Search for Your Family History at the Southbury Library

(Editor’s Note: We first published this story earlier this week, but in case you missed it because of the snow and all of that here it is again)

The Southbury Public Library is proud to announce that they are now a Family Search Affiliate Library and Family History Center.

The library’s new title follows the installation of a state of the art ScanPro 3000 microfilm and microfiche reader with touch screen, which is paid for from the Janet Mann Genealogy (Estate) Gift and specially selected by the Strategic Long Range Library Technology Committee.

Janet Mann was a 20 year Southbury Public Library volunteer and was named “Volunteer of the Year” in 2009. Shirley Michaels, Chairman of the Library Board of Directors said in a prepared statement, “Our past and where we came from are one of the most important indicators of who we are. Thanks to Janet Mann’s special gift to the library for genealogy, we are able to give everyone a better chance at understanding their lineage”.

Individuals who are interested in genealogy and local history are welcome to order rolls of microfilm and microfiche from FamilySearch.org, send them to the Southbury Library for pickup, and use the library’s ScanPro machine to view them. This service is open to anyone who would like to use the library’s facilities to conduct their research.

The microfilm reader is located in the newly constructed Janet Mann Genealogy Corner on the main floor of the Southbury Public Library, which now also boasts newly constructed bookshelves carrying the library’s collection of genealogy reference books.

FamilySearch is a nonprofit online genealogy resource. After creating a free, personal account on FamilySearch.org, users can begin searching through extensive collections of microfilm, microfiche, and digital records to find archived newspaper articles, church records, and other documents (some of which are hundreds of years old).

In order to view a roll of microfilm or microfiche, simply select the item, pay the nominal shipping fee, and send it to the Southbury Public Library. Once it arrives, use the library’s Scanpro 3000 microfilm reader to view the roll of film.

The new, technologically advanced microfilm reader gives users options to enlarge words and images, copy and paste text, search for keywords, and more. Copies of articles and photos can even be saved and later printed out, if desired. Once users are done with their microfilm or microfiche roll, the library will return it to FamilySearch.

Please call (203)262-0626 ext. 130 or stop by the Reference Desk at the Southbury Public Library to inquire about these new services.

Left to right - Molly Curry, Elizabeth Tishion, Priscilla Wismar (all members of The Heritage Village Genealogy Club), seated Margaret Hill and Richard Hill, Katherine Mostacero, Reference Librarian, Shirley Thorson, Head Librarian, Emily Oumano, Reference Librarian.