Valencia California Family History Center

Interested in your genealogy? Are you seeking information about your roots? Want to know who you came from? Have you wondered who your great-great-great grandfather was? You can start or continue your family search without charge at the Valencia Family History Center. Established in 1978, it is open to the public 45 hours each week. The all-volunteer staff of research experts assist interested patrons, who have made more than 2,200 visits to the Center each year. In addition to providing personal assistance, the center’s equipment include computers with free access to premium websites, microfilm and microfiche readers with access to more than 2 million rolls of microfilm, 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 Map

Address:


 * 24443 W. McBean Pkwy Valencia California 91355 United States


 * Language:English

Phone:


 * 1-661-259-1347

E-Mail:


 * ValenciaFHC@outlook.com or CA_Valencia@familyhistorymail.org

Open Hours:


 * Mon: 9:00am-5:00pm
 * Tue: 9:00am-5:00pm; 6:00pm-9:00pm
 * Wed: 9:00am-5:00pm (Evening by appointment only 661-803-3469)
 * Thu: 9:00am-5:00pm; 6:00pm-9:00pm
 * Sat:  9:00am-1:00pm

2020 Holiday Schedule- Closed:


 * Wed Jan 1 New Years Day
 * Mon Jan 20 Martin Luther King Day
 * Mon Feb 17 Presidents Day
 * Sat Apr 4 General Conference
 * Mon May 25 Memorial Day
 * Sat Jul 4 Independence Day
 * Mon Sep 7 Labor Day
 * Sat Oct 3 General Conference
 * Mon Nov 11 Veteran's Day
 * Wed, Thur Nov 25 & 26 Thanksgiving Day Closed from 5-9 pm on Nov 25th
 * Dec 21-Jan 2 Christmas Week (open by appointment only-661-803-3469)

Santa Clarita Valley Family History Fair
Great Annual Event

Pre-register click here

Saturday, March 21, 2020 - 9:00 am to 2:30 pm

Family History Center Class Schedule for 2020
'''Classes are free and open to the general public. All dates shown are on Thursday - Instruction from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. To be added to our email list and be notified of upcoming seminars and events, click here '''

January 2, 2020
Class topic: "DNA Is Dynamite - How To Ignite Your Ancestral Research"

Description: This class will provide an overview of the basic information required to understand the three main types of DNA tests available for ancestral research. Michelle will explain how each test works and cover the inheritance patterns of the different types of DNA that can be tested including the importance of the X-Chromosome. She will talk attendees through the first steps they should take once their results arrive and provide easy to follow hints and tips on how to get the most out of test results. Practical real-life examples will illustrate how DNA testing can be used to connect with previously unknown cousins, break down brick walls and confirm the accuracy of family trees.

Presenter: Michelle Leonard. Class level: Beginner

January 16, 2020
Class topic: "Discover Your Family at FamilySearch: Photos, Stories and Memories"

Description: Discover. This is a word that is relatively new to the genealogy world. Genealogy is not only about researching records for the dead, there is relevant discovery to be had for yourself…for the living. We will demonstrate simple activities that you can do with other family members. We’ll also walk through adding photos of living family and writing and recording memories for anyone in your tree.

Presenter: Gregg Richardson, Class level: Beginner

February 6, 2020
Class topic: "A Strategic Approach to Irish Genealogy"

Description: Researching Irish ancestral lines used to be extremely difficult but the last 10 years has seen a huge increase in the digitisation and indexing of Irish records, many of which are now available online. The trouble is that many people are not aware of how much easier Irish research now is, they don't know where to find the records, and they are not comprehensive in their approach to Irish research.

This presentation pulls together the various sources for Irish records, many of which are freely available online, and provides a Strategic Approach to accessing the relevant records for your own Irish genealogical research, maximising the chances of successfully breaking through Brick Walls in your Irish research. Technical aspects discussed during this presentation include checklists, blog posts, specific websites, search techniques, and organising your research.

