Rexburg Idaho Family History Center

Center Contacts and Hours
Location &amp; Map:

The Rexburg FamilySearch Center is located at 29 West 1st North, Rexburg, Idaho. It is west of the Rexburg Tabernacle and south of the Rexburg branch of the Madison County Library.

Phone:

(208) 656-3273

Email: 

ID_Rexburg@ldsmail.net

Hours of Operation:


 * Sunday: 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
 * Monday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
 * Tuesday: 9:00 am - 9:00 pm
 * Wednesday: 9:00 am - 9:00 pm
 * Thursday: 9:00 am - 9:00 pm
 * Friday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
 * Saturday: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

2012 Closures:


 * Closed on major holidays
 * Closed on General Conference weekends
 * Closed on Madison School District snow days

Specific Closure Dates Through the End of 2012:


 * Closed at 5:00 pm on October 31 for Halloween
 * Closed November 18 for the Boise Temple dedication
 * Closed November 22-25 for the four day Thanksgiving Weekend
 * Closed December 22- Janurary 2 for Christmas Holidays

Classes and Training
Please call to sign up for classes. Teachers appreciate knowing the size of the class they are teaching. Some class sizes are limited.

(208) 656- 3273

Weekday Classes:
Monday Classes – Nov. 5, 12, 19, 26

* 10-11 a.m. Organize Your Thumb/Flash Drive  Holly Kauer. Each class adds organization to your thumb/flash drive so you can keep track of your family records. Save yourself from calamity by adding this level of organization to your storage plans.

**** 11-12 a.m. RootsMagic  Holly Kauer. As each class builds upon your knowledge, you will master this Church approved software program that has become a favorite of many to manage their family records. Syncs with the Family Tree data.

** 1-2 p.m. FamilySearch.org  Mary Schaat. Learn the backbone research tools that the church has placed at your fingertips to find records of your ancestors. All searches should begin at FamilySearch to find names for temple ordinances. Four classes in order.

** 2-3 p.m. Family Tree  Marilyn Sommer. Four classes that take you from an introduction to mastery of the new Church format for finding your family tree, adding and sourcing new records, and submitting names to the temple.

Tuesday Classes – Nov. 6, 13, 20, 27

**** 10-11 a.m. Legacy  Alton Wilde. Master this premium software program that helps you manage your family records. Church approved program that syncs with Family Tree data. Four classes in order.

*** 11-12 a.m. Military and Fold-3 Research  Willis Kortright. Learn how to search on these sites to add detail and interest to your records. Especially helpful for finding records of those who served in the military. Each class builds on the previous class.

**** 1-2 p.m. Ancestral Quest  Cheryl Graham. Learn to use this user-friendly software program to manage your family records. Church approved program that syncs with Family Tree data. Four classes in order.

***** 2-3 p.m. Make Scrapbooking Easy On-Line  Jamie Tonks &amp; Arielle Cherry. Learn how to create fun creative scrap books online. Bring your thumb drive with at least 20 pictures on it. 4 classes that build upon each other.

**** 6-7 p.m. Legacy  Linda Kortright. Master this premium software program that helps you manage your family records. Church approved program that syncs with Family Tree data. Four classes in order.

7-8:30 p.m. Young Men/Young Women Ward Youth Mutual Night Activity “YOUth, The Plan, and Family History” This youth activity is designed to connect the youth to the Spirit of Elijah and their role in family history and temple work. Schedule to reserve facilities. Youth leaders need to attend 1 hr. training session before event.

***** 7-8:30 p.m. The “Mobile” Rod of Iron! To start in January. Learn how to use your I-Pad, I-Pod, Smart Phone, and other mobile devices in the way the prophet desires. Gain exposure to LDS youth videos and other uplifting media. Mobile devices with WiFi interface required. Wednesday Classes—Nov 7, 14, 28

*** 10-11 a.m. Sourcing for DUMMIES and MORE  Aldene Poole. After these four sequenced classes, you will be a competent family historian by documenting your records with sources. Your records will be accurate and sharable with powerful source writing.

*** 11-12 a.m. Russian Research &amp; German Ancestors  Wendi Ballard. Search on your German ancestors in Russian sources. In these four classes, you’ll learn about the internet sites that strengthen your research abilities. Four classes in order.

