Church Moves Its Family History Center

Growing demand has spurred the Thousand Oaks Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to move its family history center to a larger facility.

The Thousand Oaks Family History Center at 3645 N. Moorpark Road provides public access to a vast library of genealogical records kept by the Mormon Church in Salt Lake City through a computerized database and microfilm.

“At least 70% of people who visit the center are not members of the church,” said Karen Sycamore, director of the Thousand Oaks Family History Center. The center moved from a church-owned building on Erbes Road.

People researching their family history need only provide their name, place of birth and the birth dates of their parents, grandparents or other relatives to begin the search process.

The center also maintains a library of books and informational materials on researching one’s family history and other references.

Sycamore said the assistance provided by the Mormon Church in researching people’s lineage helps to forge a strong link among family members, past and present.

“If you talk to people today, especially kids, they often don’t know the members of their family past their grandparents,” Sycamore said.

The Family History Center is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and from 7 to 9 p.m., and on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. It will be closed for the month of August.

A second Family History Center is located in the Newbury Park Stake Center at 35 S. Wendy Drive.

Use of either center is free, and researchers can print copies of computerized records and microfilm for a small charge.

For information, call the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 241-9316 in Thousand Oaks or 499-1258 in Newbury Park.