That is not silly at all. I believe this is one of
the best gifts you
can give to yourself. I myself wanted to go to Salt
Lake City in
several occasions, but I just haven't had the time.
According to some nice people that I met at a Family
History Center a
while back, you can just go to the Family History
Library and check
all the films they have there. However, it is a good
idea to call
them in advance just to make sure that some specific
films you are
looking forward to check are there. They could be at
another FHC in
the US at this time, but of course, if you have
several surnames and
locations to research, I believe that a trip to Salt
Lake City is
worth it. Well, that is just my opinion. I am sure
that other members
from this group will reply to your message and tell
you what they
think about your trip.
ABOUT THE FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY
Family History Library Building:
? Located at 35 North West Temple Street, Salt Lake
City, Utah, 84150-
3400
? Dedicated October 23, 1985
? 142,000 square feet on five floors
? Humidity, temperature, and lighting designed to
protect the
collection from deterioration
? Public phone number: 801-240-2584 or 800-346-6044
? FAX: 801-240-3718
? E-mail: Click here to send us an e-mail
? Website: www.familysearch.org
Background:
? Founded in 1894 to gather genealogical records and
assist members
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
with their family
history and genealogical research
? Largest library of its kind in the world
? Open to the general public at no charge
? Visited by an estimated 1,900 patrons or more each
day
Records Collection:
? The collection includes over 2.4 million rolls of
microfilmed
genealogical records; 742,000 microfiche; 310,000
books, serials, and
other formats; 4,500 periodicals; 700 electronic
resources.
? The Ancestral File database contains more than 36
million names
that are linked into families.
? The International Genealogical Index database
contains
approximately 600 million names of deceased
individuals. An addendum
to the International Genealogical Index contains an
additional 125
million names. These names have been patron
submitted or extracted
from thousands of original birth, christening and
marriage records.
? The Pedigree Resource File database contains over
80 million names
that are linked into families.
? Records available are from the United States,
Canada, the British
Isles, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Africa.
? In 2003, the collection increased monthly by an
average of 4,100
rolls of film, 700 books, and 16 electronic
resources.
? A majority of the records contain information
about persons who
lived before 1930.
? Approximately 200 cameras are currently
microfilming records in
over 45 countries. Records have been filmed in over
110 countries,
territories, and possessions.
Patron Resources:
? 202 patron computers
? 509 microfilm readers
? 36 microfiche readers
? 28 microfilm and microfiche copiers
? 4 microfilm scanners
? 15 book copiers
? Seating capacity for 396 at tables
? Orientation and research classes
Personnel:
? Currently 125 full-time and part-time professional
staff
? Approximately 400 trained volunteers
Family History Centers:
? Family history centers are branches of the Family
History Library.
? Over 4,000 family history centers operate in more
than 88 countries.
? Local family history centers are staffed by
helpful volunteers.
? About 100,000 rolls of microfilm are circulated to
family history
centers each month.
? Click here to locate the nearest family history
center, or call 800-
346-6044 in the United States and Canada.
--- In ranchos@yahoogroups.com, Alicia Carrillo
<alliecar@p...> wrote:
This may seem like a silly question to some, but
for my birthday in
March, I plan on gifting myself a trip to Salt Lake
City to do some
genealogical research. My question to those who are
experienced at
this is, do you need to request and reserve your
film there ahead of
time? or can you just arrive and make the request at
the time of
arrival?
Thanks for your help and if there's anything else
I should know
before I go, it would be great to glean that from
this group.
Muchas Gracias, Alicia..................
by Date 
-