***** 1-2 p.m. Research Tips  Diane Pierce. Become your ancestors “Indiana Jones” but YOU will find the treasure by learning to follow the clues correctly. (Learn the ins and outs to genealogy and researching.)

**** 2-3 p.m. Movie Maker  Cal Wylie. Turn your video clips and pictures into an exciting movie with sound, pops, and whistles! Connect your family generations by putting your audio and video records into this exciting format. Classes in order. 7-8 p.m. The Spirit of Elijah in Your Ward? Consultant and Priesthood Leader Training Doug Ladle. This weekly, reoccurring class will review duties, share ideas about successful ward family history programs, demonstrate the new Family Tree program, and help the participants become familiar with the services of the Rexburg Family Search Center. Same class each week.

*** 7-8 p.m. Ancestry.com  Jodi Orem. Learn the depths and widths of this world-famous research site. The four classes will make you a premier researcher. Temple name submission will take a quantum leap. Four classes in order.

Thursday Classes – Nov. 1, 8, 15, 29

*** 10-11 a.m. Using Facebook to Research and Share your Family History Carole Kelly. Branch out on the internet with these robust sites that give you breadth in your research. Strengthen your ability to find names for temple ordinances through these four classes. Classes in order.

*** 11-12 a.m. Working in the Cloud for Record Storage  Carole Kelly Each class builds upon the previous class to help you set up an account and develop a safe and powerful place for your family records.

* 1-2 p.m. Beginning Computer Skills  Douglas Tietjen. Giving up on genealogy because you fear computers? Then you won’t want to miss this class! Knowledge is Power- empower yourself with computer skills! Four classes build upon each other.

*** 2-3 p.m. Find-A-Grave, Billion Graves  Wendy Wilcox. To submit names for the temple, you’ll want to verify death dates. These four classes give you the know-how to find death dates and many other records in your family history research.

** 6-7 p.m. FamilySearch.org  Alton Wilde. Learn the backbone research tools that the church has placed at your fingertips to find records of your ancestors. All searches should begin at FamilySearch to find names for temple ordinances. Four classes in order.

** 7-8:30 p.m. Family Tree  Bill Moss. Four classes that take you from an introduction to mastery of the new Church format for finding your family tree, adding and sourcing new records, and submitting names to the temple.

**** 7-8:30 p.m. Descendant Research  To Start in January. Discover the other relatives of your great, great grandfather. These blood-line ancestors need proxy ordinances too and now you’ll be able to find them. Four classes which build upon each other.

Friday Classes – Nov. 2, 9, 16, 30

***** 10-11 a.m. The “Mobile” Rod of Iron  Janine Gilbert. Learn how to use your I-Pad, I-Pod, Smart Phone, and other mobile devices in the way the prophet desires. Gain exposure to LDS youth videos and other uplifting media. Mobile devices with WiFi interface required.

* 11-12 a.m. Indexing  Brenda Shipley. Be active with the Church’s fast-track program for lifting records into the internet in a searchable format. Hints and tips in the first class and coaching for the final three classes.

* 1-2 p.m. Genealogy for DUMMIES and MORE Carla Ricks. Start at the roots of your records and learn how to grow them into a successful family history file. Four classes that build upon each other.

*** 2-3 p.m. Ancestry.com  Phil Wightman. Learn the depths and widths of this world-famous research site. The four classes will help you search census records and other vital records. Premium site for research. Four classes in order.

Classes for Ward Youth Groups
Tuesday YM/YW Night Tuesday, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. “YOUth, the Plan, and Family History. This activity focuses on the Prophet’s goals for Youth. Youth groups up to 40 can be accommodated. Extra Feature: Youth will prepare a family Home Evening activity that will raise the roof! Call to reserve facilities. Youth leaders need to attend 1 hr. training session before event.

“Youth Conference in the Spirit World” Starting on Saturdays in January. From 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The youth will begin to understand the Work OF the dead in the Spirit World and the Work FOR the dead here in Mortality. The youth will learn many skills, including finding and submitting names to the temple. 40 youth and 8 adults can be accommodated. Wards need to call in to reserve a night.

Prospective Missionary Class
Announcing “Family History in the Mission Field” for perspective missionaries (17 years and older) and missionaries with their call. Learn how to use Family History in the Mission Field. Two months of training with practice.

1st Month: Wednesdays, 7 – 9 p.m.  Attend four, two-hour training sessions to learn how to do family history and prepare names for temple ordinances using Family Tree and research with Family Search.

