There’s a growing interest with people all over the world to trace their roots. To find out where they are from and about those who came before. Although often associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it’s not specific to one religion, it’s turned into a passion for people all over the world. 

“Anybody and everybody is welcome,” said Carolyn Call, coordinator at the South Davis Family Search Center. “We have experienced staff and volunteers who are professionals and are well versed in genealogy and family search.”

The center has high speed photo scanners for digitizing photos to a zip drive, she said. “You can scan large documents or scrapbooks. We also have a slide scanner and 35mm film scanner where they can be digitized.”

Call said the center is well equipped to help make family history more accessible. “There are 19 computers, three printers and 17 Chrome books. We’re working on setting up a recording studio to record your life story or share memories and we’ll have equipment to convert VHS to digital.”

There’s been a huge interest with people in finding out where they came from, she said. “They want to know who their ancestors were and their traditions. We love to celebrate them and their brave lives and remember the sacrifices they made.”

It’s not just dates of when they were born or died, said Call. “It’s finding stories about them and finding things you didn’t even know existed. We want to preserve the stories of our families.”

Call said she got started with family history when she was in her 20s. “I was traveling to Norway and that was where my grandpa was from. I’d always been told that all of his family was dead. I wanted to see where he lived.”

She took a boat to an island then went on a bus to a church there. “There was no internet, no phones,” said Call. “I found a man who opened the parish record and showed me a picture. I said, ‘yeah that’s my grandpa.’ He said grandpa’s nephew lived down the road and that he had two sisters. We drove down and he looked just like my grandpa.”

Call said they drove her around to where he was born and lived. “I met his sister and she showed me the original black and white picture of them growing up. It’s amazing what can happen.”

Groups are welcome to come in and receive instruction and use the equipment available. Courtesy photos.

The 1950 census just came out, she said. “It only comes out every 10 years. I can look up my mom and see her when she was young and where she lived.”

Someone with no experience can get help in the beginning, said Call. “A person can sit next to you and show you what to do. If you’re more experienced we can help you do more in-depth research. There’s really something for everybody.”

The technology has changed so much, she said. “I was looking through microfilm. Now you just type it in and it’s digitized. There are so many things. I don’t know anybody who has everything digitized.”

It’s important to learn about individuals, Call said. “To get to know them as people. You can always contribute your own personal things and experiences. It’s fun and special to have.”

It’s a fun hobby, she said. “It’s uplifting to start your family history. It’s fun and rewarding.”

It’s the history of your family, said Call. “If you’ve never tasted sugar you don’t know what it’s like until you’ve done it. Dip your toe in. This is amazing.”

The South Davis Family Search Center is located at 3350 S. 100 East in Bountiful. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and Thursday evenings from 7-9 p.m. Friday and Saturdays by appointment. For more information visit https://locations.familysearch.org/en/us/ut/bountiful/3350-s-100-e.λ