Vernal Utah Family History Center

We’re Here to Help. Experienced genealogists can help you with your research, and it’s available to you free of charge! Research consultants and volunteers can help you by suggesting sources for you to search, answering basic questions such as how to get started, where a town is located, and what records are available for a locality and how to use them.

NEW: We have recently added an interactive Discovery Experience and a small recording studio for recording interviews.



Center Contacts and Hours
Location Map:


 * Location on Map
 * 480 West 500 North
 * Vernal, Utah 84078 United States

Phone: 435-789-3618

E-mail:[mailto:UT_Vernal@familyhistorymail.org UT_Vernal@familyhistorymail.org]

Directors: Dean and Jolene Baker, assistant Director: Kent Oviatt, enter Technology Alex Seitz.

Open Hours:


 * We are excited to reopen Tuesday, Sept 7, 2021. Please come see us!  (note modified hours)
 * Monday:   Closed
 * Tuesday:   10 am. - 7:00 pm
 * Wednesday: 10 am - 7:00 pm
 * Thursday:  10 am - 7:00 pm
 * Friday through Sunday: Open by appointment only. (Contact your Stake Family History Coordinator or Consultant)

Holiday Schedule: We are closed at the same time as the temple closes, 2 weeks biannually for cleaning.


 * We will be closed for major holidays and Christmas vacation.
 * We occasionally close unexpectedly because of inclement weather or illness.
 * Please call for information about unexpected alterations to our normal operation hours.

COVID-19: If you are sick, please get well before you visit. Masks or social distancing recommended.

Staff Training Meetings
These are held one half hour prior to the beginning of the 10:00, 1:00 and 5:00 shifts.

Collections

 * We have a nice selection of hundreds of genealogical books and family histories available for use at the Center.

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.

Hardware and Equipment

 * We have a class room with 8 computers. We have 3 Epson Photo Scanners; some can scan slides and negatives as well as make stills photos from 8mm film.  We have 12 computers with extensive genealogical software and access to premium databases to help with research. We have a film digitizer for 8mm and Super 8mm Film.  We have  Equipment and Programs for restoring and colorizing old family Photos as well as scanning and Reduce large photographs so they can be added to your family history. We can digitizing you VHS tapes, three sizes vhs, vhs-c, and mini-vhs. We have a program to edit and add special effects to your videos. We have an Audio visual recording room to record interviews, family stories, personal histories and much more, you can choose to share the audio through your genealogy family tree and have the video sent to your email. There is a play area for children with two computers setup so the parents can keep an eye on their children while working on their family history.

Staff Research Specialties
Most of our staff members are ward temple and family history consultants. If your are a ward temple and family history consultant, please come in for training and volunteer to serve at the Center for a 3-4 hour shift each week or when you can.

We have staff members who are experienced in Spanish, Irish, Scottish, Nordic, Dutch and British research, as well as using FamilySearch and other databases, and adding media to the FS Family Tree.

Nine staff members of the Vernal Family History Center have completed the certification to help answer e-mails sent to FamilySearch.org by patrons around the world who are researching their ancestors. This course was offered by the Global Training Delivery Department of the Church.

Resources in the Local Area
The Regional History Center is located in Vernal, Utah at 152 East 100 North, first floor (northeast corner of building). Hours: Monday thru Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or by appointment.

Links
FamilySearch.org

Online Genealogy Records by Location
 * Using the FamilySearch Research Wiki: A comprehensive video presentation explaining the Wiki, navigating it, and some especially useful pages. Case studies demonstrate using the Wiki for genealogical research. Editing and adding articles to the Wiki are covered.
 * Family History Library Classes and Webinars: They are continually offering FREE classes, and most are available as webinars, which means you can watch it online.  Eventually they are posted as videos.  Scroll down the page to find YOUR areas of interest.

Other useful resources

Webinars and Online Classes from outside FamilySearch: Includes most of the major databases, as well as professional societies (general and for specific locations) and the BYU FHL (has GREAT free videos on YouTube!),

Mesa Arizona FamilySearch Library-Conferences: Includes both Webinars and handouts/papers.

Volunteer at the Center
We like the marines, can always use a few good men or women. We have a staff of 70+ and welcome anyone who would like to serve in our center to come in and fill out a volunteer information sheet that tells of your skills and time availability. We will match your skills and availability with our needs.