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About Us

Mission


  1. ENHANCE STUDENT LEARNING: Provide extraordinary educational experiences for students committed to learning the science and methods of family history research.
  2. SIMPLIFY METHODS: Create simplified, innovative tools and methods to engage researchers and expand the horizons of family history research.
  3. CONDUCT TOP-TIER RESEARCH: Significantly impact scholarship worldwide to discover new knowledge and stimulate creative collaboration in academic research.

To accomplish this mission we:

  • Offer family history training for students on the BYU Provo Campus, at the BYU Salt Lake Center, and through correspondence courses and other distant learning.
  • Employ and mentor 40 to 50 students on research projects designed to provide information and/or training aides to the family history and academic community, including the Immigrant Ancestors Project, Nauvoo Community Project, Early British Census Project, Script Tutorials, and more.
  • Participate in and sponsor genealogical training conferences and workshops.
  • Sponsor projects designed to provide information and/or training aides to the family history and academic community, including the Immigrant Ancestors Project, Nauvoo Community Project, Merrell English Marriage Index, Script Tutorials, and more.
  • Participate in and sponsor genealogical training conferences and workshops.
  • Sponsor and supervise student interns throughout the world in places such as London, Madrid, Bern, Boston, Washington, New York, and Mexico City, and provide them with funding assistance.
Center for Family History and Genealogy

Contact

Center for Family History and Genealogy
1031 Joseph F. Smith Building
Provo, UT 84602
Phone: (801) 422-1968
cfhgoff@byu.edu​​​​

Hours: M-F 9:00am - 5:00pm MDT
Closed Tuesdays from 11:00am - 12:00pm​

Projects

40-50 students work at the CFHG on the following projects:

Administration

Director: Suzanne Russo Adams​

Suzanne Russo Adams is an associate professor in the Department of History and the director of the Center for Family History and Genealogy at Brigham Young University. She received a B.A. in Family History/Genealogy, a B.S. in Sociology, and an M.A. in History from BYU. Additionally, she is an Accredited Genealogist professional in Italy. Suzanne has extensive experience in the genealogy industry, having worked for Ancestry.com for nearly 12 years, where she focused on strategy, acquisition, content digitization/publication, community relations, and conferences. She also worked for FamilySearch.org for over 13 years as a Senior Content Strategist, responsible for record acquisition strategy in regions including the United States, Latin America, Southern Europe, the Adriatic, Australia/New Zealand, and the Pacific Isles.

Assistant Director: Alice Childs

Alice Childs is an Accredited Genealogist® professional who specializes in U.S. Mid-Atlantic states research. She is also a professional speaker who has presented at RootsTech, Brigham Young University Education Week, and various other local, state, and national genealogy conferences. Alice has volunteered as a mentor for aspiring professionals in the ICAPGen and ProGen Study Groups progams, and as the Communications Manager for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. She authors the GenealogyNow blog at alicechilds.com, where she shares family history resources and inspiration for genealogists of all ages and stages.

News & Highlights

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New Classes!

July 01, 2019 03:51 PM
Fall 2019
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Assisting the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

June 03, 2019 04:19 PM
Since 2017, the BYU Center for Family History and Genealogy has been assisting the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.
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