Twin Falls Idaho Family History Center

Twin Falls Family History Center
'''The Twin Falls Family History Center covers the Twin Falls and the western Magic Valley. Visitors are always welcome.'''

We are open again after a two week closure due to an increase in covid, variant-related illnesses. Tentatively, the center will be open Tuesday evenings, 6-9 pm, Wednesdays 10 am-9 pm, and Thursdays 10 am-6pm. No scheduled appointment is required, provided we do not exceed a total of 40 persons in the center. Due to COVID-19, social distancing standards, sanitation, and disinfection standards must be required.

For those who are yet uncomfortable attending the center, due to the pandemic, we invite patrons to work with us online or over the phone if that is a preferable method of getting assistance with their family history efforts.

Location

 * 399 Maurice Street North, Twin Falls, Idaho 83301 United States
 * One block south of the Twin Falls High School.
 * Handicapped parking and access.

Contacts

 * Facebook
 * [tel:12087338073 1(208) 733-8073]
 * [mailto:ID_TwinFalls@familyhistorymail.org ID_TwinFalls@familyhistorymail.org]
 * fhcdirector@outlook.com

Hours of Operation
Tuesday evening, 6-9 pm

Wednesdays 10 am-9 pm

Thursdays 10 am-6pm

Events Calendar and Announcements
Family History Classes:

Date : July

Wed. July 6, 10:00 am - Using the Family Search Wiki; An online class from the Family History Library.

Thur. July 7, 10:00 am - Searching in the Trenches: Introducing U. S. Military Records. An online class from the Family History Library.

Tues. July 12, 7:00 pm - How to Use a Research Log by Janet Branvold

Wed. July 13, 10:30 am - Writing Your Personal and Family History by Marti Pike.

Thurs. July 14, 3:00 pm - Using Ancestry.com to Find Family Information, by the Stewarts.

Thurs. July 14, 4:00 pm - Getting Started with FamilySearch at the Twin Falls Family History Center, by Georgiann Youngstrom.

Wed. July 20, 10:00 am - Overview of FamilySearch, An online class from the Family History Library.

Thurs. July 21, 10:00 am - Counting the Canuks: Combing Through Canadian Censuses; An online class from the Family History Library.

Thurs. July 21, 7:00 pm - Where Do You Turn It On At? Haven’t used a computer or has it been a while, by Jeanie Kohntopp

Wed. July 27, 10:00 am - The Research Process: The Ins and Outs, An online class from the Family History Library.

Wed. July 27, 11:00 am - Family Search Activities the Family can Enjoy Together, by Marti Pike.

Thurs. July 28, 7:00 pm - Ah, Sweet Memories and What to do With "Memories" on Family Search - by Larry Kohntopp

Group Events

Group events may be scheduled by appointment by calling the center at 208-733-8073.

Center Resource Collections

 * FamilySearch Catalog:
 * The Twin Falls Family History Center has a book collection of over 2,000 books. The center also has a collection of about 1,000 microfilms on indefinite loan, and have notebooks with listings of the films and fiche. They also have a large microfiche collection.
 * The center has many cemetery and obituary records for Twin Falls and some surrounding communities. Volunteers can do obituary look-ups.
 * The center had a large number of city directories and phone books for Twin Falls and other regional towns. These were digitized in 2014 and some more recently and can now be viewed at familysearch.org. See the Family History Library Catalog and look under the city or town - Directories. The center no longer has the actual city directory books.

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.
 * A number of the most popular personal pedigree programs have been installed on our computers.
 * The complete Pedigree Resource File is available in FamilySearch.org, under the Search tab, then Genealogies. This includes the notes.

Hardware and Equipment

 * 24+ computer stations.
 * Digital microfilm/fiche reader, plus conventional readers.
 * There is one large computer classroom with eighteen computers. There is a separate classroom/training room with six computer terminals and desks where you can plug in laptops, tablets, etc.
 * Completely handicapped accessible.

Staff Research Specialties
The following staff members will be available to assist you in these areas:


 * English (England) Research Specialist - Mary Edgar - Thursdays, 10 am - 2:00 pm.
 * German - Larry Kohntopp - Leave a message at the family history center, 208-733-9073
 * New England - David Putnam Jr. - Wednesday, 10 am - 2 pm, Thursday 2 pm - 6 pm.
 * Scandinavian - Ross Gedeborg - contact him at home [tel:2089690034 (208)969-0034] or by email at [mailto:ross@gedeb.org ross@gedeb.org]
 * Spanish - David Putnam Jr. - Wednesday, 10 am - 2 pm, Thursday 2 pm - 6 pm.
 * DNA research - John Cox - Wednesdays 2 pm - 6 pm.

Resources in the Local Area

Twin Falls Public Library

201 4th Ave. East

Twin Falls, ID 83301

[tel:2087332964 (208)733-2964]


 * They have the ancestry.com library program, and it's free to use at the library. They have a local history room on the main floor, with a good collection of books relating to the Twin Falls area.

Twin Falls Time News

132 Fairfield Street West

Twin Falls, ID 83303

[tel:(208)733-0931 (208)733-0931]


 * The Twin Falls newspaper, now called the Times News, has good search features. The Twin Falls newspapers have all been digitized from the beginning.

Volunteer at the Center
There are many opportunities to serve at the Twin Falls Family History Center. The only requirement is a desire to serve, no experience with family history is necessary. Volunteering is a great way to learn. If you are interested in helping out please contact the Twin Falls Family History Center, at [tel:2087338073 (208)733-8073]. We look forward to serving with you.