Many
of you recall the Mesa Regional Family History Library.
The library contained
microfilm, microfiche, maps, books, and extremely helpful Family History
missionaries. Unfortunately, the two-story building, on Hobson, was closed due
to construction issues in approximately 2015, and the library moved over to its
old site on the northwest corner of 1st Ave and LeSueur.
In 2018
that library was closed during the renovation of the Mesa Temple and
surrounding area. We eagerly awaited the reopening of a new library and in Sept
2021, the FamilySearch Experience opened in the Mesa Temple Visitors’ Center.
While not a library, it offers a number of resources needed by the Family
History Community.
At
the Visitors’ Center, Family Search is located on the second floor and is staff
by volunteer family historians and genealogists. There are over three dozen
computers, six with dual screens, available for use. In addition to the
computers, there is a scanning area that hosts two high speed photo scanners,
two flatbed scanners (one is A3 format, approximately 11x17), Kodak 35 mm
Carousel scanner, negative scanner, and an 8mm/Super8 movie converter. There
are two classrooms with 18 computers each and overhead projectors, and are reservable
by community Family History/Genealogy groups. Scanners and rooms can be
reserved by calling 480-964-7164, leave a message if no one answers. Calls are
returned daily.
And
what is a Family History center without classes? Classes are offered throughout
the month. You can see the schedule at https://mesatemple.org/classes/.
All
of the computers have access to restricted affiliate Family Search records and
host all of the Family Search premium family history websites. These are:
19th Century British
Library Newspapers
This
fully searchable database of the British Library's newspaper holdings provides
a complete run of 48 national and regional Victorian British newspapers for the
19th century from 1800 to 1900. These support the study of colonial history,
genealogical research, politics, urban studies, and media courses.
Alexander Street
Social
and Cultural History. Personal
accounts of well-known historical figures.
The American Civil
War—Research Database
Contains
indexed, searchable information on over 4 million soldiers and thousands of battles,
together with 15,000 photographs.
The American Civil
War—Letters and Diaries
Contains
approximately 100,000 indexed pages of diaries, letters, and memoirs, including
4,000 pages of previously unpublished manuscripts, such as the letters of Amos
Wood and his wife and the diary of Maryland planter William Claytor.
The American Civil
War—Images, Photographs, Posters, and Ephemera
Provides
a vivid history of the American Civil War with over 1,400 images.
Women and Social
Movements in the United States
Organized
around the history of women in social movements in the United States between
A.D. 1600 and 2000.
American Ancestors
Advance
your family history research today with AmericanAncestors.org! Created by the
expert staff at the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS),
America's founding genealogical organization, AmericanAncestors.org is the
portal to the nation's leading resource for the highest-quality, comprehensive
family history services. Consult with our expert staff, some of the most
respected genealogists in the profession. Read the most significant original
scholarship and important publications in genealogy. Access millions of
exclusive and sought-after records online. Learn with in-depth online courses
and webinars from expert staff. Explore the largest collection of original
family history research materials in America.
Ancestry Institution
Ancestry
gives you access to thousands of collections of records from around the world,
including immigration, census, voter, vital, and military records; newspapers
and periodicals; family trees; photos and images; directories, maps, court
records, land records, wills and financial records, stories, memories, and
histories; and detailed records about births, marriages, deaths, land ownership,
and much more. Ancestry is the largest for-profit genealogy company in the
world.
You
can also visit this partner's localized sites for: U.S., Australia, Canada, Germany,
Sweden, United Kingdom
ArkivDigital
ArkivDigital
is the largest private provider of Swedish Church Records and other historical
records online! All images are newly photographed color images of the original
documents. Click the link from the Premium Family History Websites page to use
ArkivDigital Online.
British Newspaper Archive
The
British Library's newspaper collections are among the finest in the world,
containing most of the runs of newspapers published in the UK since 1800.
FamNet
The
online family history network for those who have New Zealand roots.
Findmypast
Findmypast
makes it easy to research your United Kingdom ancestry and create your family
tree. Search census records, and trace births, marriages, and deaths to bring
your family history to life. Please note that not all of the content from
Findmypast is available in family history centers.
Fold3
Search
or browse millions of historical documents and photos. Fold3 has refocused
their efforts on gathering the best online collection of military records and
stories. The Fold3 name reflects military history and honor, since
traditionally, the third fold in a flag-folding ceremony honors and remembers
veterans for their sacrifice in defending their country and promoting peace in
the world.
Geneanet
With
3 billion referenced individuals and 600,000 trees online, Geneanet is the
first site dedicated to genealogy in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden,
and Germany. The Geneanet community has 2 million members who exchange
genealogical information.
MyHeritage Library
Edition
Used
by millions of people worldwide to help research family history, build a family
tree, and add photos, historical records, and more.
NewspaperArchive
The
largest historical newspaper database online, contains tens of millions of
newspaper pages from 1607 to present. Every newspaper in the archive is fully
searchable by keyword and date, making it easy for you to quickly explore
historical content.
Newspapers.com
The
largest online newspaper archive contains 12,100 newspapers from the 1700s to
the 2000s, and millions of additional pages are added every month.
Paper Trail
Provides
access to 19th-century westward American migration documents.
Puzzilla
Find
new research opportunities on descendant lines in Family Tree.
The Genealogist
This
resource, available in centers in the United Kingdom only, contains English
parish records, directories, census, civil registration, surname mapping, and
selected army and navy lists.
The
Center also has a Facebook page, please check it out:
https://www.facebook.com/Mesa-Arizona-Temple-Visitors-Center-102616065708420/
