Red Rock Iowa Family History Center

Knoxville Iowa Family History Center The Knoxville Iowa Family History Center is a volunteer run library with access to many archives and records to help you find your ancestors. The center is volunteered run. Volunteers have unexpected family commitment or illness, therefore we sometimes have to close the center. 

Center Contacts and Hours
=== Location map === Please call the center before coming to make sure we are open.
 * Temple and Family History Center Director: Elizabeth Edwards


 * Phone:    641-780-1413


 * E-mail:    [mailto:IA_knoxville@ldsmail.net IA_knoxville@ldsmail.net]
 * Address: 1800 W Jackson St, Knoxville, Iowa 50138
 * Language: English
 * Open Hours: (Call to confirm hours as they may have changed.)
 * Wednesday: 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
 * Sunday:       1:15 pm to 3:30 pm
 * Or by appointment: Call the Family History Center Director (see above).

Calendar of Classes
"March 8, 2017     Genealogy 101""March 22, 2017    How to Use Family Search""April 12, 2017       How to Use Ancestry.Com""April 26, 2017       Genealogy: More than Gathering Names""May 12, 2017       Sourcing: The Importance of Documentation in Genealogical Research""May 24, 2017       Staying Organized: Keeping Track of Your Work in Your Genealogical Research""June 7, 2017        Family Connections: Collecting Stories About Your Ancestors"

SUMMER BREAK ~ Classes will resume August 30, 2017
~ Including - Dates to be announced:
 * How to Use the Census Records
 * Military Records
 * Puzzilla: How to Do Descendancy Research when You Think You;ve Got Your Genealogy All Done
 * For Genealogy Volunteers: Staff Training Meetings

Center Resources
Family History, (aka genealogy), is a very rewarding past time. The Knoxville, Iowa Family History Center is joining the ranks of local libraries and genealogy groups throughout Marion County, Iowa to provide all who want to research their family histories with access to the extensive resources that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Family History library has in Salt Lake City, Utah and beyond.

The Church has partnered with numerous genealogical organizations, broadened their database and increased their capacity to help you find the information you are looking for. They have partnered with Ancestry, Find My Past, My Heritage and American Ancestors. Through the Knoxville Family History Center, (FHC), and by starting a free account on Family Search, you can then gain access to free memberships to the above mentioned organizations.

The Knoxville Iowa Family History Center is available to serve members of the community free of charge. The Center is open to the public and all are encouraged to visit and let us help you find your family history!

Collections

 * FamilySearch Catalog: This center has the ability to order any of the films and fiche available through the FamilySearch Catalog.


 * Patrons' Microfiche Collection -- a collection of fiche ordered by our patrons, assorted titles. Contain family histories, vital records, and other types of information.


 * Indefinite Film Collection -- a collection of films on a variety of subjects, to include vital records, county records, court records, etc.


 * Book Collection: --

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.
 * 19th Century British Library Newspaper Digital Archive - contains full runs of 48 newspapers specially selected by the British Library to best represent nineteenth century Britain. These support the study of colonial history, genealogical research, politics, urban studies, and media courses.
 * Alexander Street Press - 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.. The American Civil War: Research Database Letters and Diaries Images, Photographs, Posters, and Ephemera.
 * American Ancestors - To advance the study of family history in America and beyond.It provides family historians access to more than 1 billion records spanning the U.S. and beyond, including one of the most extensive online collections of early American records, and the largest searchable collection of published genealogical research journals and magazines. Special strengths in our content include English, New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont), New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia materials.
 * 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. All family history centers have access to Ancestry.com Library. This site has 10+ billion records. U. S. federal and state census records, vital records, passenger lists, Canadian census, church, and vital records, UK census records, birth, marriage and death indexes, and other international records.
 * ArkivDigital Online -- Swedish genealogy. 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. Launch from the 'ArkivDigital Online' Start Menu or Desktop icon from a computer where the program has been installed.
 * Find My Past -- 1.7 billion international family history records from the U.S., Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand and beyond with records going back to 1200. 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.1911 British Census (accessed through the Find My Past 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. New collections are added every month.
 * Fold3.com (Previously known as 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. See Using Fold3 at a Family History Center for more information.
 * Geneanet -Geneanet offers every kind of genealogy record published by researchers, genealogy societies, commercial companies, etc. 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 - 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. Simplifiws.
 * MyHeritage - Used by millions of people worldwide to help research family history, build a family tree, and add photos, historical records, and more.
 * Newspaper Archive - the largest historical newspaper database online, contains tens of millions of newspaper pages from 1753 to present. Every newspaper in the archive is fully searchable by keyword and date, making it easy for you to quickly explore historical content. All 50 states plus 10 countries.
 * Paper Trail - Provides access to 19th-century westward American migration documents.
 * ProQuest Obituary Listings - The ProQuest obituaries collection is a premier resource for genealogical and historical research. You can use the collection to search obituaries and death notices from prominent newspapers, such as the New York Times (dating back to 1851). The collection includes both famous and lesser-known individuals and can be searched by name or by keywords appearing in the body of the article.
 * Puzzilla - Find new research opportunities on descendant lines in Family Tree

Software Installed at the Family History Center:

 * FamilySearch Indexing (to help indexing transcriptions from film to excel spreadsheets)
 * Ancestral Quest 15 Incline Software (newer update from PAF)
 * ArkivDigital Online -- Largest private provider of Swedish Church Records and other historical records online! All images are newly photographed color images of the original documents.
 * XnView XnViewto capture images
 * FastStone FastStoneViewer to capture images
 * Libre Office Libre Office(Alternative to Microsoft Office. Compatibility to Microsoft Office, Microsoft Office 2007, Microsoft Office 2010, Microsoft Office 2013)

Hardware and Equipment

 * 2 computers (internet access), 1 printer/scanner/copiers, 1 microfilm reader.

Volunteer at the Center
'''We welcome volunteers from the community to help serve in the Family History Center. It's a great way to help others and to learn by doing. You need not be an expert. Ability to use a computer and willingness to become familiar with the FamilySearch website and resources are key. Contact the FHC director at the telephone or e-mail listed above for more information.'''