Presenter: Maurice Gleeson. Class level: Intermediate

February 20, 2020
Class topic: " Comparing the Genealogy Giants: Ancestry, FamilySearch, Findmypast and MyHeritage"

Description: This class prepares genealogists for one of the important questions they must routinely ask about their research: “Which genealogy websites should be I be using right now?” This comparative introduction showcases four global powerhouse websites: Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, Findmypast.com and MyHeritage.com. Attendees will meet each site and learn about its priorities and target audiences. They will see how their statistics stack up for historical record content and family trees, and see an introductory comparison to their DNA tools. They can compare subscription costs and learn about free access options, including Family History Center access. Perhaps most valuably, they’ll hear an industry insider’s tips on each site’s best features—and cautions or challenges for working with each one.

Presenter: Sunny Morton, Class level: Beginner

March 5, 2020
Class topic: "Tracing 20th Century English Ancestors - The Joys and Challenges"

Description: Many researchers beginning their English family history discover that researching in the early 20th century can be quite challenging. Death certificates don't give the place of burial. There will be missing census information. Rising levels of cohabitation and divorce make finding marriage information difficult. The devastating effect of 2 world wars, increased migration and other developments can make finding an ancestor challenging. This talk will look at the sources and techniques that might help overcome those challenges

(Presenter: Else Churchill. Class level: Beginner)

March 19, 2020
Class topic: "Getting started with DNA"

Description: DNA testing is an essential tool for the family historian and has the potential to provide answers which can’t be found from the paper trail alone. The large genetic genealogy databases are helping to reunite long lost cousins and break down long-standing brick walls. But if you’ve not yet tested it can be very confusing trying to decide how a DNA test can help with your research and working out which test you should be taking. In this session you will learn about the three different tests – Y-chromosome DNA, mitochondrial and autosomal DNA – and how you can apply them to your research. The talk will be illustrated with case studies and some inspiring real-life stories

Presenter: Debbie Kennett. Class level: Beginner

April 4, 2020
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April 18, 2020
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May 2, 2020
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May 16, 2020
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June 6, 2020
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June 20, 2020
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July 4, 2020
No Class do to the Independence day holiday

July 18, 2020
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August 1, 2020
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August 15, 2020
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September 5, 2020
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September 19, 2020
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October 3, 2020
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October 17, 2020
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November 7, 2020
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November 21, 2020
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December 5, 2020
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Free commercial websites at the Valencia California Family History Center
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 as follows:

The 19th Century British Library Newspapers digital archive
This fully searchable database of the British Library's newspaper holdings provides a complete run of 48 national and regional Victorian British newspapers for the 19th century from 1800 to 1900. These support the study of colonial history, genealogical research, politics, urban studies, and media courses.

Alexander Street Press, American Civil War

 * Research Data: Contains indexed, searchable information on over 4 million soldiers and thousands of battles, together with 15,000 photographs.


 * Letters and Diaries: Contains approximately 100,000 indexed pages of diaries, letters, and memoirs, including 4,000 pages of previously unpublished manuscripts, such as the letters of Amos Wood and his wife and the diary of Maryland planter William Claytor


 * Images, Photographs, Posters, and Ephemera: Provides a vivid history of the American Civil War with over 1,400 images.


 * Social and Cultural History: Personal accounts of well-known historical figures.


 * Women and Social Movements in the United States: Organized around the history of women in social movements in the United States between 1600 and 2000 A.D.

American Ancestors
Advance your family history research today with AmericanAncestors.org! Created by the expert staff at New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS), America's founding genealogical organization, AmericanAncestors.org is the portal to the nation's leading resource for the highest-quality comprehensive family history services. Consult with our expert staff, some of the most respected genealogists in the profession. Read the most significant original scholarship and important publications in genealogy. Access millions of exclusive and sought-after records online. Learn with in-depth online courses and webinars from expert staff. Explore the largest collection of original family history research materials in America.

