Welcome!
Thank you for registering for our 2026 Salt Lake City Research Tour, which is taking place Sunday, September 13 - Sunday, September 20, 2026!
Navigate the resources of the world’s largest genealogy library with help from American Ancestors. Our experts have more than 40 years' experience guiding researchers of all levels through the vast resources of the FamilySearch Library. Benefit from our special orientations and tutorials, one-on-one consultations, informative lectures, and more!
Program Includes
- Seven-night hotel stay at the Holiday Inn Salt Lake City Downtown
- Tour and orientation to collections of the FamilySearch Library
- Daily lectures
- Three, thirty-minute consultations with expert genealogists (one virtual pre-tour consultation, two on-tour consultations)
- Group meals (opening and closing dinner)
- Pre-program preparatory webinar and resources
Pre-Tour Zoom Presentations
Pre-Tour Zoom Presentation - Part 1 - Tour Logistics (Schedule, Pre-Tour Consultations, etc.)
Zoom Link to Join: https://zoom.us/j/98452204862
Live broadcast: August 3, 3:00 PM Eastern Time
Presented by: Kathleen Mackenzie, Education & Programming Manager
This presentation will be held in a zoom meeting format. This means that during our Q&A sessions you will have the option to come on camera, unmute, and ask questions. You also have the option to remain muted with your camera off, and instead ask questions in the meeting chat.
Pre-Tour Zoom Presentation - Part 2 - Preparing for Your Research (Library resources, searching the catalog, library guidelines and procedures, etc.)
Zoom Link to Join: https://zoom.us/j/99541325782
Live broadcast: August 10, 3:00 PM Eastern Time
Presented by: Rhonda R. McClure, Senior Genealogist
This presentation will be held in a zoom meeting format. This means that during our Q&A sessions you will have the option to come on camera, unmute, and ask questions. You also have the option to remain muted with your camera off, and instead ask questions in the meeting chat.
Participant Forms
Participant Form for Pre-Tour Consultation - Due August 17
Please fill out this first participant form by August 17, 2026. This first form allows you to provide contact information, allergies, etc., as well as the topic you would like to discuss in your pre-tour consultation over Zoom. After you fill out the form, Kathleen will be in touch to schedule your pre-tour consultation, which will take place between August 17-September 4.
Would you like more guidance on what information to include on the form for your pre-tour consultation? You can view a sample participant form submission here. Questions? Contact Kathleen at Kathleen.Mackenzie@americanancestors.org.
Participant Form for Pre-Tour Consultation - Due August 31
While on the tour you will receive two, 30-minute consultations with a genealogist. You have the option to submit a different topic, or to continue discussing the same topic you discussed during your pre-tour consultation.
Once Kathleen receives all of these forms, she will begin creating the on-site consultation schedule. You will be paired with a genealogist(s) who has expertise in the topic that you submitted for your consultations. The consultation schedule is created based on genealogist availability during the tour between the hours of 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
If you have any questions about filling out this form or the on-tour consultations, please contact Education & Programming Manager, Kathleen Mackenzie at kathleen.mackenzie@americanancestors.org.
Schedule
| Sunday, September 13 | |
| after 3:00 p.m. | Check-in at Holiday Inn Express Salt Lake City Downtown |
| 4:00–4:30 p.m. | Introductions and Your Guide to the Week, Holiday Inn Express Salt Lake City Downtown, Salt Lake Room |
| 4:30–5:00 p.m. | Helpful Hints for First-Time Attendees, Holiday Inn Express Salt Lake City Downtown, Salt Lake Room |
| 6:00–8:00 p.m. | Welcome Dinner, Holiday Inn Express Salt Lake City Downtown, Salt Lake Room |
| Monday, September 14 | |
| 8:50 a.m. | Group will depart hotel lobby to walk to library (or you can walk to the library on your own) |
| 9:00–9:45 a.m. | Orientation to FamilySearch Library, Main Floor, Classroom B |
| 10:00-11:00 a.m. | Catalog Tutorials and Tours of the FamilySearch Library |
| 11:00 pm–5:00 p.m.** | Personal research and consultations with American Ancestors staff genealogists, FamilySearch Library |
| 6:00 p.m. | FamilySearch Library closes |
| Tuesday, September 15 | |
| 8:50 a.m. | Group will depart hotel lobby to walk to library (or you can walk to the library on your own) |
| 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.** | Personal research and consultations with American Ancestors staff genealogists, FamilySearch Library |
| 11:00 am–12:00 p.m. | Lecture, FamilySearch Library Main Floor, Classroom B |
| 8:00 p.m. | FamilySearch Library closes |
| Wednesday, September 16 | |
| 8:50 a.m. | Group will depart hotel lobby to walk to library (or you can walk to the library on your own) |
| 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.** | Personal research and consultations with American Ancestors staff genealogists, FamilySearch Library |
| 11:00 am–12:00 p.m. | Lecture, FamilySearch Library Main Floor, Classroom B |
| 8:00 p.m. | FamilySearch Library closes |
| Thursday, September 17 | |
| 8:50 a.m. | Group will depart hotel lobby to walk to library (or you can walk to the library on your own) |
| 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.** | Personal research and consultations with American Ancestors staff genealogists, FamilySearch Library |
| 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Lecture, FamilySearch Library Main Floor, Classroom B |
| 8:00 p.m. | FamilySearch Library closes |
| Friday, September 18 | |
| 8:50 a.m. | Group will depart hotel lobby to walk to library (or you can walk to the library on your own) |
| 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.** | Personal research and consultations with American Ancestors staff genealogists, FamilySearch Library |
| 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Lecture, Classroom B |
| 6:00 p.m. | FamilySearch Library closes |
| Saturday, September 19 | |
| 8:50 a.m. | Group will depart hotel lobby to walk to library (or you can walk to the library on your own) |
| 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.** | Personal research and consultations with American Ancestors staff genealogists, FamilySearch Library |
| 6:00 p.m. | FamilySearch Library closes |
| 6:00–8:00 p.m. | Closing Dinner, Joseph Smith Memorial Building |
| Sunday, September 20 | |
| before 11:00 a.m. | Check out of the Holiday Inn Express Salt Lake City Downtown |
*Schedule is subject to change
Packet Materials
To come.
Lecture Slides
To come.
Hotel
We will be staying at the Holiday Inn Express Salt Lake City Downtown, located at 206 S West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT, 84101. This is a 10-minute walk from the FamilySearch Library. The hotel has a variety of amenities including:
- Free breakfast
- Free wifi
- Pool
- Fitness Center
- Complimentary coffee in lobby
- Ramblin Roads restaurant next door
Check in is at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 13, and check out is at noon on Sunday, September 20. If you would like to book additional nights at the hotel, you can do so directly with the hotel on their website or by calling them at 1-801-521-9500. When you check in, you can let them know that you're part of our block and would like to stay in the same room throughout your stay.
Parking:
On-site parking ($28/day)
The daily fee allows you to come and go throughout the day- you do not need to pay each time you leave and return.
