Page Contents
1841-1881 Census Street Index (England & Wales)
1841-1881 Census Street Index (Scotland)
1881 Census Index (England, Wales, Scotland)
1891 Census Street Index (England & Wales)
A.I.S. Accelerated Indexing System (U.S.A. only)
Boyd's Marriage Index (England)
Early Church Members (L.D.S. only)
General Register Office, Index to the Index (England & Wales only)
I.G.I. International Genealogical Index
Old to New Microform Numbers List
O.P.R. Old Parochial Registers (Scotland only)
O.P.R. Addenda (Scotland only)
P. A. F. Personal Ancestral File
P.E.R.S.I. Periodical Source Index (North America only)
Smith's Inventory of Genealogical Resources
U.S. Social Security Death Index
Reference Centre, LDS Resources
Family History Centre In-House Resources
As of 1 January, 2024, all microfilms and microfiche are being recalled from FamilySearch centres around the globe. The resources as shown in the table, below, have now been removed from all FamilySearch centres and returned to Salt Lake City, Utah. This, as far as I'm concerned, is a significant loss to the researchers who visit any centre. Yes, many of these resources are now available online through FamilySearch.org. But, most are now only available on subscription websites.
| Record Title | Format | Description & Use | Order By |
| 100 Most Used Books | Microfiche | A collection of books on microfiche frequently required as research aids: foreign language dictionaries, gazetteers, land records, passenger lists, etc. | F.H.L. |
| 1841-1891 Census Index | Microfiche | Used to determine film and fiche numbers for census for any place in England or Wales - these order call numbers are essentially accurate - there are errors in the computer version of the Locality Catalogue | F.H.L. |
| 1841-1881 Census Street Index (England & Wales only) | Microfiche | Found as part of the 100-Most Used Books and used to determine correct film number for portion of census on which a specific municipal address will appear - applies only to towns that appear on more than one film | F.H.L. |
| 1841-1881 Census Street Index (Scotland) | Microfilm and microfiche | Used to determine correct film number for portion of census on which a specific street will appear - applies only to towns that appear on more than one film | Patron, F.H.C. and/or F.H.L. |
| 1881 Census Index (England & Wales only) | Microfiche and/or CD-Rom | An index of the entire 1881 census of England, Wales and Scotland, broken down by four search types: Surname, Census Place, Birth Place and As Enumerated. CD-Rom version is searchable by national index and/or regional disks - entire collection or regional CD-Roms can be purchased on-line via Family Search website. Now also searchable on-line at Family Search website for England and Wales only. | Patron or F.H.C. |
| 1891 Census (England & Wales) | Microfiche | Reproduction of original returns for England and Wales only - collection may be vastly incomplete or complete for only certain geographical areas. | Patron or F.H.C. |
| 1891 Census Street Index (England & Wales only) | Microfiche | This index may have been merged with 100-Most Used Books census indices or may be filed separately - used to determine correct fiche numbers for portion of census on which a specific street will appear - applies only to towns that appear on more than one package of fiche. | Patron or F.H.C. |
| A.I.S. Accelerated Indexing System (U.S.A. only) | Microfiche | Provides an avenue to locate ancestors in the U.S.A.. It is compiled from a variety of sources including census - 8 search categories, each covering specific geographical areas and time periods - key to places and time periods maintained on paper close to microfiche. In the St. Catharines FHC this key can be found in a green binder over the computer station. | Patron and/or F.H.C. |
| Ancestral File | CD-Rom | Pedigrees submitted to the Family History Department or compiled by the Mediaeval Families Unit - includes name of submitter as well as names of other interested researchers - typically does not include all descendants of all branches of one family but can be used to flesh out unknown family information and trace the movements of a branch of a particular family - treat information with caution as errors are known to exist and neither the Family History Department nor the L.D.S. verifies the accuracy of submitted information. | F.H.L. - periodic updates now only available on Family Search website |
| Batch Number Index | Microfiche | Used to identify Source/Printout numbers for I.G.I. entries that are required to complete Photoduplication Request forms - CD-Rom I.G.I. provides this information as part of detail entries | F.H.L. - No periodic updates have been received for many years |
| Boyd's Marriage Index (England only) | Microfiche and microfilm | Microfiche is part of the 100-Most Used Books - in three separate series each arranged alphabetically by surname - covers marriages in England only - each series segregated into Brides and Grooms 1550-1837 - index is not complete and marriages of some counties appear in all three series - see Key to Boyd's Marriage Index for complete details of coverage | F.H.L. |
| Catalogue - Locality | Microfiche and/or CD-Rom | Worldwide catalogue used to determine records that are available through F.H.L. for a specific place and the applicable order call number. Now searchable on-line at Family Search website. | F.H.L. - periodic updates now only available on Family Search. |
| Catalogue - Author/Title | Microfiche and/or CD-Rom | Worldwide catalogue used to determine records written by or about a specific individual or institution organized alphabetically by author or subject title, surname or name. Now searchable on-line at Family Search website. | F.H.L. - periodic updates now only available on Family Search. |
