Safford-Thatcher Arizona Family History Center

The Safford-Thatcher-Pima Arizona Family History Center Library located in Safford, serves all of the Gila Valley. We have about 50 Volunteers trained to help the patrons who visit the Center each year. The Library is dedicated to providing education and support for the family history community in the Gila Valley area.

Center Contacts and Hours
Location and Map:


 * 515 West 11th St  Safford, AZ  85546 United States 
 * Location Map

Phone: (928)-428-7927 or (928) 322-2206

E-mail: AZ_SaffordThatcher@ldsmail.net Open Hours:


 * Monday       9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
 * Tuesday      9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
 * Wednesday 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
 * Thursday    9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
 * Friday         9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

 

Groups Welcome by Appointment: Please Call (928) 428-7927 to make arrangements.

Upcoming Events
Daughters of the American Revolution Member Meeting DAR

Saturday April 11, 2015, 9:30 a.m. Bonnie Briscoe

Pima Family Discovery Day Saturday April 25, 2015 375 West 450 South, Pima, AZ 85543  9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

 Attend Family Discovery Day, and learn how to strengthen your family across generations. Hear encouraging messages from experts in the industry and other popular speakers who will help inspire you to:

Seek out your ancestors Build your family tree Discover and share your family's stories Class topics will include some of the following:

STORIES: Capturing and documenting your own story, and interviewing techniques to record your family’s stories.

TECHNOLOGY: Furthering family history efforts using the latest and greatest technology available today.

FIND AND PRESERVE: Researching to gather family records and ways to preserve them for future generations.

ORGANIZE AND SHARE: Consolidating all family memorabilia and sharing with relatives.

Whether you’re just starting your family tree, an avid hobbyist, or an experienced researcher, we have something for everyone!

Attendance is free!

FamilyHistoryDay

Class Schedule  All Classes Are Free to Attend
 April, 2015

Monday, April 6th CHURCH RECORDS 11:00am by Susan Logan

RESEARCH, SOURCING, AND MERGING RECORDS 1:00 by Lynn Osman

 Monday, April 13th MILITARY RECORDS, 11:00am by Susan Logan

RESEARCH, SOURCING, AND MERGING RECORDS 1:00 by Lynn Osman

Thursday,April 16th BEGINNING RESEARCH TECHNIQUES 5:00 PM by Edward Ungerman

Friday, April 17th RESEARCHING AND INTERNET SITES 1:00 pm by Susan Tuttle

 Monday, April 20th PROBATE RECORDS, 11:00 by Susan Logan

RESEARCH, SOURCING, AND MERGING RECORDS 1:00 by Lynn Osman

Saturday, April 25th Pima Family History Fair 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (428-7927 for more information)

 Monday, April 27th SHARING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY WITH FAMILY, 11:00am by Susan Logan

RESEARCH, SOURCING, AND MERGING RECORDS 1:00 by Lynn Osman

Collections

 * FamilySearch Catalog: This center has the ability to order any of the films and fiche available through the FamilySearch Catalog.
 * The FamilySearch Catalog is available online @ familysearch.org, and can be searched by place name, family surname, resource title, author, subject, call number, film number or key word. GET NUMBERS Click the down arrow at the end of the Search field to select the category of information you wish to search. If you find a film you’d like to view, you can order that film using the on-line film ordering right from your browser at home. You will be able to pay for the rental online at that time. There is a fee ($7.50) for film rental for a two (2) month period and ($4.75) for microfiche - which are not returned but stay at the Center. This helps defray the handling and cost of shipping. There is no charge to view films from the Center’s “Resident Film Collection.” Please check with the Center before you order, in case we already have it on indefinite loan. That will save you the rental cost.
 * Microfilms are typically available at the center for 60 days. Films can become “extended” status films and will be available at the Center indefinitely. For more specific information about film ordering, ask a staff member at the Family History Center. You need to log onto familysearch.org and designate your home "Family History Center" before ordering.
 * All microfilm and microfiche must be viewed at the Family History Center where they are located. They cannot be transferred to another Family History Center or viewed at another location.
 * We have many Local Family Histories in our library as well as books on Arizona towns and counties. All other States are represented, too.