2nd Month: Serve as a Family Search Consultant for 4 two-hour shifts during the month at a time of your choosing. Help patrons with their family history as if you were in the mission field!

Bishop’s approval required. Call 656-3273 to reserve a seat.

Saturday Fast Track Class
Saturday Fast Track Special on November 3rd, 10th or 17th Saturday, 9 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

This 4-Hour Fast Track Special is designed for Ward Family History Consultants, Priesthood Leaders, and all others who are interested. In four intense hours, you will learn the following: • Computer files set up for family history activities. • How to use Family Tree, learn about their family tree, and submit names for temple ordinances. • How to use Family Search to do additional research on family lines. • Other research sites and skills to continue finding names for temple ordinances.

Pre-requisites: -Reserve a seat by calling 656-3273 -LDS account with username and password -Thumb/Flash drive with family records loaded on it.

Sunday Classes for Ward Groups
Ward Consultants: Schedule your ward group for a productive session at the Rexburg Family Search Center. Bring groups as large as 40-45.

Topics to Learn: Half of the group will gather in the Training Room for video presentations on Family Tree and Family Search. The other half will gather into the Computer Room for a hands-on activity with Family Tree. The groups will trade places half way through your session.

Who Teaches: You as the Ward Family History Consultant will teach the class in the Computer Room or be teamed up with a Family Search Consultant who is on duty to assist. The video presentation in the Training Room can be done by one of your ward members with five minutes of coaching.

Or your choice of topics: If you want to teach another topic, be our guest. You might teach about Indexing, Ancestry.com research tips, Descendant Research, etc. If you want a specialist to help teach your group, please contact the Family Search Directors to check on this option.

Times: 4:30 – 6:00 PM or 6:00 – 7:30 PM. Reserve a Session by calling 656-3273.

Classes for Young Adults
Thursdays: 7 - 9 p.m. Fast-Track for Young Adult family history consultants, priesthood leaders, and all other interested Young Adults. Become trained in Family Tree, Family Search, and Temple Name Submission! Plan on attending 2-3 evenings to get the full-meal deal! Laptops with WiFi interface required.

Tuesdays: 7 - 8:30 PM The “Mobile” Rod of Iron! Learn how to use your I-Pad, I-Pod, Smart Phone, and other mobile devices in the way the prophet desires. Gain exposure to LDS young adult videos and other uplifting media. Mobile devices with WiFi interface required. (To start in January)

December’s Classes:
“Christmas Gifts from Santa’s ‘Family History’ Workshop” • Exciting family history gift ideas that connect generations with love and unity. • Games, Gift of Family History, Placemats, Calendars, and more!

Collections

 * Family History Library Catalog: This center has the ability to order any of the films and fiche available through the Family History Library Catalog. 
 * Books: Hundreds of books and a collection family history magazines are available to read in the Rexburg FamilySearch Center. Personal and family histories, research guides, "how-to" books, maps and gazeteers, etc.

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.
 * The American Ancestors website is a subscription site available for free at the Rexburg FamilySearch Center.
 * Dozens of links to genealogical websites are available on most computers in the Computer Room.
 * RootsMagic, Legacy Family Tree, Ancestral Quest, and PAF genealogical database software are installed on all computers at the Rexburg FamilySearch Center.

Hardware and Equipment

 * Wi-Fi throughout the building
 * Twenty-four computers in the Computer Room, several more throughout the Center
 * Several printers (many in color)
 * A microfilm reader-printer
 * Two flatbed scanners (to scan photographs, slides, photo negatives and documents, and save them to a removable drive or to an Internet storage account, like Dropbox)
 * Two microfilm readers
 * Two microfiche readers
 * Audio transfer equipment and software (to save audio cassette tapes to digital format)
 * Video transfer equipment and software (to save video tapes to digital format)

Center Services
Photocopying and printing from computers is available for genealogical purposes only. The charge is five cents per copy for black and white and twenty-five cents per copy for color copies.

Staff Research Specialties
The Rexburg FamilySearch Center is staffed by volunteers from the community. These volunteers possess a wide array of skills and knowledge in all areas of genealogical research. Visitors to the center may receive assistance in genealogical research, technology usage, ways to share your research, etc., from various staff members.

 

Resources in the Local Area
BYU-Idaho has a Family History Center with extended hours. See their blog at: byu-idaho-fhc.blogspot.com/