It is wise to acquaint yourself with any repository in Utah which you might visit by writing to the appropriate archive or library in advance.
Most, if not all, Utah repositories have published materials that introduce its collections and research policy.
Utah archives and historical agencies also have Internet sites that provide the same information. Some even have downloadable databases for some or parts of their collections.
Utah Archives
- National Archives-Rocky Mountain Region, Denver Federal Center, Building 48, West 6th Avenue and Kipling Street, Denver, Colorado 80225-0307. States covered are Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming; Mailing Address: P.O. Box 25307, Denver, Colorado 80225-0307; Tel: 303-236-0817, E-mail: denver.archives@nara.gov, Fax: 303-236-9297
- Salt Lake County Archives, 2001 S. State St., Ste. 4400, Salt Lake City, UT 84190-1020; The Salt Lake County Archives was established in 1986 as a unit of the Records Management and Archives program. It preserves the historical records of Salt Lake County, provides access to researchers, and ensures that historical evidence and governmental accountability is maintained. Significant holdings include Property Appraisal Cards (1936–87) and Photographs of Historic Buildings of Salt Lake City (1936–75).
- Southern Utah University, Sherratt Library–Special Collections, 351 W. Center St., Cedar City, UT 84720; The Special Collections is a regional history collection of the southwestern Utah area. “SUUper” Search is a full-search tool for information available in manuscript and photographic collections. Many photographs have also been digitized and are available online.
- Utah State Archives and Records Service, 346 South Rio Grande, Salt Lake City, UT 84101; Mailing Address: P.O. Box 141021, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1021; The Utah State Archives permanently preserves and provides access to the records of enduring value created by Utah state, county, and municipal governments. Public records and documents may be used at the Research Room. Various finding aids including online research guides, catalogs, inventories, and indexes assist researchers. There is no fee for reference service; however, photocopying and mailing costs are charged. In 1999, the state archives initiated a cooperative ongoing program to microfilm historical records in Utah’s cities and towns, school districts, and selected county and court records. This microfilm is available at the Utah State Archives and designated regional centers (Utah State University and Southern Utah University). New rolls of microfilm are added weekly. The state archives and state historical society will share a reading room after December 2004.
- University of Utah, Special Collections, Marriott Library, Salt Lake City, UT 84112; The Special Collections acquires and makes available books, periodicals, oral histories, photographs, films, and original materials documenting Utah history, Mormon history, Native Americans, and the West. Its holdings are listed on the library’s online catalog at <www.lib.utah.edu/information/unis>. Significant collections include the records of local churches (e.g., Episcopal Church Archives) and Sanborn maps. These largescale maps (1867–1969) were created for fire insurance agents and depict the commercial, industrial, and residential sections of various Utah (and other western states) cities. The Sanborn Digitization Project makes some of these maps available online at <www.lib.utah.edu/digital/Sanborn/browse.html>.
- Utah State University, Special Collections and Archives, Merrill Library, Logan, UT 84322; The Special Collections focuses on Mormon history and the Cache Valley (Utah-Idaho) region. Two notable collections include the extensive Leonard J. Arrington Collection and the Cache County Archives (1860–1939). Cache County records include probate court and property tax records. Many of these records have been microfilmed and are also available at the Utah State Archives. The Special Collections website contains a guide for genealogists and family historians.
- LDS Church Historical Department, Church Office Building, 50 E. North Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84150; In addition to the Church’s library, there is a large church archives department containing many records not at the FHL. Among them are diaries of early Utah settlers and an extensive collection of official church records. For a clear discussion of the department’s holdings, see Glenn N. Rowe, “The Historical Department and the LDS Church,” in David J. Whittaker, Mormon Americana: A Guide to Sources and Collections in the United States (Provo, Utah: BYU Studies, 1995).
Utah Museums
- The Church History Museum 50 E North Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah – (801) 240-2729
Utah Libraries
- Family History Library, Genealogical Society of Utah, 35 N. West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84150; Every researcher should know of the Family History Library (FHL), operated under the auspices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and situated in Salt Lake City. The collection, owned and maintained by the Genealogical Society of Utah, is of unparalleled importance in the field of family history and is one of the foremost accumulations of records, books, microfilm, microfiche, maps, manuscript, biographies, etc., in the world. For anyone doing genealogical research, a trip to Salt Lake City can be extremely productive since so much is available in one place. If this is not feasible, there are numerous Family History Centers operated by local LDS branch libraries in towns
and cities all over the world. - Public Pioneer—Utah State Library, 250 N. 1950 W., Ste A, Salt Lake City, UT 84116-7901; Public Pioneer is a virtual library created by the Utah State Library Division in cooperation with Utah’s libraries. It is one component of the statewide Pioneer Project, which serves Utah’s public schools and academic institutions, as well as patrons of public libraries. Public Pioneer offers a portal to carefully selected Internet sites and creates an information center for Utah researchers.
- Brigham Young University, Harold B. Lee Library, Provo, UT 84601; The university’s Special Collections houses rare and unique publications, manuscripts, and archival materials emphasizing Mormon and Western Americana. Its holdings are listed on the library’s online catalog.“Trail of Hope: Overland Diaries and Letters, 1846–1869” is a significant digital collection of the original writings of forty-nine voyagers on Mormon, California, Oregon, and Montana trails who wrote during their travels <http://overlandtrails.lib.byu.edu/>.
Utah Historical & Genealogical Societies
For almost every state there is a state genealogical society, a state genealogical council, or both. In addition to their own work, state-level groups sometimes help coordinate the efforts of local societies within the state. Their publications, newsletters and quarterlies, supplement those produced by the local societies.
- Genealogical Society Of Utah 36 North West Temple St, Salt Lake City 84150
- Utah State Historical Society, 300 Rio Grande, Salt Lake City 84101
- Utah Genealogical Association
- Cuban Genealogical Society
- Utah Cornish Association, P.O. Box 703, Draper 84020
- Mormon History Association, 2470 North 1000 West, Layton 84041
- Utah Genealogical Association
- Salt Lake Chapter, Association Of Professional Genealogists, P.O. Box 11601, Salt Lake City 84147
