Cramming Everything Into Short Visit

(This is the second of a two-part series on researching in Salt Lake City.)

Years ago, daffy genealogists would line up at 7 a.m. in front of the Heritage Family Library in Salt Lake City. It was important to be among the first to make a mad rush through the doors at 7:30 because there was a shortage of microfilm readers in the United States and Canada section.

These days, however, it’s much more civilized, if not as much fun. There are now 600 readers, which eliminates the challenge of trying to be first in line. This spring, my gene buddy and I sometimes didn’t arrive at the library until 7:15 and we still got our favorite readers.

Mornings and evenings are not as busy as afternoons; on any given day, some 2,400 people visit the library. In a Family Tree Magazine article, Paula and James Warren suggest afternoons might be a good time to tour the city, go shopping or take a nap.

“It’s important to eat regularly and get enough sleep,” the Warrens write. “If these suffer, your research abilities will, too.” It’s probably not good to follow the regimen my friend and I keep: Breakfast eaten, we’re there when the doors open and work until 10 or so, when we break for a cup of coffee and a Cinnabun in a nearby mall. If we haven’t killed our appetite for lunch, we eat around 1, and then work until 6 or so, when we walk to a nearby restaurant for dinner. Being somewhat revived by exercise and food, we return to the library to read books until the doors close at 10. The library isn’t open Monday evenings, but the Joseph Smith Memorial Building is, with its family history books and surname periodicals.

My friend and I have been chided for working so much, but we only get there once a year, and we want to get in all the study time we can. I do admit, however, that my evening hours aren’t always very productive. Researchers can take briefcases, laptop computers, pens, notebooks and other supplies into the library. An electronic security system stops tagged material from being removed, and bags and purses might be searched when you leave, but it’s all done in a friendly manner. Other implements to take with you to SLC are pens and pencils, a magnifying glass, a stapler, paper clips, and highlighters to organize your material once you’re back in your room. A yellow plastic sheet to lay on the reader board helps immensely to combat faded microfilms, and we find it helpful to take along the “Handy Book.”

Pack a coin purse or something to hold your dollars of change for the copiers. Some gene-types wear fanny belts and leave their purses at home.

In their article, the Warrens suggested including lip balm, research logs, comfortable shoes (amen to that), picture ID (needed to obtain restricted material), and a bag to carry home all your paperwork from a successful trip of researching.

Be sure to make hotel reservations early - rooms are at a premium year ‘round. It seems Salt Lake City holds attractions other than the library.

There are several restaurants within walking distance and half a dozen hotels. Be forewarned, however, that one SLC block is seemingly double Spokane’s. There are department stores and two enclosed shopping malls nearby. Much of downtown is a free-fare zone for buses and the light rail, which runs one block from the library south to the town of Sandy. Motels and restaurants are near some rail stations, and some motels offer shuttle service.

Pick a date, make your reservations, do your homework, pack your bag and have a wonderful genealogy experience.