
 * Thursday:9:00am-5:00pm and 6:00pm-9:00pm
 * Saturday:9:00am-1:00pm

2015 Holiday Schedule- Closed: Presidents Day Feb 16, Memorial Day May 25, Independence Day Jul 4, Labor Day Sep 7, Thanksgiving Nov 25 &amp; 26, Christmas Dec 24-Jan 4.

Calendar and Events
==== Upcoming Events:

Santa Clarita Valley Family History Fair
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

24443 McBean Parkway, Valencia, Ca 91355

Click here to pre-register: then click on the BLUE bar and enter your ZIP code. Choose the Santa Clarita Valley Family History Fair

Session 1: 9:00-10:00 a.m.
A. LDS - Opening General Session. Speaker: Elder Neil L Andersen (All LDS)

B. FamilySearch Family Tree: Now and in the Future. Speaker: Ron Tanner (All) Description: This class will give an update on the current status of Family Tree and its latest features. Additionally, this session will discuss the new features planned for Family Tree. Come and help FamilySearch know what new features you want.

C. '''England, Census (1841-1911) &amp; Civil Registration (1837-present). ''' Speaker: Margo McKinstry (All) Live. Description: The first effective census for researchers occurred in 1841 with the most recently released being 1911. Finding ancestors in households, with siblings and parents creates a snapshot in time, and opens up other avenues of family history research to family members. In recognizing the need for more accurate record keeping, the government began Civil Registration on July 1, 1837. The records of births, marriages and deaths in England and Wales are available to everyone and a valuable resource for that time period.

D. Family History on the Go. Speaker: Rhonna Farrer (Beg). Description: Too busy to do family history? Use tablets and phones to get family history work done while on the go.

E. '''The Write Stuff. Leaving a Recorded Legacy; Personal Histories, Journals, Diaries, and Letters'''. Speaker: Valerie Elkins (All) Description: Discover technology that makes leaving a legacy easier. Learn about apps and software to preserve your thoughts, stories, and memories. Still love paper? Find new ways for the old-fashioned pen and paper that gives you the best of both worlds.

Session 2: 10:15-11:25 a.m.
A. LDS Leadership Training. Speakers: Elder L Whitney Clayton, Elder Allan F Packer, Elder Kent L Richard (All LDS Leadership) Description: Family history can be a powerful tool for leaders to bless the members they serve. Learn how to make family history and temple a focus.

B. What's new at FamilySearch. Speaker: Devin Ashby (Beg) Description: What are the latest tools from FamilySearch, and how do I use them? Come learn how to navigate familysearch.org and use the four main tabs at the top of the website. It's never been easier!

C. England Church Records &amp; Other Records of the Poor Pree-1837. Speaker:-Margo McKinstry (All) Live. Description: The Church of England &amp; Wales, as the governing body for centuries, not only recorded parishioners’ life events but managed their affairs. They maintained the roads, paid the bell ringer and supplied spiritual guidance. One of their most enduring works was to serve the poor. Apprenticeship records, settlement/removal papers and bastardy bonds aid in identifying family lines accurately.

D. Getting Started in Genetic Genealogy. Speaker: Diahan Southard (Beg) Description: It is all the rage, this DNA testing for genealogy. But what can it tell you? Even more importantly, what CAN’T it tell you? Learn the basics of DNA testing and walk away with confidence in this area of research.

E. Map My Ancestors. Speaker: A.C. Ivory (Int) Description: There are thousands of historical maps that can help trace and plot your ancestors. Many of these maps have been digitized and are freely available online. This presentation covers some databases and websites where people can access these maps.

Session 3: 11:30-12:40 p.m.
A. LDS Priesthood &amp; Auxiliaries Session. Speakers: Elder Bradley D Foster, Bonnie L Oscarson, Tad R Callister (All Priesthood and Auxiliaries) Description: Family history has the ability to heal and bring families together and bless individuals. Learn from Church leaders how to get involved in family history no matter your age or circumstance.

B. Getting the Most Out of Ancestry.com. Speaker: Crista Cowan (All) Description: Are you getting the most out of your Ancestry.com subscription? We'll show the five major areas of Ancestry.com and our favorite tools for advancing your family history research.

C. Scotland’sPeople - The Ultimate Research Web Site. Speaker: Margo McKinstry (All) Description: A safe and very reasonably priced pay-as-you-go web site, “ScotlandsPeople” is one of the largest online sources of original, digitized records. From census records to civil registration certificates, old parochial records, wills, and military records, it is a treasure trove of discoveries for anyone researching in Scotland either in the past or present records.

D. Building a Genealogy Research Toolbox. Speaker: Thomas MacEntee (Beg) Description: Participants will learn not only some of the most important online resources for genealogical research, but also how to organize these resources into an easy-to-access and portable virtual toolbox.

