Remember Family History Centres

If you think of the local Family History Centre as the place to go to consult microfilms on loan from Salt Lake City, think again.  They are still that, but now much more. Through their FamilySearch Portal you can get free access to:

• 19th Century British Newspapers - searchable by name, date, etc; British Newspapers 1800-1900
• Access Newspaper Archives - Collection of newspapers around the world but centering on the US
• Alexander Street Press, American Civil War- Soldiers, Battles, Letters, Photos, etc.
• Ancestry [Library Edition] (also at Toronto Public Library)
• FindMyPast.co.uk - the British version of FindMyPast (does not include any newspaper archives)
• Fold3 - US Historical military records and stories
• Godfrey Memorial Library - Mainly US records
• Heritage Quest Online- US Censuses, Genealogy & local history books, PERSI, Revolutionary War records, Freedman's Bank Records
• Historic Map Works Library Edition - Old digitized maps from around the world

That's a list from the weekly newsletter from the Toronto Family History Centre which is celebrating the acquisition of 10 new computers, five set to access the FamilySearch Portal.

If you decide to visit, to the Toronto FHC or elsewhere, its always wise to call ahead to verify they're open, especially as we get into the holiday season. Find information on the FHCs at https://familysearch.org/locations/centerlocator?c=