Ancestry.com
Ancestry gives you access to thousands of collections of records from around the world, including immigration, census, voter, vital, and military records; newspapers and periodicals; family trees; photos and images; directories, maps, court, land, wills and financial records, stories, memories, and histories; and detailed records about births, marriages, deaths, land ownership, and much more. It is the largest for-profit genealogy company in the world.

ArkivDigital Online
ArkivDigital is the largest private provider of Swedish Church Records and other historical records online! All images are newly photographed color images of the original documents. Click the link from the Premium Family History Websites page to install the current client version of ArkivDigital Online.

findmypast
findmypast makes it easy to research your UK ancestry and create your family tree. Search census records and trace births, marriages, and deaths to bring your family history to life. Please note that not all of the content from findmypast is available in family history centers. 1911 British Census (accessed through the findmypast website)—The 1911 UK Census is a record of everyone who lived in England and Wales in 1911. It provides a unique snapshot of the lives of those who lived at that time.

Fold3
(formerly Footnote.com)  Search or browse millions of historical documents and photos. Fold3 has refocused their efforts on gathering the best online collection of military records and stories. The Fold3 name reflects military history and honor, since traditionally, the third fold in a flag-folding ceremony honors and remembers veterans for their sacrifice in defending their country and promoting peace in the world.

Geneanet
With 3 billion referenced individuals and 600,000 trees online, Geneanet is the first site dedicated to genealogy in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Germany. The Geneanet community has two million members who exchange genealogical information.

Kinpoint Premium
Kinpoint is designed to make it easier for you to do your family history by letting you see what to work on at a glance; quickly find missing information in your family tree; and discover insights into the lives of your ancestors.

MyHeritage—Library Edition
Used by millions of people worldwide to help research family history, build a family tree, and add photos, historical records, and more. MyHeritage is an online genealogy platform with web, mobile, and software products and services that was first developed and popularized by the Israeli company MyHeritage in 2003. Users of the platform can browse through photos, and search billions of global historical records, among other features. As of 2015, the service supports 42 languages and has around 80 million users worldwide. In January 2017 it was reported that MyHeritage has 35 million family trees on its website. The company is headquartered in Or Yehuda, Israel with additional offices in Tel Aviv, Lehi, Utah, and Burbank, California.

Newspapers.com
"Newspapers.com is the world's largest online newspaper archive. Featuring billions of articles from historical newspapers around the U.S. and the world, NewspaperARCHIVE makes exploring history and genealogy easy and fun. Discover fascinating news in archived newspapers hundreds of years old—including obituaries, birth announcements, sports articles, comics, and more—to fill in the life stories you are interested in. And share those stories with others through our community at Our NewspaperARCHIVE. All of our historical newspapers are full-page and fully searchable. Try exploring above, and discover your history today!"

Paper Trail
Provides access to 19th-century westward American migration documents.

Puzzilla (Premium Version)
Find new research opportunities on descendant lines in Family Tree.

Hardware and Equipment

 * Our Family History Center is equipped with:
 * Nine (9) large screen personal computers for your family history use. Four (4) laptop personal computer
 * One (1) copier, printer (laser) and scanner that can scan to your FamilySearch account or personal flash drive.
 * Two (2) laser printers (10 cents per page)
 * Two (2) Microfilm viewers (35 and 16 mm)
 * One (1) Microfiche viewer
 * One (1) camera to take pictures of microfilm images you find
 * Ability to convert your audio cassettes to digital for uploading to FamilySearch
 * Collection of family history books and publication

Children's Center
You can bring your children to the center while you get help with your family history. We have a children's section where children 3-11 years of age can learn about their ancestors with books, games, stories, etc.

Staff Research Specialties
(Include sections for any other services your center provides. Add additional sections for those services. See the Bountiful and Chattanooga FHC pages for examples.)

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
If you would like to volunteer at our Family History Center, send an e-mail to ValenciaFHC@outlook.com and we will contact you.