E. 6 Steps to Choreograph Your Research Across the Internet. Speaker: Janet Hovorka (Int) Description: Learn to correlate your research between the big family history sites. Distinguish the difference between navigating your cousins' conclusions and actual sources about your family history. Discover how to use tabs and time lines to consistently create solid, well-analyzed results.

F. Beginning Spanish Family History. Speaker: Irma Albaro (live)(Beg)

Session 4: 1:30-2:40 p.m.
A. LDS Teaching Family History in Your Home, Class or Quorum. Speakers: Shipley Munson and Mike Sandberg (LDS All). Description: In this session you will learn about resources and methods for teaching family history to your family and in your callings. From family home evening to fifth Sundays, there are lots of great ways to share the blessings of family history.

B. Discover New Research Opportunities with the MyHeritage and FamilySearch Partnership. Speaker: Mark Olsen (Beg) Description: Learn how FamilySearch users can access MyHeritage Record Matching technology to match records automatically to people in their family tree with 97% accuracy! Discover how the partnership between FamilySearch and MyHeritage can help advance your genealogy work.

C. Finding your Irish Ancestors in the 19th &amp; 20th Centuries. Speaker: Margo McKinstry (All) Live. Description: It is not true that all the records of Ireland have been destroyed. Civil Registration (1845-present), Census records (1901 &amp; 1911) and Church records (pre-1845) can aid in your Ireland research. Understanding jurisdictions, immigration patterns, and land records will enable you to locate your family and be proud of your Irish heritage.

D. You’ve Mastered the Census and Basic Search, What Next?- Speaker: Karen Auman (Inter) Description: Unsure where to look next after you’ve searched Ancestry.com and FamilySearch? This course will help you formulate a plan to dig deeper into online sources, including unindexed material, local and state archives, and less-frequently used portions of popular websites.

E. Finding Missing People in Your Family Tree. Speaker: Peggy Johnson (Beg) Description: Learn how new tools at FamilySearch.org can help you find more ancestors and cousins to add to Family Tree—even if you think you have shaken every branch.

F. Beginning Korean Family History. Speaker: TBA (Beg)

Session 5: 2:45-4:00 p.m.
A. LDS Closing General Session. Speaker: Elder Quentin L Cook

B. Tracing your British and Irish Roots with findmypast. Speaker: - Elaine Collins (All) Description: This presentation will introduce the key resources you need to get started with tracing your British and Irish ancestry, including censuses, civil registration, parish records, and census substitutes, as well as exploring the wealth of less obvious sources that could help unlock the lives of your ancestry across the pond and add color to your family tree. We will focus on the unrivaled collections available on findmypast and other essential UK resources, including new records that have been recently published from leading institutions, such as the National Archives, the British Library National Archives of Ireland, and many local archives, spanning over 600 years. This guide will include practical tips on searching to get the best out of the online resources and to help you find those elusive ancestors.

C. Organize Your Genealogy Project. Speaker: Christie Gelsomino (All) Live Description: Photos, documents, and letters; all the many items a Genealogist tries to manage and organize when searching through the many names and years of their ancestors. Whether you work on physical items or in the digital world, getting your genealogy research organized is very essential to keeping track of your genealogy project. This class will teach you some great tips and tricks for getting your genealogy project organized TODAY!

D. FamilySearch Indexing: It's a Whole New World! Speaker: Scott Flinders (All) Description: Scott Flinders, the FamilySearch indexing product manager, will give an overview of the powerful new features and volunteer opportunities in the new indexing program as well as a sneak peek at even more exciting features that are in the works.

E. Branching Out: Useful Tools to Help You Find More Names for Your Family Tree. Speaker:-Tony Nisse (Beg &amp; Int) Description: This session is for those looking to efficiently search out the ancestors missing from their family tree.

F. Boy Scouts Genealogy Merit Badge. Speaker: TBA

Family History Center Seminar Schedule for 2015
'''Seminars are free to the general public.  All dates shown are Thursday - Instruction from 7:00pm to 8:00 pm'''

February 5, 2015 - "Do It Yourself Photo Restoration"
Seminar Description: Restore that photograph to its initial splendor. Repair colorcast. Restore tonal range. Eliminate blemishes. Get the most from your scanner. Don't have PhotoShop? Use free software. (Ancestry Insider video - RootsTech 2014)

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Staff Training Meetings
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Collections

 * FamilySearch Catalog: This center has the ability to order any of the films and fiche available through the FamilySearch Catalog.
 * (List additional collections you have such as the types of books and microfilm you have on indefinite loan; though you will not want to list every single item you have. Just give visitors to this page a general idea of your resources.)

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. (Note to FHC: Not all FHCs have access to this portal. If you do not, you will want to remove this entire bullet. If you do have access to it, just remove this text in italics.)

Hardware and Equipment

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Staff Research Specialties
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Resources in the Local Area
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Links
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Volunteer at the Center
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