New Genealogy Research Opportunity in Southwest Florida

NEWS RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:

Terri Crawford, Library Deputy Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Genealogy Research Opportunity in Southwest Florida<= /p>

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA (October 13, 2010) – Tracing your family’s hist= ory has just become more convenient! Genealogy researchers in Southwest Florida will now be able to take advantage of the vast historical and genealogical resources of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Ut= ah. The Fort Myers-Lee County Public Library has been granted FamilySearch Lib= rary Affiliate status, which means that library patrons will have access to the microfilm collection of the largest genealogical library in the world.

In cooperation with the Salt Lake facility, the Fort Myers-Lee County Public Library is preparing to launch a microfilm rental program that will enable researchers to order filmed records from all over the world. Instead of traveling to do research in the areas where their ancestors lived, genealo= gists can visit the Fort Myers-Lee County Public Library and, by appointment, re= ceive help with placing an order for microfilm covering a wide variety of record types. Depending on the research being done, a genealogist might choose to order films of vital records, cemetery records, military or probate records--for a processing and handling fee of $5.50 per film. <= /span>

The Family History Library’s microform materials – including microfiche, microfilm and other storage formats – are stored in a climate-controlled vault in the Granite Mountain, a mass of solid rock in = the Wasatch Range of Utah. After library staff processes the order, ther= e is a waiting period of 3-4 weeks, as the film must be sent by postal mail from Salt Lake City. The patron is notified when the film arrives. Films may be= used in the Fort Myers Library only and can be renewed, if necessary, for an additional fee. During the viewing time, researchers may make photocopies = of selected portions of the film or save the record to their flash drive.

Researchers must come to the Fort Myers-Lee County Library by appointment to place an order, as the rental fee must accompany the film order. Appointments may be made at the Fort Myers Library at 2050 Central Avenue in Fort Myers or by calling Telephone Reference at 479-4636. For more information on the= Lee County Library System visit <= span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>http://li= brary.leegov.com or call Telephone Reference at the number above.

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