July 2025

When we make and keep covenants with God, we can have confidence that is born of the Spirit.

-- President Russell M. Nelson

FSC Tools 

We have had the opportunity over the last month or so to find out a bit more about the FamilySearch Center and how it operates. Thanks to all of the stake presidents in our coordinating council! We appreciate your desire to understand the value that the centers have in your communities, and to work with FamilySearch to provide the best experience there for your members and friends. 

We know that there is a lot to understand. FamilySearch has provided some helps. In this issue of the newsletter, we want to focus on those in the hope that they might at least point you in the right direction when you need a quick answer.

Here is a bit if the introduction to the FSC Tools General Instruction:

FamilySearch strives to provide assistance to people worldwide as they seek to connect to their families. Many helpful resources are available through FamilySearch centers. To help potential visitors find current information about their local FamilySearch centers, including location, operational status, and available resources, FamilySearch has introduced Center Location pages.

The types of FamilySearch center information that can be found on Location pages include the following:

• Hours of operation

• Services available

• Available equipment and resources

• Classes offered

• Announcements

• Links to social media pages

To ensure that information is kept current, updates to Center Location pages are created by local stake leaders through Center Tools. Previously, FamilySearch Center information updates relied on CDOL (Church Directory of Organizations and Leaders). However, Center Tools simplifies access and editing for leaders, making the process more efficient and user-friendly.

The three images just below are from this FSC Tools page. They are linked to the same content.  The first one is for FSC Coordinators only, so if you have a role that doesn't have that set of permissions, the page won't load for you, but the other two will. The video page is very complete - a step-by-step demonstration for an FSC Coordinator. The General Instructions next to it is a text document for reference.

And please check out the next row of 2 linked images below the first. They deal with the FSC Map Locator. The Locator is useful for checking the updates the Coordinator makes using the FSC Tools.

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Accessing FSC Tools

The FamilySearch portal provides access to premium genealogy resources, including some subscription-based websites, that are available to Center patrons. Centers can reach out to the community and become a resource for family history activities.

The FSC Map Locator Tool mentioned above is available to anyone in the community who wants to locate a FamilySearch Center on his or her computer. And, just like sacrament meetings, all patrons are welcome, regardless of church membership.

Once at the Center, a patron can access the FamilySearch Center Portal. The portal is the default homepage on the computer.
They can use the Portal's Resources. The portal provides access to various tools and resources, including subsription-based websites , that are not available to the general public. 

TFH Consultants at the Center can offer instruction and help for those features that may require specific steps to complete access.
Consultants can also answer questions regarding the premium content and other resources that are only accessible through the FamilySearch Center Portal and when using a computer in a FamilySearch center. It's important to note that accessing these sites through their public URLs will not grant access to the full versions available to Center users. 

Although anyone can install on their personal computer the browser extension that allows access to premium content, a church firewall is required to actually allow access to the content provider.

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For New FSC Coordinators

This article is great for new FSC Coordinators. It's from one of the FamilySearch pages. Here is an excerpt:

Consult with your stake high councilor over family history. He can help you understand your calling and assist with the following:

• Provide counsel and direction.

• Establish a regular time to meet to discuss center operations.

• Discuss details such as center hours, staffing, training needs, and member usage.

• Enter your name and standard calling as Stake FamilySearch center coordinator in the Manage Callings section of Leader and Clerk Resources. This will ensure that your area temple and family history adviser is aware of your calling.

Meet with the previous FamilySearch center coordinator, if possible. The previous coordinator can help in these ways:

• Provide information about the center, such as current hours and staff.

• Inform you of any staffing concerns or other issues.

• Give you the keys to the center.

• Provide you with the administrator password for the computers.

• Discuss basic responsibilities.

• Provide contact information for the facilities manager and stake technology specialist.

Go to the FamilySearch Community. Join the following groups:

• Temple & Family History Consultants

• FamilySearch Center Support for Coordinators and Staff

It could be something that might be shared after a new coordinator has accepted the call!

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FSC in the Community

Here is another article from one of the FamilySearch pages that addresses some of the questions that come up in discussions about whether to even have a Center. Please look at the "Related articles" too - good information there! Staffing problems, room access, computer issues, and a whole host of distractions often take us off-topic. Temple and family history are part and parcel of the "great symbol of our faith" and a necessary piece of the work of gathering and salvation. 

So how does a Family Search Center reach out to the community?

Publicize center hours, resources, services, and events such as classes or workshops. Most visitors use a search engine to find you. Search your center name online to see what visitors see. Check for a Google My Business and Yelp page. You can claim and update these pages for your center. Here are some outreach ideas:

• Provide information to stake and ward groups about center resources and activities.

• Post notices and flyers on meetinghouse bulletin boards.

• Conduct FamilySearch open houses or workshops.

• Plan special events where ward and full-time missionaries can invite investigators to learn more about FamilySearch and the Church.

• Work with ward and stake leaders to host discovery experiences and events in the center.

• Give presentations in local libraries, societies, schools, or retirement centers.

• Set up booths at local fairs or seminars.

• Work with the stake director of public affairs to reach out to local media about events.

Related articles

Posters for FamilySearch centers
FamilySearch center resources available from Distribution Services
Funding open houses, fairs, and other events at FamilySearch centers
FamilySearch Center Operations Guide 2023

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Here are more excerpts:

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