Oakland California FamilySearch Center 1
Oakland California FamilySearch Center is a part of the Oakland California Temple (Mormon Temple) which is devoted to genealogical research. The Center is open to the public and has helpful volunteers to assist patrons. Appointments may be made with Specialists by calling the FamilySearch Center at 510.531.3905.
Contrary to what might be thought, the volunteers do not try to convert people who are using the Center for research.
Their vast and invaluable collections may be viewed and scanned at the Center but may not be checked out.
Classes on genealogical research are offered at the Center for free, though sometimes a small fee is charged for handouts and preregistration is required. There is also an African American Research Workshop presented on a monthly basis which is free as well with no preregistration.
Bags and purses may be placed in lockers provided at no charge.
The History Center is extremely well equipped, with 60 computers with printer access; copiers, 10 microfilm readers, 2 microfiche readers, 3 mircorfiche/film scanners, and a flatbed scanner.
Within the Center is an area with a computer, scanner, printer and software to assist in the scanning of photos and transfer to your flash drive or DVD; scan slides or negatives and transfer them to your flash drive or DVD, convert your photo files back and forth from gif, tiff, jpg or other sources.
There is also many different databases and specialized software available for use:
- Genealogy database software (Ancestral Quest, Family Insight, Legacy, PAF, RootsMagic)
- Charting software (PAF Companion, Legacy Charting)
- OpenOffice software on all computers for word processing, spreadsheet and presentation preparation
- Photo editing software (IrfanView, HP Photo Smart Essential, MGI Photo Suite, ACD Foto Slate and Canon Zoombrowser EX).
- Pedigree Resource File (complete on server)
- Free access to several subscription sites through the FamilySearch Portal such as Ancestry.com, British Newspapers, Find-My-Past (UK), Footnote, Genline (Swedish), Heritage Quest, World Vital Records and others.
- Free internet access to the New England Historical and Genealogical Society (NEGHS) website (americanancestors.org)
- Free internet access to Genealogy Bank.com, newspapers.com and Vital records-Worldwide (each on one designated computer)
- Research aids such as Animap.
- Research databases such as Acadian-Cajun Family Trees, Australian Vital Records and Mormon Immigration Index. 1
Location
4766 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland, California 94602
Telephone
510.531.3905
Hours
Monday: Closed (by appointment only from 7:00-9:00 p.m.)
Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Sunday: Closed (by appointment only from 2:30-5:30 p.m.)