| Catalogue - Surname | Microfiche and/or CD-Rom | Used to determine records available pertaining to a specific surname in instances where the author or title does not bear the specific surname sought. Now searchable on-line at Family Search. | F.H.L. - periodic updates now only available on Family Search. |
| Catalogue - Subject | Microfiche or CD-Rom | Catalogue used to determine records available for a specific subject, e.g. American Indians, Jews, etc.. Now searchable on-line at Family Search. | F.H.L. - periodic updates now only available on Family Search. |
| Early Church (L.D.S.) Members | Microfiche | Is part of the 100-Most Used Books - contains listing of all early LDS church members from early to mid-1800s - primarily American members but includes members who emigrated from foreign places | F.H.L. |
| Gazetteers - any locale | Microfiche | These are part of the 100-Most Used Books - to determine physical location of towns, villages, hamlets, etc. of any country as well as the ecclesiastical and municipal jurisdictions under which that locale was governed - each gazetteer varies in topic, scope of coverage and year of creation - many gazetters on fiche or film are not part of 100-Most Used Books but can be found by searching the Catalogue | F.H.L. |
| General Register Office (G.R.O.) Index of civil registrations of births, marriages and deaths for England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland | Microfilm or microfiche (England & Wales only) | These indices are alphabetical listings by surname of all births, marriages and deaths registered with the Register General as of advent of civil registration - index used to determine year, quarter, volume and page number in and on which a particular birth, marriage or death will appear in the registers of the Register General - facilitates ordering of certificates at a reduced cost | Patrons and/or F.H.C. |
| Index to Civil Registration Index (England & Wales only) | Microfiche | Used to locate film numbers for a given year during which births, deaths, marriages occurred. | Patron or F.H.C. |
| I.G.I. (International Genealogical Index) | Microfiche and CD-Rom | An alphabetical listing, by surname, of christenings, births, marriages and some miscellaneous events - searchable on-line at Family Search website - see also The I.G.I. DeMystified a book which fully explains the mysteries of this marvellous resource as well as it's best use in your search. | F.H.L. - periodic updates now only available only on Family Search website. |
| I.G.I. Addendum | CD-Rom only | The only method by which the CD-Rom version of the I.G.I. had been updated prior to going online at Family Search. The whole of the I.G.I. plus Addendum entries for Wales and Africa were merged into just the Addendum files. The whole of the I.G.I. and the old Addendum are now searchable only on Family Search. See also The I.G.I. DeMystified a book which fully explains the mysteries of this marvellous resource as well as it's best use in your search. | F.H.L. - periodic updates. But now only available on Family Search. |
| I.G.I. Instructions | Microfiche | A set of instructions for the use of the I.G.I. generally kept at with the microfiche edition of the I.G.I. but now may have been removed from the Family History Centre, particularly if the microfiche edition of the I.G.I. has also been removed. See also The I.G.I. DeMystified a book which fully explains the mysteries of this marvellous resource as well as it's best use in your search. | F.H.L. |
| Microform Restriction List | Microfiche | Used to determine if a given film or fiche CANNOT be circulated to a F.H.C.. Microfilm circulation restrictions are now stated in the on-line catalogue at Family Search as well as being noted at the time of an online film order at film.familysearch.org. | F.H.L.. No updates will be received on microfiche. |
| Mormon Immigration Index | CD-Rom | An index of L.D.S. members who immigrated from their native country to U.S.A. - includes name, age, occupation and, in many instances, birthplace of immigrant - ship's details also included as well as diary of voyage - can be purchased from F.H.L. via Family Search website. | Patron or F.H.C. |
| Old to New Film/Fiche Numbers | Microfiche | This resource was used to determine new call numbers assigned to certain old collections that had been previously microfilmed - many early Church membership records were filmed very early but of poor quality - those records re-filmed 1974 onwards were re-assigned new numbers. This resource is redundant as the entire up-to-catalogue is available on-line at Family Search. | F.H.L. |
| O.P.R. - Old Parochial Registers (Scotland only) | Microfiche and/or CD-Rom | An index of christenings and marriages, by surname, entered in extant Presbyterian Church of Scotland records 1550-1854 - on fiche by four search types: Christenings by Surname and Given Name; Marriages by Surname and Given Name. On CD-Rom this record is known by the title "Scottish Church Records". Any records created by Presbyterians during the period of Episcopalianism in Scotland are not included. Burials and mortcloth dues also are not included for any period. This resource is not available on Family Search and is now only available at the Register General for Scotland's website called Scotland's People. | F.H.C. |
| O.P.R. Addenda (Scotland only) | Microfiche and/or CD-Rom | Contains approximately 40,000 additional christenings and marriages that had been omitted from the original O.P.R. index - merged on CD-Rom edition. Records created by Presbyterians during period of Episcopalianism are not included. Burials and mortcloth dues also are not included for any period. This resource is not available on Family Search and is now only available at the Register General for Scotland's website called Scotland's People. | F.H.C. |
