I had a wonderful time visiting the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. Now that the library is open every day of the week, I had many hours to research. I even found some time for fun in the discovery center.

I spent most of my time on the international floor going through many reels of microfilm. These rolls were in German and I had no idea what I was looking at but I received help and encouragement from staff and volunteers in the library. The help that was offered to me to translate from German to English was invaluable. I would not have looked at these documents at home even if they were available to me because I would have felt intimidated by the handwriting, but I am now feeling encouraged to learn more about German handwriting and language.

The stay at the Plaza hotel was enjoyable, despite the fact that I didn’t spend a considerable amount of time in my room. The close proximity to the library and food choices made this the best choice for me and I would absolutely stay there again.

I learned a considerable amount from my trip and would love to make a return visit someday.

~~Paula Schoenlein

Today as I write more than 10 days after returning from my first research trip to Salt Lake City, it is clear to me that the ancestors called and they have hot gossip for me! From www.newspapers.com, I discovered my dear grandmother in the Covina (CA) Argus in 1953 ―Viola Lawson teacher of Piano. Beginners and adv pupils FO 8-9464. 4933 N. Hallowell. Arden and Lower Azusa.

Further from her obituary published in 1973 Arcadia Tribune, I learned ―she taught piano in her home for 55 years and was a member of the Alhambra Musicians Club. Wow, locating this document made my heart skip, I lived out of state when my favorite grandmother passed away and never saw the obituary published at the time. After reading it, the numbers didn’t add up. I attended her funeral, knew the attendees, the mortician, and my grandmother personally. So I am well qualified to dispute the printed facts. One example: at age 69, teaching in her California home for 55 years equals 14 years of age when she began teaching (she also lived in Oregon, not California). A ―don’t believe every word printed genealogy lesson here for certain!

My 2019 trip to Salt Lake City was a great adventure, made fabulous with 7 perfect genealogical travelers.

~~Marcia Lawson Grubb

What a great trip! A lot has changed at the Family History Library over the years. Gee, a lot can change overnight, apparently—as some our CCGS researchers commented that a bank of computers (or maybe it was microfilm readers) disappeared overnight, replaced with a sign that indicated changes were coming. We all discovered we had German roots, and most of us spent some time on the International floor working with staff and volunteers. I know I got a lot of help from different workers, and was even able to discover a brother for my grandfather who had never been entered into the Family Search Family Tree.

~~Alice Allen