Family History Center (LDS Church)

Family History Centers (FHCs) are branches of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City Utah operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The centers supply resources for research and study of genealogy and family history. As of 2015, there are more than 4,800 FHCs in 134 countries.

The smallest FHCs are targeted toward people living within the boundaries of individual local wards and branches. Stakes and districts may house a FHC for their constituent wards/branches, or may share a facility with multiple stakes/districts in their area. Regional FHCs are usually "library class" facilities designated as true branch libraries of the Salt Lake City Family History Library (FHL). FHCs with established hours of operation are open to members of the LDS Church and nonmembers alike.

FHCs vary greatly in size, hours staffed, and resources available. Because of changing demographics, many smaller FHCs are closing with their resources being directed into "Library Class" facilities similar to the Los Angeles Family History Library, but not like the Riverton FamilySearch Center that has computers only.

Most smaller FHCs cannot order microfilm and microfiches from the Family History Library in Salt Lake City (these do not circulate, but are used only in the FHC using FHC machines). The centers that do not order films are usually located close to others that do. As of February 2012, the charge for ordering a film was $7.50 (local and state taxes additional) in the United States for the initial order and the same price for renewal. If a FHC is not yet on the online ordering system, then after the second renewal the microfilm is designated as a long-term loan for the FHC. On the other hand, for FHCs using the online system, the patron must explicitly select the Extended loan type. Under those circumstances, the film will not automatically roll over to the long-term category and be permanently held at the local FHC no matter how many times it has been renewed.

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