| P. A. F. Personal Ancestral File | CD-Rom or website download | The official Personal Ancestral File program has been discontinued by the LDS. It was, and still is, a data recording and storage computer program for genealogical information. Several versions are currently in use worldwide by the latest version published was 5.2.18. As of version 5.0.1 the program could accommodate image and sound files, compile and print a variety of genealogical reports in several formats - possesses GEDCOM import and export capabilities and can generate a website from the information you record - L.D.S. Church members had the capability of preparing the Temple Ready procedure directly from their PAF file. Version 5.0.1 and up is compatible with P.A.F. Companion (see below). Version 5.2.18.0 (the last version) of PAF can still be downloaded from Parowan Software. I am able to use it in both Windows 10 and Windows 11 without any problems. | Previously by patron and/or F.H.C. |
| P. A. F. Companion | CD-Rom or website trial download | The official PAF Companion software has now been discontinued by the LDS. The companion program to P.A.F. version 5.0.1 - allowed for searching of P.A.F. files - compiling and printing a variety of genealogical reports in several formats not available via the original P.A.F. program. PAF Companion also had GEDCOM import capabilities. Now marketed under the name of Charting Companion a 15-day free trial version of the Charting Companion can be downloaded from Progeny Genealogy. Charting Companion is now compatible with a wide range of family tree makers. | Previously by patron or F.H.C. |
| Parish & Vital Records List | Microfiche | Used to determine precisely the records used to compile the I.G.I. for any given place - should be consulted to determine the applicability of I.G.I. entries to patrons' search. Made redundant by on-line version of I.G.I.. | F.H.L. |
| Patron Fiche | Microfiche | A wide variety of genealogical and historical records on microfiche ordered from the various FHL catalogues. The Patron collection usually is vastly incomplete - may be arranged by fiche number or by country, surname or subject - check with your local centre. Some of these records may now be available on-line through the Historic Book collection of Brigham Young University libraries. | Primarily by Patron |
| P.E.R.S.I. Periodical Source Index (North America only) | Microfiche | A bibliography of articles related to genealogy that have appeared in 2000+ North American society and history journals - listed alphabetically by surname. | F.H.L. - no future updates will be made. |
| Pedigree Resource File | CD-Rom | A compiliation of family pedigrees similar to Ancestral File - these pedigrees were submitted to the Family History Department via internet upload to the Family Search website - index to the Pedigree Resource File is searchable on-line at Family Search website but full pedigree can only be viewed by purchasing individual disks or at a F.H.C. that has the entire collection - caution most be used in using the information as neither the Family History Department nor the L.D.S. verifies the accuracy of submitted information - collection be purchased from F.H.L. via Family Search website | Patron or F.H.C. |
| Smith's Inventory of Genealogical Sources | Microfiche | A listing of genealogical records held by F.H.L. that are NOT indexed elsewhere including in the catalogue | Patron or F.H.C. |
| Temple Ready | CD-Rom | Another program which has been discontinued and replaced by modern online programs accessible via Family Search. A program through which L.D.S. Church members prepare their genealogical records for eventual inclusion on the I.G.I. - program reads Church members' Temple Ready GEDCOM and searches for information in I.G.I. and I.G.I. Addendum files that match or closely resemble information currently being submitted in an effort to reduce number of duplications of I.G.I. and Addendum entries - DOS and Windows versions of Temple Ready exist - Windows version must be used if data has been prepared using P.A.F. 5.0 or higher - DOS version must be used if data has been prepared using any earlier version of P.A.F. - Temple Ready program is available at a F.H.C. or the F.H.L.. It can also now be accessed on-line at the Family Search website by Church members upon entering their user name, password and church membership number. | F.H.L. |
| U.S. Military Index | CD-Rom | An index of deceased military personnel who served in Korean & Vietnam Wars - provides name, rank, serial number, dates of birth and death of soldier as well as racial origin on Vietnam War index and if MIA or KIA | F.H.L. |
| U.S. Social Security Death Index | CD-Rom | An index of individuals who died 1937 through 1988 who were receiving Social Security benefits at time of death - includes name, dates of birth and death, social security number, place where issued and general geographic area to where last cheque was issued - searchable on-line at Family Search website - copy of applicant's original application can be purchased from Social Security office at Baltimore, Maryland | F.H.L. |
| Vital Records Index series | CD-Rom | An index of christenings and marriages extracted from original records, mostly church registers - if original record states it, names of parents and marital status of bride or groom are also included - separate Cd-Rom series for British Isles, Australia, North America, Mexico and Scandinavia - Mexico and Scandinavia searchable on-line at Family Search. | Patron or F.H.C. |
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