 * (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, Including:
 * FamilySearch.org
 * Ancestry.com
 * Fold 3 (formerly Footnote)
 * HeritageQuest
 * AmericanAncestors.org (formerly New England Historic Genealogical Society)
 * World Vital Records
 * Godfrey Memorial Library and many other sites.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who can use the Library's resources? A: Any and all persons who are doing genealogical research or searching for their ancestors are welcome to use our resources.

Q: Do you proselyte at this Library? A: No. If patrons wish to know more about our Church, we invite and encourage them to visit with our missionaries, on their own, away from the Library. Our charter by the Church is to assist and provide instruction to patrons who are searching for their ancestors.

Q: Are there any costs associated with using the Library's resources? A: Yes. There is a nominal cost associated when making copies on our printers and copiers. Microfilm and microfiche not resident in our center may, for a nominal fee, be loaned to our Library from the Family History Library located in Salt Lake City, Utah. There is no cost for using our computers or our microfilm or microfiche readers.

Q: Why do I have to sign in? A: We are required to submit reports on the number of patrons that use the center in order for us to justify our needs for staffing and financial support. We do not require addresses or phone numbers.

Q: What kinds of computer files should I bring into the center to work on? A: Bring in your database BACKUP files on a Flash Drive. If you are working on a computer program other than PAF, FamilyInsight, RootsMagic, Ancestral Quest or Legacy, bring in a GEDCOM file. We do not have a computer that can read Apple/Mac files, but you can receive help if you bring in your own laptop. We do not have any PAF version earlier than 3.3.

Things to Bring With You When You Visit The Family History Center

 * Place any records (birth/death certificates, etc.) along with names, dates, places you are aware of or have found into a box. Organize them by family surname, dates, or places. You may choose to bring a notebook with this information or actually bring the box.
 * We recommend you enter the knowledge you have gathered into a genealogical software program of your choice. FamilySearch has a list of approved programs. If you prefer to use Personal Ancestral File (PAF), you can now compare your data with FamilySearch Family Tree by submitting a GEDCOM.
 * Decide what you would like to achieve and then bring any information you already have with you. Please check the hours we are open.
 * Complete and bring your Pedigree Chart, Family Group Sheets or your PAF (or other genealogical data program) backup file on a flash drive (memory stick) for transporting information back and forth from your home to the Family History Center.
 * To obtain forms such as blank Pedigree Charts, Family Group Sheets and others, you may choose to go to: Charts.
 * If additional research help is needed, call ahead to make sure someone will be available to assist you in your search.
 * When coming to the Library, be sure to have a small amount of change to pay for any copies that you want.

Hardware and Equipment

 * 13 Computers connected to the Internet for patron use.
 * Wi-Fi is available if you want to bring your own laptop or tablet for Family History research.
 * 5 microfilm/fiche readers.
 * 1 Copier/Scanner and 2 Printers, black and white or color copies are available for a small fee. Our copier can scan documents and photos directly to your personal flash drive at no cost.

Staff Research Specialties
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Resources in the Local Area
Eastern Arizona Museum and Historical Society

2 North Main Street, Pima, Arizona 85543 (928) 485-9400

Safford City - Graham County Library

808 South 7th Avenue, Safford, Arizona 85546 (928) 432-4165

(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

 * For more local information see Graham County, Arizona
 * See also Arizona History
 * See also Arizona Historical Society
 * See also Arizona Genealogy
 * See also Arizona
 * See also Arizona Archives and Libraries
 * See also Arizona Genealogy Birth and Death Certificates genealogy.az.gov/
 * For more excellent resources see Mesa FamilySearch Library

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Volunteer at the Center
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