Rochester Minnesota Family History Center


 * RochesterMN_FHC_.jpg

Center Contacts and Hours

 * Location Map: Location Map


 * Address:  2300 Viola Heights Dr, Rochester, MN 55901


 * Enter building through NORTHEAST doors and ring bell on wall if inner doors are locked.


 * Phone:  507-281-6641


 * E-mail:  MN_Rochester@ldsmail.net


 * Open Hours :


 * Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
 * Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
 * Other: By appointment -- call and leave message with your number on phone listed above.


 * Holiday Schedule:


 * Thanksgiving and Nativity Event:


 * Christmas and New Years:


 * Inclement Weather: Closed with Rochester Public Schools--If they are closed, we are closed, if they are delayed 2 hours, so are we.

Calendar and Events
=  DNA & Family History Workshop  -   Saturday, March 9, 2019 = Check-In Beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Morning Classes:

10:00 to 11:10 a.m.           DNA: More than Biology - The Stories of Our Lives

11:20 to 12:30 p.m.          Practical Applications of Genetic Genealogy - You Can Do It Too

Lunch: Bring and Enjoy Your Own Brown Bag Lunch

Afternoon Classes:

1:15 to 2:25 p.m.              Family Search: Yours, Mine and Ours - The Case for a Personal Database

2:35 to 3:45 p.m.              Genealogy Proof Standard - A Method to Properly Document Your Ancestors and Build a Solid Case

3:45 to 4:30 p.m.   Question & Answer Session & Family History Center Open for Visit

Center Resources

 *  To View a List of Local Resources 
 * 1. Logon to www.familysearch.org with your Sign On User Name and Password.
 * 2. Click on the Search Menu at the top of the Home page.
 * 3. Click on the Catalog Menu Option.
 * 4. Select Family History Center located in the Availability section of the page; the Family History Library drop-down data input field will display.
 * 5. Enter Rochester into the data field and select the Rochester Minnesota Family History Center entry.
 * 6. Click the Search icon.
 * 7. Search Results for Family Search Catalog will display.

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. These are subject to change.
 * Current Portal Websites
 * 19th Century British Library Newspaper Digital Archive
 * Alexander Street Press
 * The American Civil War: Research Database / Letters and Diaries / Images, Photographs, Posters, and Ephemera / Social and Cultural History / Women and Social Movements in the United States
 * American Ancestors - Library Rights
 * Ancestry - Institution Versions --- U.S. / Austrailia / Canada / Germany / Sweden / United Kingdom
 * Arkivdigital - English display available
 * FamNet
 * Findmypast - Institution Version
 * Fold3
 * Geneanet
 * Kinpoint - Premium
 * MyHeritage - Library Edition
 * Newspaper Archive
 * Paper Trail
 * Puzzila - Premium Services

Hardware and Equipment

 * 7 computers
 * 3 microfilm readers
 * 1 microfiche reader
 * 1 microfilm printer

Staff Research Specialties

 * Polish: by appointment ask for Ed


 * Ancestry.com: Wednesdays 9:00-12:00


 * U.S. Before 1850: Wednesdays 9:00-12:00


 * British Isles: Wednesdays 12:00-3:00


 * French: by appointment ask for Sharon
 * German: by appointment ask for Lynn


 * Norwegian or Swedish: by appointment ask for Andrea


 * Native American: by appointment ask for Valerie

Links to Resources in the Local Area

 * Rochester Public Library Genealogy Collection
 * Olmsted County Historical Society
 * Minnesota Genealogical Society
 * Minnesota Historical Society

Volunteer at the Center
We are always looking for volunteers who know how to help others with their family history, to help staff the Center, or to help teach classes. Leave a message on our phone system if you are interested in volunteering.